The paper tag dangling from the side of my insulated mug read, “Give thanks for the unknown blessings already on the way.” Each weekday starting at 6:15 am, I rely upon deeply imbedded habits to accomplish my morning prep. Showering, dressing, and even the 30-minute yoga practice I have recently added to my routine seem to only require the smallest fraction of my waking consciousness. While I fix a mug of green tea, my “higher functioning” brain continues sleeping and does not open its eyes until the workday begins at 8:00. So it surprised me that I noticed there was 4-point font printed on the ½” paper square, let alone that I read the words thereon.
I have since discovered that this inspirational message is credited with being a Native American proverb by some sources, while other sources say it is a Quaker blessing. Which of these is true, or if it is neither, is unknown. Does it matter? That is hard to say, but it is clear to me now that regardless of the source, these words matter to many. Besides appearing on the on opposite end of a sachet of Yogi®️Green Tea, they can be found on posters, wall hangings, the covers of personal journals, and have even been made into a song. Apparently, this adage that I only learned about weeks ago has long been in the public domain.
Being grateful for things that you do not know about nor have in your possession but are destined to be part of your life is a fascinating concept to me. In my daily efforts to be grateful, I have focused on counting my existing “blessings” – health, family, friends, my home, my job, my liberties, my existence – from whatever source these blessings were bestowed upon me. I do not recall ever having focused on that which I will receive or be a part of my life in the future, but for which I have no knowledge.
Giving thanks for unknown blessings already on the way encourages the belief that there is more good to come, maybe even the best is yet to come. Perhaps out of an abundance of fear that I may take my life for granted, I had restricted my gratitude to that which is already in front of me. Yet, feeling an appreciation that as our lives continue, there will be more to bring us joy, more for us to love, more to help us grow, and more to affirm our place of belonging in the world, is really the essence of hope, isn’t it?
Today I am grateful for all that I have, all that I have had, and all there is to come.
Rose Ann
11:11
