We are suffering beings for the most part, aren’t we? At grade school and then at gymnasium, we imagine that we are caught in some hellish reality from which there is little perceptual escape: the pre-ordained plan must be pursued – study and tests. An education filled with endless pressure and psychological indignities is followed by even more stress at university. Nonetheless, all of my suffering will be mitigated by my disembarkation at “the port of life”: also known as (AKA) graduation — nirvana awaits. “The current generation now sees everything clearly, it marvels at the errors, it laughs at the folly of its ancestors, not seeing that this chronicle is all overscored by divine fire, that every letter of it cries out, that from everywhere the piercing finger is pointed at it, at this current generation; but the current generation laughs and presumptuously, proudly begins a series of new errors, at which their descendants will also laugh afterwards.” (1)
Soon disappointment will be my lot: It is not easy being “the beautiful me” and finding my mission. Life does not have to be this way, of course. It can be exciting and interesting filled with unique adventures and profound insight. But, how do we achieve this? One way, I think is to look for miracles on a daily basis. Here, we could supplant the word miracle with “magical occurrence” or “good fortune.” My example: The other day, I set off early and from the onset decided to count the times during the day that serendipity fell upon me. Firstly, to begin my foray – my first miracle — I woke up and felt the gift of life and the presence of a new day. Then I asked myself, “How do I know that it is me waking up?” The answer is because we are a string of memories, to paraphrase David Hume. (2) After “a shave and a shower,” I dressed and proceeded to the office. The motochas were parked everywhere. A passing pedestrian kindly moved one of the parking signs so I could enter the parking lot: my second miracle – graciousness. I then did some office work and set off for my first appointment.
As I was proceeding down a major busy thoroughfare, the traffic began to accelerate, pulling me along with it. I was soon driving, or rather flying (Driving a scooter does feel like that, does it not?) faster and faster. A taxi signaled to turn right, just as I was directly beside a concrete and steel bus stop. He then suddenly changed his mind and turned left directly in front of me. When I say directly, I mean a feather has more distance. The proverbial, “My life flashed before my eyes,” (3) never felt to be more true. I seldom get excited or feel my heart palpitate because of my meditation and yoga practices. However, I had to stop for a moment and take stock of my reality: my third miracle — good fortune. God or the cosmos had decided to allow me to continue my mortal assignment. I arrived at my predetermined meeting and then was invited to a wonderful lunch filled with animated conversation and clever intellects: my fourth miracle – kindness.
I returned to the office and proceeded to work on the seemingly endless stream of “handout” material that my career entails. In this, I received a call from a colleague that I haven’t spoken with in a long time. Good friends are like fine wine; they get more magnificent with age — up to a point, of course: my fifth miracle – friendship. It was an interesting day, to say the least. The great human motivator and public speaker, Jim Rohn (4) leaves us with a thought: I have found in life that if you want a miracle you first need to do whatever it is you can do – if that’s to plant, then plant; if it is to read, then read; if it is to change, then change; if it is to study, then study; if it is to work, then work; whatever you have to do. And then you will be well on your way of doing the labor that works miracles.
A closing thought: I often worry that this non-stop river of data will ultimately crush the human spirit: we will drown in information, as the pundits say. I think not. With our acquired “critical thinking skills,” we will be able to filter the trash from the unsullied, the nonsensical from the valuable. The great benefit of the Internet Age is that the Millennials and post-Millennials are able to check all facts and all statements. They can quickly decipher the embellishments and falsehoods. Humanity simply needs training in the art of thinking, as we are painfully aware, given the present events in the world.
To sum up: This week, we spoke about miracles and how we should look for them on a daily basis — beginning with the miracle of each and every day.
Just for fun – Buffalo Springfield
A philosophical question: Why me?
This week, on your brief jog around the park, please reflect on the miracles of your day.
Every day look for something magical and beautiful.
Quote: I must take the time to catch those quiet moments of reflection. They are portals to my soul.
Footnotes:
1) Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol published in 1842 (ISBN: 978-0307-7978-10)
2) A Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume published in 1738 (ISBN: 978-1298-3235-38)
3) Life review
4) Jim Rohn