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Daily Question, February 12

What helps to remind you of the miracle of simply existing?

  • Debra

    Quiet solitude.

  • Malag

    When I stop and notice (a) the present moment beauty or (b) other people not making it to another day.

  • Ose

    The magic of a white world covered with snow outside, its stillness and its beauty, a moment full of wonder this morning while walking a path, listening to the crunchy sound under my feet, breathing in the clear cool air, which then is transformed into silently streaming steam while exhaling, all an expression of His Love and you all together with me in this one precious moment. Thank you for being here with me, dear friends.

  • Anna

    When I open the windows, early in the morning, and I “feel” the world waking up.

  • Antoinette

    My breathing makes me know remember I’m alive and being alive is miracle !

  • Kristi

    I just look at my son. He was a miracle baby and is a daily reminder of living!

  • Dusty Su

    Early morning bird song or grace in the space of great pain.

  • Gary Gruber

    Waking up to the gift of a new day, to breathe and receive this miracle with gratitude for being able to make of this gift what we will.

  • Don Jones

    The smile of a baby, a wee child or a passerby.

  • Cathie

    The saying by Abraham Joshua Heschel: Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy. Just to be….

  • orozcoj13

    Water an affirmation of life and a connectedness of all life. The only molecule the expands as it freezes. Without water we would not survive and with it we flourish.

  • Linda

    The people I love. Without these relationships I would not be the person I am.

  • Lauryn

    Anytime I am reminded of how tiny I am compared to the vast universe around me — I’m thinking in particular of videos you’ve probably seen which zoom out from earth -to the solar system- then to outside the Milky Way galaxy. When we think of how tiny we are compared to that, and then think of all that happens on this planet that appears like a tiny dot from Mars…. our existence is a miracle.

    • sb
      I agree and it is so nice to find someone who feels the same - for me it has been times like when we were on the Queen Mary on our way to New York, in the fog -just a miniscule dot in the ocean, and yet how wonderful it was - or when I went out in the snow yesterday, up the lane behind us -at the top, amazing views for miles, over the village, the sea, the fields, just me and the snow and wildlife - again, me so small and unimportant but yet, at the same time, so connected with that wonderful wo...

      I agree and it is so nice to find someone who feels the same – for me it has been times like when we were on the Queen Mary on our way to New York, in the fog -just a miniscule dot in the ocean, and yet how wonderful it was – or when I went out in the snow yesterday, up the lane behind us -at the top, amazing views for miles, over the village, the sea, the fields, just me and the snow and wildlife – again, me so small and unimportant but yet, at the same time, so connected with that wonderful world.

      Read More
    • Linda

      So true, Lauryn!

  • k'Care-Reena
    As a an individual who manages with anxiety I was once afraid to leave my house, believe it or not I am a TRAVELER now!! Thank God. I still have some attacks however looking back at my travels & memories reminds me of the miracle of simply existing. Leaving the stressful lifestyle for my mental health is one of the best things I have done in my life so far. This also means traveling reminds me as well (even driving for more than 1hr). Painting reminds me as well because I am able to celebra...

    As a an individual who manages with anxiety I was once afraid to leave my house, believe it or not I am a TRAVELER now!! Thank God. I still have some attacks however looking back at my travels & memories reminds me of the miracle of simply existing. Leaving the stressful lifestyle for my mental health is one of the best things I have done in my life so far. This also means traveling reminds me as well (even driving for more than 1hr).
    Painting reminds me as well because I am able to celebrate my talent while I paint. I am not a self centered person so self recognition is a big thing for me. I also complete a painting within months; I purposely do so to observe my skill improve on the painting it’s self. To me it shows growth.
    Praying is also a big thing for me. When I pray I am expressing my gratitude and appreciation. As I pray I am able to reflect on life’s blessing and thank the Lord for that.
    Coaching others reminds me of the miracle of existing because I am healing others. While I coach I am aware of my abilities to heal, feel and empathize with my clients which is a gift/blessing from GOD. (i am an empath). This allows me to see the beauties in life almost 24hr of the day. That is what I do for my clients because it is my moral obligation to heal others and show them happiness through self care.

    And PLANTING- I had a severe attack early 2020. Planting allowed me to relate to the plant as it is able to grow and produce life. I have an avocado tree growing; when I first started I became attached to Avi (name of my avocado plant) because of a bitter sweet break-up. Than came time to cut (which happened the same day I had an attack). Seeing how the plant kept growing and needed to 1. adjust its environment 2. Drink water 3. requires attention and care to strive. That connected with me because I was able to understand humans are very similar. Go to my youtube page to check out the video I created comparing planting to living. Reena Life Coach

    Read More
  • Holly in Ohio
    Breath,. Sometimes I follow my own breath, but that is not the way I usually meditate, as when I do I "just sit" and open up, and breath is just a part... But I often listen to the breath of others. Sometimes at night I just listen to my husband's breath as he sleeps for a long time. Or sometimes my cat... especially when he snores. :) Breath is wonderful. And don't you love it when a toddler is COMPLETELY absorbed in something and they get that particular raspy breathing.... love that!...

    Breath,.

    Sometimes I follow my own breath, but that is not the way I usually meditate, as when I do I “just sit” and open up, and breath is just a part…

    But I often listen to the breath of others. Sometimes at night I just listen to my husband’s breath as he sleeps for a long time. Or sometimes my cat… especially when he snores. 🙂 Breath is wonderful. And don’t you love it when a toddler is COMPLETELY absorbed in something and they get that particular raspy breathing…. love that!

    Or sometimes, like catching a deer out of the corner of your eye, I slip into the zone of just be-ing, when I am doing the dishes, or weeding, or cooking, even grocery shopping or any of many of life’s ordinary tasks. When I’m that lucky to see it, the ordinary becomes the extraordinary.

    Read More
  • Chester

    Two very different experiences trigger awe for the miracle of existence – the infinite expanse of space and the developing child, who grows in complexity daily – both unfathomable and just amazing.

  • Mike S

    By the way, as I read through everyone’s post in this space, I feel a real sense of community and grateful to be here and alive among all you loving souls.🙏🏼💕

  • Ed Schulte
    The miracle of “I AM”-ness” said simply by Joshua Emmanuel the God-Man“Breathe. Fill your lungs with air and hear me and fill me in the air you breathe. Breathe Self-consciously and hear me and feel me in your Mind Vitality. Feel me in the warmth of your red blood. I have given you a material heart. Feel me and hear me in your heart. Hear me in the beats of your heart. I AM the pulse of life”.here is “I AM-ness”demonstrated very nicely in this BBC article this morning … www.bbc.c...

    The miracle of “I AM”-ness”
    said simply by Joshua Emmanuel the God-Man“Breathe. Fill your lungs with air and hear me and fill me in the air you breathe. Breathe Self-consciously and hear me and feel me in your Mind Vitality.
    Feel me in the warmth of your red blood. I have given you a material heart. Feel me and hear me in your heart. Hear me in the beats of your heart. I AM the pulse of life”.here is “I AM-ness”demonstrated very nicely in this BBC article this morning …
    www.bbc.com/future/article/20210211-kangaroo-care-the-benefits-of-skin-to-skin-contact

    Read More
  • Mike S

    I start my day when still in bed and with my iPad visiting this site to get in a reflective, open-hearted space. Answering the daily question, posting in the lounge I and in my personal gratefulness space. I then may read a few pages of Kristi’s book plus some from Marianne Williamson’s daily reflections. In this slowing down time I can get a glimpse of how precious life is.

  • Carol

    Taking time to observe the give and take of my breath and the lesson it teaches me that you must give to receive. An extremely old, snarled tree that I see on my walks fascinates me. Sometimes I pause and say to it, “If only you could speak. The tales you could tell.” I pray that as a species we will choose evolution instead of revolution. John Lennon’s song “Imagine” comes to mind. Then we might discover the difference between simply existing and being alive.

    • Holly in Ohio
      This may surprise you, but trees DO talk, and it is currently being studied on several continents. Trees communicate dangers in the forest, such as fire and lumber cutting, and they have been known to share food between each other. They coordinate to replace themselves, as in dense forest, not much light reaches the forest floor to the young saplings, so yes - they at least sometimes care for their young. We have more life underneath our feet in the soil than there is above it, and there is a ...

      This may surprise you, but trees DO talk, and it is currently being studied on several continents. Trees communicate dangers in the forest, such as fire and lumber cutting, and they have been known to share food between each other. They coordinate to replace themselves, as in dense forest, not much light reaches the forest floor to the young saplings, so yes – they at least sometimes care for their young. We have more life underneath our feet in the soil than there is above it, and there is a vast network of life through a fungus called mycorrhizae, sometimes referred to as “the internet of the natural world.” Bacteria, also, which is in a symbiotic relationship with trees and most plants, may help with communication. The trees provide sugar through photosynthesis to the bacteria and fungus, and the bacteria provide nitrogen fixation for the trees which it can’t do, and trees and all of these organisms are constantly “trading” underneath our feet, and have been for millennia, without our realizing it. Perhaps your tree is speaking to you. Many indigenous and ancient tribes believed in the consciousness of trees. Maybe they were right. Here is one article for you to explore. This one is by The Smithsonian, but there are many articles you could find on the subject, if you care to explore it.
      https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-whispering-trees-180968084/

      Read More
      • Michele

        I recommend a book ‘Bough Down: Praying With Tree Spirits’ by Dolfyn & Zu. I love trees too and have always had a special connection with the weeping willow.

        • Holly in Ohio

          I just did a search and unfortunately it is out of print and rare. They don’t have it at Amazon and at Abe Books it’s $47.00 It looks wonderful though.

          • Michele

            Wow, guess I’m lucky to have a copy. I saw the copyright year was 1986. I’ve had it for years.

      • Cathie

        OMGosh – I have always talked to trees, and my family, though they love me, they think I am crazy – well a good crazy maybe. Anyway it will be nice to read this and share with them:) Thank you!!!

      • Carol
        My dear Holly, You are such a treasure. I'm so blessed by your presence on this site. I look forward to checking out the link you sent. I do know that the tree I speak of has been an inspiration to me. I'm awed by its strength and I've never seen another tree like it. The diameter (not the circumference) of this tree has got to 30 to 40 inches. It has very few limbs left and its trunk is deeply scarred. I think I identify with it because there have been so many changes in my physical body in th...

        My dear Holly, You are such a treasure. I’m so blessed by your presence on this site. I look forward to checking out the link you sent. I do know that the tree I speak of has been an inspiration to me. I’m awed by its strength and I’ve never seen another tree like it. The diameter (not the circumference) of this tree has got to 30 to 40 inches. It has very few limbs left and its trunk is deeply scarred. I think I identify with it because there have been so many changes in my physical body in the last 2 1/2 years. the tree is a reminder of the importance of acceptance. Sending a big virtual hug to you and yours.

        Read More
        • Holly in Ohio

          Yes! I thought that might be a reason you bonded strongly with each other. The tree may also be a matriarch, and might be supported by other trees because they value it. I know the article is long, but there is a part in it where they describe trees like this that are valued by their fellow trees! Puts a new light on things, doesn’t it? 🙂

          • Carol

            Holly, I read the article–absolutely fascination and enlightening. Thank you!

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