Tuesday, December 8, 2009

A Season of Miracles

This is the season for the celebration of “Miracles”. So to often we literally get “wrapped” up in the materialistic part of this time of year, that we actually forget what it is all about. It is about miracles.

In much of the world, we celebrate Christmas (the miracle birth of the Christ Child); we also celebrate Hanukkah (a Festival of Lights) and Kwanzaa (the Celebration of a Culture of People). All these celebrations, all based on miracles of all kinds.

We as a people, around this time of year, very often forget, truly forget, the “reason for the season” and instead we are so involved in so many other things. Oh, there is the shopping, spending, worrying, cooking, eating and for many people being depressed takes up a big part of the time. Yes, depressed. Depressed, that their loved ones, may not be with them, for one reason or another. Depressed because they may not have the money to buy the gifts they want to. Depressed, they may not have any friends or family. All may be valid reasons.

Yet again what are we doing? This is a season of “Miracles” and a miracle has occurred in your Life! Yes! It is the twelfth month of the year and you and I are communicating once again. We are celebrating our life. We made it! Another year, Hooray! Some of us, it may have been a “Breeze” and for others it was “The Perfect Storm” but we are all here to talk about it.

Some may be wounded but we are here and as long as there is life….there is HOPE!

Therefore, in this the season of “Miracles”, Celebrations, Gift Exchanging, Partying and Eating…we need to take time to look around and appreciate the “Miracles” in our lives.

When we do look around, we need to start first from within our self.

Get it! We are a Miracle!

Each day we survive is miraculous. Do not brush it off so easily.

Life can be difficult at times and those of us who fight, survive, and get to play in this game of life another day…well that is a gift of champions!

Then after looking within ourselves take a look around us and I bet we can find all kinds of “Miracles” that happen around us in our lives.

A phone call can be a miracle, if it is at that right moment if our life, when it is needed. A smile, a visit, the smell of a new day, can be miraculous when a smile is what it takes. How about a new birth, or the passing of a suffering loved one? Getting to hold your grandchild, this is nothing short of a miracle.

Miracles, all kinds of miracles are all around us, all the time.

We need to just rub our eyes and stretch out our arms and just take in the goodness that surrounds us.

Yes, this is “A Season of Miracles” but that does not mean Miracles only happen in December!

To all of you out there have a Miraculous Holiday, a Healthy one to you and all your loved ones and when it comes to the “Eating”, Remember….

There is a tomorrow

Have a wonderful day

Love
Mike

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

I read this blog with alot of feelings... it started off with ok how do i get through this season with losing mom only a month ago... can i handle it .. but then as a i read it my heart began to lighten a bit and a smile came across my face because i got the meaning....and there are so many miracles and so many things that i am blessed with ... so now i am looking at this holiday with a different outlook and i know it will be hard .. because then i sit and wonder will i do ok with food will i fail.. well ya know what im not gonna worry about it .. im gonna put more weight on other things in my life instead of the food... im gonna celebrate the real meaning of Christmas and be here with my family and friends and enjoy the joyous holidays... I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas and i sure do miss Christmas eve at your house....those were good times... hugggs and much love Carol

Anonymous said...

Yes Michael Miracles do happen

You are one of them

Luv boot

Kathy said...

Best of holidays to you and your beautiful family, Mike. I am going to stay tuned into this blog so I don't miss any of the miracles..like messages popping back into my in-box after two months. :) Every now and then The Creator gives me a little dope slap on the back of the head just to let me know that I'm loved, that I'm cared for and I have everything I need.

"The best things are the nearest. Breath in your lungs, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of God just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars but do life's plain and simple work as it comes. Certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life."

Anonymous said...

Wow powerful blog and you are right. I too get those dope slaps and I have to open my eyes and see just what miracles in my life have happened. Thanks guys for helping me to be aware and stop feeling sorry for myself.
All good wishes to all
Toby H

Anonymous said...

We all have chips on our shoulders at some point in our lives, making it difficult to remember the wonder of existence. We forget that we can make this life whatever we want. We can live anywhere, become anything, surround ourselves with anyone and live in constant state of ecstatic thankfulness. The trick, however, is knocking down those invisible walls that might keep us from getting from point a to point b.

So take this to heart...you can make this life absolutely astounding. Do it, now! It's in your heart and it's the power of controlling your own circumstance.

Thanks Mike for bringing up the topic of miracles, because we are living in a life full of them.

MaryLeigh

Anonymous said...

I have been wanting to write to this blog since this one was written. It is hard for me to believe in miracles anymore but I want to. I am not going to give up hope and that is all I wanted to say.
Thank you for listening
Jean Ryan

Cindy Thomas said...

Dear Mike
Being so busy I have not had time to come to the blog. I should have sooner. I needed to really focus on the meaning of things in my life and this message has put me on the right track. Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family and to all the bloggers who have helped me with their sharing throughout the year.
Cindy Thomas VT

Anonymous said...

Miracles even come in the form of blogs.
Merry Christmas Mike.
Terri

Anonymous said...

Michael
Thank you so much for reminding me that miracles happen all the time in our lives. I totally am so wrapped up in my current problems that I for got that I suvived an accident last March. One that could have crippled me the rest of my life. We so soon forget.
Happy holidays to you and your family and thank youf to this blog.
Kennedy G

Anonymous said...

I have to share this with all of you. I was sitting home all alone Christmas day feeling as down as could be. My phone rang and it was my brother who I haven't spoken to in 20 years. Mike spoke of miracles coming through phone calls too and that was a miracle.
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Betty W

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
Happy New year to you and all yoru family. This blog has been an inspiration to me and thank you. Mike I do believe in Miracles
Paula G

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Mike
I am a beliver in miracles and you have been a miracle in my life and I thank you for your service you give to all of us out here hanging on by a thread.
Please post again I am waiting for your postings
Lynn Simmons

Anonymous said...

I have come to this blog page for almost a year now and this is my first comment. I want to thank Mike and all of the other bloggers who share on this page you have all helped me more than you will ever know. It is just nice to know that I am not alone.
Janet Bartlet

Anonymous said...

Mike
when does it get easier? I already broke my new years resolution and i bet you know what it was.
Frances W

Anonymous said...

Dar Frances
I have been where you are many times and I have buckled down and as Mike said not given up. Things can cahnge and will get better.
Keep thee faith
Billie G

Anonymous said...

To those of us who are in my boat. I have been overweight, obese for all of my life. I ma tired of it. I declare this has to be the end, once and for all. Mike as been an inspiration becasue he has always shared his ups and downs and has never hid when he did not do well. I usually hide from the world. I am going to make this work for me. I can not get any surgery so I have to do it the hard way.
Wish me Luck
Please
Gail G

Karen L said...

Dear Mike
You have shared so much with us, can you tell us about relationships. How did you find a woman? How did you keep a woman? Do you get along with people? Do you have friends?
Please share this with us.
Karen Lewis

Anonymous said...

Dear Michael
I come here so often for inspiration from you and also from those who add comments. I feel we are all part of this community and we need to stick together. Everywhere you go now at this time of year you hear about dieting and weight loss and it depresses me becasue I struggle with this not just January first but March 15th, July 30th and November 11th. All year, all my life and it get so commercialized at this time of the year. I wish people would start getting serious about this problem. I am trying so hard and some days I do real well but then there are those bad days and those bad days are really bad days.
Well let me not ramble but thank you Michael and all of you for listening and Michael we could use a new blog posting soon.
Pam R. Tx

Kathy said...

Right here with you Pam. No one understands like we do what it is to live with this. We all have days that are better than others. Just do the best you can. If we change our thinking, we can change our lives.

"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer."

Sean C said...

Ur awesome Mike Keep up the good work. Loved watching u on brookhaven and watching you guys change ur lifes!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Kathy
Pam

Anonymous said...

Michael
I have come to this blog many times and found much inspiration and help. Forgive me for asking but why not a new post? We need to hear from you. I need it personally.
Thank You
Joy

Kathy said...

I hope you are doing all right Mike. I know that all your bloggers are thinking about you.

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
I enjoy your blog but you have me and I guess some of us worried. Hope you are doing fine. Please let us know.
Myra

Kathy said...

Mike is on Twitter, so we can be assured he is okay. Seems something upsetting has happened by the messages he has posted. When you are on the internet, it can get pretty crazy sometimes I guess. I was just glad to see he is all right.

MIKE HEBRANKO said...

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Battle, My Friends...
I am here!!! I am Okay!! I was in the hospital for a while and between that, the holidays, and I have no Idea what happened to January?? It all just got away. It has been a physically rough time for me and although the spirit is young and willing to face every day with a smile, sometimes the body reminds me that, "Hey Mike, you have been a thousand pounds and couple of times, and a TIA, Heart Problems, Pullmonary, Blood clots, CHF, Liver Issues, and a host of other goodies, therefore we the body want you to know that sometimes we are tired too"!
Things happen and I guess those are set backs. I had heart Issues, interesting ones, along with serious infectionsm and kidney problems all contributed to a massive buile up of fluid. Especially in my legs, hips, Butt and around the heart! They (the professionals) call it fluid and I the life long fighter see the numbers on the scale and although I logically know that it is not all about food, my disease kicks in and tells me, ooooohh you are gaining weight.
I dont have to tell anyone you get down on yourself a bit but you know what gettiing down on yourself does only one thing...gives oneself a justifiable reason to fail.
That does not work for me!
Well I am better and now I just have to wait for all this excess fluid to go away, it will happen with time. What is my rush? They have not called me yet for "Dancing with the stars" and I am too old for "American Idol". As far as "Biggest Loser" Well I am a Winner and besides "Biggest Loser" been there done that. Where were they in 1998 whe I lost 700 plus pounds ...only kidding didnt do it for a contest, or fame or money.
Alright my friends I will be posting a blog soon but thank you so much...I Love You All ...Kathy a special hug for you..
Love
MIke

Anonymous said...

So happy to hear from you, Mike! Hang in there and we're all here to support and care for you.

MaryLeigh

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
I persoanlly was so glad to see your post in the comments section when I came to the blog this morning. I, like Kathy, Mary Leigh and the others have been worried about you. You wrote yesterday and as always you have opened up your heart and honesty with us all. I have been there with the infections and fluid retention so I know where you come from.
Your attituded and encouragement are now helping me to not give up because I have been sick as of late and have gotten very down on myself.
As you said the years have taken its toll on our bodies but we have to bear with that and make the best of it.
Thank ou Mike and God bless you and be well
Geraldine from Iowa

Anonymous said...

Alot of us are struggling with depression and all fighting all kinds of battles, internal and external. Reading this always cheers me up, and I'm hoping it will cheer some of you up as well. -MaryLeigh-



Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Kathy said...

Thanks Mary Leigh. I have not seen that in years. I'm old enough to remember when a reading of it was on the radio. Mike, I'm so glad to hear you are home and recovering. You rest up. Know that you have so many people who love you.

Anonymous said...

What a great community and I have to lose 110 pounds and I feel you all know exactly what my life is all about. Bless you, us all
Vera

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
I have seen you for many years and in so many ways you have been an inspiration to me. Not only when you were at your thinnest but even when you had your problems. Maybe even more then. You have always been honest and open with your struggles and this helps me get through my bad times. Thank you for being such a great human being.
My name is Mark Harold

WoofWoof said...

HUGS!!!!

Anonymous said...

great article. I would love to follow you on twitter.