As the holidays approach us, we are reminded of the magic of miracles, which seems to be the subject of every Christmas Lifetime movie we watch during the season. Even in our everyday language, we often rely on the idea of miracles to explain the seemingly impossible- like it being a miracle that I passed my finals. Yet, as I prepare for this season of miracles and think of a concept that shapes the way we think and speak every day- I can't help but wonder if I actually believe in miracles.

While I am not sure about the existence of miracles, I do believe in hope. The one surviving gift of Pandora’s Box is important and treasured for a reason. When our lives become hot messes that we cannot control, we need something to hold on to, something that will allow us to survive those dark moments so that we can make it to the good. Hope is that life preserver that helps us stay afloat. While we each find hope in different parts of our lives- through people, places, dreams, and promises- all of us can recognize the value that it has. Would we as individuals, or even as a nation, be able to carry on through our days and become better versions of ourselves without the hope of something better? I think hope may play into the idea of miracles, and fuel them- but I am not positive that it justifies their existence.

On the other side of hope I see reality. While it is important to have some glimmer or sparkle to keep you going, I don’t think we can ever let that sparkle drown out the world around us. We need to be aware of our reality because the real world requires effort. You cannot sit around and expect a miracle or hope to get you through the harsh realities of life- if you want something, you have to work for it. In many ways we are masters of our own destinies. We cannot control the whole world around us, but we are autonomous creatures. To a certain extent, most of us can think, speak, and act for ourselves. By ignoring this individual freedom and power, we ignore how much influence we actually can have on our own lives. I recognize that circumstances play a big role in our lives, but I don’t believe we need to just sit back and be puppets to fate and circumstances. Yet, despite all the power we have, can you really ignore the prospect of miracles in those powerless moments?

Honestly, I don’t know if I believe that miracles truly exist. However, I want them to. I want to live in a world where hope can breed fantasy and reality can be overridden. I don’t want fate or circumstance to take over our lives completely, but when there is no hope left, and I have no autonomy in the situation, I want there to be something: the promise of something out in this world that can make my dreams come true. Now, as those Christmas Lifetime movies tell you what to believe about miracles, take a moment to consider their validity, and consider what you need to believe.