“The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.”

~Richard Bach

A few days ago, I was really feeling down in the dumps. The news was blaring gloom and doom about nuclear war, tax reform and hurricane victims.

I went to the hair salon, a usual perk for me, and was comforted by donations being collected for wildfire victims near our home. I met a woman there who shared how she is creating her own non-profit to help young girls in Uganda escape the effects of extreme poverty.

On one hand, I was filled up by the compassion of those doing so much. On the other, I was saddened by how much help is needed.

I couldn’t help but think of May, a character in The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. Whenever May became overwhelmed by someone else’s pain, she would go to her own wailing wall, piled stones stuffed with handwritten prayers for all those going through hard times.

It can be difficult to try to be a source of healing energy without, at times, fully feeling how painful this world can sometimes be.

“The miracle is to walk on the green earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now.”

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

In my own moment of overwhelm, I decided to return to a practice that is one of my favorites—the art of experiencing a Miraculous Moment.

I paused, took a deep breath, and noticed.

I noticed the brightness of the sun shimmering off the nearby Bay.

I noticed how my lungs feel when they fill with air.

I noticed how good my body feels when I stretch it up to its full height.

I felt gratitude flow through me. I felt grateful for my breath, my health, my loved ones, the beauty of nature, the roof over my head, and all the sacred, invisible acts of generosity happening all around me.

My own inner shift from negativity to peaceful gratitude in that moment felt like a miracle.

“A miracle is never lost. It may touch many people you have not even met, and produce undreamed of changes in situations of which you are not even aware.”

~ The Course in Miracles

All stories of miracles are at their most basic level a turnaround. They always begin with facing one’s truth in the current moment, and then moving to an experience that is much more awe-inspiring.

New life springs forth from certain death. The impossible happens. Someone finds the courage to forgive, speak up, let go or begin again.

I believe there is no hierarchy in the world of miracles. Each time we turn, no matter how quietly, from despair to hope, I believe we become part of some greater miraculous and mysterious energy flowing through all of us. I have no idea how it works, but I know that it does.

We never know how our own shift may trigger another, perhaps leading a complete stranger to uncover a needed solution, try something new, or manifest his or her own fresh perspective.

“No single energy can be more impactful on this planet than the joy and well-being emanating from one truly happy and loving person.”

~Barry Neil Kaufman

May we each find our own unique path to participating in all the good happening around (and within!) us.

Share Your Miraculous Moments!

The photo above was taken during another Miraculous Moment, during a hike near Lake Tahoe with my mother, husband and kids this past Thanksgiving. I was struck by how incredible these dewdrops were, like complete little universes, hanging from the needles of a tree.