Bless You

When you sneeze, do people around you say, “bless you?” Or do you hear, “Gesundheit?” Even with German ancestry, I prefer the former. “Bless you” is a way of sending a positive message without being “preachy.”

My daughter, Ashley, once got scolded by a stranger. As a cashier at the local OfficeMax, she concluded a transaction with, “Have a nice day!”

The lady barked, “Don’t tell me what kind of a day to have.” No doubt, her day was already far from pleasant. I wonder what she would have said if Ashley had said “bless you.” Maybe it would have surprised her enough to make her smile. Then again, if she’s a true grump, she may have said something like, “I ain’t blessed, and I ain’t ever gonna be blessed.” All speculation on my part. Either way, she is clearly the kind of person who needs some positivity, whether she acknowledges it or not.

I still think it’s better to say, “Have a nice day”, “Bless you”, or “I hope your day goes well”, than to say nothing at all. Sometimes, a smile and a kind word can turn a person’s attitude around, at least temporarily.

Once, a chiropractor got a particularly satisfying crack from my neck. I said, “Bless you.” My girlfriend, Margie, chuckled and the chiropractor gave me a genuine, full-toothed smile. Sure, it seemed out of place, but maybe it shouldn’t be. It felt right. I appreciated his work, and he seemed glad to know that what he was doing was helpful. Yes, I could have said, “thank you” which he probably heard 25 times that day, but “bless you” goes beyond “thank you” and becomes a more personal positive message.

This is an old Irish blessing:

“May the road rise up to greet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rain fall soft upon your field.”

Now, who in their right mind would not want those blessings? Well, other than the fact that most of us don’t have fields. The rest of it brings such peace, even while reading it.

A similar Native American blessing goes like this:

May the sun bring you energy by day.

May the moon softly restore you by night.

May the rain wash away your worries.

May the breeze blow new strength into your being.

May you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life.

So, you see, “bless you” should not only be for sneezes. Try this suggestion out for a day and see what comes of it. Say “bless you” to your friends, family members, and co-workers. Say it at the beginning, the middle, or at the end of conversations. Say it to wait staff and cashiers. Say it to homeless people when you’re handing them boxes of granola bars (I carry them in my car for that purpose.)

Whether you include a deity with your statement or not, you are likely to get smiles and words of appreciation. This world needs more positivity. We already have enough rudeness and apathy.

What kind of a person do you want to be?

You can choose to make rude statements, coming off as mean and dark-hearted.

You can choose to make no statements at all, seeming indifferent and lacking in heart.

Or you can choose to make consciously compassionate statements, becoming kind-hearted.

Me? I choose to be courteous and friendly, warm-hearted.

Whatever you do with your time on this planet, may you be a light to others in darkness. May your life be blessed.

This article was inspired by my Aunt Rietz, who wrote a note to my dad (her brother) and included the message “Bless you.” Love you, dear aunt!