Everyday miracles – Creative Life Midwife

This morning I waited at a semi-rural intersection with my phone in hand, facing east.

It may have looked odd to people. I might have looked lost or confused until they got close when they would see my earnest face, observing, listening. My face would show something intense was either happening or about to happen.

I was waiting for the sunrise.

I almost didn’t want to write about this because it seems too soon, like talking about your new boyfriend before he has agreed to actually be your boyfriend or inviting people to a party before you ask the others in your household if it is ok to have a party.

The thing is – three days ago when I decided I wanted to take a few moments every day at sunrise to simply be with the sunrise, write a short poem and take a photo I didn’t realize how much I had been missing!

Tall grasess at sunrise - the sun is barely seen on the horizon and it seems as if the tall grasses want to listen and see the sunrise to learn its lessons.

Several years ago I drove for a ridesharing company. I would wake up at 4:30 to drive from 5 am to 7 am then get my son prepped and out the door to school. I would drive other times but these early mornings were especially favored because most of time I got to not only enjoy sunrise, I got to enjoy sunrise with someone else.

Most people were open to my unabashed sunrise love – or they were gifted at politely ignoring me.

Here’s the deal: when you are present to what is taking place – even something as ordinary as eating your breakfast cereal or choosing what outfit to wear that particular day – you open your senses to be surprised and delighted – and the edges of the simplest act become enchanting.

This morning I watched birds flying in the shape of a heart. I saw countless birds perching on tall grasses that didn’t appear strong enough to hold them. I noticed how grass looked gold when the sun light slanted at the just right angle.

Sunrise in Bakersfield: beautiful and enchanting, like sunrise in many other places.

When we are lost in thought about what’s next, hustling from one activity to the more important activity, we miss the beauty that was there all along.

Sunrise comes and goes so quickly, most people miss it entirely.

What lesson is the sunrise waiting to teach you?

Portrait of Julie Jordan Scott, Creativity Coach and Creative Life Midwife

Julie JordanScott is The Creative Life Midwife and one of the Founders of Bridge to the New Year. Join us now in 2020 in #Refresh2020 to reflect, connect, intend and taking passionate action to create a truly remarkable rest of 2020. Click the graphic below to find out more and register to receive emails.

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It looked like an otherwise ordinary day but deep inside, I knew it wasn’t.

I made two back-to-back miraculous discoveries once I survived the early morning extreme cold.

Yes, the miracles started with a freezing cold breath of air – to people in Central California, temperatures dipping under freezing may as well be the arctic tundra. We aren’t accustomed to such cold and in this case, neither were my lungs.

Since my bout with pneumonia which lead to sepsis I have been keenly aware of sudden pain, especially in my lungs or in my upper chest. I know the most recent CT scan showed there is still an unclear spot on my lungs and this causes concern for me.

My morning haiku went like this:

Surprise! Freezing inhale
Ice pick poking in my lung’s
upper right portion –

I went inside, started making coffee and sat with my notebook, using my writing practice as a container for insights of wellness and a catalog of what my mind was holding onto.

Two pages down, I decided to eat a bowl of cereal for breakfast and take my morning vitamins. It was here when the miracle came clearly into form.

First, I realized Aldi’s fake Life Cereal tastes better than the original. It is the perfect level of sweet, yet not too sweet. Normally I am not brave enough to try off-brand cereals, but this makes me willing to try their fake Special K next, which is my favorite cold cereal.

Second, Geritol truly is a miracle elixir. Whenever I take it, especially on a regular basis, everything in life feels better. It is right up there with daily writing practice and creative collaboration of all types.

My lungs feel better, I am ready to take on my day after yesterday’s rather disappointing end, Emma is even cheerful. After all, I suggested she take Geritol as well. It seems to have worked.

It didn’t take a trip to a faraway island or an expensive gift, it simply took a shift in mindset from moving my pencil and lovingly taking care of my health continually.

Writing practice and Geritol, anyone?

Miracles are around us all the time. The simplest question is, are we ready to notice them?

Your prompts for today:

What miracles have you noticed so far today?

What was a recent “big” miracle in your life? What was a recent “humble” miracle? Set your timer for five minutes and write about them, right now – or commit to doing so, later.

Julie JordanScott, the Creative Life Midwife, has been working with people to clarify their life purpose and inspire artistic rebirth since for more than two decades. Her work on stage and as a theater director have magnified her passion for the poetry of living. She currently has two openings in her life coaching practice. Perhaps you are ready to experience a transformational coaching conversation to see how you would best work together to collaborate on creating your next big thing? Click here to request your complimentary session now.

It happens everyday: are you listening?

Today: A Two-Miracle Discovery Day