Bless This Mess

I feel very grateful to have been born into a religion that is very much based on gratitude. With too many other factions, cultures, and religions based on anger and hate, I've got to give Judaism big props for teaching the utmost in appreciation for all things. I mean, we have blessings for LITERALLY EVERYTHING. But it's wonderful. Before food, after food, upon seeing a rainbow, seeing lightening, waking up, going to bed, before and after a meal, while baking challah, for seeing, for your children, for your host when you visit their home, for planting a tree, the list really goes on and on and on.

Giving thanks is ingrained since we can speak. It's a beautiful thing to teach and learn. So many problems are caused by taking things for granted and not showing proper appreciation. I think I decided to start saying my food blessings in 8th grade. I kinda remember just one day deciding to do it. And I kept at it. Which always makes me feel good. It feels right in my heart since it IS right. It's really just manners. I'd never let my kids get away with not saying "please" or "thank you". Those really are magic words! So certainly, God needs to hear my manners as well.

Gratitude is a broad concept. We often need help expressing it.

These blessings act as a guide and instruction book for us to do so. This has nothing to do with Judaism, the notion of thanks is for all of humanity. We are capable of enormous capacities of gratitude, but in this extremely egomaniacal era, that gets muddled. As any wise person will tell you, gratitude is the key to happiness in life. The great thing is, that every second we have the chance to be instantly overcome with these feelings. And they often pass as fast as they come. Energy is always flowing, always changing shape. By saying blessings, we are causing a ripple effect of good energy. What we put out will come back, like a boomerang of good feelings. Who wouldn't want that??

Thank you to all of you who are reading this. I'm grateful for your eyes, your attention, and your support. A Lady who isn't grateful is certainly not a Lady at all.