Twenty Blessings Not Typically Acknowledged
How often do you count your blessings?
Does it make you feel good when you start to realize how many you have?
Or does it feel like drudgery because you have some deeper level of inherent unhappiness?
Sure, it’s easy to count friends, money in the bank, and other intuitively beneficial things. But it takes creative reframing (not to be confused with delusional deception) to glean insight from things that involve discomfort or disappointment.
Admittedly, a lot of the items in this list are either ones I wouldn’t have listed earlier in life. Some I still struggle with, even though I know they are helpful. See what you think:
Rejection: No one likes getting shot down. But blessings include the reminder that you’re not owed a “yes” just because you asked. It’s also your opportunity to improve.
Conflict: Having someone angry at you isn’t pleasant. But conflict reveals the truth of a situation like nothing else can.
Adversity: You won’t know how strong you are until you’re challenged beyond your means.
Suffering: You don’t become more patient until you have to become more patient.
Mortality: Few things give perspective like the death of a loved one. No one likes the reminder of how temporary life can be - but we can’t afford to forget that.
Traffic jams: Isn’t life already going too fast? Nothing like a traffic jam to force you to slow down.
Getting fired: Steve Jobs once called getting fired “awful-tasting medicine.” An unpleasant but necessary wake-up call. And it’s still up to you to decide how humble you want to be when receiving this feedback.
Breakups: Whether you are the one ending the relationship or having the relationship ended, be thankful to have your time and energy freed up to pursue another relationship.
Disruptions: Aside from helping you recognize your actual locus of control, they test your resilience and help you become more agile.
Persecution: While this might fall under the broader category of suffering, some of the most resilient moments came out of persecuted people. For the record, I am not condoning or encouraging persecution. But we can always celebrate responding well to it.
Getting swindled: Hopefully not for too much. But I bet you won’t let that happen again.
Getting laid off: Tying back in with disruptions (9), no one likes the fact that life doesn’t owe good employees a stable job. But it’s your opportunity to acknowledge what you can control and what you can do next.
Getting written up: Much like getting fired, no one likes getting feedback that their job performance is not up to standard. But celebrate they cared enough to tell you how to get back on track.
Taxes: Half-kidding. I hate paying these too. But believe it or not, there’s a lot of infrastructure you take for granted unless you can acknowledge that tax dollars keep them going. Public broadcasting is one of them.
Burnout: I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. If they can be spared from this, great. But few things in life will make you realize you’re saying “yes” to everything except yourself.
Technology glitches: A wonderful reminder that no system is perfect and that each will have its own set of problems. “Set it and forget it” is a tempting myth. Don’t chase it.
Abrasive people: No lie, they can wear anyone down. But at least you now know examples of who NOT to become.
Lazy co-workers: Want a challenge? Try motivating someone. And not just with a carrot or stick.
Sloppy roommates: Notice a theme yet? Learn to establish and enforce boundaries quickly. You’ll keep enabling bad behavior until you do.
Injuries: When your body cries out for help, ignore those warning signs at your own risk. Mind over matter doesn’t tend to play out well in those situations.
I once heard a saying: “You can’t control the waves, but you can learn to surf.” May we all get better at surfing, because life’s waves won’t stop coming. Will you become bitter or better? It’s your choice.
Ready to learn to surf better or share one of your blessings in disguise? Feel free to reach out or comment here!
