The God Bless You Revolution: For Atheists and Agnostics

Even if you are an atheist or agnostic, you can join the God Bless You Revolution. How?

If you feel uncomfortable blessing people or praying for them or praying with them, you have options in giving them your heartfelt support.

You can toast them. Say something positive about the person or people you want to support. Or say something positive for them. Or you can toast with them.

I came across this alternative today when I was consulting with someone about their book title. We talked about an old Irish saying that some people called a blessing and others called a toast. Personally, I think it’s both. Check it out:

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
May the rain fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Again, if you are an atheist or agnostic, you can skip the last two lines and still have an incredibly positive toast.

You can sing for them. Or you can sing with them.

I love the power of song to move people.

You can dance for them. Or you can dance with them.

Dancing magnifies the power of song into action.

Dance is the hidden language of the soul. — Martha Graham

You can paint for them. Or you can paint with them.

Have you ever seen a painting or work of art that really moves you? Personally, I love the Pieta and Michelangelo’s David. And the Thinker. And the Last Supper. And the Sistine Chapel. And the work of Jackson Pollack, Picasso, Mondrian, Van Gogh, Monet, and Matisse.

You can write for them. Or you can write with them.

If I can put one touch of a rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God. — Henry David Thoreau

You can laugh for them. Or you can laugh with them.

If laughing is too loud, you can smile for them or smile with them. You can do a great big grin or a sly little smile. Your choice.

The texture of our universe is one where there is no question at all but that good and laughter and justice will prevail. — Desmond Tutu

You can meditate for them. Or you can meditate with them.

Dream big for those you love. Dream big for those you hate. Dream big for those you do not know. Dream big for those you know well. Dream big for the world.

The dreamers are the saviors of the world. Humanity cannot forget its dreamers; it cannot let their ideals fade and die; it lives in them; it knows them as realities which it shall one day see and know. — James Allen

You can breathe for them. Or you can breathe with them.

There is an old Tibetan saying: Great people breathe from their toes. Breathing can be a very vital force multiplier to any thought.

You can give thanks for them. Or you can simply thank them. Or you can give thanks with them.

Give thanks for blessings everyday. Everyday. Embrace gratitude. Encourage others. It is impossible to be grateful and hateful at the same time. — Denzel Washington

Always give thanks. Give lots of thanks. We are not alone. We have many people to thank, again and again. Make sure they know who they are in your life. — John Kremer

You can be silent for them. Or you can be silent with them.

Reach for the silence of the universe and make it live.

You can be kind to them. Kindness solves so many problems.

Just a touch of kindness can make an incredible difference in anyone’s life, including your own. Always be kind to yourself.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. — Aesop

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. — Maya Angelou

There are so many ways to think well of others, to encourage them, to give them hope, to change their lives.

You can do the same for yourself. You can do the same for the world. Any time. Anywhere. Any way you want.