Sometimes, okay, often, I can get caught up in the day-to-day obligations or wish that things were different. Easier, more exciting, more abundant, more magical. Lately, the desire for magic has had a starring role in my thoughts. The wanting to experience that feeling of seeing a firefly soar around the night sky for the first time as a child over and over and over. 

It’s easy to think of magic as someone in a tuxedo pulling a rabbit out of a hat or a genie falling out of the sky and granting us our three wishes. I mean, we’ve all earned three wishes, right?! Who hasn’t dreamed of those three wishes, millions of dollars, a Ferrari, trip around the world, perfect wedding with that perfect person, beach house, yacht, world peace for those who aren’t entirely materialistic. Or for the cheaters, like me, infinite more wishes (To the genies of the universe, I’d highly recommend a release form clearly stating the limits to this wish giving thing.). 

When we think about magic in this sense, life usually falls short. Even when we get that millions of dollars, Ferrari, a villa on every continent (Not that I know anything about this, yet.), and world peace, we wish for more. That’s human nature. Hoping, wishing, it keeps us going, striving, gives us a sense of purpose. The downside of that is we don’t often see the magic that exists always, right in front of our faces. And how capable we are of creating it in all moments. 

This week, I was lucky to experience a lot of that. I don’t know if it was this ongoing desire to be the recipient of some magic that made it more possible, but whatever it is, I’ll take it. 

I suppose I should also take some credit since I do believe we play a large role in creating our own magic/luck. For awhile now, I’ve been very conscious of being more present with exactly what is, embracing it fully, and seeking the opportunity in it.

No small task. But, when business as normal unexpectedly slowed down, instead of freaking out about a potential loss of income, I embraced this opportunity to also slow down and self-care the heck out of me. What ensued were a bunch of mini vacations between the work I did do, ranging from anywhere between several seconds to several hours. 

In doing this, I experienced the firefly magic. Again and again and again. 

Unfortunately, no actual fireflies since I live in a firefly free zone and it isn’t summer anymore, but I did watch butterflies dance with the flowers. I noticed leaves slowly start to change into their autumn dress. I got lost in some spectacular sunrises and sunsets. I soaked in the silence of night that exists in my neighborhood and the stars I could see.

I witnessed a young couple gazing adoringly at their newly mobile toddler as they slowly progressed along a walkway. I watched people smile and laugh with whomever they were with. Strangers and I shared smiles and sometimes some small chat. I had conversations with loved ones, including a video chat with the cutest niece in the world.

I petted dogs. I cuddled a crap ton with my dog. And bf. And my pillow, I realized when I woke up this morning with my arms wrapped around it.

I experimented with new ingredients and cooked some incredibly delicious meals. Had some incredibly delicious cocktails. Slowly sipped my daily decaffeinated green tea. I’m learning to enjoy intense dark chocolate. 

I read. I wrote. I crafted. Bought live pumpkins to add to my fall decor. Actually, I bought the heck out of Trader Joe’s because I hadn’t been there in months and had almost forgotten that it’s my happy place. 

I ran again for the first time in almost 2 months and it felt glorious! On a trail nestled in some bluffs and lined with shady trees and native plants. With my dog. Who managed to get my all scraped up dragging me along the ground chasing after a lizard. But even through my initial anger and fear, I felt the magic of being able to get up, dust myself off, and try again.

That was when I realized that magic isn’t in any specific thing we observe or do. Rather it’s the feeling experienced in those moments. I suppose it can only be described as a deep gratitude for being fully present in life. Magic is simply presence and gratitude for what is. This created a deep appreciation, creative inspiration, zest for life that lasted beyond any specific moment.

And the really cool part was, I still had plenty of time for my responsibilities and obligations, ticking items off my to-do list that had been on there, I’m not kidding, possibly for years. I conquered professionally, rested, and nurtured my passions, all in the usual amount of time in any given week. Now that is pure magic!

I expect that I’ll forget this from time to time. Even this week, I had a solid 12 or so hours where I certainly did. I felt sorry for myself, wallowed in that self-pity, but then somehow felt appreciation for that and got myself right back into the magic that exists in this world. 

Life’s too dang short not to create magic. So get out there, fully experience the moment, find the magic in it. And if you can’t find the magic in what’s already happening, create some of your own. Do those things that bring you back to the present and makes you feel grateful for this life. If you’re really struggling with it, observe some children who have yet to be marred by disappointed adults. They find magic in everything. And if you’re still really, really struggling holler at me. There’s nothing more I love than to help others create magic. Possibly for the selfish reason that it adds to my magic.  

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This post is for informational purposes and not meant to be a replacement for professional mental health treatment.