With my own idea in the back of my mind (that everything is a miracle if you choose to look at it that way), it seems that even more miracles happen every day. Whether this is because I choose to look at these occurrences as miracles, or because of the fact that I am consciously paying attention to meaningful (at least to me) events, which I would have missed if I weren't paying attention, it doesn't really matter. The only thing that is of real importance, is the realization that I am the only one who can make my life more miraculous, more eventful, brighter, happier and anything else that I consider "good" (as opposed to not so good..). You might think that this (taking responsibility for your own life) is easier to say, or write about, than do. Well... keep reading.
When I spoke to a good friend on the phone the other day (who used to work at a law firm 4 days per week), she said: "Oh, you know, I was always complaining that I didn't have time to do the things I really love. I always thought that when I didn't have to go to the office any more, I would do yoga everyday. And I would meditate twice daily and do something creative. And now I am home every day and I still don't do my daily yoga practice, nor do I mediate or do something creative". Since it always seems easier to see other people's patterns than your own (at least it is to me), I said: "So do you realize that the fact that you do or don't do yoga (or anything else that you love, for that matter) has nothing to do with the amount of (free) time you have? The only way to have time to do yoga is when you decide that you have time for it and consciously choose to do it."
Other than time, another big issue for most people seems to be money. I think that many of us think along the lines "Oh, if I only had more money than.. (you can fill it in: I would be happier, my life would be better, etc.) ." When I am not paying attention to my thoughts, I do that too. I tend to think that everything would be easier if I had more money and that I wouldn't have anything to worry about. Well, is that really true? If I had millions in my bank account, a Porsche, a BMW and a yacht in Monaco, would I be worry-free? Most likely not. Because, guess what?: I would probably be worrying about the amount of taxes I would owe, if no one would make a scratch on my shiny cars or if these guys in the south of France know how to take care of my boat the way I would. And to give you a more close-to-home example: every time a financial miracle happens (and yes, they do happen all the time) so I have just the right amount of money I need, I worry if next month such miracle will happen again.
I hear you think. "So what to do? If nothing changes, why bother? If I won't be happier when I get rich, why would I still aspire to be so? Or what about people that actually don't have anything to eat and are really miserable, they would feel better if there circumstances were better, right?" Let me tell you this: the only thing that will actually change anything for the better, is the way you think. The "better" (i.e. happier, less miserable, relaxed, time to do what you love) can only come from inside yourself. When you feel and experience your life as that "better" (take your pick), there is no need anymore to think about more money, more time, more of whatever. You will have everything you need and probably everything you want too. Isn't that a miracle? I think it is.
I know that the next question is "How do I get to feeling "better"?" It is very simple: just change the way you think. "Really? That sounds like a miracle". And it is. To be continued...
Happy miracles to you!
Stay tuned.
Marije
donderdag 9 december 2010
zondag 5 december 2010
Month of Miracles - December 5, 2010
The question "What is a Miracle?" is keeping my thoughts busy these days. I keep thinking about a comment made by one of the women at the Woman's Wisdom meeting. She said: "Music is a Miracle". To be honest, I didn't really understand it. What is miraculous about music? I mean, music can be pretty generic, doesn't it? However, the more I think about it, and the more I listen to music while thinking about it, I think she is right. Not that there is a "right" or "wrong" in this matter (wasn't I the one who said that everything is a miracle if you choose to look at it that way?). I mean, that I agree with her.
This morning, I go out for a "work-out walk" (instead of running I just walk really fast), accompanied by my iPod. I like listening to music when I go walking really fast. The right music gets me in the right mood. Namely, it makes me want to walk really fast, despite the fact that it is very cold outside and that staying inside would have been a good option. Madonna does the trick for me this time. I can walk my really fast steps exactly at the beat of her music. Now, isn't that interesting? What is it that gets me in the right mood? And why would some meditative music not get my walking really fast? Music is music, you'd say. It is just sound and tones, put together in a creative way. So maybe the mood affecting element of the music has something to do with this creativity of the musician?
To my surprise, the dictionary defines music as: "An art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and color". Color?? I immediately envision the chakras. They are related to color too. Moreover, they respond to music as well. The first chakra, associated with the color red, is stimulated by earthly native music, like drumming. Whereas the fifth chakra, with its blue tint, is energized by very expressive music (think the score Cut Loose from the Footloose movie).
And what about emotions? I think that most people know what it is like when music touches you in a way that it makes you cry. All right, I'll speak for myself: sometimes music even makes me cry (because it is very beautiful or because it brings up some memories, either good or bad). Is it the emotion of the composer that speaks through me?
There is a whole industry that is based on the fact that people are being affected by the sound of music. For that matter: isn't the Sound of Music one on the most popular movies of the last century? Maybe the effect that music has on us is just one miracle. It seems to me that the bigger miracle is the composer creating this music. Where is the music coming from? The composer hears the music in his head and translates that into musical notes that, when being played, create a sound. And when the composer has listened carefully, that sound can be amazing. Beethoven is one of the greatest examples thereof. He was able to compose some of his brilliant musical works of art while being deaf. (Speaking of miracles!) Where is the music coming from? Does it just emerge out of nothing? That sounds like it is coming from some supernatural cause. And that clearly defines a miracle...
Music anyone? Happy Miracles to you!
Stay tuned.
Marije
This morning, I go out for a "work-out walk" (instead of running I just walk really fast), accompanied by my iPod. I like listening to music when I go walking really fast. The right music gets me in the right mood. Namely, it makes me want to walk really fast, despite the fact that it is very cold outside and that staying inside would have been a good option. Madonna does the trick for me this time. I can walk my really fast steps exactly at the beat of her music. Now, isn't that interesting? What is it that gets me in the right mood? And why would some meditative music not get my walking really fast? Music is music, you'd say. It is just sound and tones, put together in a creative way. So maybe the mood affecting element of the music has something to do with this creativity of the musician?
To my surprise, the dictionary defines music as: "An art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and color". Color?? I immediately envision the chakras. They are related to color too. Moreover, they respond to music as well. The first chakra, associated with the color red, is stimulated by earthly native music, like drumming. Whereas the fifth chakra, with its blue tint, is energized by very expressive music (think the score Cut Loose from the Footloose movie).
And what about emotions? I think that most people know what it is like when music touches you in a way that it makes you cry. All right, I'll speak for myself: sometimes music even makes me cry (because it is very beautiful or because it brings up some memories, either good or bad). Is it the emotion of the composer that speaks through me?
There is a whole industry that is based on the fact that people are being affected by the sound of music. For that matter: isn't the Sound of Music one on the most popular movies of the last century? Maybe the effect that music has on us is just one miracle. It seems to me that the bigger miracle is the composer creating this music. Where is the music coming from? The composer hears the music in his head and translates that into musical notes that, when being played, create a sound. And when the composer has listened carefully, that sound can be amazing. Beethoven is one of the greatest examples thereof. He was able to compose some of his brilliant musical works of art while being deaf. (Speaking of miracles!) Where is the music coming from? Does it just emerge out of nothing? That sounds like it is coming from some supernatural cause. And that clearly defines a miracle...
Music anyone? Happy Miracles to you!
Stay tuned.
Marije
vrijdag 3 december 2010
Month of Miracles - December 3, 2010
As you might imagine, we exchanged many insights on miracles during that Woman's Wisdom night. And as I mentioned before, we obviously addressed the question "What is a miracle?". So, indeed: What is a miracle?
The common conception seems to be that a miracle is something out of the ordinary. An amazing occurrence, like Jesus who walked on water and raised people from the death. According to the dictionary, a miracle is an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause. Well, I don't know about you, but I think that is not a very enlightened way to look at the world. Or at least not very fun. If you think that miracles are fun, that is. (And you may have guessed already that I think they are). (By the way: what is a "supernatural cause"? Isn't that just another word for God/The Universe, or whatever you want to call it?)
I actually think, that everything is a miracle if you choose to look at it that way. When you consciously decide to perceive the world as a child in wonder, miracles happen all the time. Bon Jovi seems to be thinking along the same lines: "Miracles happen every day, change your perception of what a miracle is and you'll see them all around you." Some people may say that it is easy to "fool" yourself, and that is "doesn't work this way". If that were the case (that I'm a fool), I'd rather be a happy fool than unhappily waiting for a miracle to happen...
Okay, let me give you an example: This morning I wake up with this one song that keeps playing in my head. I don't even know the song that well. I heard it only once. I like the song though. I even decide that I should check it out on iTunes later. An hour later, I get in the car and turn the radio on. The last part of some random song comes out of the speakers, and is making room for the next one. When I hear the notes of the next song, I get goose bumps. It is the song that played on my mental radio when I woke up. I think it is a miracle.
Yes, I think it is a miracle. And no, it is not an earth shattering it-blows-your-mind-away kind of miracle. It is a synchronicity that makes me smile. For me, it is a confirmation that I am in tune with the Universe/God/the Bigger Picture, whatever you want to call it. It makes my day a little brighter. And isn't that what we all want, having a bright day?
I can create my own miracles. I think that is a miracle in itself.
Happy miracles to you!
Stay tuned.
Marije
The common conception seems to be that a miracle is something out of the ordinary. An amazing occurrence, like Jesus who walked on water and raised people from the death. According to the dictionary, a miracle is an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause. Well, I don't know about you, but I think that is not a very enlightened way to look at the world. Or at least not very fun. If you think that miracles are fun, that is. (And you may have guessed already that I think they are). (By the way: what is a "supernatural cause"? Isn't that just another word for God/The Universe, or whatever you want to call it?)
I actually think, that everything is a miracle if you choose to look at it that way. When you consciously decide to perceive the world as a child in wonder, miracles happen all the time. Bon Jovi seems to be thinking along the same lines: "Miracles happen every day, change your perception of what a miracle is and you'll see them all around you." Some people may say that it is easy to "fool" yourself, and that is "doesn't work this way". If that were the case (that I'm a fool), I'd rather be a happy fool than unhappily waiting for a miracle to happen...
Okay, let me give you an example: This morning I wake up with this one song that keeps playing in my head. I don't even know the song that well. I heard it only once. I like the song though. I even decide that I should check it out on iTunes later. An hour later, I get in the car and turn the radio on. The last part of some random song comes out of the speakers, and is making room for the next one. When I hear the notes of the next song, I get goose bumps. It is the song that played on my mental radio when I woke up. I think it is a miracle.
Yes, I think it is a miracle. And no, it is not an earth shattering it-blows-your-mind-away kind of miracle. It is a synchronicity that makes me smile. For me, it is a confirmation that I am in tune with the Universe/God/the Bigger Picture, whatever you want to call it. It makes my day a little brighter. And isn't that what we all want, having a bright day?
I can create my own miracles. I think that is a miracle in itself.
Happy miracles to you!
Stay tuned.
Marije
woensdag 1 december 2010
Month of Miracles - December 1, 2010
Tonight, I joined a Woman's Wisdom gathering. This group of women has been meeting every month for 10 years, and discusses a different (spiritual) topic each time. The theme of tonight was: Miracles. Now, there is a lot to say about miracles, and we did. I also could write a lot about miracles, and I will. Hence this blog.
As far as I’m concerned, miracles happen every day and any time. However, for most people it seems that during the December month in particular it is more “miracle time” than usual. (Why that is, is a whole different story, and maybe I will write about that too.) Regardless, I do think that now is a good time to write about miracles. Starting with one of the miracles that happened tonight.
The Wisdom that is being shared amongst the Women tonight is profound. I make mental notes, so I will be able to reproduce it later (and write about it in this blog). After sharing a round of answering the question “What is a miracle?” (yes, I will write about that later), the woman who is guiding our group talks about forgiveness. She tells us about a woman in Rwanda that sees her whole family being killed before her eyes. The most horrible thing ever, you would think. And yet, she forgives the murderers. We talk about the fact that carrying around resentment, grievance, anger or any negative emotions withhold us from living a truly blissful and miraculous live. Suddenly, I realize that I still feel anger against the woman who caused a car accident in which she rear-ended my car, resulting in a lot of pain and suffering on my end (and maybe also on hers, I don’t even know). I realize that I need to forgive her. If the woman in Rwanda can do it, so do I. I decide to write a letter. I am not going to mail the letter. I will do it right here (I like instant results). So (and I take a deep breath), here it goes:
“Dear Mrs. Brennan,
I am writing to you regarding the accident that was caused by you on May 24, last.
I don’t know if you were hurt that day, but if you were I hope you are okay now. I was injured badly. I have suffered a lot, and am still dealing with a lingering injury. I have cursed you many times. I have called you many names. I have wished that you were suffering worse than I was. I have considered suing you for damages. I have thought of many ways to make your live miserable.
I realize that no matter what I do, it will not change what happened. The only thing that I can change is the way I think and feel about it. The accident was just that: an accident. You didn’t cause it on purpose. Therefore, I would like to forgive you for causing the accident. I know that you did not have any intention to hurt me. I am sorry that this unfortunate event happened, also for you. I hope that we will both continue our lives safely and in peace.
Sincerely,
Marije Paternotte”
There it is. My own miracle. And that isn’t even the only one of tonight. Stay tuned for more.
Happy miracles to you!
Marije
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