Practicing gratitude...but how does it really work???

I have heard countless times. Practicing gratitude is a path to Happiness. But how does it really work? I have plenty of things to be grateful for. But instead of a feeling of gratitude and then promised happiness, I feel...nothing...it feels like an inventory. Is that being ungrateful? I hope not. Listing the things that I am (supposed to be) grateful for...wonderful family, beautiful home, job, health...never leads to this feeling of happiness or peace or tranquility that Mindfulness advertises (or so I assumed). And then I came across a new definition of practicing gratitude. Practicing gratitude is allowing yourself to feel joy. Joy is gratitude and gratitude is joy. I love this concept. And I started thinking about all the things that bring me joy...
watching your children sleep (no matter how old)
Breathing in crisp Spring air
Walking along West cliff Drive in Santa Cruz seeing the waves crashing on the rocks with the white frothy foam
Listening to my daughter belting out "Radio gaga"
First bite of varan bhaat
First sip of Testarossa Pino on a cold cold night
Sitting on the steps of Lincoln Memoria
Dinner at the little Italian restaurant in Princeton
Waiting in the line at Time Square for "Chicago"
Listening to Sinatra
Walking by Seine, taking in Paris
Yop of Notre Dame Cathedral
Discussions around dinner table (Planning an imaginary heist...reminiscing about Rutu's adventures in the Boy Scout)
Solving logic problems
Driving to Hana in Hawaii
Barcelo Maya Palace
Gold Coast in Australia
The Great Wall of China
Niagara Falls
Pomegranate martinis in Ani Deepali's sunroom
Reading in the backyard on a lazy Sunday afternoon
Inhaling the sweet smell of jasmine
Homemade shwarma
Walking on the Golden Gate Bridge
Waking up in the morning after a restful sleep
Right after an awesome workout
A really nice cup of Cappuccino (Blue Bottle)
Chocolate raspberry mousse cake
In the throes of a suspense novel (Gone Girl, Silent patient)
Heart to heart talk with my kids
A feeling of cleanness right after a shower
Watching a great movie (Inception)
Dancing at Monali's party
Watching the sun dip in the Maui ocean...
And as I am recalling and writing my moments of joy, I feel this warm and fuzzy feeling from the roots of hair to the tips of my toes and a wide smile spreading across my face...undoubtedly grateful to the core of my being! And just like that I know how it works!