Look to Instagram, and you’ll find a myriad of smiling selfies and sunsets with the hashtag #blessed attached to them. It’s easy to feel blessed when we are in a good mood and feel loved. Even when things seem to go wrong, most of us know that our lives could be much, much worse. But being truly grateful for our blessings means appreciating how much love the Creator has for us in all areas of our lives.
"We are surrounded by so many blessings every day."
The kabbalists teach that the key to awakening more blessings and drawing them into our lives is to foster an appreciation for all we are currently blessed with. We are surrounded by so many blessings every day that we often take them for granted or don’t even notice them at all! How often do we actually list out all of the things for which we are thankful? Taking time out of our busy lives to count our blessings can help us focus on the things that really matter while also growing a stronger connection with the Light of the Creator.
Here are just 10 examples of blessings to appreciate every day:
1. A roof over your head.
Our homes provide us with shelter, warmth, and security. It is estimated that there are 150 million homeless people in the world. Remind yourself what a blessing it is to have a comfortable place to live!
2. Access to food and water.
We are surrounded by food all the time. At the supermarket, on the street, at restaurants and cafes, at home. It’s so easy to forget that food and water are basic human needs that many people are forced to go without. The fact that we have plenty of food and water, as well as options of when and where we eat, is a blessing that should not be overlooked.
3. Your loved ones.
Every person is put into our lives for a reason. Think about the people you turn to when you need something, the people that bring a smile to your face, and the people that provide you with endless love. How lucky are you to have them in your life?!
4. Your senses.
The world is filled with extraordinary things for us to experience. Just to hear a moving piece of music or to witness a sunset is a remarkable blessing from the Creator!
5. Your skills.
We sometimes focus so much on our own negativity or the things we need to change about ourselves that we forget to appreciate our talents. Our abilities are God-given gifts, bestowed upon us for the sake of bringing more Light into the world. Whether you’re a musician, a tax accountant, or just a really good listener, take time to consider how you can better share your strengths with other people.
6. Your wisdom.
Chances are you’ve learned a few things in your years on this earth! Be thankful for the experience and perspective you have gained. They have shaped you into the person you are today.
7. Your memories.
Memories can be joyful or painful, but either way, they are reminders that we lived. They let us hold on to people we have lost and to learn from our past.
8. Your freedom.
There come times when we feel “stuck” in our lives - a dead-end job, a bad roommate situation, a rocky relationship. The truth is that we have unlimited opportunities before us! We can change jobs, move to another city, make new friends. The freedom to make choices and make mistakes is a beautiful blessing!
9. Your challenges.
Yes, even our challenges are blessings! You might not be able to see it right now, but the Creator is giving you exactly what your soul needs to grow closer to the Light. Every obstacle we overcome teaches us something. We should be thankful for our challenges because they are our golden opportunities to become better versions of ourselves.
10. Life itself.
The biggest blessing of all is that we wake up every day with breath in our lungs.
We are blessed in ways we can’t even comprehend. The more we identify the simple blessings we experience every day, the more appreciation we awaken for the Creator. That draws us even closer to the Creator and opens the doors for even more Light to enter our lives and the world.
