As far as being thankful, I am very thankful that I've been so lucky in my life. Why are so many people uncomfortable with the concept, and reality, of luck?
You sound like an optimistic person, and I admire that.
I also have the sensation of having been very lucky, but I think it is because I have learned to glory in the good things that have happened to me, and I try to ignore the bad. Also I realize that good/bad are just modes of thought. Things that happen happen for reasons. I might not like what happens but from an overall perspective, it is just nature, proceeding as it must.