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The Blessing Book is a collection of reflections that offers poetic insight and spiritual wisdom for anyone seeking meaning, comfort, and resilience in life’s messy moments. How did you choose which reflections to include?
I didn’t want to create a huge volume and chose the ones I thought would be the most impactful for readers.
Your metaphor about “almost” was especially powerful. Can you share how that idea came to you?
It came from a conversation with a friend who was born with parts of his brain not functioning correctly which resulted in learning difficulties and schizophrenia. This is the whole conversation.
“Do you know something?” he asked.
“What?”
“I love you.”
“Do you know something?” I asked.
“What?”
“I love you too.”
“Do you know something else?” he asked.
“What?”
“You are almost intelligent.”
“Yeah…almost,” I responded.
How do you balance vulnerability and structure in your writing without losing authenticity?
Vulnerability comes from the Latin meaning ‘wounded.’ It’s these wounds and the experience of loss which connect us all. The structure I use is to drive readers to question, to encourage readers to view their lives differently. To spark a new thought, idea.
What blessing or reflection from the book has personally stayed with you the most since writing it?
It’s the last reflection, 72. We need daily reminders to remind us that our lives are important and we belong here.
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No others touch the world with your light, except you
No others feel as your spirit feels, nor embrace another as you do
No others experience your journey through your eyes and with your heart
No others have the unique blessings waiting for you
Blessing Book
The Blessing Book by Francis J. Shaw is a heartfelt collection of reflections that blend poetic insight, spiritual musings, and practical wisdom. Drawing from a wide array of cultural traditions, religious references, personal anecdotes, and emotional vignettes, Shaw crafts a meditative journey through life’s everyday joys and sorrows. The book explores themes like forgiveness, presence, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness, offering each as a kind of blessing for the reader to uncover. Through short reflections and gentle narratives, Shaw invites readers to look inward, encouraging introspection and spiritual awakening in the most relatable terms.
Reading this book felt like sitting down with a wise friend who doesn’t lecture but simply shares what they’ve learned while walking their own winding path. Shaw’s voice is kind, warm, and quietly powerful. I was moved by the way he acknowledges pain without romanticizing it, and still insists on the goodness that can be found in life, even when it’s hard to see. He has this tender way of writing that doesn’t feel polished for perfection but polished for truth. That rawness made it feel real. I especially loved his metaphor about “almost”—those times we’re nearly brave, nearly kind, nearly who we wish we were. He makes you feel seen, like your messiness belongs.
The rhythm of the writing—gentle crescendo, emotional insight, a soft landing—follows a comforting pattern that gives the book a meditative, almost musical quality. The poetic phrasing leans into sentiment, which may not always strike a chord with everyone, but it adds to the book’s heartfelt sincerity. There’s a vulnerability in the way Shaw writes that feels less about crafting perfect prose and more about offering a genuine connection.
The Blessing Book is not for someone looking for fast answers or structured how-tos. But if you’re going through a transition, grieving, healing, or simply craving words that soothe and encourage without pressure, this book is a quiet treasure. It’s perfect for reflective readers who enjoy snippets of wisdom and emotional storytelling in equal measure.
Pages: 318 | ASIN: B0992L5B68
LITERARY TITAN 