How To Be A Blessing

One of my favorite books is called "The Blessing" by Smalley and Trent. It is grounded in the custom from the Hebrew tradition that the father at some specific and special time in a child's life would intentionally and with the greatest depth of feeling give the child a spoken message..a blessing. I have always seen this as an ultimate act of  expression of love and encouragement. We all want to hear words of affirmation, acceptance, and love and when we do we tend to grown into healthier adults. We tend to be adults who can in turn have healthy and close relationships.

According to Smalley and Trent, "The Blessing" has five elements. A blessing must include a spoken message, attach high value, picture a special future, include an active commitment to see that the words lead to actions and must always include meaningful touch. 

The tradition of giving the blessing is still a part of the Jewish tradition. In today's world I think it is even more critical now that children receive this blessing and not just on one occasion but seamlessly as a part of family life regardless of ones religious faith. Taken another step further I love the idea that anyone, no matter their age, can give another person a blessing.

Parent to child, child to parent , spouse to spouse, co-worker to boss, boss to co-worker, friend to friend, neighbor to neighbor. There are endless pairs of relationships in which the gift of a blessing could only enhance the relationship or lift another person up. I challenge us to think about the words of blessing we have received in our lives, be grateful for them and to pay them forward by speaking them to another often. Smalley and Trent offer great help if  a person has somehow regretfully missed out on The Blessing.

 Complete the circle, continue the circle and give and give and give those blessing words away. You will never regret them.

Living Gratefully....one blessing at a time.

Zig and Zag

January 2010 is ending soon and it looks like Oklahomans will break out of this month with an ice storm. Forcasts have been repeatedly stating the possible worst with thick ice causing power outages and up to a foot of snow on top of that. With this next wave of weather, the weathermen are warning everyone to prepare. We have made our list: snow shovel, bag of salt, extra water, food that can be cooked on our gas stove, and favorite books and movies. Guess we are prepared!

At least there is warning. I like warnings. I am a faithful weather watcher. I like to be prepared. I like to know what is coming.  However, in my effort to life gratefully I am also focusing on getting more comfortable with "seeing what happens", "going with the flow" "living in the moment" and "embracing spontaneity". This next event could just be an opportunity to practice.

Even with weather forcasts and radar capabilities, we still do not know what is really in store for us on Thursday. Maybe ice, maybe snow...maybe both. I do know that there will be an opportunity to zig and zag my way through. Whether in travel to and from work, dealing with a power outage or finding ways to occupy my time while snowed in, I will remind myself to adjust, adapt, and be aware that honing this skill might be of course my "planned spontaneity". :)

Living Gratefully is ...being thankful when the zig and zag opportunities come your way!