Blessing our food was a ritual in our home that was as sure as sunrise in the morning and sunset at night. It wasn't something to which I ever gave much thought-just one of those things I had to do like bathe or brush my teeth. Yet now that I'm an adult I appreciate the ritual of the Blessing as much more than a mundane habit forced on me by good Christian parents.
As human beings, we all have the ability to bless. The act of blessing is an acknowledgment that Spirit is present in everyone and everything with which we come in contact. When we bless something, we become aware of our interconnectedness with all things. My own experience with blessing, especially people and situations that are irritating to me, is an immediate humbling and release of all resentment or anger. I also find that in any situation where I give a blessing, I am also blessed.
A blessing doesn't have to be an elaborate, formal ritual. It can be as simple as saying, "Blessings to you," or "Bless this space." I've found this very helpful when driving. At one point, I found that I was experiencing road rage when other drivers cut me off or were otherwise reckless. I began simply saying, "Go with God" whenever another driver was being foolish. At first I admit I'd flip them off as I said it. But eventually I found that instead of making angry gestures I felt my heart open to the other driver and sending loving energy to them. It certainly cut down on my own stress level, and who knows what mishap it may have helped the other driver avoid?
I recently started a part time job as secretary at my mother's church. This is an opportunity for me to give back in a productive way to the people who were part of my "village" growing up. The work is mundane, and I'm definitely over-qualified for the position. However, as I print and fold bulletins and newsletters as part of my duties, I bless each one and ask that the people of this community know abundant blessing. I've blessed the work space asking that all who enter will be blessed. All very simple, and I wondered if it had made a difference. Just today one of the ladies commented that the office looks so nice now.
We never know who our blessings will touch or how far they may go. However, the ability to bless is a gift, and to miss an opportunity is to ignore our responsibility to use our gifts.
Thanksgiving is just a few days away. May you bless and be blessed in abundance, and may you know yourself as the blessing that you are.
Namaste!
