As I was getting ready to walk today, I looked out my window and was struck by how fast the clouds were moving. I couldn’t wait to get outside and capture video to go along with the blog I felt inspired to write.
Before I share the message I received, let me show you what I saw. These videos are taken just a minute or so apart, which further illustrates how fast the sky was changing. Volume up and you'll also hear beautiful birdsong.
This
fifty-one second video boasts a beautiful blue sky with puffy white clouds. I tried to hold the camera really still so you could see how much changed in the frame, in just fifty-one seconds. Then, facing a different direction, this
video shows a totally
different sky.
So many times I’m praying, hoping, dreaming, declaring a thing to come to pass in my life, and it seems to take forever. Days, weeks, months go by, maybe even years, without anything happening that I can see as tangible evidence that anything is changing. When change does happen, it seems to happen fast.
Consider how often we witness the overnight success of a new music talent, or a technology. For those who are outside of the circumstances, it will seem like an overnight success. But that person or their idea has likely been cultivating as a dream and a lot of hard work for years.
When after apparent non-movement for what feels like forever, dreams and goals rapidly begin to flow and we, too, see a new reality. Much of the time, things don’t unfold exactly as we thought they would, but how they unfold is even better than we could have known to pray for, or dared to imagine.
Personal growth advocates insist that we are never standing still. We are either moving closer to our goals or further from them. I like to add that all things work for our good, even when it seems we are moving away from a goal.
Sometimes the steps we take that appear to be leading us away from our goals are the very thing needed to clarify what we really want. When that deeper knowing occurs, we can finally move in the right direction, free of ambivalence or confusion.
Two weeks ago, I encouraged you to embrace ten minutes of mindfulness meditation every day, truly embracing stillness. (Link is
HERE if you missed it.) Today I am encouraging you to take fifty-one seconds to watch
my video of swiftly-moving clouds
accompanied by birdsong, and apply this inspiration to your life.
As you find a quiet place to watch, tell yourself that everything is working for your good. Declare that movement on the things that you have been praying and hoping for is occurring right now. Be expectant and grateful for the change that is forthcoming on your behalf, even and especially when you don’t see it. Great things happen to people all the time, and there is absolutely no reason why you cannot be expectant of blessings also.
Indulge the belief that your miracle is already in motion. I have this written on a note stuck to my fridge, “The Miracle Is In Motion.” There’s power in the written word, and seeing it often keeps us reminded and encouraged.
Here’s another suggestion. Take out a piece of paper and date it with today’s date. Write down what you are expectant for, what you are willing to believe and hope for. Describe it in detail. And then write, “The miracle is in motion.” Re-read this often, even daily. Date it each time and write the affirming words, “I stand in hopeful expectation.”
Please don’t give yourself a pass on all of this if you think I’m talking about religion and consider yourself non-religious. Hope and faith—belief in something not yet seen—are spiritual sustenance we all need. Intentionally or not, we are always feeding our spirits. The only question is whether we’re choosing junk food or positive nourishment.
For today, notice your hopes and dreams, and pay attention to how often you’re feeding your spirit good stuff. When we change our inner lives, our outer lives follow. Maybe not in fifty-one seconds, but your “picture” will unfold also. Correction, it is already unfolding. You are somewhere between the beginning and a new realization. Keep going!
I’m so freshly renewed in my spirit after the lesson from the clouds and I want more people to feel this. Please think about who in your circle would appreciate a weekly dose of spiritual food—hope, encouragement and a fresh perspective. They can sign up by visiting
angelahowell.com/links, then clicking the button to sign up for
Tuesday's gifts and
updates.
I saw something recently that suggested someone out there has a wound the size of my words. That's why I do this. Thank you in advance for helping me reach more people.
