To live an Extraordinary Life is to see the Miraculous in everyday things.

Emerson says it just a little bit differently.

I like his thoughts too.

 

Inspiration Quote by Emerson :: Wisdom sees the Miraculous - Quote :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

“The invariable mark of wisdom
is to see the miraculous in the common.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hmmm…. I’m thinking that if we’re wise we will train our eyes so that we can indeed see the miraculous in the common.

This beautiful plant is a Croton which I photographed on a recent trip to the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh. You will be seeing more photos in upcoming weeks from my little jaunt there.  Certainly it was a time for my sight to come alive and see the beauty in leaves and flowers and plants and trees.

As we look into a meadow, a forest, or even a botanical garden, we often dismiss the beauty and form there.  It’s pleasing to the eye and we may or may not acknowledge it and pass on by.

Next time you are out for that power walk and pass by a bit of nature’s beauty, stop.   Choose to see.  Look closely at each plant, petal, leaf, or stamen.  When we do, we will SEE the miraculous in the common. Marvel in it!  That is worship.  That is living fully.  That is being extraordinary!

I always love and look forward to your thoughts and comments….both here and on Facebook! Thanks for taking time from your busy day to stop by. Hope today you found refreshment and inspiration.

May your day be filled with seeing the miraculous!

Diane

P.S. Has anyone else picked some Forsythia sprigs to force?  I’m starting to see fat yellow buds!!  How about you?

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Comments

  1. So true. It is a practice and discipline to look deeply and find beauty in the common things.

    • Diane says

      You said it Tracey…”a practice and a discipline.” We are so blessed to have trained our eyes to see. So much awaits us.
      Hope your day is Extraordinary!

  2. awesome quote. Stopped by from Studio JRU.

    • Diane says

      Glad you liked it Paula!!
      Hope your weekend is filled with the miraculous!

  3. bj says

    Great post. 🙂
    At my olden age, I see a miracle each morning when I see that I am still here. :))

  4. Beautiful post! Hope you could join us too at Orange You Glad It’s Friday.

    Love Birds

    • Diane says

      Thank you, Maria!
      I’m taking you up on your invite today!!
      Hope your weekend is extraordinary!

  5. what a wonderful quote! love it! not seeing much of any kind of spring… we just got a big snow storm! 🙂

    • Diane says

      Thanks Jennifer…. 🙂
      So sorry to hear you STILL are getting snow?!! It snowed here for a week straight…and then most of it melted and we were in the 50’s yesterday and today. A perfect weekend. I looked ahead…there’s more snow in the forecast! 🙁

  6. Such a true quote! Love your flower, too.

    • Diane says

      Thank you Betty!!
      May your see the miraculous today!

  7. Thanks for joining! 🙂

  8. Liz says

    Lovely post! Have a fabulous week.

    Liz (mlc)
    Liz (yacb)

    • Diane says

      🙂
      And may your week be full of the miraculous, Liz!!

  9. Mel says

    I will happily sigh.
    I’m one who is so easily distracted by ‘things’ and ‘stuff’. I’m forever making an adventure from a vacant lot. Part of the hazard of being a camera carrying person, I think…LOL Hazard for the person who might be tagging along cuz I’m forever stopping for some little thing that wasn’t seen by them. The joy is…they start looking, too.

    Lovely quote. And you got a trip to a garden! Wow…..how wonderful!
    I’ll look forward to more of the photos!

    • Diane says

      In this short year we have made a few friends and one of those couples thought the best way to encourage us was to treat us to a trip to the conservatory and lunch. Wasn’t that just the nicest thing? And yes…it is one of my favorite things to do. I think my excitement might have blessed them too. Kind of like having a kid along. LOL! Oh my…my husband is so patient to wait for my photo ops. I am so grateful for him and the camera is gifted me.

  10. Beautiful quote! Nice to have a reminder to look for the miraculous in the ordinary and every day. Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays!

    • Diane says

      🙂
      Wishing you a week filled with the miraculous!!

  11. I agree, Diane, that we miss so much when we don’t stop and look around at “the everyday” things we take for granted. Several weeks ago I began walking 2 miles each morning, and depending upon what I might see along the way, it sometimes takes me longer than I thought! (And yes! I have a lovely vase of forsythia branches in a sunny window… just waiting for them to sprout and fill the kitchen with yellow!)

    • Diane says

      Oh I’m so glad to know there is someone else who is guilty of making that walk last way longer!!! 🙂
      Yay for forsythia, too!!!

  12. Hi Diane,
    Thanks for sharing this on Saturday Sparks
    Your photo of the ‘Croton’ is quite beautiful. It is amazing how many miracles surround us. We just need to take the time to stop and see them. I started my Scenes from the Side of the Road series to preserve and share some of the ‘moments’ that we have seen.
    Have a Wonderful Day,
    Suzanne
    Pieced Pastimes

    • Diane says

      You are so kind, Suzanne. Thank you for your warm remarks and for taking the time to leave them.
      Hope your day is amazing!

  13. Cassandra says

    Nice quote! Liked those plants, too!

    Stopping by from Mandarin Orange Monday- hope you can stop by..

  14. An ordinary croton but you appreciate it. Simple everyday and normal gestures but are noticed and appreciated. If all people were like that, it would be a wonderful planet to live in.

    • Diane says

      Oh KC…it would make such a difference. Sometimes I think we are all too filled up with “ourselves” to notice the ordinary around us…in nature and objects as well as in others. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your thoughtful words.
      May your day be filled with the miraculous. 🙂

  15. Diane, what a beautiful post, and so very true! You said it so beautifully!! Just yesterday I took a photo of 3 Cherry Blossom trees right outside my classroom. I have the privilege of teaching at a Christian school where I can stop my lesson just to marvel at God’s amazing and beautiful creations. Even my third grade boys joined in the conversation. 🙂

    Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent each week. I love your inspiration!! Have a wonderful weekend.

    XOXO
    Kathy

    • Diane says

      Oh my Kathy….what blessing to have such a special job impacting young minds for the kingdom. 🙂
      And cherry blossoms already. I swoon!!
      Thank you for taking time to leave your sweet thoughts.
      Hope your weekend is Extraordinary!

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