"Nadie debería poner sus esperanzas en un milagro."

Relying on a miracle isn’t a plan. It's more of a last-ditch hope that something extraordinary will come along and save the day. But in reality, we can't count on the miraculous; we have to roll up our sleeves and take action ourselves.

Think back to when this might have been said. Maybe it was during a tough time—like the Great Depression. People were struggling, and some might have been waiting for a miracle to turn things around. But those who got through it weren’t just waiting. They were doing everything they could, working hard, adapting, and finding practical solutions to their problems.

Let's bring this idea to life with a real-world example. Imagine you're preparing for an important exam. You could hope for a miracle, like the test being canceled or somehow getting all the answers without studying. But realistically, what’s going to get you that A? It’s the hours you spend hitting the books, understanding the material, and practicing those tough problems. One night, you're exhausted, and you just want to go to bed. But you push through and study for another hour. That’s when things start to click. You grasp a concept that had been eluding you. That’s not a miracle—that’s hard work paying off.

So, how do you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by setting clear, achievable goals, and then break them down into smaller tasks. It’s easy to get overwhelmed if you’re staring at the big picture and hoping for something amazing to happen. Instead, focus on what you can control. Take consistent action, even if it's just small steps each day. Don’t just dream about that promotion—ask yourself what specific skills you need and start working on them. Take a course, read a book, seek out mentors. The magic happens in the day-to-day effort.

Picture this: a friend of mine, let's call her Sarah, wanted to start her own bakery. She didn’t sit around waiting for the perfect investor to come along. Sarah started baking in her kitchen, testing recipes, and selling her goods at local markets. She saved up every penny she earned, slowly building her business. She was there at the crack of dawn, kneading dough and perfecting her pastries. It wasn’t glamorous—often it was exhausting. But step by step, she made it happen. Now, she owns a thriving bakery, not because of a miracle, but because of her relentless hard work and dedication.

So, next time you find yourself hoping for something extraordinary to come and save the day, remember—miracles are rare, but your effort and determination can make amazing things happen. Focus on what you can do, right now, with what you have. Sure, it might be hard, and it might take time, but in the end, the results of your hard work will feel pretty miraculous.

And hey, if a miracle does come along, that’s just the cherry on top. But don’t count on it. Count on yourself.