Be Practical and Expect Miracles

“Be practical and expect miracles when you just take the first step forward every day.”
— Richard Edward Ward, inspired by James Tackaberry McCay

Everything Begins with the First Step

Everything begins with taking the first step forward… every day.

It does not matter how small that first step may be. What matters is that we do take it, and that we continue to take it, day after day.

The first step today:

Great journeys are built from small beginnings.

For many years, I reflected on the words of James T. McCay:

“Be Practical and Expect Miracles.”

Over time, I found myself adding another phrase:

“…when you just take the first step forward every day.”

That small addition changed everything for me.

Miracles are not separate from ordinary life. They often emerge through simple actions, repeated with patience and perseverance.

Over time, this simple phrase evolved into three expressions:

Be Practical and Expect Miracles: an invitation to action.
I Am Practical and Expect Miracles: a personal affirmation and mantra.
We Are Practical and Expect Miracles: a shared practice for groups and communities.

Explore these pages and discover which voice speaks most deeply to you.

Just take the first step forward today.

Take the first step forward… now.

"I am practical and expect miracles, when I just take the first step forward every day."
-Richard Edward Ward