Minor Miracles

In May, PAN-O-PLY set up a booth at the Mind, Body, Spirit Festival. One of our goals was to create listening sessions for local poets and writers. We facilitated a living room setting, sparking small group conversations.

The experiment turned out wonderful. In five sessions strangers intently listened and leaned into conversations. It was an uplifting and wonderful day. Thank you to all who participated.

Watching poets and writers read and interact with the those who stopped in to listen seemed like a minor miracle. People who had never met were sharing an intimate moment in the middle of a festival.

I recently overheard a conversation between two friends. One friend said I think God is judging me. I thought, God is too busy creating miracles in my life to be judging me.

We don’t get too many big miracles in these parts, but we get plenty of small ones that add up over time.

We need to be mindful of the opportunities to create minor miracles in the lives of others. When we listen to people around us, we can be more compassionate to their needs. We can see ways to deliver kindness.

My wife is a natural at bestowing little treasures of love on others. I recall when we lived on 21st Street in South Bend, our neighbor, Oscar, became a citizen. Theresa had us wait all night on the front porch, American flags, a cake, and a playlist of patriotic music. When Oscar and his family arrived home, he received a party to celebrate his citizenship.

We all need a miracle occasionally. Minor miracles are the little loves shown to our family, friends, neighbors, and strangers. It only takes paying attention and listening beyond ourselves to find the minor miracle to change someone’s day. Take the time to see and respond.

I am not a natural at listening for the opportunity to create minor miracles. I must be purposefully conscious in my life to be alert for the opportunity to create love and joy in the lives around me.

When we show love for one another, it creates a revolution in ourselves. We become filled and transformed by the love and kindness we show to others.

As the Beatles sang,

“And in the end

The love you take

is equal to the love you make.”

We hope you have a wonderful summer! Get out there and create some love – and art!

Thank you for reading PAN-O-PLY. It means the world to us.