Thursday, February 17, 2005

"How strange we should be here at all."

  • "Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy." (Rabbi Heschel)
  • "The privledge of a lifetime is being who you are." (Joseph Campbell)
  • "People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child - our own two eyes. " (Thich Naht Hanh)
  • "How strange we should be here at all." (from "Freak Out" by 311)

When negativity creeps into my life, I try to remember one of these quotes. Indeed, the miracle is life itself. Just being alive is enough to blow your mind if you really consider it. Perhaps this is why Jesus chose not to entertain people's requests to produce miracles - if you come to expect the extraordinary, you'll never tune in to see the wonder and awe in the ordinary.

3 comments:

isaiah said...

"Indeed, the miracle is life itself. Just being alive is enough to blow your mind if you really consider it."

It's all Good! Even the ordinary...and when we feel less that good, perfect even- it is ego getting in the way, wanting some attention. Thanks for the quotes...good thoughts on which to focus.

Meredith said...

These are beautiful sentiments. This existence is so pure and perfect - the ordinary is extraordinary, unfolding in the most miraculous way with exquisite beauty and wonder - we just need to awaken to it in each moment.

isaiah said...

Watched "Garden State" last night and loved it....

"...just breathing is a miracle!"

Great writing, acting and direction.