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- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
Now, the VOA Learning English program Words and Their Stories
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
There are certain times of the year when we stop and think about all the things that make us happy or bring us joy.
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
Some people even make a list of these things. In English, we have a saying for this: to count your blessings.
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
When we count our blessings, we note all the wonderful things in our lives. This helps us to appreciate how good life is.
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
Thanksgiving is a time when many Americans count their blessings. The United States observes this holiday on the fourth Thursday in November.
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
Counting your blessings is important. It shows that you are grateful
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation or thanks. When people count their blessings, they can say it like this: "I am thankful for my family.
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
I am thankful for my friends. I am thankful for my health."
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
It is better to be grateful for our blessings than to take them for granted When we take something for granted, we do not appreciate it.
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
Sometimes we are not appreciative of our good fortune and blessings until they are gone. But now, let's take a step back.
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
What exactly is a blessing? In English, the word “blessing” has at least two meanings.
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
As we said, a blessing is something that brings you happiness or helps you. To religious people, a blessing is approval and help from a higher source -- God.
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
A blessing can also be a sign of approval. It gives you permission to do something.
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
For example, a traditional marriage custom involves a blessing. If a young man wants to marry a young woman, he may want to first get her family’s blessing.
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
We often say this expression in the middle of a troubling or difficult time. So, let’s say a friend of yours is angry about a flat tire on his car.
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
But then he stops and thinks for a minute and says, “Well, at least I have a car. I should count myself lucky and give thanks for small blessings.”
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
Now, not all blessings are simple and easy to recognize. Some are more complex than others.
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
For example, being really beautiful can be a mixed blessing. On one hand, you look great and may be treated really well by some people.
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
On the other hand, you look great and may be treated badly by other people. So, when we use this expression, we often use the terms “on one hand” and “on the other hand.”
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
It is a little more complicated: a blessing in disguise. First of all, a disguise hides something that you do not want seen or noticed.
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
For example, a secret agent might wear a disguise to hide her identity. Or a bottle of perfume might disguise an unpleasant smell.
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
So, a blessing in disguise is a bad event or situation. But the outcome or result is actually good.
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
Things are great! For starters, I got fired last month. Oh.
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
Sorry. So, why are things great? Getting fired is terrible.
- Public domaingeneral-american
Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'
Well, yes. But this time it was truly a blessing in disguise. You see, after I was fired I found a new job -- a better job that I really love.
Source badges: Public domain · Creator video · Digital presenter · Reference recording. Literary passages are public domain. Studio notes are not spoken in the audio.