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Notice

by Lisa Akers

Take notice of the small miracles around you every day, and you will begin to see those miracles happen more often and in more profound ways!

Before you get all nervous or concerned, let me assure you that this article is not about those unfortunate pieces of mail that arrive after we forgot to send the check for the phone bill or one of those papers pinned to your child's coat after they had a particularly challenging day at preschool. This is about noticing the miracles happening around you every day.


The holiday season, and winter in general, is a time of wonder, of joy, and of magic. Just look at the eyes of a child the first time they get a chance to play in the snow or see the frost glistening on the branches of a tree. Picture the happiness as they wander through the neighborhoods decorated with lights and greenery. See the joy in their face when they learn school is cancelled due to weather. These simple things are what children notice. They look with wonder on the miracles of the season. These same thoughts inspire fear in our hearts - how will we be able to drive to work? What do I do with the kids when school is closed but work isn't? How am I going to get the holiday shopping done in all this weather? When am I going to get a break? It seems that for many working moms, this season brings more frustration and worry than wonder.


Or does it? I challenge you to take notice of the wonder that's happening every day in your life. Anytime you experience something that touches you emotionally, spiritually, or perhaps even magically, take notice. Notice that it happened and be grateful that you were privileged enough to witness it. You. This little miracle of wonder happened just for you. Maybe it is the child who shares her last cookie with a friend who has none. Perhaps it is the beauty of a quiet morning when you are suddenly awakened before the clamor of little feet in the house. Maybe it is simply getting through the day without a crisis popping up.


When a miracle of wonder happens to you, take a moment and savor it. Realize what you are feeling, what you are thinking, and how you can respond to the moment to preserve the wonder. If you'd like, you can jot down some of these details in your journal or just on a scrap of paper you find handy (like that little one pinned to your child's coat). Writing things down is a great way to remember them later and to document the miracles you're experiencing.


The more frequently you notice these miracles, the more frequently they will happen. Does one cause the other? Perhaps. Does it really matter? What is important is that you are taking the time to notice that someone (perhaps God, perhaps a loved one, perhaps your intuition) is thinking that you need to see something to re-ignite that spirit of wonder you had as a child. You can ask to see these little miracles more often, and as you take notice of them, they will happen. Write about them in your journal. Pray about them and ask to see more of God's work in your life. Contemplate and daydream about seeing miracles. You will see them. You will learn to savor them more and more.


You might ask why you would want to see miracles? The season is so busy and we feel we just don't have time. I ask you two simple questions. Do you have time to not see them? Does it make your life easier or better to ignore the joy, the wonder, and the excitement that's happening around you? Savoring the wonder and magic renews your spirit. It shifts your focus from the busyness, the fear, and the uncertainty of the grown-up world to the mystical, wondrous world your child sees. You'll be better equipped to handle the grown up problems because you are taking the time to savor the childlike wonder that comes so naturally this time of year. When spring comes, you'll be ready to savor those miracles, too!


About the Author


Lisa Akers is a certified life coach and inspiring group leader. She is the founder of Intentional Moms - a virtual community for 30-something women who want to successfully and intentionally combine their career and their family.