I know it’s a sign of age but whenever I hear the word ‘happiness’ I immediately remember Ken Dodd singing ‘happiness, happiness, the greatest gift that I possess, I thank the Lord that I've been blessed with more than my share of happiness.’

I don’t think ‘Doddy’ would be singing that song so enthusiastically if he was alive today though given the fact that the latest World Happiness Report shows that the UK has dropped in the league table and that young peoples’ happiness in particular is on the decline. Britain ranks a lowly 32nd and the US is even worse coming in at a sad 62nd. Maybe this is the moment when we should start to ask how we could ‘Make Britain Happy Again’! But that would raise a very simple question: how could we do that?

If you want to answer that question, you should turn to a super book written by two of the many outstanding Christians I have had the privilege of knowing. Paul Griffiths and Martin Robinson were clearly aware even fifteen years ago that wealth can and does coexist with unhappiness and depression, and as a result they authored ‘The 8 Secrets of Happiness’ in the hope it might prove something of a ‘wake-up call’.

‘8 Secrets’ is easy to read, full of sound advice and distilled wisdom but best of all it is full of practical suggestions too. The authors point out for example, that practicing acts of kindness is one sure way to become a happier person and being thankful can prove just as effective too. ‘Such is the power of being thankful’ they write ‘that scientists have viewed it as a treatment for a whole host of ailments and as an additive with which to colour one’s life’

Robinson and Griffiths were obviously writing from a Christian perspective and so you won’t be surprised to learn that I welcome their emphasis on caring for our souls. All of which leads me to the Zairean pastor who stayed with us as a family a few years ago.

‘Thomas’ (not his real name) was probably the happiest person I have ever met. He had much in his life to make him unhappy, not least the fact that he and his family were living in severe poverty and often experienced times of real hunger. But ‘Thomas’ was radiant. In fact you didn’t need a lamp; his smile could light up a dark room. And his secret? He would say that as a family they knew God’s loving presence and were immensely thankful for all He had done for them, so much so that they wanted everyone to be let into the secret too!