Why Smile?

To make eye contact and smile is a kind of prayer, and it changes you. - Anne Lamott Lamott’s quote about the power of smiling has been on my mind most mornings when I walk my dogs past others in our neighborhood: the gaggle of women, the power pairs, the man who limps alongside his … Continue reading Why Smile?

This Week’s Skies…

Look, up at the sky. There is a light, a beauty up there, that no shadow can touch. - TolkienOnly from the heart can you touch the sky. - Rumi Last week was so blazing hot that I hid indoors as much as possible. With this week’s cooler temps, I found my way back outdoors. … Continue reading This Week’s Skies…

What you seek is seeking you.

Many of us make pursuit a way of life. We have chief pursuits and frivolous ones. We pursue relationships, goals, and careers while on the side pursuing leisure activities, hobbies, or passion projects. We pursue wealth and financial freedom, perhaps like a predator pursuing prey. We entertain ourselves with movies and true crime podcasts in … Continue reading What you seek is seeking you.

Siv & the City

Hi there, I’m Siv (“see-v”). Thanks for stopping by my blog, Miracles in the Mundane. How about a Friday introduction? 1. It’s been sixteen years this month since we moved from San Diego to the San Francisco Bay Area. I still can’t believe I’ve lived in this home longer than anywhere else (still longer in … Continue reading Siv & the City

Beautiful Compost

Even the compost pile can be beautiful. Last month I submitted two articles to two different publications within six days. Both took a lot out of me and involved revisiting pain (more than a few tears shed) to excavate joy. Important, deep, meaningful work. Energizing and exhausting work. Last week I heard that one of … Continue reading Beautiful Compost

The Benefits of Paying Attention

I am over-the-moon that (in)courage has shared my article today. It begins: Last summer our family (my husband, teenage son, and I) took a month-long road trip through the United States as part of Dave’s pastoral sabbatical. We made a loop from our home in Northern California through the Southwest to Kentucky and back through … Continue reading The Benefits of Paying Attention

Be…

Kind. Gracious. Loving. Yourself. Unique. Quirky. Good. Creative. An individual. A lover of the light. Strong. Humble. A world-changer. An encourager. Still. At peace. A peacemaker. Silly. Happy. Hopeful. Gentle. Joyful. Respectful. Helpful. Hospitable. A good neighbor.  When I was a little one growing up in Southern California, I wanted to grow up to be … Continue reading Be…

One Chance at This Life

I've had a summer cold this week: congestion, brain fog, fatigue. Which has meant less exercise, less productivity, more staring aimlessly out of windows. Yesterday a project that should have taken about an hour took four hours instead. To say I've slowed down is an understatement. Enter this quote reminding me to pay attention. To … Continue reading One Chance at This Life

Reading: April-June 2022

During these busy few months, I've read fifteen books, a fact that simultaneously surprises me and doesn't surprise me at all. It should be surprising that I've been able to carve out significant time to read, and yet, reading is my still spot on the horizon when the world does loop-de-loops. Reading entertains me, educates … Continue reading Reading: April-June 2022