Growing up, I was taught that miracles were the playground of saints, not the domain of “regular” people. I was taught that hard work, planning, and maybe some good luck would shape my life. Miracles were Divine authority, far out of my reach. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to understand that the Holy Spirit that I learned about as a child was my Divine authority. The “little light of mine” that I was going to let shine is my Divine authority. The place that I travel to during meditation and dreams is my Divine authority. Much like in the scene at the end of The Wizard of Oz, I discovered that I’ve been home all along. I’ve always had access to miracles, I just didn’t always know it.

Oxford defines the word miracle as “a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency.” How many times have you experienced coincidence? Or received explicit messages in dreams, books or numbers? How many times have you missed a brush with death or injury by a hair’s margin? Miracles can happen in your life even if you aren’t a saint. But, would you notice a miracle if you saw it?

As you approach the holidays, I want to encourage you to pay more attention to your life so nothing beautiful and miraculous passes you by. Here are my 5 tips to attract miracles into your life:

• Create a vision board. – Taking the time to dream the life you want, identifying images to keep at the forefront of your mind, and jumpstarting your vision through actions are the foundations of vision boarding. Creating a vision board is the single biggest step you can take to create miracles in your life. It’s not too late to join my Dream. Create. Do. 3-Step Virtual Vision Boarding Workshop on January 2, 2022. Find out more and sign up HERE.
• Meditate regularly. – Meditation has incredible health benefits, but it does more than just normalize stress levels, inflammation, blood pressure and heart rhythm. Regular meditation creates space between trigger and response and allows new and creative information to flow to you with ease. Access my FREE 10-minute Meditation for Peace HERE. You can access more at TrishAhjelRoberts.com/resources.
• Establish a gratitude practice. – Learning to live in a place of consistent and ongoing gratitude is life-changing. Here are a few of my favorite gratitude practices:
  • The Gratitude Shower – During your shower, consciously say “thank you” to each of your body parts and acknowledge the work they do. Pay special attention to the parts of your body that you don’t think much about, or don’t like as much aesthetically. These might be your teeth, your internal organs, your stomach or your feet.
  • The Gratitude Journal – Write down what you are thankful for at least once a week. Write by hand in a journal for best results. You can access an inexpensive journal that I’ve used many times for my retreats HERE.
  • The Gratitude Affirmation – As soon as you wake up in the morning, say “Thank you for this new day!” You can add to it, but that should be your first words upon rising.
  • Mid-Day Gratitude Moments – As you go about your day, pause regularly to appreciate your food, water, air, family, friends, work, nature, privilege and everything you enjoy throughout your day.

          To access all 10 of my gratitude tips, check out my November 19, 2021 blog, A Flavorful Life: Are you Living in Gratitude?

4. Build a supportive community. – Cultural ideals in the U.S. encourage you to be independent and “make it on your own.” Despite what society says, humans are deeply social creatures. No matter how big your car or your house, you cannot find deep joy and fulfillment without a supportive community. This is especially clear during the holiday season when loneliness is magnified. The need for community is even more amplified as people age and parents, aunts and uncles die. The community you create might be made of family, friends, co-workers, spiritual community, book club, or any other positive group of people that you engage with on a regular basis. I recently launched the Mind-Blowing Happiness™ Circle and everyone is welcome to join us. You can learn more and sign up HERE. Use code FOUNDER50 for 50% off, bringing your membership to less than the cost of a cup of coffee.

5. Let compassion lead you. – Sympathy, empathy and compassion are three different things. Sympathy says, “Isn’t that sad?” Empathy says, “I feel your pain.” Compassion says, “I see you suffering, and I want to help.” Compassion motivates you to action. Learning to develop your compassion and allowing it to lead your actions is one of the best habits you can create. Here are a few of my favorite ways to grow compassion:

• Watch compassionate films. – There are many movies that document the plight of both people and animals. Some of my favorites are Food Inc., The Game Changers, Vegucated, Cowspiracy, Lovelace, and Time: The Kalief Browder Story. I’m co-hosting a virtual discussion of The Game Changers on January 23, 2022. It’s free to watch the film and free to join the discussion. Participation is open to everyone. Find out more and sign up HERE.
• Volunteer. – Spend time helping people who aren’t in your normal circle. And, yes, animals are totally people. Try your local food bank, homeless shelter, adult literacy center, animal sanctuary or any place where you feel you can be of service. Try someplace outside of your traditional church, sorority, fraternity, or school charities.

          To access all 5 of my tips to grow your compassion, check out my November 9, 2021 blog, Dreaming a New World: What is the Meaning of                       Compassion?

As we move through the holiday season and into the New Year, I encourage you to create the kind of life that draws miracles to you each and every New Year.

I wish you passion, purpose, and the realization of your fullest potential!