A million little miracles, all around

Ever wondered when your big break will come?

In our pursuit of positive and impactful change, we journey along life, inspired and challenged by what’s surrounding us. Sometimes the path is wide and we feel light and stress free, full of hope about what lays ahead on the horizon. But other times, the path seems narrow, suffocating us into multitudes of niggles as we try to find our way through the shrubs and thorns en route.

The buoyancy of living a life of purpose drives most us to do what we do daily. For someone who wants to climb the corporate ladder this may look like putting in extra hours or raising your hand to take on new projects outside of your scope. For another in business, this may come in the form of waking up each day to try and secure a new business deal, follow-up with a customer you last sent a quotation to or even arguing your case as to why you have charged “more” in comparison to your supposed competitor.

Many times on this journey, we are let down by a variety of things; people we trust, the unaccommodating systems governing our economy, and our expectations of change - especially after the gruesome past two years we’ve had. All of these factors and others I haven’t captured here, make it seem even harder for us to catch a breath and believe that we will get to experience the desired breakthrough.

I like what essayist and writer, Dinty W. Moore says: “We are rushing, always thinking of the future, of our destination, focusing on what is four hours, or four hundred miles, or four years ahead, and constantly missing what is right there, just then, at the moment.” In pursuit of the big break, we tend to be so future focused that we neglect to live in the present and bask fully in what the moment has to offer.

Let me give you an example. Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, my husband’s young business was upscaling steadily. Post COVID, like many small businesses, he’s had to press the restart button and things have not been happening at the speed that he needs. His patience is tested daily and sometimes to a point where he has toyed around with the idea of quitting and going back to being a hired. In our recent conversation about his SOA (State Of Affairs 😅), he shared about how this promising contact he has made keeps talking and talking when in fact, he’s done talking and needs some action. I listened intently and just then when I needed to respond, a thought crossed my mind.

When pursuing our goals, we can get fixated on where we want to get to, how we anticipate things to unfold and possibly how they will come packaged. When we do this, we miss out on the opportunities that the everyday moments, connections, and interactions present. No matter how small they may seem, if you are fully present in the NOW, you will be able to notice these million “little” miracles.

My husband’s focus on clinching the big deal made him oblivious to the powerful connection he’d made. A connection that has the potential to support his business growth to the heights he has desired for a long time. When I shared this observation with him as well as my thoughts, he burst with bubbles of eureka.

The agency of our cries are valid, however, we should not let them shun the good that’s in our midst. Like Eckhart Tolle writes, “the more you are focused on time – past and future – the more you miss the NOW, the most precious thing there is”.

The wonders of the million little miracles are there, in your midst, waiting for you to see them for what they are and to acknowledge them.

If you have been huffing and puffing towards your goalpost, take a moment today to look around you. When you do, acknowledge the interconnectedness of everything – all those things: good and bad, highs and lows, swirls and leaps. All, are working in unison to help you get to your big break. Don’t lose heart.

If you need a pick-me up, listen to this song by Elevation Worship & Maverick City. It is one of our family favourites.