Where Magic Resides

Recently I had that recurring feeling of a need for a bit of zing in my life, for a connection with magic. That evening I went to a meeting of Colorado Dramatists,a critique group of playwrights. The member who needed a critique was in Austin, Texas but needed to get feedback for a couple of short plays he had been requested to write for a theater in London, England. We set up our session so the author could interact with us over speaker phone. We did a reading of his plays then discussed our suggestions with him. During this time and during the visiting among ourselves later, discussing past enterprises of Colorado Dramatists, I realized the room was full of magic. There were eight of us, if you counted the member in Austin, who were all highly creative and happy to be so. Different things each of us had to deal with were mentioned and suggestions or appreciations were given. But even when problems were discussed the sense of 'life is good' was there. Since then I have had several other times where I have had the same experience: that life is interesting and worthwhile and even fun, no matter what. Being around others and sharing experiences with them enriches my own sense of being in an energy field of magic. Humans are social beings. Not only do we need people to survive but also to thrive. A sense of joy and well being is more apt to develop if we spend time among friends. So I do hope that all the wise magicians who read this will let social connections help bring magic to life. May the spark be with you.

Magical Gifts

It's Christmas Day and I had a wonderful Christmas. I received many gifts. One of the strongest, one that made a great impact, was the gift of tears. It was almost dusk. I was leaving one great gathering where I had been very happy to be among friends and driving to another home of friends. As I drove through the heart of the city I looked over and saw a homeless man. We have learned to recognize them in Denver by dress, amount of activity and location. He was bundled up but not moving. He had a small shopping cart like you can buy for home use, behind him, full of belongings, as well as a backpack on his shoulders. He was standing absolutely still with his head down towards his chest. He was in a part of town where the homeless are fed for the holidays. He probably had to now decide where he would spend the night. He may have been younger than I am but he looked as old as the ages. And hopeless. I had to cry. I didn't know what else to do. But the experience strengthened my desire to encourage people to find the spark of magic inside themselves. To be able to reject the insults they have received from parents, friends, society in the 'name of helping them do better'. All lack of love and acceptance damages us. Then that radiates out and damages the community. Thus we end up not able to give acceptance to ourselves or others. We do this without even being conscious of our inability in this way. Acceptance is the greatest magic there is. I hope, but doubt, that this man was saying to himself "I am a wise magician. I am well bundled. I know where I can spend the night in comfort. Tomorrow I will find ways to improve my life." The result for me from this experience was to strengthen my plan of finding ways to help others find the magic inside themselves. This was the result for me from my 'gift of tears'. I hope this day had wonderful gifts for all of you and that you found ways to give unto others. May the spark be with you.

It's All In The Presentation

That's what they used to tell us when I worked in food service, it's all in the presentation. I have heard the same thing, sometimes phrased differently, in other walks of life. The presentation is the spark of magic that you can use to get your point across. Doesn't your inner self present things to you with a laugh, a jolt, or some other 'aha' way? Mine does. One period in my life I was in a very smothering situation but wasn't conscious of it until I heard myself singing the tune for 'Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater' over and over for days. I stopped and let the words finally come to mind. "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater, Had a wife and couldn't keep her. Put her in a pumpkin shell and there he kept her very well." The message was recognized immediately. I was in a shell and needed to recognize it and get out.
Lights, color, music, humor can all help you present your caring, your ideas, your resistant, or whatever. Done lightly and smoothly what you present will get a much better response than a stumble mumble or a sledge hammer approach.
Watch for, listen for, the way your inner self will do the same for you. I have noticed that if I dream of drinking hot tea with someone they are very good friends, or will be when I get to know them better.
That spark of magic is there. Use it, notice it, appreciate it.

What Is Magic?

In one of my first posts I mentioned a definition I had seen as magic being 'the ability to change perception at will.' When I was given this definition I was not told whether that change was in myself or in others. I think it would be good to examine our perceptions of magic for ourselves. Walt Disney refers to 'The Magic Kingdom'. We use the term magical often to refer to delightful events or sights. Some think of illusionists as magicians. Some people want to believe that humans can suspend the laws of nature and cause events to behave for their whims. We don't know all the laws of nature yet, but the ones we do know of don't suspend. What a mystery! What is magic? Magic is based on perception. It is change. It is surprise. When we perceive things a certain way,but then there is a shift, and it is for the better, magic has happened. Events can happen that are so lucky they are almost unbelieveable. But the person who received the luck was open to that luck. They were not pushing it away. I challenge you to examine how you perceive your world. Then dare to question your perceptions. This will lead to greater self knowledge and self power. Decide what is magical in your life, for yourself.

How Magic Sparks

If you are open to it, you can see sparks of magic often. It's in the whir of a humming bird's wing when it rushes across your head, in the patterns of bare branches against the sunrise, in a fussy baby suddenly looking into your eyes and smiling. I found a spark of magic yesterday when I was reeling from an observation of anger. I was wondering why I have kept this certain woman in my life for over twenty-five years. As I was musing on that I was playing computer solitaire. Often I click off before the cards have fully danced out after I win, or feel a sense of irritation as I wait to see if the green will be completely covered, sure that it will not. But this time I was letting the cards splash out and I had a shift, I got in the now and it was fun to see the cards dance, without any sense of judgment. Then I thought back to the senseless display of anger I had seen and wondered again about the cause of her anger. I realized that she feels judged and therefore judges others. But she does try to step up to the judging bar, and often passes muster pretty well. Yesterday I was pretty proud of myself for finding a possible venue for one of my plays. My shadow must be calling to me to put myself out there to be judged. I have been kind of a drop out in that respect. Perhaps I call to her to be mellow and she calls to me to toe the line. I got a laugh of discovery about the thought, at least.

The Eyes Have It

Open your eyes and let wonderful sights and ideas enter your magical realm. Look up and live.
The eyes are powerful organs and more than just an organ of sight. For instance if your neck is stiff when you turn it, you can unlock those muscles by turning your eyes in the direction you are turning your neck and the range of motion will be increased.
To help yourself go into the alpha state roll your eyes up towards the top of your head as you lean back. Alpha state refers to the rhythm of your brain waves. Beta is the normal state. Alpha is a relaxed state, nearing hypnotic trance. A few days ago I was having some stress but I found my small kaleidoscope right there near my computer. A magical gift in the way and time it manifested itself. I turned to the light coming in through the window in the door and instantly acheived calm.
Lightly touching your face around your eyes, and on the forehead between the eyes, the area of the third eye, is part of the technique known as tapping. This can be very calming as well.
Your eyes can be part of your set of magical tools.