Blog Category: Magic and Miracles
Magic and Miracles December 19, 2008
Concluding our discussion this week of Miracles and Magic (with a nod to Technology), let’s broaden our view and look outside of ourselves. We found this week that we were challenged to identify exact examples of miracles and magic – and some say that miracles and magic don’t exist. We love that diversity of opinion because we always learn from it.
Yesterday, we looked at results that we desired for ourselves that are MIRACULOUS (like “miracles”) and MAGICAL (like “magic”).
Today, let’s turn our attention outward. What magical and / or miraculous results would we wish for others? Think about how you could play a part in those results for others. Be as specific as you can and please be prepared to share if you can.
While you’re at it, consider the implications of Bertrand Russell’s observation:
“The world is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.”
Magic and Miracles December 18, 2008
So far this week, we’ve focused on very literal definitions of miracles and magic. Let’s turn our attention to “magic” in its figurative sense.
One of my favorite quotes is from Goethe who said, “Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace and power in it.”
All human beings seek wide varieties of results constantly – whether to satisfy one’s hunger, to make money, to serve others, to have a great marriage, etc.
What Goethe is saying is that moving from thinking to acting has a “magical” affect – and, further, that action has grace and power.
Can you think of some experiences that felt magical to you because you took action?
What actions can you take today and before the end of the year where you could potentially experience magic, grace and power?”
Magic and Miracles December 17, 2008
In our results work, it’s always fascinating to observe people’s expectations and experiences about how long things take. We live in a culture of immediate gratification where we have been rushed and pushed – and, oftentimes, we have rushed and pushed back.
There’s an old saying that, “Even miracles take a little time.”
So here’s an interesting question: What characteristics does something have to exhibit in order for you to see and understand it as a miracle?
Does it have to be instantaneous like a flash of light? Does it need to involve spirituality or religious beliefs? Can one be non-religious and still experience miracles? How “big” does a miracle need to be, to be a miracle?
Magic and Miracles December 16, 2008
Our results classes this week have revealed that miracles are most often associated with events caused by a spiritual power and that magic is associated with the wish of human beings to do the impossible.
We discussed the Arthur C. Clarke observation that, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
Consider, then, that social writer, Eric Hoffer who said, “When everything is possible, miracles become commonplace and the familiar ceases to be self-evident.”
Is it possible to take miracles, magic – and even their closely-related contemporary cousin, magic – for granted?
How do you maintain – assuming you have one – a sense of wonder and gratitude for your experiences and the people, places and things that are part of it?
Magic and Miracles December 15, 2008
This week, by popular demand, we’ll consider Magic and Miracles – Being in the Flow. Serendipity and Synchronicity. This is a lot of material, and it’s perfectly fitting for the season, so we’ll work with these topics until December 24th.
Here are some foundational questions:
Do you believe in magic?
Do you believe in miracles?
Is there any distinction between magic and miracles?
Can you share an example?
What influence, if any, do you feel humans have in experiencing magic and miracles?
How “big” does something have to be for you to consider it a miracle or magical?