incognito (adverb or adjective)
Italian: icognitus (unknown)
1: with one’s identity concealed or assumed to be concealed . . .
2: without recognition: UNKNOWN, UNIDENTIFIED
"Webster’s Third New International Dictionary" ©1976
You may be thinking, "Why did she choose incognito?"
"Incognito" is certainly a word that will get people’s attention. But to be honest, my first title choice - the more ordinary "Blessings in Disguise" - was already taken on two blog sites. That phrase, although a cliche, seemed to best describe what I expect to share on the blog.
To me, most of the other synonyms for "disguise" implied deliberate concealment more than "incognito". I don’t believe God intentionally hides the blessings He wants to give us. I often do not recognize blessings right away because I get too busy or too concerned at the little frustrations of daily life. It’s like when I focus on putting candy in the bags of costumed trick-or-treaters and fail to recognize that one spooky creature is the kid from next door. We often need to take a second look at something to see that it is indeed a blessing. When we put aside stress or busyness for a moment, the blessing is revealed, the way we lift a mask to reveal who’s in the costume.
I readily admit I’m not fun to be around when I get stressed. When I do recognize my blessings, they may not take away difficulties or busyness, but it does change my attitude for the better. Finding some joy through a blessing is better than being grouchy and not appreciating what I have, so I’m trying to spot my blessings more often. I’m hoping that writing will keep me focused. And I hope my journey will encourage you too.
Italian: icognitus (unknown)
1: with one’s identity concealed or assumed to be concealed . . .
2: without recognition: UNKNOWN, UNIDENTIFIED
"Webster’s Third New International Dictionary" ©1976
You may be thinking, "Why did she choose incognito?"
"Incognito" is certainly a word that will get people’s attention. But to be honest, my first title choice - the more ordinary "Blessings in Disguise" - was already taken on two blog sites. That phrase, although a cliche, seemed to best describe what I expect to share on the blog.
To me, most of the other synonyms for "disguise" implied deliberate concealment more than "incognito". I don’t believe God intentionally hides the blessings He wants to give us. I often do not recognize blessings right away because I get too busy or too concerned at the little frustrations of daily life. It’s like when I focus on putting candy in the bags of costumed trick-or-treaters and fail to recognize that one spooky creature is the kid from next door. We often need to take a second look at something to see that it is indeed a blessing. When we put aside stress or busyness for a moment, the blessing is revealed, the way we lift a mask to reveal who’s in the costume.
I readily admit I’m not fun to be around when I get stressed. When I do recognize my blessings, they may not take away difficulties or busyness, but it does change my attitude for the better. Finding some joy through a blessing is better than being grouchy and not appreciating what I have, so I’m trying to spot my blessings more often. I’m hoping that writing will keep me focused. And I hope my journey will encourage you too.