The Gentle Art of Blessing

In another time, blessing was a common occurrence.  People had their homes blessed and saged before they moved in…blessings were bestowed on a new member of the family when everyone arrived home from the hospital.  Blessings over the food- or the planting season- or a special occasion or the procurement of a new job.  Whether people were religious or not, you didn’t need a cleric to bestow a blessing.

Grab a candle and a moment of silence and bless.  In every culture and belief system some sort of blessing was part of the experience.  I am reading a lovely book that brings this practice into the center of daily life and encourages the reader to bless before they go into a meeting  – or when they are thrust into some conflict or see it on the news.  The Blessing is automatically reciprocal.  That is, when you bless you are blessed in return.  It is impossible not to feel the vibration of kindness and the softening of the heart.

It is not yet 10am in California, and I have blessed the people of Paradise as they celebrate 5 years since their devastating fire…blessed all the fire fighters everywhere for their courage – blessed the Israeli’s and the Palestinians and the Ukrainians and the Russians- blessed their families and their leaders and their soldiers – blessed my breakfast and my three dogs as they try to share my breakfast.  (☹)  Here is what I notice – I have slowed down – I have recognized the humanity in my brothers and sisters everywhere- recognized my own need for blessing and find myself filled with a new level of connection and gratitude.  All of these feelings and experiences bring my system into coherence…my breathing deepens and my heart beats with love and understanding. (please notice I did not say agreement).

This somewhat ancient art is on my radar now and I intend to do it daily.  I was reminded of it by a member of my writing tribe – and it touched me deeply. (Thank you Jennifer).  My mother was a southern woman – and it is common in parts of the south to say “bless your heart” when someone is struggling or telling a story of fear or loss. It must be pronounced with a slight slow drawl as if heart were a three syllable word.  Sometimes it can appear insincere but trust me, my mother said it daily and she meant it.

Sometimes we remember to say it when someone sneezes…God Bless You – I know people who twitch at the sound of the God word and yet they participate in this action.  I had to look up where it came from…apparently your heart stops when you sneeze or so someone thought once upon a time…God’s blessing was  intended so the heart would beat again.  Sounds like a good idea to me.

In these rather troubled days, I recommend giving this a try – as I complete this sentence I am blessing each and every one who reads this blog.