Choosing Gratitude

For those of you who know me well, I am not one who prefers formal prayer...instead I communicate verbally and nonverbally with God through an open dialogue. If you are a formal prayer type of person, I really recommend you try just "talking" instead. I find this open communication calms me...its like a mediation more than a structured task.
One of things I try to do daily is say "thank you." DO you say "Thank You?" If so how often?
Now there are days I forget and life gets in the way but more than not I am "Choosing Gratitude." I choose to think not what I am thankful for in an itemized list but just say thank you. I have so many blessings... I am grateful for everything I have and am.
To be fair there are moments when I find myself saying thank you more readily, for example... Tuesday I was running along the road and I went to cross the street and a pick up truck nearly took me out...I rolled along the car and ran as fast as I could away...instantly I said, "thank you!" I immediately called Michael because I was so shook up...he helped ease my "jitters" and I continued on my run. While doing so I engaged in my usual open dialogue...it went something like this, "thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you." When I picked the boys up from school I didn't leave for a second...I hate that it took a moment like that to soak up every inch of their being but it did. I think in a strange way it made me a better parent...This week I have made eye contact with the boys while they are speaking (which is a much harder task than you would think.) I have been present for them. I will remain present for them. I will encourage them to say, "Thank You."
Everyday we make choices...good, bad, indifferent. Everyday we should find time to be thankful. I know this blog post might appear "preachy" but in my experience, if you don't say what you need to say when you need to say it, the moment will pass and regret will set in...
Thank You.