Gratefulness ...it's hard, man!

I've asked this question before on Facebook and received good responses from friends and family.  Still, it's a tough subject for me: Gratitude.  I understand that many direct their gratitude towards a god or gods, but it's hard for me to understand where to shoot my "thank you's" if i don't have said god.  It feel silly, almost uncomfortable to say "thank you for this beautiful day!" when i have no idea who's listening or when i remember that life can be full of crap.  For instance, this little post appeared to me today from MindBodyGreen:

Begin Your Day By Feeling Grateful

By MindBodyGreen

"Begin your day by feeling grateful. Be grateful for the bed you just slept in, the roof over your head, the carpet or floor under your feet, the running water, the soap, your shower, your toothbrush, your clothes, your shoes, the refrigerator that keeps your food cold, the car that you drive, your job, your friends. Be grateful for the stores that make it so easy to buy the things you need, the restaurants, the utilities, services, and electrical appliances that make your life effortless. Be grateful for the magazines and the books that you read. Be grateful for the chair that you sit on, and the pavement that you walk on. Be grateful for the weather, the sun, the sky, the birds, the trees, the grass, the rain, and the flowers. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"


Time and time again i come across a vast school of thought that says daily gratitude can really change your life (a very wise woman once gave me the gift of Gratefulness).  it can make you happier, more peaceful and better equipped to deal with life's troubles....well, hell, these are things i want!  so when I remember to, i say "thank you!" to the universe for whatever i can identify as lovely in a specific situation.  Still, when cars are cutting me off on my bike, when people clog up the metro, when things just won't GO ... this is when it's hardest to be grateful, but i know it's also when it's most important to be grateful.

So I ask thee....

1. who do you give thanks to?
2. what are you generally thankful for (other than just around the Thanksgiving dinner table)?
3. how do you keep up your gratitude when [so many] things may be pissing you off?

please do share your t.h.o.u.g.h.t.s. :)