At the start of this year, I declared that this would be my “Year of Magic.” I wasn’t sure what that was going to look like and I’m still not positive. I’m not interested in learning stage magic – card tricks, making a coin disappear, that sort of thing – but I am interested in being more present in my life and noticing the things around me that make life seem “magical.”
For me, these things often involve nature and I’m surrounded by that this summer. That makes it easier to notice things, like stepping onto the porch to listen to a strong thunderstorm, seeing a butterfly land on a zinnia that I planted (aside – next year, I’m going to have DOZENS of zinnias! I just love them – they’re easy to grow and they make fantastic cut flower bouquets!), taking a moment to walk barefoot on the grass and take note of golden fireflies lighting up the night.
I’ve also fed my soul by paying attention to quiet times by attending a monthly women’s circle, going to a Vespers-style Sunday service featuring Celtic and bluegrass music, and sitting quietly in the dark listening to birdsong recordings. I’ve found an app called Finch that’s helping me feel good about not getting every item crossed on my to-do list every day. I’m making time for creativity and hobbies (why does James Taylor work so well when I’m working on a jigsaw puzzle?). Most of all, I’m trying to be gentle with the idea that my own growth doesn’t need anyone else’s stamp of approval; that it’s enough to just be happy and content with my life without constantly hustling to climb some mountain of outside achievement. As philosopher Don Henley once said, “You don’t see no hearses with luggage racks.”
Find what’s true for you. And be willing to look in unusual places for that. I promise you, you’ll know it when you see it, but you must be willing to seek.
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