How do you define the word blessing? What does it mean to be blessed? Or does it actually mean something? How do you receive a blessing, when your world is turned upside down from something like a cancer diagnosis?

There are no easy answers to this but as I reflect on the idea of blessings, I think the importance of blessings comes down to the hope they can instill when we are feeling at our lowest. I have included some blessings from other parts of the world. As you read them, may you find what your spirit needs today.

May the blessing of the rain be on you—
the soft sweet rain.
May it fall upon your spirit
so that all the little flowers may spring up,
and shed their sweetness on the air.
May the blessing of the great rains be on you,
may they beat upon your spirit
and wash it fair and clean,
and leave there many a shining pool
where the blue of heaven shines,
and sometimes a star.

– Traditional Irish blessing

May the Earth teach you stillness
     as the grasses are stilled with light.
May the Earth teach you suffering
     as old stones suffer with memory.
May the Earth teach you humility
     as blossoms are humble with beginning.
May the Earth teach you caring
     as the mother who secures her young.
May the Earth teach you courage
     as the tree which stands all alone.
May the Earth teach you limitation
     as the ant which crawls on the ground.
May the Earth teach you freedom
     as the eagle which soars in the sky.
May the Earth teach you resignation
    as the leaves which die in the fall.
May the Earth teach you regeneration
     as the seed which rises in the spring.
May the Earth teach you to forget yourself
     as melted snow forgets its life.
May the Earth teach you to remember kindness
     as dry fields weep with rain.

- Ute blessing

May there be Peace in the North.
May there be Peace in the South.
May there be Peace in the East.
May there be Peace in the West.

May there be Peace throughout the whole world.

- Druid Blessing

May everyone be happy and safe, and may their hearts be filled with joy.

May all living beings live in security and in peace:
beings who are frail or strong, tall or short,
big or small, visible or not visible,
near or far away, already born or yet to be born.
May all of them dwell in perfect tranquility.

May no one do harm to anyone.
May no one put the life of anyone in danger.
May no one, out of anger or ill will,
wish anyone any harm.

- Buddhist Blessing

May calm be spread around you,
May the sea glisten like greenstone,
May the shimmer of summer dance across your path.

- Maori blesing

I am Jenni Eagleman, Spiritual Care Provider at Minnesota Oncology. I have been doing Spiritual Care work for 15 years in a variety of settings including hospice, skilled nursing and the hospital. I am passionate about connecting with people and love helping them find new ways of being that fill their heart and soul. I am available to meet with any Minnesota Oncology patient and hold visits in our Woodbury and Maple Grove locations and telehealth visits. I look forward to sharing stories, words of hope and encouragement and exploring new ways of making meaning.

Learn more about Jenni and contact your Minnesota Oncology clinic to schedule an appointment.