The Little Miracles

This week's quote advises us, "Don't wait for the big miracle, otherwise you'll miss the many small ones."

Such wise advice. Sometimes we can get fixated on a particular desired outcome and pour all our energies into making it happen (or worse, sit around, passively wishing for it to happen). And while we are concentrating on that (whatever it is) we miss all the "fragments of holiness, glimpses of eternity" (thank you, Sarah York) along the way. 

I have more than one daily spiritual practice. And for me, the most important one happens at the end of each day. I call it "Small Pleasures". In my journal, I record three good things that have happened to me since I woke up that morning. It doesn't matter how small or insignificant they are - a meal or a television programme I have enjoyed, some writing I have done, something beautiful in nature, a conversation with a friend or family member -  what matters is that I have noticed and recorded them. And appreciated how lucky I am to have had them in my life, for that moment on that day.

I got the idea from Clare Law, whose blog, Three Beautiful Things, I have followed ever since she began it, way back in 2004. (She stopped in 2014, and I was bereft. I was so delighted when she began again during the first lockdown). She writes so beautifully about the most mundane, everyday things, which turn into magic under her skilful fingers.

I also appreciate that this can be very hard to do when we are in pain, or grief. Last month, when I had shingles, and the pain was quite intense, I had to really rack my brains to think of those small pleasures - like the support of my District, good advice from a friend who had recently suffered from it, some flowers sent to cheer me up, and so on. I am convinced that my established practice of trying to find something to be grateful for, helped.