DOes this phrase make others unsettled or is it just me?

I'm blessed.

I just don't get it. I mean I understand what it means , I get why people feel it, I just don't understand why people use the phrase in front of other people.

I don't just mean in terms of gender . Although that seems to be where I hear it the most. 

For example , if I have all boys and my friend says she is blessed she got one of each . SHe's implying I'm not blessed.

Same thing if someone keeps their job and I don't . Or got big boobs, great metabolism, a big sack of money falling from the sky , whatever.

Why do people even use the term?

Everytime somebody does use it . I want to ask "Hmmm. now if it went the other way what would you be saying?" I swear one day I will. 

I guess I never use the term. Mine are usually "dodge the bullet" , "got lucky"  or "how the crap did that happen?"

I guess I just don't like the idea of the big guy handing out brass rings to some people and not others.

Is it just me?...... Probably.

I agree with you...in certain contexts, the phrase kinda bugs me too.

I don't think most people mean it in the way that you are taking it. When I say "I'm blessed." I mean that I appreciate all of the wonderful things that I have in my life. I am grateful for everything good. That doesn't mean that someone else that doesn't have those things is not blessed or is cursed. They have other blessings. 

Melpomene:

 I want to ask "Hmmm. now if it went the other way what would you be saying?" I swear one day I will. 

In the case of my children (if I hadn't had a girl), I would say, "Well, then I'd still be blessed with my beautiful, healthy and smart 3 boys!" 

 I understand what you are saying....

I use the term Blessed because at the end of day, for me, no matter what happens in life - the good and the bad - i always look at the positives in my life no matter how trivial they might seem to others...They are my blessings in this world.... we are all blessed in different ways and cannot compare our own blessings to others since we are all different. 

Hope that makes sense....

I find people say, "I'm blessed" when I say "I'm lucky" to counter me that it's not random, it's GOD. I take exception to that because I believe in God, but I don't believe he's up there randomly giving us things like a nice car or football touchdowns. It drives me nuts to think that some people are so arrogant they believe that God is personally micromanaging their lives. But, to each their own I suppose, so I just let it go... I'm sure they mean no harm.

sometimes its for bragging sometimes its for appreciation, I am blessed to have kids...we all are... I hate the"I have one of each so I am blessed..." Like anything other is not blessed.

disneyfan:

I find people say, "I'm blessed" when I say "I'm lucky" to counter me that it's not random, it's GOD. I take exception to that because I believe in God, but I don't believe he's up there randomly giving us things like a nice car or football touchdowns. It drives me nuts to think that some people are so arrogant they believe that God is personally micromanaging their lives. But, to each their own I suppose, so I just let it go... I'm sure they mean no harm.

 

Yes, I think that is what bugs me. I have a few friends who do think GOd is personally rewarding them. It does seem arrogant when they say it.

I can't help but feel they are trying to tell me something.

My mother believes everything that happens is some sort of special mission from God. It just makes me crazy.

I think when someone says they are blessed they just feel greatful for what they have be it healthy children or a secure job. Feeling blessed with what one has usually has to do with that individual and not anyone in particular. For example when my 5th son was born, I felt really blessed because he was healthy and alive. a friend of mine just lost her first child a dd at 22 weeks gestation. She lived for 45 mins before she died.... so yes I felt blessed to have had a 5th healthy child. Because I was... my severe disappointment that he was a boy seemed very minor in comparison to that friend's loss.....

I also feel blessed to be able to provide certain things for my family that some can't. I feel blessed I have a job I enjoy when so many people dont' have any job let alone one they can hate. That my family is healthy and so am I... that my loved ones are here with me.

And I have to constantly remind myself of these things and how fortunate I am when I feel sorry for myself... it is very easy for me to think "why me" when all around me I am fortunate but take it for granted.

I think most people say they are blessed because they feel it. Looking at what they do have.

Blessed_with_Children:

 I understand what you are saying....

I use the term Blessed because at the end of day, for me, no matter what happens in life - the good and the bad - i always look at the positives in my life no matter how trivial they might seem to others...They are my blessings in this world.... we are all blessed in different ways and cannot compare our own blessings to others since we are all different. 

Hope that makes sense....

I agree and with OP also.

See, I don't think she means you aren't blessed...  I think she just feels blessed.

I feel blessed all the time.. and it doesn't have to do with the fact that I have boys and not girls (or whatever gender mix I may have!)  I just feel blessed to have healthy, happy family and friends. 

When I tell people I feel blessed, I never think I am more blessed than them!!

ETA - Wow, I think I win the award for using the word "blessed" so many times in such a short post!

Chachamama:

See, I don't think she means you aren't blessed...  I think she just feels blessed.

I feel blessed all the time.. and it doesn't have to do with the fact that I have boys and not girls (or whatever gender mix I may have!)  I just feel blessed to have healthy, happy family and friends. 

When I tell people I feel blessed, I never think I am more blessed than them!!

ETA - Wow, I think I win the award for using the word "blessed" so many times in such a short post!

Yes , you win!

So you really don't feel more blessed than someone else when you say it?

I guess I feel blessed but I would say lucky rather than blessed. Because if I say the good things are blessing from God than I also have to accept that the bad things are punishments from God does that make sense?

So I would rather just think most things are random or the results of hard work or just getting lucky.

Melpomene:

I guess I feel blessed but I would say lucky rather than blessed. Because if I say the good things are blessing from God than I also have to accept that the bad things are punishments from God does that make sense?

So I would rather just think most things are random or the results of hard work or just getting lucky.

ita! I've always said that I can't take the credit for my kids being smart, good kids (when they are, which isn't all the time...belivee me!) because if I did, I'd also have to take the blame for when they are naughty!

Personally, and this is all in how one defines God....but personally I don't believe my blessings are given to me by God. I feel like when I appreciate those things, I am appreciating God...that God is sort of in them. My gratitude for the good things that I have in my life, I do thank God for them even though I don't believe I am a puppet on a string that is given or bestowed those things.

My dad died in a car accident when I was 12. It was the worst thing that ever could have happened. My dad was my world and my life changed forever because of that accident. but do I believe God did that to him? No way!

You're right that you can't believe God only gives the good without believing that he also is responsible for the bad.

Heavy topic. I am interested to read other's takes on this.

Melpomene:

So I would rather just think most things are random or the results of hard work or just getting lucky.

So what do you feel about the phrase 'you're lucky'? I use it often but sometimes the use of this words makes me irate. Like when it is used in a negative way 'you are lucky...' like the only reason I have something is because of luck ...not hard work, sacrifices etc. I think often the phrase and how it comes across has a lot to do with intentions and meanings from those who use it?

Interesting questions though, I often think about blessed/lucky and how they are used. Sometimes it does feel not right using them and others the word seems appropriate...idk

I guess I don't think of the word "blessed" in only a religious sense.  I am a religious person..  I believe in God. 

When I say "blessed" what that means to me is an overwhelming sense of happiness.  My children are my ultimate blessing because no matter what, they make me SO happy.

I mean, life is not always sunshine and rainbows (of course, whose is??) but overall, I am extremely happy with where I am and what I have accomplished.

Very good topic!  I enjoy reading what others think.

chooks**boys:

Melpomene:

So I would rather just think most things are random or the results of hard work or just getting lucky.

So what do you feel about the phrase 'you're lucky'? I use it often but sometimes the use of this words makes me irate. Like when it is used in a negative way 'you are lucky...' like the only reason I have something is because of luck ...not hard work, sacrifices etc. I think often the phrase and how it comes across has a lot to do with intentions and meanings from those who use it?

I feel this way too. When I say, I am a stay at home mom and people say , "you're lucky". Well, no I'm not "lucky" - I do lots of crap and do without lots of crap like clothes that fit, haircuts, nice cars and new carpet to be a stay at home mom. It's not luck, it's my CHOICE. On the other hand, I have to agree that it's probably luck and not my choice that I'm born white, with enough brains to be able to find money-making opportunities at home, and have parents that care enough to help me out when needed. So, luck is defined for me when I have no control over something good that happens my way, and hard work is when I do have control over it and chose to make it good. Blessed is the word I use when I mean "lucky" but I'm in church.

ETA: I don't mean to say it's not good if you're not white, just that I recognize that I don't have to deal with prejudice and other issues because I've been born the "easy" race for my culture.