When people describe their blessings as bestowed by God, I cringe. Because, I know that I am not blessed. I was not blessed with meeting the perfect husband in my child-bearing years. I was not blessed with a healthy baby who now is everything I live for. I was not blessed with a birth family who picked us to parent their child. If these are the blessings that some attribute to God, then I am not blessed.Blessings, you see are relative. One knows to call something a blessing when one knows the antithesis. I live the antithesis so that others know what to call their blessings.
People generally, don't like it when one self-describes herself as "not blessed." When I articulate my reasoning, people say to me, "ah, but you should count your blessings." That makes me cringe too. Because what they are really doing is "should-ing" on me. They assume, and wrongly so, that I am not grateful for what is good in my life. I love the husband I married. I love my work. I love my family. I love that Caitlin made me a mom. I'm aware that I am loved when I least deserve it.
But, I won't "count my blessings." Why? Because when I'm told that I "should count my blessings, that means that I should be grateful that I have some things that others do not have---and therein lies the problem. I reject the notion that by finding "blessings" that someone else was not "worthy" to receive, that that should make me feel better. I can be grateful for what I have without feeling happy that others are less fortunate.
I will not be uplifted by the misfortunes of others, and I will not be diminished by the fortunes of others. I am grateful, thought not blessed.
This - "I will not be uplifted by the misfortunes of others, and I will not be diminished by the fortunes of others"
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
You've said this with such grace that I am biting my tongue and will not write what I intended, which was a comment on those who claim to be blessed. Instead, I will remember your words.
Thank you for this post. It is so simple and to the point. Authentic without apology.
ReplyDeleteThis was a powerful post, & I had to sit with it for a while before coming back to comment. You have given voice to what many of us have felt and thought, silently. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a respectful stance toward yourself and others. Thanks for giving me something to think about.
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