If you scroll through social media, you might think a “blessing” is synonymous with a promotion, a tropical vacation, or a brand-new car. We attach the hashtag #blessed to our highlight reels, subtly signaling that life is going according to plan.
But if we strip away the filters and the status updates, what is a blessing, really?
Is it just good luck? Is it a reward for good behavior? Or is it something deeper, quieter, and far more profound?
To understand the true power of a blessing, we have to look past material success and start looking at the way we view the world—and the way we move through it.
The Shift from Transaction to Grace
We often fall into the trap of transactional thinking. If I work hard, I will be blessed with success. While hard work is virtuous, viewing blessings as a payment for services rendered misses the point.
A blessing is an act of grace. It is a gift that is often unearned and unexpected.
It’s the lungs that breathe without you commanding them to. It’s the friend who calls exactly when you feel lonely. It is the sunrise that paints the sky violet and orange, regardless of whether anyone is awake to see it. When we realize that life itself is not a guarantee but a gift, our baseline shifts from entitlement to gratitude.
Finding Blessings in the Mess
It is easy to feel blessed when the sun is shining. It is much harder to feel blessed when you are in the trenches of life.
However, some of our most profound blessings come wrapped in sandpaper. They scrape us and challenge us, but they ultimately refine us.
- The closed door that felt like a rejection but actually steered you away from a toxic environment.
- The failure that humbled you and forced you to learn a new skill.
- The grief that, while painful, deepened your capacity for empathy and love.
These are the “blessings in disguise.” They aren’t fun in the moment, but in hindsight, we often realize they were the very things that saved us or helped us grow.
The Power of the Spoken Word
The word “benediction” (a form of blessing) comes from the Latin bene (good) and dicere (to speak). Literally, to bless is to “speak good” over someone or something.
This implies that a blessing isn’t just something we receive; it is something we create and give away. Words have power. When you encourage a child, thank a stranger, or forgive a friend, you are bestowing a blessing. You are using your voice to add light to the world.
In a culture that is quick to criticize and slow to praise, choosing to speak a blessing is a radical act of kindness.
How to cultivate a “Blessed” Mindset
If you want to feel more blessed, you don’t need more money or a better job. You need better attention. Here are three ways to tune into the blessings already around you:
- The “Glimmer” Hunt: We all know what “triggers” are. But psychologists also talk about “glimmers”—micro-moments of safety and joy. The smell of coffee, a dog wagging its tail, a cool breeze. Hunt for these daily.
- Bless Others: When you feel empty, give something away. It could be a compliment, a few dollars, or your time. The energy you pour out often cycles back to replenish you.
- Keep a “Reverse” To-Do List: Instead of looking at what you have to do, look at what you get to do. You don’t have to cook dinner; you have food to cook and a family to feed. It’s a small linguistic shift that changes a burden into a blessing.
The Takeaway
Ultimately, a blessing is a bridge. It connects us to the present moment, to the people around us, and to the divine mystery of being alive.
Today, try to look at your life not through the lens of what is missing, but through the lens of what is present. You are here. You are breathing. You have the capacity to love and be loved.
And that, amidst everything else, is a beautiful blessing.
HI Eren