Do You Believe in Miracles?

Congratulations Detroit Red Wings!

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Detroit Red Wings, Lord Stanley's Cup is yours! Bringing home the cup, brings back memories of the U.S. Hockey Team beating the Soviet Union 4-3 in the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. It was a game that no one would have predicted; no one except U.S. Hockey Coach, Herb Brooks and the members of the U.S. Hockey Team. The Russians were heavily favored to win the gold medal, and were considered the greatest international hockey team in the world. With a group of young collegiate and amateur players, the U.S. wasn't even considered to make it to the medal rounds.

Not only did the U.S. team beat the heavily favored Russians, they went on to win the gold medal by defeating Finland 4-2 in the final game. I can recall watching the game against the Soviets; a game later called, "The Miracle on Ice." The last 20 minutes of the game was the most exciting hockey game I've ever watched. Most sports enthusiasts refer to the game as the greatest upset in sports history. Sports Illustrated named the event as the greatest sports moment of the twentieth century. To this day, I can still hear ABC sportscaster, Al Michaels, who was announcing the game, make his famous call as time expired, "Do you believe in miracles?"

How about you? Do you believe in miracles? I certainly do! Miracles happen everyday. They're all around us; we just take them for granted. Websters Dictionary defines a miracle as, "An extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs." Perhaps, the greatest daily miracle is the birth of a child. The human body is a miracle in its own right. How about, the sun rising in morning? What about the moon, stars and planets? Rain and Snow? The oceans, rivers, lakes, mountains, prairies and valleys are miracles.

Another type of daily miracle is the man-made miracles. These miracles are extraordinary events that manifest themselves from human intervention. These miracles happen when you need them the most. They are demonstrated in acts of love, compassion, kindness, friendship, and altruism. The kiss, the hug, the outstretched hand, the smile, the kind words, the pat on the back are all miracles when they tell a person in need that they are valued and loved.

We need to make it a point to be appreciative on daily basis for the divine miracles. The divine miracles are gifts of creation, sustenance and beauty; ranging from the birth of child to the birth of a new day, to the homeostatic mechanism of the human body to gravitation pull of the moon, and to the sight of snow capped mountains to the sound of the ocean waves.

Man-made miracles are gifts of the human spirit. Man-made miracles are the result of an ego put in check. Other becomes more important than the self. The miracle derives from the keen awareness of others and taking the initiative to help those in need. Since man-made miracles are born of the human spirit, we all are capable of performing miracles. Now, is the time to be keenly aware of the needs of others so that you can be the miracle in somebody life. It was St. Francis of Assisi who said, "For it is in giving that you receive." Hence, when you need it most, a miracle will happen to you too.

Back in 1980, Al Michaels asked the rhetorical question, "Do you believe in miracles?" Yes, Al, not only do I believe in miracles, I know, all us are capable of performing them!

Congratulations Red Wings!

Have a WOW weekend!
It's your life: live it, love it & celebrate it!
MJD