Re-Learning to Be Open to Miracles

Sometimes life (or self) can knock you on your ass in ways you couldn't have even imagined and you wonder how (or if) you'll ever get up again. You feel as if you're doing all you know to do and nothing seems to be working. You go through your day feeling like the subject of a blues song or like you could write your own blues song—you woke up an hour late, there's no hot water and the tub won't drain, run to the bus stop only to see it going up the street, can't charge your phone because you fried its USB, bank says you overdrew your account and now you owe a large fee, etc., etc....

It is easy to get discouraged during these moments and even sink into despair. I'm not entirely sure why, but I read somewhere that as humans we find it easier to think negative thoughts than positive ones—to imagine negative outcomes, worse-case scenarios, rather than positive ones. This happens even when things are going well, and could explain the seemingly vast number of people I've encountered who like to knock on wood when describing how well things have been going for them. Or the well meaning people who tell you before a job interview, "it'll be okay, but don't be too disappointed if you don't get hired. Job market's tight." Gee thanks!

Anyway, challenging as it may seem—and trust me I know just how challenging. That blues song above was mine over the course of several days, and that was the minor stuff—it really is during these "I've fallen on my ass and can't seem to get up" moments when you need most to hold onto the possibility of a miraculous turn of events. Because, be honest, when you're in these situations, you are thinking it would take a miracle...

Let's see, Webster's simple definition of miracle is as follows:
  1. an unusual or wonderful event that is believed to be caused by the power of God
  2. a very amazing or unusual event, thing, or achievement 
As a full definition, Webster offers:
  1. an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs 
  2. an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment 
  3. Christian Science: a divinely natural phenomenon experienced humanly as the fulfillment of spiritual law
Definition three is intriguing. Nevertheless, we can conclude that a miracle is an unusual, seemingly out-of-the-ordinary, yet wonderfully amazing event that appears to be an answer to a prayer or deep desire, and which seems to happen outside of our basic understanding or expectation.

And these things do happen every day, in big and small ways. Like waking up each morning. I have no real understanding of how this happens. I only know each night I close my eyes to sleep, and then before I even realize it, six or so hours have passed and I'm opening them again to see bright blue sky through my window. Another miracle in itself.

Then there was the time I wanted to attend a charity event that cost a few hundred dollars, but didn't have the money available to do so. A few days later I learned that a friend had already paid for a ticket for me to attend, without my even asking.

But what I rediscovered today is sometimes to get the miracle you want, it can help to expect it or do something to build your expectation.

What miracle are you wanting? Can you see it in your mind's eye? Can you believe that it's even possible? Maybe the following video from Tarek Bibi will help build your expectation.


You should check out his other videos when you get a chance. They're pretty good and extremely helpful.

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