Miracles All Around Us

It's not that unusual
When everything is beautiful
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

The sky knows when it's time to snow
Don't need to teach a seed to grow
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

Life is like a gift, they say
Wrapped up for you everyday
Open up, and find a way
To give some of your own

Isn't it remarkable?
Like everytime a raindrop falls
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

The birds in winter have their fling
And always make it home by spring
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

When you wake up everyday
Please don't throw your dreams away
Hold them close to your heart
'Cause we are all a part
Of the ordinary miracle

Ordinary miracle
Do you want to see a miracle

It seems so exceptional
That things work out after all
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

The sun comes out and shines so bright
And disappears again at night
It's just another
Ordinary miracle today

It's just another
Ordinary miracle today 

Lyrics to Ordinary Miracle by Sarah McLachlan

Being "of a certain age", it seems like I have personally experienced or know of others dealing with illnesses or deaths of family members or friends with increasing frequency; so, it was with great joy that I was able to experience the initial hours of a new life on this earth this past week.

A week ago, I parked my car at the barn and immediately noticed that one of the mares in the pasture had a baby in tow!  The little filly was only about an hour old.  She was gangly -- all legs, but already walking around and hanging close to Mom.  All the horses in the adjacent pastures were watching the mare and her new little one with rapt attention.  River was calling out to the both of them, with either longing or encouragement.

Baby was soon tired and she curled up in the grass. Mom, tired from all the exertion of giving birth, laid down next to her baby.  A few of us who were watching this amazing sight sat down next to Mom and baby, both of whom willingly accepted our gentle stroking.  It was a peaceful, humbling, and as well as truly magical experience.  Several days later, a new little one was born.  And as I write this, a good friend is awaiting the birth of another foal or filly any day now.

With so much that seems wrong in our lives or in the world today, it is moments like the time spent watching the new little filly which truly emphasize the miracles both ordinary and extraordinary and  that we experience daily - we just need to stop and recognize them!

Resilience and Perseverence

These past couple of weeks have been extremely difficult as I have seen several friends going through enormously difficult situations -- situations that completely tear away at the carefully structured framework and plans for a life,  forcing a complete re-evaluation of what is true and not true, what is really important and necessary, and what defines the future.

These life altering events can happen incrementally (e.g. a degenerative disease) or it can happen in the blink of an eye (e.g. a car accident), but these events can rattle a person to the very essence of their being -- calling into question core beliefs and shattering self-confidence.

Within in each one of us, though, is a spark -- a spark of hope that continues to keep the essence of who we are and what we stand for alive through the darkest hour.  Resilience is the ability to nurture that spark into a roaring flame, to overcome the adversity and not only live through it, but triumph over it to become even stronger than before.

And through these situations, having a support system is key. Those that use that support system are those that can weather the storm.  Often overlooked members of that support system are our animals, who have the innate ability to know what is wrong and what to give us when we need it most.

For all those going through great adversity, my wish for each of you is hope and the ability to persevere.  Develop your support system (human and animal) and use it in order to triumph over life's curveballs.