Alchemy of Miracles

Modern people can’t see God because they won’t look low enough – Carl Gustav Jung

Year 2020 needs simple miracles. I have these stories in my head, that I keep carrying around and they are doing no good in there. Three inspirational stories spin around the same idea:

Anyone has a capacity to create miracles. All one needs is a desire to do good, which I would like to believe is in our nature. Let’s go.

Flowers

On the day of my masters graduation, some relatives came and I got flowers. One bouquet, and like 5+3 roses of two kinds. On the second half of that day, after the dinner was done, I had plans to go out with my buddies and celebrate in my own ways.

Before leaving my room for the night I glanced back at the table with all the flowers and thought to myself:

I won’t be home for next two days. These flowers here are just going to stay and slowly approach their terminal end. Is there a better way they could live?

Yes! Bring joy to another human being. I don’t need that much. Joy is only true when shared. I picked up 3 roses out of 5 set with me to the car. Next stop was at a huge super mall. It’s parking place to be exact. I set out to give these flowers to next person I see.

I noticed two women besides their car packing. These were two ~38 and ~40 year olds, one with slightly more weight. I picked up roses and walked straight up to one of them with firm intention to make someone’s day slightly bit better.

In three sentences I have explained my day, story of flowers and handed them to one of the ma’ams.

I could not have imagined of a more genuine and joy creating reaction. Clear surprise, gratitude, instant hug, even pronounced intention:

For some reason I want to kiss you

We didn’t. After exchange of smiles, wish for a good rest of the day we parted ways. Some of the flowers lived a different life.

Chocolate

If you are reading this in 2035, just so you know, in ~2015’teens shopping malls had cashiers. Yeah, actual people, scanning and dealing with cash/payment cards. With that out of the way, there’s another.

My girlfriend at a time was visiting and we went to local super market to get groceries. At the cash register I noticed a new – young and I’ll be honest – cute cashier. The thing that caught my attention was her energy. Each person she served she was nice to. Motions of scanning items seemed to be mindful and somehow meaning inducing.

When it was our turn, she again, as with each client, smiled, greeted us and went on with items scanning. After the payment, she again, smiling wished us well and I felt blame, because I had a tough day and I could not keep on the same level as her’s. I smiled back, when saying hello, but that smile was from someone dead inside at the time. Not a fair exchange in a bit. I set out to even this.

Week or two later I was at the same shop, and my chocolate inventory was approaching zero. Among other groceries I packed a shopping basket with ~5 chocolate bars (100g each).

This time intentionally I stood at the register the young fellow was working, but unfortunately the mundane nature of work caught up to her and what I saw the second time was day and night.

Paradoxically that was the perfect setting for my idea to get even on energy exchange.

After she scanned 5 chocolate bars, I said:

You seem to have a difficult day, take this one for your self

Naturally, shock-level pleasant surprise, immediate shift in facial expression, overall energy, honest thank you and a smile on two random people’s faces. These things normally don’t happen. She lifted my spirit two weeks ago, I did the same that day. Easy and fair trade.

Exchange in Ljubljana

In 2018 I did a solo Eurotrip. It was the second evening in Ljubljana and I was about to spend the first trip’s night in a car. But just before that I was exploring streets of Ljubljana and tasting some of local beers. Past midnight I started my walking from center to the Honda Civic hotel of the night. I listened to music on my wired earbuds but nonetheless outside sound caught my attention and I stopped.

Setting the stage

I cleared one of my ears and sure enough, some magical sound was coming through a partially open window. Weirdly, the room was empty, but the door to the corridor was open, so I figured it must be from a different class coming auditorium. I backed off several steps and I saw a woman practicing her craft on clarinet (not sure).

Sound was so magical I nearly got into tears. I stood and listened besides the window in dark street for around 30 seconds perplexed. I took out the phone in an attempt to store this precious gift I was awarded in time, but universe said no. Below is resulting video…

I took it as a sign and came up with better idea.

The Message

I took out my notebook, pen, torn out a page and wrote this:

I stuck out the paper between bars and closed window, knocked and the same second I saw her turn to window, I plugged my ear and started walking to my vehicle-hostel.

That happened on Saturday, at around 1 AM in the night, talk about dedication. No matter what she does in life. She might have quit music the next year. Message was universal. It was about noticing her ability to inspire others. Feedback is very important.

Why Put an Effort to Inspire?

At this point you probably have a good idea what kind of miracles I’m referring to. They are everywhere. But unless acted upon, their potential is never realized. Kindness shouldn’t be, but sometimes is extraordinary.

Life oozes away so fast. In the end what is left are these fragmented moments – emotional and narrative spikes. The more precious and dense these are, the more fulfilling and happier the life. I encourage everyone reading to take a chance and play with material fabric to create a life memory out of thin air for your self and a fellow human being. Don’t underestimate rewards that await.

World can be dark. As Bob Marley put it:

Can you share your miracles? Drop a short story in the comments! If you think these stories were worth-while, passing the message would be greatly appreciated! See you around.