In order to have be truly be happy, I believe you need the following:

• A healthy respect for the self.

• A sense of purpose. (the present)

• Something positive to look forward to. (the future)

• Gratitude for everything you have, had, and are going to have.

It’s not much of a list at the moment.  I hope to add to it in the future.

While a healthy appreciation for your past experiences may be beneficial, I don’t feel that it’s an essential prerequisite for happiness.  For example, if you’ve had a less than fortunate upbringing, you may prevail, not because of it, but in spite of it.

On a related note, I believe the following inhibit your joy:

• Viewing life as a competition.

Feeling down?  My best advice to you is exercise.  There’s plenty documented benefits to exercise, including the release of endorphins.  I always feel most optimistic and creative after a session of exercise.  To quote self-help guru, Tony Robbins:

Emotion comes from motion.

Look at it this way: Death = stillness; Life = motion.  If you want to feel alive, move!