Everyday Miracles

Thank you Forrest for a thought provoking session last Friday morning. The video at the end was unusual, and continues to haunt me afterwords.

http://www.radiolab.org/blogs/radiolab-blog/2009/aug/14/16-moments/

The video focuses on everyday moments and ordinary people. In doing so, it manages to convey how extraordinary and beautiful these moments (and people involved) are. It relentlessly flashes scene after scene of common episodes of life and demands our full attention be given to each one. It is there I see things for the first time. The undeniable beauty, wonder, and mystery of the moments. The characters - a cast of the most ordinary folks you can imagine - yet when the spotlight is on them we can make out the nobility, strength, potential (and amazingly intelligent design) behind each one.

We are rarely aware of these moments. We aren't wired to pay attention. The world becomes a blur around us. Sometimes that is good, it allows us to focus on our driving or that email that needs to go out. The video made me linger, indulge in the moment, and appreciate and marvel at the things we take for granted everyday.

There are certain people who do a better job at recognizing the miracles of moments and appreciating them. Poets certainly are more atune to these things. But there are also members of our group who appreciate the little moments. I've heard them say so. Perhaps as a result from brushes with death, loss of loved ones, or just general life experience - they have managed to escape the tunnel vision and are able to recognize, experience, and feel the moments.

Keith Jennings writes about many of the same themes we talk about during our Friday morning meetings. He recently wrote a a piece that I feel complements the video nicely.

http://keithjennings.typepad.com/keitharsis/2010/09/taking-invisible-pictures.html

Check out Keith's other stuff as well. I highly recommend his writings.