Home » Poems » Judy Ball » Counting My Neighbor's Blessings

Notes About The Poem

When we spend our time looking at what our neighbor has instead of looking at all we have of our own, it takes all the enjoyment out of our life; we are never satisfied. But life is 100 times more enjoyable if we count our own blessings instead of everyone else's. Jealousy only hurts the one who is jealous.

Counting My Neighbor's Blessings

I was counting my neighbor's blessings,
And paying no mind to my own;
For it seemed to me the harder I worked,
The more my neighbor's had grown.

The more I looked at his blessings,
The smaller my own seemed to be.
Everything seemed to be handed to him,
While nothing came free for me.

He had a fine house, he had a fine car,
His whole life seemed to be perfect.
While my house is okay and my job pays enough,
His seemed to be more select.

I prayed and I said, Why him and not me.
Why does he seem so blessed?
God answered and said, What's his is his, what's yours is yours,
Don't rail and beat your chest.

Count your own blessings and not those of others.
Don't envy what isn't yours.
Be satisfied with what you've got.
Be happy instead for your brother.

inspirationalrhyme

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Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 9/25/2023 7:50:00 AM

Hi my dear friend Judy, we had a very big house which we inherited from my parents, everyone used our house as a guide to enter this small town as we were on a corner. When property prices went down, it was a world wide problem, but we wanted to come nearer to Johannesburg where our son and his family live, so we sold and got half of what it was worth. Now we have bought the cutest cottage, small ,with a lovely garden, it is easily one third in size of our previous home, but we feel much happier where we are, more down to earth. So what I am really saying I agree with your last two lines, bought smaller because that is all we need. Love your poem my friend. Hugs, blessings Jen.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/29/2023 6:35:00 AM

That is true when we are young and starting out I supipose. Right now the only thing I envy are people that live without pain. I'd give anything to regain the health that Big Pharma stole from me. very nice poem. Judy

Judy Ball
Date: 8/29/2023 1:00:00 PM

I would love to hear you say you spent the day without pain too My Dear. Thanks bunches . God Bless, JB

Christina Bowring

Date: 8/28/2023 9:28:00 AM

This is such a beautiful poem Judy full of such wisdom. We don’t count our own blessings enough- that’s quite true. The last stanza is so profound. A great reminder. I loved it! Thank you for sharing. Blessings to you.

Judy Ball
Date: 8/28/2023 11:03:00 PM

Thank you so much Christina. God Bless, JB

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 8/26/2023 12:21:00 PM

Nice pen Judy, with good rhyme and flow and fine imagery. Hope you have a great weekend, blessings always,Gordon

Judy Ball
Date: 8/28/2023 10:52:00 PM

Thank you so much Gordon. God Bless, JB

Curie Stark

Date: 8/23/2023 11:22:00 PM

Hahaha That's a nice one

Judy Ball
Date: 8/28/2023 10:50:00 PM

Thank you so much Curie. God Bless, JB

Akkina Downing

Date: 8/22/2023 6:26:00 PM

I can learn from this, Judy. Thank you for sharing :)

Judy Ball
Date: 8/28/2023 10:43:00 PM

Thank you so much Akkina. God Bless, JB

M. L. Kiser

Date: 8/22/2023 12:35:00 PM

Sage advice, we often tend to overlook our own blessings; when we realize them, we see how rich we really are.

Judy Ball
Date: 8/28/2023 10:35:00 PM

Right you are my friend. Thanks bunches. God Bless, JB

Joe Maverick

Date: 8/21/2023 11:19:00 PM

Amen Judy, so much truth here.' I trust you Are better now.?

Judy Ball
Date: 8/28/2023 10:28:00 PM

Thank you so much Joe. Still in physio but got a real compliment both from my doctor and my physio therapist. They both said I am a very strong woman and that I'm healing nicely. Thanks for asking. God Blss, JB

Bj Legros Kelley

Date: 8/18/2023 4:55:00 PM

What a perfectly wonderful poem Judy! A fave!

Judy Ball
Date: 8/28/2023 10:23:00 PM

Thank you so much BJ. God Bless, JB

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 8/17/2023 10:15:00 AM

A wonderful/true write. Love your line, "Jealousy only hurts the one who is jealous." I have seen this many times. Have a great day.............

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 8/16/2023 3:25:00 PM

Hello Judy Ball, oh this is good advise. I am Enjoy your evening my friend. making this my favourite. Enjoy your evening my friend. Hugs. /Darlene\

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 8/17/2023 5:00:00 AM

Hello Judy you are welcome. Enjoy your day . Hugs. /Darlene\

Judy Ball
Date: 8/16/2023 4:05:00 PM

Thank you so much Darlene. God Bless, JB

Kim Merryman

Date: 8/16/2023 1:55:00 PM

I can so relate to this, Judy! God is constantly reminding me to be thankful for what I have and not coveting other's blessings! This poem is a great reminder for me! Thank you for sharing! Blessings, Kim M

Judy Ball
Date: 8/16/2023 4:00:00 PM

Thank you so much Kim. God Bless, JB

Vijay Pandit

Date: 8/16/2023 1:11:00 PM

I like the profound message of your poem, Judy. Divine words to live by.

Judy Ball
Date: 8/16/2023 3:55:00 PM

Thank you so much Vijay. God Bless, JB

Sotto Poet

Date: 8/16/2023 12:35:00 PM

Judy, your use of vivid imagery is commendable. Your writing exhibits a high level of skill, my friend. Your advice to express gratitude for our possessions while also acknowledging the abundance of others is truly insightful.

Judy Ball
Date: 8/16/2023 3:51:00 PM

Thank you so much Lasaad for your kind words. God Bless, JB