Find the Blessings—They Are All Around Us

Sometimes, blessings don’t come wrapped in bright packaging or announced with fanfare. Sometimes, they’re sitting unnoticed by a dumpster or waiting on the side of the road. And more often than not, they reveal themselves only when we choose to keep moving, to stay open, to not let dismissals or disappointments cloud our perspective.

This morning, I set out for my usual walk—not just for exercise, but to clear my mind, to embrace the day with gratitude. Along my route, I spotted a dryer near a dumpster behind a property management office. It looked to be in decent condition, so I decided to go inside and ask about it.

The office had the kind of atmosphere I enjoy—children playing, pieces of history on display. But the man behind the desk barely glanced up, preoccupied with his work. When he did acknowledge me, his tone suggested he was ready to send me on my way before even understanding what I wanted.

I asked about the dryer, offering to pay for it, but was met with dismissal. Maybe he thought I was looking for a handout or scrapping for junk. Regardless, he wasn’t interested in engaging. As I left, I reflected on how quickly people judge others without knowing their intentions, how often we miss opportunities simply because we fail to pause and listen.

But I didn’t let that interaction linger. I kept walking, taking in the morning air, choosing to stay open instead of closed off. And not long after, I came across something unexpected—a baby stroller and a nearly new car seat sitting on the side of the road. A gentleman stood at his doorway, and I asked if I could have them. He said yes.

Just like that, an unanswered request turned into an even greater gift. Molly and I now have a stroller and a car seat for my goddaughter—something we needed but hadn’t yet acquired. Just last week, we had her without a stroller to take her to the park, and swapping out car seats between vehicles had been a hassle. But today, the pieces fell into place.

Here’s the lesson: blessings don’t always look the way we expect them to. If we focus only on what we think a blessing should be, we miss the ones right in front of us. What we put into the world—the energy, the openness, the willingness to see beyond a single moment—is exactly what comes back to us.

It costs nothing to pause, to listen, to show love. And in that space, the unexpected has room to arrive.