My pile of miracles

I almost feel bad using the words "pile" and "miracle" in the same sentence. I'd love to keep them in a curio cabinet, or maybe a funky shelf from IKEA, but they just come at me so fast that I can't store them neatly like that. No matter where I put them though, their magic never fades.

When I follow my gut, the miracles come along at a steady pace: they're laid out for me to see, on a trail like doggy treats to reassure me I'm on the right path. And today I was just where I should be.

Cup of coffee in hand, I started the day off reading Mi's latest blog post, all about coincidences, or should I say lack-thereof. The Universe had set the theme for the day.

As I mentally planned out my day, I felt a little tug from my gut - it wanted to go to the bookstore, not Costco. I couldn't say that I blamed it so I let it lead the way. On a whim, I strung up some stones I'd been meaning to make a bracelet with for a few weeks and then set off on my excursion. Once off the subway, I took a few wrong turns, but along the way, I found a tiny little store that sold gemstone jewellery - you know, the kind that looks more like rocks than perfectly cut stones. I have a thing (ahem, obsession) with rocks, so after squishing my nose against the window for a few minutes, I wandered in. It was a fun little pit-stop, and just as I was leaving, I spotted the perfect pair of earrings to match the bracelet I'd just made. They are Tiger's Eye - not horribly expensive (these were $15) but not super common earrings to say the least. Not only do I find Tiger's Eye pretty, but it also symbolizes bravery, and I often wear one around my neck on days where I need all the courage I can get.

Thrilled with my find, I make my way to the bookstore, all the while realizing what a happy little miracle I'd just been a part of. But it's time to get down to business - I'm here to find a book on - are you ready? Vegan cooking. I kid you not. My gut (no pun intended but I guess you can take it any way you want) thinks I should give vegan cooking a shot, so, well, you know what I'm doing! I'm no cook though, and this is apparently obvious to the nice woman who asks if she can help me. "Yes!" I tell her, and she quickly leads me over to a section all about vegan cooking and recommends a great book that I end up buying. An no, it's not Living Vegan for Dummies, which was one of the options on the shelf.

Then, there was another miracle! The Acadian won a Magic Bullet at his company Christmas party (hmmm... now that I think of it, that was a miracle too!), and I've been making LOTS of smoothies with it. Don't talk to me about chopping things with it though, that just gives me an inferiority complex. I want to try new smoothies now, but the idea of putting random things into this magical little blender and then drinking them frightens me a little, and I had been meaning to find some actual recipes. And then, I saw it, staring up at me while I rode down the escalator on my way to the cash: the book I needed, with LOTS of pictures (who doesn't love pictures of mush!) ON SALE!

Coincidences? I could say so. But why? And make today just a regular, ordinary day instead of one filled with miracles and magic? I'll take the miracles. And I'll take their message. Today, they said "Thank you for being brave Sylvie and trying the new things we've been nudging you towards. You'll need these books to make it happen, and some earrings to keep you brave and pretty along the way." Thank you Universe! That all sounds good to me!