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    Wednesday, October 08, 2008

    Spiritual Aardvark Theory

    I was listening to Kathy and Judy yesterday. They have a wonderful talk radio show that totally cracks me up. I'm not normally a talk radio person, because let's face it, I'm not that into politics, and I don't pretend to be smart enough to know what the heck they're talking about anyway. But K and J, their show reminds me of something like an audio blog. You know, just kind of random things, not much of a filter, etc. etc. Yesterday they had on a girl (woman?) that had just copyrighted a new "scientific theory". Now this is good. Apparently one day, she and her friend were watching TV, and a commercial came on that had a scene with a girl in an aardvark costume that was participating in a school play. She commented to her friend about how random an aardvark was, and how you never see them. Well, the next day, for some odd reason, the word aardvark came up 3 different times, with no help from her! So this got her thinking. Doesn't this happen a lot? You see something, or hear something, and sure enough, it's everywhere. It's like your brain is suddenly more aware of that specific subject, so you notice it more.

    I have taken this theory one step further (farther? I can never remember, please correct me, Eliza). When we were dealing with the sickness and subsequent death of my mom, we were all acutely aware of so many miracles happening around us every day. From the smallest things, like the hospital cafeteria having the best cookies ever, to the big things, like all being in the right place at the right time to be there when she needed us most. Whatever the miracles, we saw them. Sadly, I've started to be blinded to them again. I knew it would happen, life takes over, and days turn into weeks, and before you know it, months have passed. We were all living in a cocoon of small miracles for those 6 weeks, and lived and breathed to see a miracle every day. Now, it's just a matter of making it through the day.

    So I've decided to reinstate the Spiritual Aardvark Theory in my life. I need to start looking for those miracles every day. I need to see it in my kids, in life around me, and most of all, in myself. I need to have the courage to make it over this hump and to embrace the miracles that I am entitled to. That we're all entitled to. I need my eyes opened to the gifts that are all around me. I need to see that life has a meaning beyond the hurt and pain I feel now. Any ideas are welcome, but mostly, just a big thanks to all of you for reading this. I know, it gets all blah blah blah, but it helps my brain.

    11 Response(s):

    Dalynne Denhof said...

    It doesn't help that it's a rainy yucky day either....I just sent you an email at your gmail account :)

    Jill Johnson said...

    You have to look for them. They aren't as easy to see, because we aren't focused on one thing. We also noticed them more because we needed them and we needed to know our Heavenly Father knew what we needed. You are still getting them, just open your eyes wider.

    Good post by the way. You are so deep.

    Laura said...

    Awesome post Keli! I forsee you giving a talk in sac meeting or giving RS lessons. Anyways, as a missionary we always saw the little miracles, all the time, it was cool. The smallest things seemed so amazing. But in 'real life' we get to wrapped up in 'stuff'. It would be great to be able to slow down and notice things.

    Rachel B said...

    I think that during those tragic events in our lives, we do depend so much on Heavenly Father, and we are blessed with strength and determination to get through it. But I think that the real "grieving" comes later, in very slow and deliberate stages, and no one can make it easy or take the pain away. Like you said, it is the day to day living that gets hard. It's like we have to grow a place for it, to keep it, and live with it...because it never really goes away...but after a while, it's nice to have it there. It is something we have with us forever. But growing a place to keep it, that is what is hard.

    Kalli Ko said...

    Hey Kel,

    check out this post on Segullah today, I think you might like it!

    http://segullah.org/small-epiphanies/sisters-for-sisters/

    Trent and Carlie & Co. said...

    I completely agree with your theory, Keli! It's easy to forget the special things when life takes over and we sometimes don't realize it until we are way down the road.

    Phoebe said...

    great insight. i think i need to apply it in my life as well.

    Phoebe said...

    great insight. i think i need to apply it in my life as well.

    Eliza said...

    It's true, it's like when you're pregnant (or want to be pregnant) and everywhere you turn there's another pregnant lady or newborn baby.

    And...because you asked..."further" is correct. Use "farther" when talking about actual geographic distance ("just 6 miles farther"), "further" when it's metaphorical ("nothing could be further from the truth").

    And I really like this theory a lot, I will have to start looking for the positives/miracles more actively also. Very insightful.

    Tina said...

    Great post Kel, thanks for sharing. It reminds me of a song by Sarah McLachlan called Ordinary Miracle. For me, the key is just being grateful (even when some days the only things I feel grateful for are ice cream, chocolate, and tissues) and it seems that when I have gratitude I recognize those little miracles. Anyway, thanks again for sharing, this reminded me, once again, what I need to be focusing on.

    I am a little blogtarded so here is the link to that song if your interested and hopefully it will get you there...
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Urv7tyeJ7qE

    Kelli said...

    I have been feeling the same way too. I guess I am on a new journey in search of the Spiritual Aardvark. Thanks Keli, I needed this today!