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Miracles



When you learn what this world is,
how it works,
you automatically start
getting miracles...
what others will call miracles.  [Richard Bach, Messiah’s Handbook]

Miracles are not supernatural phenomena.  We bring them about.  Through proper understanding.  Of ourselves, others and the reality around us.

There’s a story by Susan Hill in which a boy named Derry has an ugly scar on his face.  One side of his face was burnt by acid.  The boy thinks no one, not even his mother, can love him because of that scar.  He hides himself from people.  One day he comes across an old man named Lamb who tells him that miracles are possible.

“Miracles belong to fairy tales,” says Derry.  Some fairy comes along and kisses the ugly monster who then miraculously turns into a handsome prince.

No, says Mr Lamb, miracles don’t work that way.  You are the fairy who will have to give the miraculous kiss to yourself.  Mr Lamb explains to Derry that it is his attitudes towards his scar that prevent the miracle from happening.  Accept the scar as part of your face.  Accept the fact that some people may be repulsed by it.  Accept that most people will get used to it by and by.  What matters to people is not your scar but what you are.  People will see you beyond the scar.  They will love you if you make yourself lovable.  They will discover the beauty within you if you let them see the beauty.  See, says Mr Lamb, it all depends on you, not others.  You are your own miracle-worker.  You are your own fairy.  Give the kiss to yourself.

“People are disturbed not by events,” said the Greek philosopher Epictetus about 2000 years ago, “but by the views which they take of them.”  It is not the scar on the face that alienates Derry but his views about the scar.  There is an extensive branch of psychology, Cognitive Psychology, whose basic hypothesis is that our emotions stem mainly from our beliefs, evaluations, interpretations and reactions to life situations.  So, if we want to acquire healthy emotions we have to understand our beliefs, evaluations, interpretations and reactions. 

That understanding is the real miracle worker.  Anyone can work that miracle.  Anyone can be a divine being. 


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Comments

  1. anjuJune 26, 2014 at 5:38 PM

    Have been wanting to comment on your lovely posts for quite some time- very well written and , like always, very meaningful:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 26, 2014 at 7:04 PM

    Believing is the key, you have explained it so simple with that example. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nima DasJune 26, 2014 at 9:03 PM

    Very informative and interesting read,but difficult to implement i think,as thoughts are deeply ingrained and very difficult for some one with low self esteem and confidence to change over night,this might take a very strong will power and a deep desire of the self to see a change in himself/herself,don't you feel? Just my point of view.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalJune 26, 2014 at 9:58 PM

      Not difficult, really. Of course, if someone is struggling with a lot of psychological problems it will be difficult. Overnight change won't be possible in most cases. But one can start with simple questions like: why do I react this way?

      Delete
  4. ManiparnaJune 27, 2014 at 8:03 AM

    Wish all of us could think in this way.... most of the we are biased and judge anyone or anything by the outer look..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalJune 27, 2014 at 8:24 AM

      We can grow into thinking this way, Maniparna. It's a question of cultivating the art of understanding from a higher perspective.

      Delete
  5. UnknownJune 27, 2014 at 8:30 AM

    I had read the story of Derry and Mr. Lamb in my higher secondary. I was deeply moved by it.

    It's good to learn that miracles are real. I wish I could just analyse mylself to stop doing all that which prevents the miracle to take place.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalJune 27, 2014 at 9:00 AM

      The desire is the beginning of miracles, Namrata. As far as I've understood you, you're already in the way toward miracles. Seriously.

      Delete
  6. SangrywordsJune 27, 2014 at 8:53 AM

    Tomichan - you just the day i wanted someone to tell me .. it will be alright and miracles happen .. I stumble upon your post :D thank you :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalJune 27, 2014 at 9:01 AM

      Most welcome, Sangeeta. It's absolutely my pleasure.

      Delete
  7. Abhijit RayJune 27, 2014 at 9:10 AM

    Very nice. Very uplifting.

    ReplyDelete
  8. UppalJune 27, 2014 at 9:39 AM

    An interesting reminder to stop brooding and start acting in right earnest!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalJune 27, 2014 at 4:02 PM

      A moment can change our life. They call it epiphany in literature. Miracle in religion. Healing in psychology. ...

      Delete
  9. UnknownJune 27, 2014 at 10:23 AM

    Brilliant Matheikal...I was waiting for miracle and I feel like a divine being after reading your post..keep sharing your thoughts and make us come back over and over again to read :)))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalJune 27, 2014 at 4:04 PM

      We are divine, Alka. It takes a little effort to dis-cover that divinity. If I happened to be the catalyst in your life, I'm the happiest person.

      Delete
  10. UnknownJune 27, 2014 at 10:26 AM

    Brilliant Matheikal...I was waiting for a miracle too but after reading your post I feel like a divine being..keep sharing and make us come back over and over again to read your thoughts :)))

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ankita June 27, 2014 at 10:47 AM

    beautiful post, gave me a boost of confidence :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. KalpanaJune 27, 2014 at 3:06 PM

    I like this line You are the fairy who will have to give the miraculous kiss to yourself - excellent. Could really do with a miracle right now. My brother is severely ill with cancer so I'm trying to be the miracle worker fairy who kisses myself into believing all will be well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalJune 27, 2014 at 4:09 PM

      Kalpanaa, let me recommend you a book: 'The Joy of Cancer' by Anup Kumar. There's also another book of the same title by Olga Munari Assaly and Kim Mecca which is also very inspiring. These are written by people who performed the miracle in their life after the medical science almost gave up on their cancer.

      Delete
    2. Tomichan MatheikalJune 27, 2014 at 4:33 PM

      These books are easily available at flipkart or amazon.in

      Delete
  13. Uma AnandaneJune 27, 2014 at 4:06 PM

    Lovely and inspiring words...well written!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Preethi VenugopalaJune 27, 2014 at 7:18 PM

    You are your own fairy. Give the kiss to yourself.
    Profound wisdom and a brilliant post.
    I believe in miracles..:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalJune 27, 2014 at 7:29 PM

      Preethi, there's a lovely song by Don Williams: "Miracles, miracles, that's what life is about..."
      http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/donwilliams/miracles.html

      Delete
  15. Aunt MaryJune 27, 2014 at 7:50 PM

    Lovely post, nicely written , I really liked your writing :)

    ReplyDelete

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