Let’s talk about magic for a moment. The word magic is itself magical for it can be a noun, verb or adjective. Magic has many definitions: the use of spells and charms to overpower the natural order of things; illusions or tricks to entertain; and describing something that has a special quality that makes someone or something feel extra special. Brides want their weddings to be magical - an event that changes their lives forever. Fairy tales center around a magical being who creates obstacles the hero must overcome. Magicians and Illusionists thrill audiences with their slight of hand and amazing feats. Magic is often presented as evil, something to beware of, don’t get too close or you’ll lose yourself. But when something is described as magical it is always viewed in a positive lens. We use the word magical to describe experiences, places and even people. We tend to use the word to explain something that happened to us – not as something we created ourselves.
But what if we started looking at magic as something we can create? Something we can put out into the world that makes it better. Something we can use to make our daily lives better. What if we looked at the daily interactions we have with ourselves, and others, as an opportunity to share some magic; creating a trail of magical moments throughout the day.
I first thought about this concept when our daughter, Joyce, came up with the phrase “Perfection is Myth, Magic is Real” many years ago. I won’t go into the reasons behind the phrase; it’s her story to tell (moonshadow-press.com). I use the phrase to remind me that there is a higher chance of magic occurring than perfection. As a lifelong perfectionist and people pleaser, this concept was mind blowing! And, as a lifelong ponderer, I began to think about how I could create magic, since I have never created perfection.
At first, creating and looking for magic in my life seemed hopeless, especially when everyone around me is looking for perfection. Living in the hospitality world, where guests are looking for their own magic through their stay, the days are filled with people comparing their expectations to reality. Often, this comparison is graded on a scale of perfection. Frankly, it is exhausting! People expecting perfection from others in order to create a perfect experience for themselves sets everyone up for disappointment, failure or conflict. Magic can not grow in an environment build for perfection. But, if you start looking for magic instead of perfection, your experiences become what you’re looking for. Expectations might even be exceeded when you notice the magic of the situation.
Once I realized I just needed to start looking at things with a lens of curiosity, creating magic for myself and our guests at the BnB became easier. Things I took for granted, like being able to eat Blue Bell Ice Cream every day, became magical to the guest who’s never had it and can try it for free – any time of day! Not having to make your own breakfast is always magical, even if it’s not exactly what you make at home. The key to creating magic for others is to present it as magic – not a checklist of items, but a curious adventure that creates laughter, rest, reconnection and peace.
In preparation for this blog, I asked my husband and co-innkeeper, Keith, what he thinks is magical about Main Street House. Without hesitation, he had two magical items. First, he said the feeling of peace here is magical. The most common reasons our guests stay with us is “getting away from Houston” or “we just needed some time alone”. Guests come in stressed from their lives looking for something different than their everyday routines. At the end of their stay guests say things like “thank you for taking the stress away” or “such a cozy stay”. They can’t always pinpoint why they feel more relaxed and rested, they just know something has changed inside them during their stay. That something is the magic of rest– through reconnection, relaxing, reflection and being refreshed.
Keith’s second example of magic is the colors in the common areas. “You look one way and the room is blue, but you look another way and the room is gray. The colors are bright and cheerful, but the feeling everyone has is peace. The colors calm and surprise you at the same time.” While we intentionally added accent walls to the space, somehow the combination of wall colors, artwork and furnishings, create a cheerful but calming space that feels like magic. We see those spaces everyday and our heart rates still slow down when we are in the house.
Creating magic for others comes more naturally for me. I love seeing other people light up when they attend a gathering I planned – that moment when preparation turns into magic. But, creating magic for myself has been harder. Giving myself permission to be curious about my surroundings instead of judging them. Training my mind to see things with a lens of enchantment and curiosity. Remembering what it is like to experience something for the first time even after the millionth. Allowing others to create magic for me so I can experience unexpected and unique magical moments. But I am getting better at seeing and creating everyday magic without as much thought. Remember, it takes practice to learn new things!
Our dog, Ziggy, is a perfect example of creating everyday magic. Every time I walk through the door, she wags her tail and jumps around in joy to see me. It’s like she can’t believe I came back! Her reaction creates magic for me. That magic translates into a smile after a long day of cleaning rooms, reminding me that no matter how the day went I am loved no matter what. Playing American Mahjong is magical. It gives me a place to make decisions just for me – with no consequences or judgement – just a decision that moves the game forward. A decision that no one knows, or cares about, after the end of the game. Long drives to see our son, Tommy, in Arkansas are magical. Driving 9 hours in a car by myself lets me listen to books and music I never seem to have time for at home, take a break when I want and not have to share my roadtrip snacks. They give me time to do some thought fishing without keeping anything I catch. When I arrive, there are magic hugs to and from everyone, the magic of wonder created by the grandchildren and the magic of sampling new chocolate creations (dsrvchocolates.com).
Some people say these things aren’t magic; they are just blessings. But aren’t blessings the best magic of all? And isn’t magic much more fun than worrying about being perfect?
May you see the magic around you today and always,
Suzy
Artwork: hand lettering and photograph were taken by Joyce Hankins of Moonshadow Press.