Befriend Your Blessings

misty-rose

You don’t even need to finish the phrase. It’s clear: whatever you’re selling, I’m not buying, pal.

Now, with tokens phased out, the saying just isn’t quite as catchy.

“That, plus a metro card…” Oof. Kinda clunky.

Old sayings change.

Old ways sometimes need updating.

At the bank, I overheard a man say, “This is my funeral suit. Told my wife this is the outfit I want to be buried in!” Everyone laughed, but I wondered why he’d even be on that wavelength.

Never say this: ”If I didn’t have bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all!”

In truth, you actually have good luck. I call it Providence, but (I’ll update a few old sayings) – you say sweet potato, I say yam.

Just like watching the nightly news – if you judge the world by the headlines, you’d think it’s all going to Hades in a shopping cart! Those acts you hear about on the news are not the norm. That’s why they’re news!

Most people are doing the right thing. We all want harmony in the neighborhood and peace in the world. But…

It only takes one Granny Smith to sour the entire assortment! (Meh. That one needs work.)

It’s the bad apples that get the coverage. God’s still in charge. Not the gangs or the cartels or the syndicates. It really is a family of man. We are all related.

So I say this to you: Befriend your blessings. Don’t just count them. Marinate in them. Meditate on them. It’s the story you tell as you live your own life that seeps into your psyche. It either shores you up or drags you down. Just as you’d encourage a child with praise, it’s important to nurture your own soul by focusing on your blessings.

Forget the school of hard knocks. Matriculate in the University of the Universe’s Favor.

Grace is gentle, like a soft rain misting a rose. Let it fall on you like, well, Babka from Paradise! 🙂 Okay, you’re right, bubbe – the original is still the best choice. Like Manna from Heaven!

10 comments

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October 10, 2016 at 12:20 am

lovern2012

Hi. As I continue to read your blog and others, I am so encouraged to keep learning all I can about blogging. I appreciate your way with words and the artwork too. I’m still a novice but very excited and having fun. I ask for help and allow myself to learn in whatever time it takes. Yes, marinate in my blessings! Thank you.

October 10, 2016 at 1:49 am

rhcwilliams

Hi there, lovern2012! Really appreciate your kind words. Keep in mind that everything worth doing takes time – you’ll get the hang of blogging before you know it! Just write about what interests you and people will find you.
Blessings!
Ruth
PS I can’t take credit for any of the pictures I post – they’re from unsplash.com (free to use pix)

October 10, 2016 at 2:20 am

Thanks for the info on unsplash. So many sites, so much to learn. And you are so right when you say everything worth doing takes time. I am learning to be more patient each year.

October 10, 2016 at 2:52 am

That’s the spirit! 🙂 Keep blogging!

October 10, 2016 at 2:29 pm

calensariel

I sometimes wonder what would happen if we ALL did that. Of course it’s naive to think that folks in Aleppo, for example, would find that comforting. But shouldn’t that give us more reasons to count our blessings? Then I get hit with the guilt because I forgot to focus on my blessings. (This is particularly true of my washing machine and dryer for some reason… ) I think having spent 20+ years raising my family in an extremely conservative church I may have been robbed of the ability to enjoy or even recognize my blessings because I always felt so bad about everything. For that reason Grace has become a very important word for me the last two years. I really appreciated this post, Ruth. It gave me a chance to articulate something that’s been plaguing me for a long time now.

October 10, 2016 at 2:54 pm

Lady Calen, I think you’re a walking writing prompt! Not to mention a terrific Mystical Fiction writer (Myst-Fic? My-Fi?) and a compassionate, creative soul. This comment you made touches such an important topic: guilt. I think it’s the greatest stumbling block for many seeking, spiritual people when considering joining a church.

And you know, I do think people in Aleppo can benefit from focusing on the positive, even with all they’re going through. It doesn’t mean they’re not aware of how hard life is for them; it’s the glimmer of hope as they go through it. That’s what faith has been for me, but I know, it can sound like small comfort in a war zone.

You’ve given me food for thought, as always! 🙂 XO

October 10, 2016 at 4:31 pm

🙂

October 10, 2016 at 4:50 pm

loristrawn