Dear Friends,
I grew up with grandmothers and family members giving out blessings. They gave them when you said hello or served them tea. Often times they would say, “Jeondi reh” (jay- own-di re-h).
In English, it translates as “Stay Alive”, but it means much more than that. It is a blessing for a good life and their gratitude for your life. Also tied up in there is the recognition of how precarious life can be. They have lived through hardships, been tested, and now as seniors, they are grateful for life itself.
Other times they would place their hand on the top of my head as part of their prayer and blessing for me.
It never meant that much to me then. It was just something the older generations did.
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A few years ago, I noticed that my relationship with those blessings began to change. I began to pay attention to the energy being directed to me through the blessings. My curiosity pricked me to wake up to receive the generous gift they were giving to me.
Of course, there are times, when some are just going through the motions of saying the words and doing the gestures. That’s ok because the times they tap into the essence more than makes up for the times they don’t.
About 10 years ago, I started offering my own silent blessings to loved ones, plants, trees, and skies. I do it when I’m moved by the love I feel for the person, pet, or plant in front of me whether I know them or not, it makes no difference. They could be in a place of joy or utter despair.
I feel myself quietening down, connecting to the essence of all-encompassing love, and letting it move through me to them. In my mind, I whisper, bless you, bless you.
These days I find myself saying, “Jeondi reh.” to dear planet Earth. There’s so much going on. Bless you. Bless you.
Will you join me in blessing our planet and all those on it from plants, people, animals, deserts, mountains, oceans, and skies? Bless you.