May I live this day compassionate of heart, clear in word, gracious in awareness, courageous in thought, generous in love. -- John O'Donohue, author of To Bless the Space Between Us
It was 1 a.m. as I left the training center and walked the two blocks back to my apartment. The streets of Taipei were quiet and I felt comfortable walking unaccompanied that late at night.
The first time I saw her, I was startled. I didn't expect to see anyone in the wee hours of the morning on my small street, really more like an alley. But there she was, an elderly woman digging through the trash as if her life depended on it, which I suspect it literally did.
I wondered who she was and why she was there in the middle of the night. But given that I used professional interpreters in the training room, my command of Mandarin was pretty much limited to ni hao (hello) and wuo ai ni (I love you), which didn't leave many options for carrying on a conversation. After saying hello, I didn't have much of anywhere else to go. Besides, she didn't seem interested in socializing. She was a woman on a mission.
Six nights a week she was there, working furiously. Sunday was her night off. She never looked up as I passed her by or seemed to notice my presence. She never stopped breaking down boxes and making large stacks of flattened cardboard. She never stopped bundling together reams upon reams of discarded office paper.
In the morning when I would go out, she was gone. The trash bins were empty and the area where she'd been working was spotless. It finally dawned on me what she was up to. This old woman wasn't just an ordinary dumpster diver. At a time when most people her age were fast asleep in their warm, comfy beds, this woman was taking care of business. She wasn't looking for food. She was working the night shift.
She was hauling away the recyclable materials discarded by the large office buildings nearby. After piling her treasures onto a large cart, she manually pulled it to wherever such materials were taken to be recycled.
My heart broke to witness her working so hard and under such conditions. I guessed her to be about 70, but after a lifetime of manual labor, she could've looked much older than her years. I felt powerless to do anything to help her or make even a small difference in her life.
Then it occurred to me to send her a blessing as she labored in the night. So that became my ritual. Each night, as I passed by her, I would silently say to her, "Wuo ai ni (I love you), God bless you, may you be safe from harm, may you be healthy and strong, may you know peace, may you know that you are loved."
Since then, I've become aware of the joy of sending silent blessings. Spoken blessings are wonderful too, and by all means, give them when you have the chance. But there are so many more opportunities to silently bless whatever is in your path, a blessing becomes like a mantra.
I send blessings to just about everything: people, plants, trees, flowers, the sky, clouds, animals, children, cars, you name it, I am blessing it. When I take Bart into San Francisco, I'm blessing everyone on it and the train itself. When I board an airplane, I'm blessing the pilot, the crew and all the passengers before we've even taxied onto the runway.
And I can't help but wonder what the world would be like if everyone in it was blessing everyone else, everywhere, all the time? Instead of cursing and giving the one finger salute, what if we were blessing each other instead? What if we were sending blessings instead of bombs and missiles? Instead of lining our politicians' pockets with money, what if blessings were the currency that made the world go around?
I know that sounds really farfetched and completely beyond reason, and I readily acknowledge that it is. But that's actually my point. While blessings won't feed the hungry or end wars or assuage greed, they can serve as a balm to help make connections beyond what separates us. As the late John O'Donohue writes in his wonderful book, To Bless The Spaces Between Us, offering a blessing opens the heart and extends our generosity. It reconnects us to what is common among all humans, regardless of our differences.
Beyond the caloric intake necessary to sustain life, what people are really hungry for has more to do with feeding the heart and the soul than it does with feeding the stomach. I'm not suggesting that offering blessings is the answer to all the world's problems. But maybe at the heart of our fear and depression, at the heart of what drives humanity to inhumane actions against each other and the very planet on which we live, is the loss of something far more essential to life than having the biggest bank accounts, the most toys or the fastest cars.
If we are to make a leap in consciousness as a species, we need to learn how to bridge the gap between us. Even small gestures can start the process. What does it cost you to send a blessing? A few moments of your time? A bit of mental energy on your part?
But consider the rewards. Sending a blessing to the old woman in the alley took me out of feeling sad and powerless to do anything to help ease her life, and allowed me to see her as a beautiful being, a being of light and strength. I felt empowered and hoped in some small way she would receive the energy of my blessing and be empowered by it.
O'Donohue, a former priest, writes about being asked to give a blessing to one of the elderly nuns. After doing so, he asked her to bless him in return. She responded with surprise and a bit of discomfort as she acknowledged she'd never been asked to bless anyone before. This experience is what prompted him to write the book as a way of encouraging others to rediscover the power of blessings.
Have a Blessing Day
Try the following experiment and notice your experience. If you don't do this already, start with blessing your food, but don't stop there. Bless the farmers who grew it, those who harvested it, those who helped transport it to market and those who worked in the store where you bought it. Bless those at the table with you and yourself as you partake of this food and ask that you may be the best expression of your highest self this day.
But don't stop there. Continue on to bless every part of your life. Bless the cars on the freeway. May all arrive safely at their destination. Bless your co-workers, your clients, your patients, your students, teachers, therapists. Bless the clerks and those who wait on you in stores and restaurants. Bless those who clean the streets and collect the garbage. Bless those who work to keep the streets and our homes safe: the policemen and firemen. Bless every animal you see, even the ants.
Why bless everything? Because after all is said and done, there's nobody else out there. Remember Carl Sagan's "we're made of star stuff"? We're literally made of the same stuff as stars and that means that even though we look and act differently, we're all just different expressions of the same star stuff. So why not bless it all? Just for good measure.
So how about stepping up and offering a blessing, right here and right now? Right in this space. Don't be shy. It's just us. We're family here, even if you think you're a stranger, we welcome you as a member of this community we call the wisdom well.
Who or what would you like to offer a blessing to today? Go ahead, and offer it. Let's start a blizzard of blessings. Or an avalanche or a tsunami. It can be simple, short and sweet. Doesn't have to be poetic or fancy. OK, I'll go first:
A blessing to all who come to the well:
May you live well this day, with an open, generous heart.
May you know that you and your life matters.
May you remember the truth of who you are.
May you be a bridge to awakening.
May you be empowered to bless others.
May you always know that you are loved.
Now it's your turn. Go ahead, bless away!
For more about matters of the soul, visit my personal blog and website at Rx For The Soul. For personal contact reach me at judith@judithrich.com.
I'll be away next week as we celebrate the Fourth of July. Happy Interdependance Day everyone!
Blessings upon blessings this day,
Judith
For more by Dr. Judith Rich, click here.
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Jeff Cannon: You Have 1,440 Minutes Every Day -- Take 10 for Yourself
Lawson, we want to know how the orange custard pie turned out. Updates, we want updates..... :-)
I'll be away for the next couple of weeks, working on a special project. I hope you see you all back here at the end of July.
Stay safe and live big. Love and blessings to all,
Judith
Wouldn't it be lovely if we had gestures for sending and accepting blessings?
I'd love to hear some ideas..... the first one that comes to mind is to tap your heart twice and extend that hand to another. OK, now my mind is cooking on this!
Thank you so much, spartanmom! And welcome to this place we call the Wisdom Well.
Fanned and fav'd!!!
I have been waiting for your comment to Lawson to come down so I could comment on it. I thought it was absolutely PRICELESS !!
I just arrived home and still waiting. Finally, clicked on the word " comment" and it states that it has been removed. Go figure !! I do so hope Lawson saw it.
Blessing to you my dear lady for these wonderful heart full words. Since I feel really angry right now about an encounter with a government bureaucrat and her stone-walling blame game, I don't feel in the mood to bless anybody. However your article did make me climb down the walls some.
I usually send blessings to everything and everyone and it's awesome when I do. So
May all who read this article be well, have loving sunshiny days even when it rains.
Cheers everyone
Catherine
Hugs...
May you breathe in love in the face of that which hurts
May the pain in your heart be soothed with the warmth of love
May you send back love to those who curse or blame you
May you see light in the darkness and follow it home
May peace be your constant companion on the journey.
Sending you love and peace this day, dear Catherine,
Judith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t5Zmet3x2k
Paul
This is fabulous! Thanks so much for posting it here. I've put it on my Facebook page so many others can see and share as well.
Let the day begin!
In gratitude,
Judith
My best to you and all at the Well. With blessings.
Paul
Thanks.
A wonderful weekend to you & yours......
Thanks for the kind words and wishes. Hope you have a great weekend and upcoming holiday.
Paul
You make a lovely point. How wonderful to know that others are holding us in a blessings place. Just puts some zing in the step, doesn't it?
Many blessings your way this day,
Judith
HI! What a nice thought, to realize your piece is part of a larger, interconnected mosaic. I have always believed, whether prayer, blessings, a simple note, or many other forms of shared support were threads that connect us and serve to strengthen the tapestry of life.
Grateful for your thoughts!
Lawson
May the tendrils of your love and influence continue to grow and envelop us!
May all herein continue to drink in your wisdom from the well!
Love,
Lawson
P.S. May time extend, 'cause I have little to none now.... be back later! :)
Be well dear one.
We love you,
Judith
After a 14 hour day, mostly driving, the last 5 hours in 103+ temps while in a truck without AC, I am pooped... and my butt hurts! However, I still feel blessed to return to read, respond, and interact in the Wisdom Well with you and others.
There is so much sharing, so much caring, and so little pretense, I can think of no other place of preference. So, thanks for being here; your efforts are a blessing to us all.
What I would say is:
May your heart sing with the rhythm of community love.
May your mind be filled with thought of gratitude from us in the cheap seats.
May your head caress its pillow swimming with the knowledge that you are appreciated, treasured, and loved!
Lawson
Blessings to -
My family members traveling on vacation.
Those who are hungry.
The people affected by the Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado.
Those who take the time to read my comments
My dear sister Judith for her gift she shares each week.
Thank you for bringing your special flavor to this offering. I love how this community always steps up and plays big.
Sending prayers to the people in Colorado, my old home state. Praying for rain!!!
Love and blessings to you dear J&C
Judith
Can you imagine how I felt the first time I encountered a homeless person? I began volunteering at a local shelter. It was a faith-based shelter, but the Pastor had no problem with my atheism. She needed someone who cared. I cared. Eventually, I gravitated to a vets shelter, because of my service in the Army. I travel the streets (sometimes with Tess the Wonderdog with me), and arrange transportation to the shelter for vets in need. It's sometimes difficult not to get "really" involved with them, it can be overwhelming.
I was going to ask if an atheist can "bless" others, but you answered my question thoroughly. Yes, I can. I'd like to remind people that atheists do have morals and love to share too. I can share my blessings, by sending my best wishes for Love and Peace to those I encounter. This I do, unabashedly, to all who read this.
Paul
First, thank you for the work you do with the homeless vets. Just thinking about them makes my heart break. Just your very presence must be such a gift for them. I can also see how it could be consuming. The need is so great and the resources available to help so small.
As for the mythical conflict between being an atheist and being able to extend blessings, I really think religion or the lack thereof has nothing to do with it. A blessing is simply the extension of loving kindness, in word and in deed. There are no requirements or limitations on one's ability to be loving and kind.
Thank you for the blessing that you are. We see you.
Much love,
Judith
Paul
I love that you make blessing others ok for the rest of the world ♥ And I love that you started with the O'Donohue blessing. Beautiful. Much that I've learned about blessing others--and allowing myself to be blessed--came through him.
In truth, I think anytime love--in all it's finery and messiness--is directed outward toward another being or object, a blessing is afoot. :) Every gratitude, therefore, is a blessing. And the simplest one I know is this: thank you.
Thank you, Judith. .
♥
A
I know several ordained people who need blessing, big time. After all, I live in Texas...
Sorry, I couldn't resist...thank you for your post, I loved it.
Thanks for not resisting, Sam. My best to you all.
Paul
Yes, you're right. It's a common belief that only the ordained may bless another, thus, most people feel "unqualified" to offer this grace. O'Donahue gifted us with the awareness that everyone, anyone, regardless of one's role or status, is not only qualified, but more than worthy to offer a blessing.
Another beautiful crack in the wall of "unreality" that keeps people separate.
Thank you for your thank you!
Hugs and blessings your way,
Judith
And climb on every rung...
http://www.myspace.com/video/melody/bob-dylan-forever-young-from-the-last-waltz/3758159
I hope everyone watches this video. Hearing the then young Bob Dylan sing this song is amazing.
One of my all time favorite songs, but I'd only heard it sung by Joan Baez before now.
Thank you, thank you, thank you,
Judith
Sometimes it's scary to find that he wrote all these songs, interpreted so often by other musicians. But then again, I rarely hear anyone complain about it.
:-)
Thank you Diogenes
You are THE BLESSINGS FAIRY!! I love it!
Judith
"May you know that you are the answer to your ancestor's dreams!
May your life unfold through Love, Beauty, Wisdom
May you Trust your process.
May you honor your deepest instincts and intuition.
May you know you are the jewel in our Great Mother's Heart.
May you know that Love never dies.
May you know that you are never alone.
May you know that here you are free, to be exactly who you are,
May you find Love and compassion for all beings.
May you begin and end each day with kindness onward yourself.
May You come home to the Light that you are."
May You Be the Love, today and always,
Cara
Miss Talia is a lucky little girl to have such a grandmama as you, such an angel of goodness on her team.
And so it is that you walk in the world as this same angel of goodness. And we are blessed for our connection here, and in the heart.
Abundant blessings your way my dear,
Judith
Your blessing reminds me well of the one I wrote in The Love Project: Coming Home. There, in the beginning, I wrote for my grand baby, Talia, and all the children of our world (of all ages in part what follows...
cont.):
May gratitude overwhelm your heart,
May it flow to all who come within your presence,
May harmony and joy be your constant companions,
May the blessings that come your way be multiplied
a thousand fold each and every day.
May the words "Wuo ai ni" linger long in your heart.
When one offers a blessing, one becomes the blessing. And so it is with you and yours.
Many thanks for this beautiful expression. We see who you are.
Grateful you are here,
Judith
http://youtu.be/LufO0FC3Vqk
May you have a most joyful, soulful, relaxing day.
Your blessings are kind and rich in concern for others... may they all return to you too.
And... æˆ‘çˆ±ä½ should resonate in all hearts!
Lawson
I'll spare you the French ..lol
May the best piece of pie you have ever savored land on your plate and may your creativity with words increasingly expand and flourish.
~ A Gap Between Us ~
In there is where your blessings live.
A simple glue holding each of us together.
In there,
That space between the space.
Look or don't look, it is still there.
Where Hearts feel our oneness.
Just give a blessing, and watch it grow.
Binding us, stitching us, healing us
Through every sorrow, every loss.
Filling the Soul,
So someday there is no gap between us.
omzzz
Thank you for blessing us with what inspired you today.
Your words take me to that "space between the space" where the soul's elixir lingers, to that which heals the illusion of separation.
Sending sweetness on your day this day,
Judith