As a momma of two toddlers, my days are filled with plenty of unsexy and seemingly never ending moments.

I spend my days changing poopy diapers, wiping snotty noses and cleaning up spills on the carpet. My free time has been replaced with family time.

Chaos is my new quiet time.

I can no longer recall what I ate for breakfast, one hour after eating it.

I would half-jokingly say that I have two gears—sleeping and survival mode.

Which brings me to Einstein and his view on life,

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ~Albert Einstein

I’m assuming Albert’s view was the latter.

Seriously Albert?

But how?

And did Albert ever change a blow out diaper and think that was a miracle?

There are times in our lives when amazing, magical and beautiful things happen.

I can see the miracle.

But how do we begin to see everything as a miracle when crappy stuff happens (pun intended) and we have butts to wipe and bills to pay?

Then I developed the 95% theory. Maybe 95%—my unscientific, yet seemingly accurate measurement—of our lives are filled with the normal, everyday, average moments. The place where we spend most of our lives, the day-to-day stuff. The place where things are neither jaw-dropping amazing nor horrible. Like cooking dinner, brushing your kid’s teeth or doing the dishes.

It’s generally at home—our under-appreciated sacred space.

Let’s think about what would happen if we could transform our mundane moments into miracles, like our friend Albert suggested?

Okay, maybe not miracles. But what if we could change our mindset? Maybe these moments could offer us the opportunity to lean into life, be present and find the beauty.

The mundane moments are the brilliant yet patient teacher, our own personal Mr. Miyagi and we get to be the Karate Kid. And they have a lot to teach us.

And maybe our homes can offer the same type of benefit as a retreat. I’m realizing that our homes offer the same opportunity to show up, be present, connect with others, and learn something, our own personal dojo. It’s less about the actual place, and more about our attitude.

Life can me more than just another “Manic Mundane”. And I’m slowly realizing the moments that I label as day-to-day, mundane, or ordinary can hold greater power than I ever thought possible. And I am trying to wake up for more of them. For their lessons, and opportunity for growth.

So here is what my Mr. Miyagi Mundane Moments have taught me:

Lesson #1.

We must show up to right now to learn the rest of the lessons. We can only discover what life is offering us in this moment if we stop to look around. Mundane moments teach us to be present in the moment without judgment. We quickly realize we are only dealing with the here and now instead of yesterday or tomorrow. These day-to-day moments are what shape us as parents and ultimately shape our kids.

After all, children are observing our actions and reactions whether we like it or not.

But here’s the best part—if we mess up, we have the next moment to get it right.

95% of our lives can be transformed into something better, starting this second.

Or this one.

Or right now.

Lesson #2.

Mundane moments teach us that it’s about finding the beauty and sacredness in the simple things.

“The significance is hiding in the insignificant. Appreciate everything.” ~ Eckhart Tolle

It’s the best remedy to a world that is fast-paced, distraction-filled and yelling at us to find happiness in every external way possible. I think we all keep waiting for the next big, exciting thing to happen in our lives.

We can find contentment, inner peace and joy in these simple things when we look with appreciation.

Lesson #3.

These mundane moments are not always glamorous, fun, exciting or easy. Most days it’s the complete opposite.

But they are powerful. Mundane moments can transform us only if we show up for them.

My life seems richer now moving at a slower pace. More intentional.

I find that I’m less likely to want to fast-forward to something different or better down the road. If the chaos and craziness is the screaming of parenthood, then the mundane moments are a whisper. Both can be our teacher if we are open for it.

“The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.” ~ Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist.

Lesson #4.

Whatever we focus on grows.

So if we focus on gratitude, beauty, and love we will find more of this. We can pay attention to our ability to reflect on and share these little glimpses of something more.

Prayer, reflection, journaling and gratitude lists are all powerful ways to grow the good things in our life.

Lesson #5.

Mundane moments are actually sacred moments in disguise.

As we slowly begin to see, and label the mundane moments as sacred moments, we transform from being on autopilot to living a life of meaning, love, connection and joy.

These are the qualities worth passing on to our children.

“The present moment is always small in the sense that it is always simple, but concealed within it lies the greatest power,“ Eckhart Tolle.

Maybe this is the miracle Albert was referring to.

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Editor: Ashleigh Hitchcock

Photo: courtesy of the author