Miracles, in the sense of phenomena we cannot explain, surround us on every hand:
Life itself is the miracle of miracles.
~ George Bernard Shaw
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Currently, the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights “monitors more than 110 armed conflicts [around the world]….Some of these conflicts make the headlines, others do not. Some of them started recently, while others have lasted for more than 50 years.”

And in addition, not to mention other forms of armed violence like mass shootings, drug trafficking, terrorist attacks, and potential attacks….

Just given that one dynamic of violent death and all of the additional drama and trauma of our world, it is easy to forget the sacredness of life, the uniqueness of life, the miracle of life. It’s a paradox.

As a reminder of the miracle, I highly recommend the video One Strange Rock, Episode 4: Genesis. Like the little bells I used to carry to counterbalance the noise of 18 wheelers, this video is one of many rays of light that counterbalance our global drama and reminds us of the miracle of life.

From the episode description: “Our rock is special – it’s alive. Though the building blocks of life are common across the universe, life is rare. So what is it about planet Earth that sets it apart? This is the story of dynamic forces and crazy coincidences that took a bunch of dead ingredients and transformed them into something as wondrously intricate as life.”

Here’s how it begins in the words of three of the eight astronauts who are in the series:

“I look down and I can see where we came from: This living, breathing bubble of life in the blackness of space.” >>>…….~ Darren Aronofsky

“It’s hard to imagine anywhere else where everything could have fallen into place so magically.”  ~ Chris Hatfield

“We’re so used to life that we start to think of life as being really simple and easy to do. It’s not.”  ~ Mae Jemison

And from the narrator, Will Smith:

“We may never know exactly how life got started but we do know that it was a strange brew: A dash of magical liquid, a sprinkle of stardust, and a crackle of energy mixed together in a big bubbling cauldron to make our rock come alive.”

The miracle of life! And then add being able to be conscious and aware of it on top of that.

We are blessed indeed.