How to Notice Miracles in Your Life

When you think of a miracle, what do you imagine?

Perhaps you imagine a huge event of Biblical proportions. Perhaps you think of childbirth, which is often described as a miracle. Thinking about the “big” miracles can actually mean that you miss the everyday miracles.

By “everyday” miracles, we mean the little things, the stuff people take for granted. These events aren’t any less miraculous just because we’re not noticing them. After all, the sunrise isn’t beautiful just because you’re looking at it. Our notice doesn’t bestow beauty or miracle status - these events were already beautiful or miraculous.

So, the best we can do is to take the time to notice these miracles, start counting blessings daily and get the best out of our lives. Let’s talk about what we mean by noticing miracles and how doing this can help you.

Examples of Miracles in Everyday Life

Some of the most understated miracles are the most powerful.

Rather than brushing off the little things, why not take time to observe and appreciate them? Of course, it isn’t easy to appreciate everyday miracles if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

So, let’s talk about three different kinds of everyday miracles. You might find that you’ve seen more miracles than you thought.

1. Small Acts of Kindness

Most of us will have read, seen, or learned about a triumph of humanity, where a person or group of people displayed incredible kindness, bravery, or self-sacrifice. Those events are encouraging and heartwarming, but you might feel a little distant from them. After all, there’s a difference between reading about an event in a newspaper and actually seeing it unfold.

Small acts of kindness aren’t earth-shattering, stop-the-presses interactions. They can be so, so small. Maybe a stranger hands you a bit of money when you’re just a little short for your grocery bill. Perhaps you watch someone buy some food and clothes for a homeless person. Perhaps you see a store providing food and water for stray animals.

Perhaps a friend, neighbor, or a loved one delivers some flowers, baked goods, or just something nice for you, and it was exactly what you needed.

When we think of miracles, these small acts of humanity often aren’t what spring to mind. However, these tiny kindnesses add up and up, building up into something wonderful.

2. The Beauty of Nature

Which of us hasn’t been struck dumb by the beauty of nature before? Especially if you live in the country or in a rural area, there are so many beautiful sights to take in.

Something as simple as a sunrise, sunset, or watching the night sky can fill you with wonder. Take the time to search out beauty, not simply skipping over something small in search of the next impressive sight to see.

Related article: The Healing Benefits of Nature Bathing

3. Love of Friends & Family

All too often, we take our loved ones for granted. It’s easy to slip into this mindset, and then all the kindnesses our loved ones show us go unnoticed.

Especially if you have small children, take the time to notice and enjoy each moment, each milestone. If your friends or family do something for you, take a moment to be grateful. Appreciate that your loved one has taken the time to do this for you.

Of course, not every experience with your loved ones will be a small miracle! That’s fine. It means that you can appreciate the good times even more.

How to Practice Gratitude

Unfortunately, our modern world doesn’t encourage gratitude. On the contrary, we’re expected to strive for bigger and better things with no respite.

Actively looking for something to be grateful for helps us to look for the positive in each day. It encourages us to focus on what we have rather than what we want or what we lack.

For example, here are simple, everyday things you can be grateful for:

1. The love of a spouse, partner, family member, child, or pet

Love is something we do take for granted, but many people in the world don’t have a child or a loving family?

2. Plenty of delicious food and drink

Once again, not everyone in the world has access to enough food and water. Mindful eating can help you to appreciate your meals and enjoy the flavors so much more.

3. A warm, comfortable home

Even if your home isn’t as beautiful or spacious as you would like, you can take a moment every day to be grateful for a roof over your head and a space of your own.

4. The beauty of nature

We’ve already touched on how nature can seem like a miracle in itself. If you’re able to see some natural beauty, take time to be grateful for it. Relax and enjoy the moment.

What about your life? These are really only four possible things to be grateful for. No doubt you can already think of many more small miracles which can inspire gratitude.

Check this article out next: 5 Ways to Practice Gratitude & Why It’s Important

Take Time to Notice Miracles

Mindfulness is a great way to train ourselves to notice miracles. Taking time to slow down and focus on our experiences is the best way to understand what we have, whether it’s a delicious meal, precious time with family or friends, or something else.

Mindfulness also helps us to immerse ourselves in the moment.

For example, if you’re contemplating something beautiful in nature, or eating a meal, focus on your thoughts, feelings, and sensations around that moment or action. Our minds tend to wander, but only when we’re focused on the moment can we truly appreciate what we have.

Don’t just focus on yourself when you look for miracles. Seeing something wonderful happen to another person is just as much a miracle as if it happened to you. If you feel as if you aren’t seeing any miracles, why not take the initiative to create miracles yourself?

Do something kind. Go out of your way to experience something new and wonderful. Live in the moment.

Miracles don’t need to be earth-shattering events. In fact, everyday miracles are everywhere - if you just know where to look for them.

Read next: 20 Things You Can Be Grateful for Right Now