Push for Perseverance
Many times, our presence makes a difference in someone’s life
in ways we could never anticipate.
-The Miracle Collectors
January 30, 2022
Happy New Year and warmest wishes for good health and an openness to see the miracles in your life. It has been quite a ride these last few years of the pandemic and the recent increase in COVID cases took its toll on all of us dampening our holiday revelry. This month, Joan reminds us that in addition to the resilience we need to navigate the circumstances that surround us, it is important to stay the course and for that we need to make a friend of perseverance.
Collecting Miracle Moments One Story at a Time.
Joan and Katie
Thank you to Regis College in Weston MA for a spirited Book Club discussion last week. We are looking forward to our upcoming talks at the Newman Guild at USC, Santa Clara University, and Aspen's Explore Booksellers.
We've heard so much about the importance of resilience of late, how it allows us to stand tall in the face of adversity and recover from the challenges life throws our way. No doubt resilience is an important asset to cultivate in these challenging times. But as one of the radio announcers from my childhood would remind us, there is always a "rest of the story." I think in this case the "rest of the story" has to do with persistence and perseverance.
In my mind persistence and perseverance have gotten short shrift in all the resilience hype. It is as if we've forgotten that hard work and commitment are a part of the package. I was reminded of this when an acquaintance recently asked how we achieve publicity for The Miracle Collectors. Tongue-in-cheek I said I was surprised that he hadn't noticed the rock of Sisyphus ahead of me as we push our publicity efforts up the proverbial hill. Perseverance to me means more than being resilient, it means being willing to keep at it when walking away would be so much easier. I persevere because the end result of our efforts is aimed at something bigger than ourselves. Empowering others to see the miracles in their lives is gratifying not only because miracles happen, but because as Mother Teresa said, "together we can do great things," and we have seen that "thing" make the difference in someone's life.
When I read stories like the 23-year-old woman in Denver who earlier this month rescued three children who had fallen through the ice in the pond next door, I think about how fortuitous it was that she looked out her window at just the right time. While she was able to get the first two children out standing on top of the ice, she had to jump into the icy depths to keep the last child's head above water. She knew what her job was and she said "Yes." Later that week the story of the medical helicopter that crashed in Philadelphia and came to rest on a set of church steps where all survived provoked wonder in those who saw and investigated what had happened. They were certain that the crash should have been fatal; they said it was a miracle, divine providence that no one was killed. I know miracles are alive and well - not just because the headlines tell me so, but because people step up with miracle courage every day to give God an assist and make miracles happen and, if we are paying attention, we can see that sometimes divine intervention really does intercede to save lives.
When I hear people at our events sharing miracle stories and finding their own connection with the Almighty (however that may be defined for them) I know I am where I am supposed to be, and it is well worth my effort to continue to foster these opportunities for miracle conversations. I have always loved the poster with a quote from Jim Watkins that reminds us, "A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence." Sometimes, like in a pandemic, it is hard, but I think we are all called to persevere and persist in what we do and how we do it. (Joan)
P.S. Feel free to contact us if you have any group, book club, or otherwise that would welcome a spirited miracle discussion.