All of us would like to experience the love and beauty of the supernatural in our lives. We have heard of the biblical miracles like Moses’ parting of the Red Sea and Jesus’ multiplication of the loaves and fishes to feed the five thousand. We hear of devastating car accidents where the car is crushed beyond recognition and yet the person inside is unharmed or avoids certain death by millimeters. We hope for meaningful and exciting events to come our way unexpectedly restoring our sense of innocence and wonder. While belief in the reality of these happenings is good, there are also small everyday miracles that push aside hopelessness, dross, and darkness. Do you believe in miracles?
Innocence and Connection
Watch this Ted Talk video titled The Power of Child-like Innocence by Natella Isazada. She shares the difficulties and hardships she experienced growing up in Eastern Europe, in Russia. She also brought up the walls that are built between countries, cultures, corporations and between adults and neighborhoods and families. The childlike innocence that seeks wonder and simplicity, according to her story, increases compassion and connection.
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In the video, Natella asks the audience the following question: If you could bring yourself to the most compassionate and innocent place inside you, what questions would you ask to help solve the greatest problems?
We can open up to childlike innocence. This is the place that wonder and everyday miracles take place. What a wonderful idea Natella is spreading.
Set in Stone
What are your hopes, dreams, and purpose? Do you have clear principles that guide you? Have some of your broken dreams and expectations become set in stone in your heart and mind? How can you smash the attitudes and beliefs that pull you down and keep you from believing in the goodness of life and its infinite possibilities? You want to stand on the solid ground of sobriety, not be weighed down by life’s demands.
Life is Dynamic and Changing
Life changes. The people in our life change. Our attitudes change. We are though creatures of habit. What does this mean? How do we understand these contrasting ideas? It means we need to be flexible. If we insist on our way or the highway, we will be left lonely. If we resign to being stuck in the past, in old attitudes, listening to distorted frequencies, we are rejecting the life-giving changes that are ahead. Each day is pregnant with possibilities. New life awaits us. We can bring the good, the tried and true with us, into the creative and spontaneous moments before us.
Suggested Action Step
Science and media label and expose so much of the world around us. Is there still mystery in this life? Make a commitment to watch only movies and shows that show the goodness and innocence of life for one week.
Overcoming Fear
Fear and past disappointment often keep people from going for the dreams and goals they had as children or have now in adulthood. Life is a series of new beginnings. Your life is just beginning again in this new season. In the original Indiana Jones movie with Harrison Ford, he must cross a great crevice. It is a test of faith for the brave adventurer. His eyes deceive him. He does not see a bridge to cross. But the clues and his faith tell him that there is a way across. He must call on all his courage in the face of fear and take that first step forward. When he makes that step putting his foot down, the bridge appears. He can now see the way across
Acting from Renewal
Are your goals and actions coming out of a well of fresh water, filled with hope, new attitudes and ideas? Are you able see over the past into the bright future ahead? What are your most important relationships you want to build upon and grow into? With love as the foundation you have great strength, beyond your own abilities to call on. Listen to what life is telling you today. Does the vista of life ahead of you now look much different from what it did a few months or a year ago? What can you do to renew your mind, your life, and the path ahead?
Question for Reflection: What part of transformation is our responsibility? What brings you the greatest sense of wonder?
Helpful Links
Angels on Assignment by Roland Buck