Recognizing Miracles Around Us
coincidences or signs from God…you decide
“There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle or you can live as if everything is a miracle.” ~Albert Einstein
I am a big believer in signs. I’m not talking about the kind of signs found along roadsides (although they have their own obvious value) but rather in events or situations that happen that defy logic or even scientific explanation. Some take the form of what can best be described as miracles, while others could be portrayed as “God winks” - direct, personal messages from God to you.
Many people prefer to say “what a coincidence” or “I can’t explain why that happened that way, but it did”...Some people only see the world in a purely literal sense. I understand and respect that.
But I think what makes life so special are the unexplainable events. Those moments when you search for an answer, when you reach out and ask, why is this happening…and then something happens. Something happens that makes you stop, think and believe in a force greater than you can imagine.
Did you ever think of someone and then the phone rings and it's that person calling you? Were you ever in a moment where you missed someone who has passed and then their favorite song started playing on the radio?
I think if you are open to the possibility of miracles, you will be more likely to experience one. I have personally experienced more than one miracle myself. A few were medical miracles and a few probably qualify as spiritual or religious experiences.
I think if we are open to viewing the world in a more miraculous sense, then we notice and appreciate it more. I challenge you to take a walk outside and focus on the sounds, the smells and your surroundings. Listen to the birds, take notice of the trees and the budding leaves, smell the freshly cut grass…take time to watch a sunrise or sunset…
Within those moments are where the signs come in and I believe that when you focus, you can see them better. They may be something as simple as a smile from a stranger, a kind gesture, a polite exchange of words…
Back in March, on what turned out to be the last day I would be working with my boss, I drove up into the church parking lot and saw a snow angel…in the middle of the parking lot…Rev. Julie noticed it also…a “God wink” moment…letting both of us know that everything would be okay, even if it didn’t feel like it at the time.
A few days ago my niece, Diane, shared a picture she had taken of a tea cup that was from our great grandmother. After enjoying a cup of tea, the tea leaves dried and formed a little heart. God wink…
Earlier this week at work, as I opened up my office window, a mourning dove landed on the windowsill. I paused, stood still and enjoyed the short time we shared. The bird was only a few inches away from me and I talked gently to it. We made eye contact and I felt a wonderful sense of peace. God wink…
Recognizing and appreciating everything in life, even the so-called little things… Sometimes, those little things are what can bring us the most joy or the most comfort.
Smile Video
What is more unlikely than the success of the chess champions at Weatherbee Elementary School in Hampden, Maine, is where they found it -- in a broom closet. Steve Hartman has their story in "On the Road."
#believe #stevehartman #smilevideos
What I am reading…
When God Winks at You: How God Speaks Directly to You Through the Power of Coincidence by Squire Rushnell is a wonderful book and I have enjoyed reading it this past week.
The following is from the description on Amazon:
“When God Winks at You is packed with true stories demonstrating that God does communicate with us, making incredible things happen in our lives every single day.
As you read the riveting accounts of everyday and famous people—including Tim Conway, Billy Graham, and Don Knotts—you will begin to recognize the godwinks in your own life, both past and present. Through these tangible signposts from God, we receive personalized messages that reassure us, stop us from worrying, chart our path in life, and help us keep the faith.”
This week’s TED Talk - The Real Me: The Stigma About Depression…
I have watched TED Talks for many years now. I love the wide variety of experiences and opinions TED Talks offer. Here is one I would like to share for this week:
The stigma surrounding depression often causes people to suppress and hide their true identities as individuals who are suffering from a mental illness. This talk promotes ending the stigma and reaching out to people with the message: depression is not your destiny. This talk is short and every word she says is meaningful and to the point. Please listen, be open to learning more about how it feels to deal daily with depression and, most importantly, help stop the stigma. Thank you.
Holistic Wellness Spotlight - exploring the mind/body connection
In this video Louise Hay and Nick Ortner will share with you how to use EFT tapping to allow forgiveness, love and self-acceptance into your life... EFT tapping is a mind-body method of tapping acupuncture points (acupoints) on the hands, face, and body with your fingertips while focusing on an issue or feeling you're hoping to resolve. This method can help some people to reduce stress and anxiety.
Kindness Boomerang
Some of you may wonder where the phrase “Kindness Boomerang” originates from…so I wanted to share with you the video that inspired me to start a yearly project with my students of creating positive notes and videos for the staff at the school where I worked. We did this from 2015-2020 and this video was a great conversation starter, with its simple message of how kindness moves from one person to another and comes right back around - Enjoy!
National Poetry Month
Launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, National Poetry Month is a special occasion that celebrates poets’ integral role in our culture and that poetry matters. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K–12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, families, and—of course—poets, marking poetry’s important place in our lives.
This month I am sharing my favorites - Here is the third one:
by Peter M. Williams Poetry Series
Children’s Corner
Peter H. Reynolds teaches us that creativity comes in all different shapes and sizes. He shows that a little dot can make a huge difference in someone's life, and takes us on an unforgettable, creative adventure.
Quote of the week
Until next week. Please remember…Begin and end each day with a grateful heart…and always, always be kind….