In my last column piece, “Are Miracles Transgressions Or Simply Extensions Of Nature,” I tried to demonstrate that miracles are not necessarily disruptions but are simply extensions of nature, or that miracles are not “supernaturally contrary” but encompasses what is natural – for the plausible reason that from the perspective of God, what is supernatural and natural are but one and the same.
Thus, it can be inferred that miracles comprise, not only of extraordinary wonders like being healed from a terminal disease or hitting the multimillion jackpot prize of the lotto draw, but equally also of the daily ordinary blessings like having a good night sleep and waking up fresh in the morning.
In short, hence, life’s pure and simple joys are enough miracles. These are the little, and often overlooked, but greatly important things that most of us have – waking up fresh and healthy every day, having food to eat or meeting our needs, being free from sickness or harm, enjoying the simple expressions of love from family and friends, watching our kids play, a leisure stroll in the park, watching TV or having bonding moments with loved ones, etc., etc.
For me and my wife, we have learned to embrace with gratitude and enjoy on a regular basis the following simple joys of daily living:
1. Having our regular morning sunshine and walk-jog exercise in a nearby park. This is certainly healthy and priceless.
2. While on our leisure walk-jog outside, we never fail to cherish and appreciate the natural beauty of the surroundings, the relative peace and serenity, the sun, the fresh air, the blue sky, the formations of clouds, the vibrant trees, the smiles and simple greetings of people that we meet, the refreshing sight of young and old people biking, walking or jogging. All of these proclaim the wonder of nature and majesty of God.
3. After our leisure walking or jogging, we regularly drop by a Church and spend time in prayer. We dub this daily routine before the Blessed Sacrament as “Whiling away with God.” This keeps us blessed and assured of our inner peace.
4. Hugging each other tightly and sleeping peacefully at night. This makes me and my wife one and complete, safe, and secure.
5. Keeping in constant touch or connecting (through phone or social media), saying fond hellos or kumustahan, with our children and grandchildren who are living separately, and knowing that they are fine, safe, healthy, and free from sickness and harm. This is truly worth exuding a grateful heart.
6. For my part, being able to regularly write for this column, Inspired & Blessed. It’s realizing my lofty purpose to give hope to others as to remain hopeful myself, to share life’s learnings and lessons as to learn from others too, to inspire others as to be inspired myself, and to bless others as I am blessed.
Ah, one more point. As Luther Vandross’ classic song goes, “The Best Things In Life Are Free,” these daily life’s pure and simple joys are all FREE, God-given, and are all for our taking.
The key to having these MIRACLES of pure and simple joys is GRATITUDE.
The simple ritual of thanking God, thanking ourselves, thanking our significant others, every morning can do wonders for our life. Verily, David Steindl-Rast cannot be more right when he said: “We have thousands of opportunities everyday to be grateful: having a good weather, to have slept well last night, being able to get up, being healthy, having enough to eat, etc., etc. There’s opportunity upon opportunity to be grateful, that’s what life is about.”