There are many reasons and motivations for the countless blessings that take place in California. Here are a few:

• During the past several weeks Blessing of the Animals ceremonies have been held in Los Olivos, Long Beach and many other cities in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures. At the recent interfaith ceremony in Long Beach people brought all kinds of animals to receive blessings– pet pigs, snakes, turtles, a porcupine, horses, an alligator, lambs, sheep, monkeys, dogs, cats, parrots, parakeets, hamsters and more!
• Throughout California native Americans hold pow wows and ceremonies to bless Mother Earth.
• On October 11, 2012, the families of 8 victims of Orange County's biggest mass murder converged at Seal Beach Pier one year after loosing their loved ones at Salon Meritage massacre, to bless and pay homage to those they dearly miss.
• At a shop in the historic Los Rios district of San Juan Capistrano the new owner called in a priest to bless the business, though the spirit she hoped would leave continues to haunt the place. At nearby Mission San Juan Capistrano there's an annual blessing for the Return of the Swallows.
• In Huntington Beach an Interfaith coalition invited the public to an annual ceremony to bless the waves yesterday.
• In Sonoma there's an annual ceremony during the Olive Festival to bless the olives. They also bless olives at the Orinda Olive Festival.
• Throughout California wine country regions, dozens of ceremonies are performed at vineyards to bless the grapes of the new harvest, with special wishes to make the latest crop the tastiest ever. Spanish missionaries are actually credited with introducing grapes and wine processing to California.
• At paranormal conferences participants ask for blessings and relief from the creatures they say steal them away from their homes and beds in the middle of the night.
• Near the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino ski slopes blessings of the snow are held with wishes for an abundance of the white stuff in California's mountain resorts.

There are countless ways to honor the things we appreciate in life but one of the most memorable is a blessing. If we could add up all the blessings that take place throughout the state, its certain we'd discover California is truly blessed!

How to create a blessing event: If the participants are focused on one religion and faith, they can go to their church and ask for assistance in creating an on-location blessing event. If the event is a publicly held event to bless a city, a place, a special interest or parts of nature, the most successful form of ceremony reaches out to many faiths in the community, inviting representatives from each and offering participation through presence, ceremony performance, and chances to briefly speak, dance or sing. Be sure to spread the word through social media and your local media outlets for greater attendance and participation.