Believing in Miracles
Obviously, there are people who believe in miracles, people who don’t, and people who want to believe in them. I’m not writing this to convince anyone that miracles happen by the grace of God or another entity. But, I’d like to explore what’s possible when we surrender and are ready to receive while putting effort into an outcome we desire all at one time. When we trust AND make a choice, what is possible?
To see what’s possible, I began to experiment with praying, setting intentions, and opening my eyes for answers and clues to my requests and for my hopes to become a reality.
Starting with Prayer
When I was younger, I used to pray every night. I didn’t pray for miracles. But, I prayed for my family and friends – and their family and friends – to be happy and healthy. I wanted to make sure everyone was covered. Then, I stopped at some point. It might have been when I began to question my spiritual beliefs. About 20 years ago, I started praying again on occasion when I was going through major life transitions such as my divorce. During these times, I prayed for a sense of peace in my heart. (I never thought asking for a change in my physical reality or for a miracle made sense.) About 5 years ago, I started praying again more regularly. It was more of an experiment than anything else.
Sprinkling in Some Intentions
As a life and career coach, I often talk about setting intentions with my clients. So, I began to question what is the difference between setting intentions and praying. The explanation that has made the most sense to me is that when you set an intention, it comes from a place of being ready to receive whatever you set your mind to receive. You’re focusing your attention in a certain direction. In other words, the power is within you to influence your reality through your awareness and effort. And, praying may come more from a place of lack or feeling like you don’t have the power to necessarily influence the outcome. So, when praying, you’re trusting another power to influence an outcome.
Experimenting A Little
While setting intentions has been so powerful in my life and I’ve seen clients achieve so many desired outcomes with intention setting, there has always been something soothing and hopeful about prayer. That is why I added prayer back in to my life (alongside intention setting). Then came a major life transition. My father was diagnosed with ALS. In the moment I heard my father receive his death sentence, I went to prayer. I felt lack and powerless. So, prayer seemed the most appropriate action in my life at that moment.
After we heard my Dad’s diagnosis, he asked the doctor if there was any medicine or pill he could take to help him. The doctor flatly said “no.” So, my sister, mom, and I left the doctor’s office with my brother wheeling my Dad out in his wheelchair. We actually went to lunch which seems weird now. But, we’re Italian, so we had to eat. Lunch sucked as we all processed the news differently. Some of us were sad, others confused, and others angry. And, maybe every one of us was feeling all of those emotions.
After we finished lunch and said our good-byes, I got in my Dad’s car. (He let me borrow it since he lost the use of his limbs and couldn’t drive any longer.) I was in shock and felt overwhelmed, and that is when I prayed “God, could you please give us the courage and the strength to get through this time together?”
Being Ready to Receive Answers
Within 10 seconds of my prayer, I saw this license plate on the car in front of me. It read “God Can 5.”
What?! I was even more in shock. It was the perfect response to my request. Remember, there were 5 of us in my family. (I swear I’m not creative enough to make this stuff up.) This began my consistent conversations with God (or the Universe or whomever you think is listening). Since that moment, I’ve received many answers of what to do next after a difficult doctor visit or tough situation with my Dad. After my Dad passed away, the conversations continued. Now, I like to think they are direct from my lips to my Dad’s ears. In fact, I saw a license plate with a message from him several hours after he died and then another on Christmas Eve. In both instances, I requested to feel his presence, and he assured me he was with me.
Moving Forward
He still does. I just ask for him to come to me. And, I ask for it to be clear. (I don’t like to wonder if it’s him.) Now, the signs come in different forms. They come within minutes (or at most, a day) of me asking. And, it’s usually his name “Mario.” I’ve seen it on food trucks, trailer doors, grocery stores (his real name is “Mariano”), and even a receipt where the server’s name is placed. In the example below, I saw it the day of my Dad’s birthday. His name is not common, so I think it has to be him!
Even if it’s not him or even if it’s just a coincidence, it makes me feel so good. And, I know he’d want me to feel good. So again, I think it’s him;-)
Are these examples of miracles? I don’t know. Maybe:-) But, I do know I love trying to make my hopes a reality. And, I use all of the resources available to me – from trust to choice – to make it happen.
What choices can you make today? What effort can you put in your life to make your hopes a reality? How can you open your eyes and be receptive to seeing the answers? Look for your own proof. Do your own experiment. You have nothing to lose! And, you have everything to gain. Enjoy!
