Thanks!

It isn't very hard to say "Please" for the things that we might desire. It is, in most of us, ingrained in our adolescent rearing. We see items that we find alluring, and we ask our parents, significant other, or friend, "Please? Can I have that? It's so pretty?" When we're down on our luck and play the lotto, I don't think there isn't a soul out there who hasn't looked up and whispered, "Please, just five of six numbers would be great." Or how about after a night of binge drinking, "Please let me make it through the night, and I'll never touch another bottle again." The 'please's' slide fairly easily off the tongue.

It is the "Thank You" that most of us forget! When you're racing out of the house because you woke up late, but you still get to work on time because every stop light was green, do you say 'Thanks'? When you find that long lost $20 crumpled up in a jacket pocket, do you run away to the mall to spend it, or say 'Thanks' for the unexpected windfall? When you hit every red light on your way to work, know you're gonna get in trouble, but have just missed a six car accident because of it, do you say "Thanks"?

Even more simply, when you wake up in the morning . . . "Thanks!" Do you have the opportunity to make a difference today? "Thanks!" Do you have a job to go to? "Thanks!" Do you have the chance to find a job you're gonna thrive in? "Thanks!" Do you hear the laughter of children during your day? "Thanks!" Do you have the love of a spouse at the end of your day? "Thanks!" If there's no spouse, do you have friends to spend your evening with? "Thanks!" And, if you're home alone, how about the sweet serenity that surrounds you? "Thanks!"

There is SO much to be thankful for. So very much of it, we take for granted. Don't ever stop using "Please" when you are inquiring of something; but moreso, remember to ALWAYS say "Thanks!" for absolutely everything! Thanks, my friends, for taking the time to read this today. I am thankful for you and for the ability to read and write and for the internet to reach out and stay connected. Thanks!