VOA词汇掌故2023--Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings'

Take a Moment to 'Count Your Blessings²'

Now, the VOA Learning English program Words and Their Stories.

There are certain times of the year when we stop and think about all the things that make us happy or bring us joy. Some people even make a list of these things. In English, we have a saying for this: 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.

Thanksgiving is a time when many Americans count their blessings. The United States observes this holiday on the fourth Thursday in November.

Counting your blessings is important. It shows that you are grateful. Gratitude³ is a feeling of appreciation⁴ or thanks. When people count their blessings, they can say it like this: "I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for my friends. I am thankful for my health."

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. Sometimes we are not appreciative⁵ of our good fortune and blessings until they are gone.

But now, let's take a step back. What exactly is a blessing¹?

In English, the word "blessing" has at least two meanings. 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.

A blessing can also be a sign of approval. It gives you permission to do something. 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.

Give thanks for small blessings

Now, when we want to show our recognition⁶ of all the little things that prove helpful, we sometimes say "give thanks for small 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. 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."

Now, not all blessings are simple and easy to recognize. Some are more complex than others. That brings us to the expression "mixed blessing."

Mixed blessing

A mixed blessing is something that is both good and bad. 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. 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."

Blessing in disguise⁷

Here is another blessing expression. 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. For example, a secret agent might wear a disguise to hide her identity. Or a bottle of perfume might disguise an unpleasant smell.

So, a blessing in disguise is a bad event or situation. But the outcome⁸ or result is actually good.

Here's how to use the expression blessing in disguise.

So how was your high school reunion? Oh, I got sick and couldn't go. Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Actually, it was a blessing in disguise. It turns out my two best friends from high school couldn't go either. So, we're going to take another trip together next month. That sounds like even more fun. It will be! They are the only people I wanted to see anyway. Hey, how's everything going? I haven't seen you in a while.

Things are great! For starters, I got fired last month.

Oh. Sorry. So, why are things great? Getting fired is terrible.

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. And it pays more.

Good for you! I'm glad you're able to count your blessings!

And that's all the time we have this week for Words and Their Stories.

Now it's time for you to "count your blessings." What are you thankful for? You can tell us in the Comments Section.

Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.

When I am worried and I can't sleep

I count my blessings instead of sheep

And I fall asleep counting my blessings...

Words in This Story

appreciate – v. to understand the worth or importance of (something or someone) : to admire and value (something or someone) : to be grateful for (something)

grateful – adj. feeling or showing thanks : feeling or showing thanks to someone for some helpful act

gratitude – n. the state of being grateful

take them for granted – expression to never think about something because you believe it will always be available or stay exactly the same

source – n. a cause or starting point

tire – n. a rubber cushion that usually contains compressed air and fits around a wheel (as of an automobile⁹

perfume – n. a substance that emits a pleasant odor¹⁰

reunion – n. an organized gathering¹¹ of people who have not been together for some time

fired – adj. dismissed from a job

1 blessing   

n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿

参考例句：

• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。

2 blessings   

n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福

参考例句：

• Afflictions are sometimes blessings in disguise. 塞翁失马，焉知非福。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• We don't rely on blessings from Heaven. 我们不靠老天保佑。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 gratitude   

adj.感激，感谢

参考例句：

• I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
• She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。

4 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

5 appreciative   

adj.有鉴赏力的，有眼力的；感激的

参考例句：

• She was deeply appreciative of your help.她对你的帮助深表感激。
• We are very appreciative of their support in this respect.我们十分感谢他们在这方面的支持。

6 recognition   

n.承认，认可，认出，认识

参考例句：

• The place has changed beyond recognition.这地方变得认不出来了。
• A sudden smile of recognition flashed across his face.他脸上掠过一丝笑意，表示认识对方。

7 disguise   

vt.把...假扮起来；n.伪装物，假装，伪装

参考例句：

• He went about in the disguise of a sailor.他伪装成海员到处流窜。
• It is impossible to disguise the fact that business is bad.生意不好这件事无法隐瞒。

8 outcome   

n.结果，出口，演变

参考例句：

• The outcome of the experiment is in the lap of the gods.实验结果尚难预料。
• The outcome of the war is hard to foretell.战争胜负难以预卜。

9 automobile   

n.汽车，机动车

参考例句：

• He is repairing the brake lever of an automobile.他正在修理汽车的刹车杆。
• The automobile slowed down to go around the curves in the road.汽车在路上转弯时放慢了速度。

10 odor   

n.气味，香气，臭气

参考例句：

• The whole herb has a characteristic taste and odor.整株药草有种独特的味道和气味。
• He is in bad odor with his friends.他在朋友中声誉不佳。

11 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。