Meera Atkinson
The sea doesn’t have to part to be reminded of the power of the spirit. The Transit Lounge looks at some achievable miracles that will make your world — and the whole world — a better place.
The random act of kindness
When the glass is not only half empty but appears to have a crack in it life can seem like an endless array of disappointments and frustrations. When negativity snowballs and you can’t get no satisfaction there is one sure-fire way to turn your mood around: do something nice for someone else.
Whether it’s smiling at a stranger, buying a Big Issue, or doing some volunteer work, extending yourself when you feel small reminds you that you’re bigger than you think.
Exercise
It’s a fact: exercise really does have a miraculous effect on body and soul. The simple act of getting off your butt can go a long way to ensuring quality of life by improving energy levels and mental outlook as well as increasing fitness and improving appearance.
The gratitude list
Most of us have something we dearly want or need that we don’t have: a partner, a better job, more money, different legs, a nicer apartment. When life gives you lemons make lemonade. ‘Counting your blessings’ is an age-old practice that can brighten the darkest of days.
So you don’t have the boyfriend but at least you’re not stuck in an unsatisfying relationship and you get to watch telly in your daggiest trackies. So you don’t have the dream career but hey, the world is in financial meltdown and you still have a job. Sure you’d like more money but you’re among the fortunate 1% of the world who get to eat regularly, sleep in a comfortable bed and enjoy a movie on the weekend. Okay, your legs are short but you have a lovely waist and beautiful eyes. True, your apartment isn’t the best but it’s a roof over your head when plenty of people don’t have even that.
The gratitude list isn’t about denying what you want or forcing yourself to like what you don’t. It’s about accepting what is and finding the silver lining in the cloud. It’s also about reminding yourself that sulking and sourness don’t make your dreams come true.
Connect with nature
A sunrise, a winter beach, dogs playing — what can better remind you of the beauty and majesty of life than getting in touch with nature? When your days seem like a pointless grind the miracle of creation reminds you there’s more to being alive than your workaday world.
Whatever wars we humans wage, whatever madness we indulge, the snow keeps on snowing, the sun keeps on shining, the waves keep on rolling and the seasons keep on turning. Connecting with nature invites the miraculous realisation that for all our sophistication we are not the creators of the world.
Prayer
No matter what the situation or how big or small the distress, when you connect with God through prayer and meditation you open yourself to grace and transformation through God’s love and guidance. And that is the greatest miracle of all.
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