We all know I could go in a dozen different ways here but I put it in the blog today because I stumbled upon this word during my morning meditation. I do not have a regular meditation practice (or rather one that is separate from my Ashtanga practice). Rather, I am doing this 21- day meditation challenge with Oprah and Deepak Chopra. Before you judge… Oprah can be a bit much but it’s cool! And it’s free! This particular challenge (I have done a few others with them) focuses on gratitude and the quote posted today says, “The road to happiness starts with a deep breath and an awareness of the many blessings tied to that single breath.” – Richelle Goodrich
I think typically I associated the word blessing with something large, lofty and religious. Something holy said solemnly before a meal or at Yom Kippur services, something that might make me feel guilty even? The word to me feels almost…unattainable or maybe inaccessible is a better description. As in, I’m not devoted enough to use it or something.
I automatically envision this imposing white nebulous ball hovering over me in yoga, yelling “FIND THE BLESSING CHELSEA, LOOK INTO YOUR BREATH”. Clearly,not a word in my regular lexicon.
When I looked it up to see what, if anything else, the word meant, a couple other definitions surprised me. As I suspected the second definition listed mentioned “approval from God” but the first said, “approval that allows or helps you do something” (remarkably non-religious) and the third, “something that helps or brings happiness, encouragement.” When I thought about it in that light, the word blessing changed. It became a word I might actually use and better yet, not feel weird or preachy while using it.
Let me say again that prior to my moments of “research” my go-to had been to turn the word blessing into some BIG, lofty word imbibed with a great and profound meaning. As such, the “Message Of The Day” didn’t make sense. How could something so LARRRGE (said in Wizard of Oz voice) be found in something so small such as a single breath? That alternative definition turned it around for me. It made sense. A blessing can be small, humble, and quiet. It can even go unnoticed. A blessing can be a quiet spot to sit or a hug or a funny much-needed sneeze. Hm. Pretty neat to think about. As a result, I understood the quote. Here’s how I figure it: Let’s say I make a cup of coffee. Now coffee sure as anything is a blessing and conducive to my happiness but it the blessing could also be the act of making it – slow and methodically sleepy – or my cat rubbing up against my leg while I putter around. I think this is what the quote means by many blessings contained in one thing (that is a blessing in and of itself). Kind of like Russian dolls?
In closing, I now know that I can and want to use the word blessing. A blessing can be anywhere or anything. I think the key is awareness. I see the many blessings I have and can always look and see more (Oprah and Deepak have done it again!)- at least for the next few minutes I can.
