It is one of those days that make everyone want to live in Los Angeles.
Torrents of rain have scrubbed even the dirtiest streets clean and it seems every leaf sparkles.
I am out for a walk, loving the bluest sky, the hawk soaring above me, the palm trees looking ready for Oscar night.
The sun's rays feel great on my face, but as I begin to warm up, I turn a corner onto a shady street. And in the space of forty feet (about the width of a residential street in my neighborhood) - a miracle happens!
I look up and the entire vista has changed. I literally gasp as I view our usually smoggy mountains, often not even visible, majestically dressed in brilliant white snow. I feel like Dorothy with her first glimpse of the city of Oz. How could this be where I live? I want to ring doorbells and share this with everyone. Do they know that there is the most spectacular miracle just outside their door?
A Course in Miracles teaches that a miracle is a change in perception.
In the few paces it took me to turn a physical corner, my perception changed a full 180 degrees. My previous view was lovely, no complaints - but this new view literally took my breath away.
And it hit me - this is life.
This is the most beautiful picture of how life works. I go along with my life. It's a lovely walk; in fact it's pretty awesome. I'm not frantically seeking big changes. I'm enjoying the air, the sunshine. For this moment, the status quo is fine with me.
And Wow! Right in front of me is a big, big surprise. Something so completely unexpected that I am just struck with wonder.
A corner appeared and I decided to turn.
What if I hadn't noticed this corner? What if I was just walking along listening to my iPod and staying on the same street? It was a perfectly fine street. There was a lot to appreciate. It would have continued to be a lovely day. The sky would still be brilliant blue and the palm trees would be shining.
But because I noticed that I might like to walk on another street, because I was secure that if this turn wasn't to my liking, I could just go back to my previous route, I followed my instinct and turned a corner.
And this tiny action changed my day.
I know not every turn holds the glorious view of snow-covered mountains, not every decision leads to something worthy of photos and blogs. But what I have taken from this experience is that I want to be aware that there are choices.
I want to be conscious of the option of turning, without knowing the outcome. I want to feel safe that my previous street is still there and I can turn around if I wish. I want to be "pleased and grateful for where I am, but eager for more", to very loosely quote Abraham-Hicks.
I know my curiosity will be rewarded with surprises. I want to be open to see miracles.
SO true. :) It's this simple isn't it?
Posted by: EW | 02/28/2011 at 05:32 PM