Gratitude for Small Miracles

Quotes of the day:

“Eucharisteo—thanksgiving—always precedes the miracle.”
― Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

“One of the main reasons that we lose our enthusiasm in life is because we become ungrateful..we let what was once a miracle become common to us. We get so accustomed to his goodness it becomes a routine..”
― Joel Osteen, Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential

Cyclamen Plant

Last week I bought a small cyclamen plant at Trader Joe’s.  It cost me $3.99.  What a lot of joy this small plant has brought me!

I have been fascinated with photographing the flowers of this plant for the entire week.  I placed the plant in a small homemade light-tent in my dining room.  Every time I walk by I notice a shape or the light or a color that draws me to make another set of photographs. I never seem to get bored with it or run out of new ways to see it.

When I get up in the morning I notice something beautiful about the plant that captures my eye.  It’s not unusual to see me still clad in my nightshirt and robe, making photographs of this beautiful plant.

Beautiful, even in decay

I’ve kept my camera and tripod in the dining room so that when I experience these glimpses of wonder and beauty, I can pause and make a few photographs.

Bud unfurling

Yesterday near sunset, the sun shone in the dining room window, just so, lighting the flowers of the plant with golden light. Earlier in the day, one of the flower buds was just beginning to unfurl. The grace of the curves captivated me. Later (it seemed like a blink of the eye) when I returned to the plant the blossom had popped open. No longer a bud, the petals curled up all around the flower’s center. I could almost feel the joy of the blossom in the jaunty curves of it’s petals. It seemed to shout out, “TA-DA—I’m here!!!”

Bud popped open! TA-DA!

We are surrounded by small miracles like this this every day but often fail to notice them. The practice of gratitude helps me re-connect with these ordinary miracles and fills my life with joy. I know of no other spiritual practice that has brought more joy to my life than this.

Flower buds

In this Thanksgiving month, I challenge you to notice something you are grateful for every day. Make a photo of it (come on, I bet you have a camera in your phone).  See if it doesn’t brighten your world.