Indeed, spirituality lies at the heart of Diwali, with devotees specifically seeking blessings from two prominent Hindu deities: Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of good fortune and auspicious beginnings.

BBC: India��s festival of lights

Regardless of how it happened, the devastation of the Great Chicago Fire quickly turned into one of the young city's great blessings, as the moment in history and the location at the heart of a growing industrial nation ensured that Chicago would not merely be rebuilt.

BBC: The infamous architecture of Chicago

We wish you blessings of a good heart on this commencement of the United Nations High-Level Event to discuss internationally agreed development goals.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: U.S. narrowly avoids "globotaxes" -- this time

Accepting his award, Cooper said "being gay is certainly one of the greatest blessings" and that it had "opened my head and heart in ways that I never could have predicted".

BBC: Madonna celebrates Anderson Cooper at Glaad Awards