As Albert Einstein said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as if nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
I recently saw this quote in an opinion piece by Anne Lamott in The Washington Post. Her assessment of the world as she sees it now that she takes the time to look with an open mind was just the sort of optimism and incredible writing that I needed at the moment. I have to admit that I worry about the constant focus on what is wrong with the world as opposed to what is right. I long for points of view that acknowledge the miracles that abound in the everyday experiences of life. Of late I have had to stave off a feeling that societies across the globe have forgotten how to see and rejoice in the universal goodness of people that all too often is shrouded by a cacophony of complaints.
On the same day that I read the hopeful piece by Ms. Lamonte I smiled at the photos that one of my cousins had posted on Facebook. They featured her toddler decked out in hockey gear learning to keep his balance on the ice. I laughed and cried at the same time while gazing at the image of the innocent little boy learning how to stay upright on the ice and shouting out his unbridled joy.
I knew the story behind the happiness and love that literally leaped from the page. This little boy had suddenly lost his father one night when he was still just a baby. The unexpected death of a young man who seemed to have a lifetime of happiness ahead with his beautiful wife and tiny little boy seemed so unfair but a quiet miracle was about to evolve.
The little boy’s family rose to the challenge of embracing him with a continuous stream of love. His mother devoted herself to his well being. His grandparents and uncles and aunts and cousins made sure that he felt safe. They joined together to fill the void left by his father as best they could. The miracle of hope bloomed in the toddler’s heart.
I was moved by the power and beauty of family as I scanned the photos and listened to the unfiltered joy of the child. I saw the courage of his mother and the compassion of all of the people who had so obviously built his confidence. With patience and determination they had assured the little boy that he would never be alone. The beauty of it all overwhelmed my heart.
It sometimes feels as though there is a kind of disconnect between the longings of ordinary people and the stances of governments across the globe. My guess is that few of us actually want the discord that the power brokers hawk in their quest to stay in charge. Most of us only desire the kind of quiet miracles that give a little boy the certainty that he is loved.
I often wonder how it is that we seem to constantly battle one another over issues that should not be troublesome at all. Then I realize the manipulations that are imposed on us by people pretending to care for us the way the little boy’s family cares for him. The difference between the two situations is that love is always the foundation of what is good, not revenge or fear. The everyday miracles happen because of our goodness and willingness to embrace our beautiful world and its people with joy and appreciation for the smallest of wonders.
Anne Lamott challenges us to quiet the noise in our hearts so that we will be able to listen for the beauty that abounds. If we change our focus from never seeing miracles to noticing how bountiful they are, our entire outlook on life will change. Discovering miracles opens our hearts and our minds. If we allow ourselves to find the beauty in everyday moments the joy from seeing them will multiply exponentially and drown out the ignorance that spawns distrust and anger.
Our time on this earth is limited. We can choose to never see the miracles or we can find the comfort of watching them unfold in every moment of the day. Look around with your eyes wide open. When you see the beauty that surrounds you the direction of your life will forever change. Embrace the miracles and change your point of view.
All It Takes Is A Little Love 