I witnessed a miracle this week. I know I'm being a little dramatic, but it really seemed like there was magic in the air. Some people would say that it wasn't anything special, a pretty normal event that was bound to happen sometime, but I think it was a miracle! The truth is, I've started to notice miracles in the most unexpected places.
My second son is 9, as I write this I hear him correcting me, 9 and a half! He's a smart kid, very energetic and a real dreamer. At times he gets so immersed in the world he has dreamed up around him that he doesn't see or hear anything else. He loves stories and puzzles and especially numbers. Though he loves to be active he's not very graceful, in fact he was even diagnosed once as 'clumsy'.
He has always avoided learning to ride his handed down bicycle.
This is a kid who often talks about being scared. We talk about how everyone has fears but he thinks he has more than everyone else. Even still, his fears don't stop him from doing anything that the other kids do. He just tells me later that it was a bit scary.
But not when it comes to cycling. He just won't even try it because he says he can't.
Then this week he simply said, let's go and ride the bikes. He got out on the street with a determined expression and set off. He started to ride his bike! It was a miracle!
I don't know why suddenly this week he knew he could do it. All I know is that when he circled around and came back to me, he had a red face, a grin from ear to ear and a new sparkle in his eye. I did it, and its so fun, and it's easy, not scary at all!
How many times do we hesitate and stop ourselves from trying something new because it seems scary? You know what it's like. You want a change, a new job or to follow your dream and start a new business. Then you get busy listening to the internal and external voices that tell you all the reasons why you'd be taking a risk that is too big; or about all the hundreds of other people that have tried and failed. You start listing all the reasons that this idea is scary and impossible; instead of listing all the reasons why you were born to do this and are bound to succeed. Go on, dare to try something new!
How often are we willing to put our fears aside and do something just because it looks like fun? You remember how when you were a kid you would go to the fairground and stand in line for the biggest, scariest rides. Nowadays you think that the moment of fun is really not worth all that fear! Have you considered that it actually might be worth it? Try it!
Why do we make choices based on what's known and safe rather than what we really want? Maybe it's time to leave 'known and safe' tucked away nice and happily in an old closet and start digging out what we really want to do! You'll thank yourself for it and eventually over time you'll sort out your stuff and throw out 'known and safe' without even noticing!
Can you imagine that grin from ear to ear and the new brave sparkle in your eyes? Look in the mirror - make it happen - start noticing and you may even witness a miracle!