Blessings Abound by Katherine Scherer & Eileen Bodoh

A thoughtful collection of philosophical musings and powerful quotes from history’s great thinkers, artists, and writers, Blessings Abound: Awaken to the Gifts at Hand by Katherine Scherer and Eileen Bodoh is a comforting companion for trying times.

Offering legendary lines from poetry, prayers, theatre, lyrics, and traditional blessings, interspersed with the authors’ reflections on their meaning and role in our lives, the text is an accessible tool for self-soothing and an essential reminder of the good life hidden behind our worries. “The Blessings of Music” and “Beauty” are standout sections, but each brief chapter holds valuable advice on everything from happiness and the natural world to friendships and divine mysteries.

From an editorial perspective, there is room for more examination of these critical concepts, as there is occasionally an imbalance of quotes and their subsequent summaries. Some sections can feel rushed or unnecessarily brief, despite the magnitude and depth of the subjects, and readers might appreciate more of the author’s own words, given their insight in other sections. That said, the quotes themselves take center stage, and the quotes are well-curated, well-organized, and affecting.

Inspiring readers to approach life from a place of awe, wonder, and appreciation, rather than fear or uncertainty, this subtle but profound compendium of wisdom succeeds where other strict self-help manuals do not, encouraging us to see beauty and opportunity in all things.