Shift your paradigm

What does it take to develop a real appreciation for the lives and opportunities that we have?  Most of our time is spent (consciously or subconsciously) wishing we were doing something different.  In my entire life, I can remember only a few occasions where I was truly living in the moment.  Does somebody have to die?  Do we need to experience a traumatic injury or illness?  Why does it always take a "life-changing event" to change our lives?  Can one begin to meaningfully change their life through sheer self discipline and desire?  I have made many little changes to my life, but I still grind through the day with little emotion, living on bits of immediate sensual gratification; some of which are not healthy physically and or emotionally.  Today I changed coffee shops; maybe tomorrow I can change something meaningful.