A Definition of Magic

I spent Saturday evening with a group of friends. We gathered for an outside barbeque and once the bugs attacked in the cool twilight air, an inside game of cards. We began to debate whether this was high summer; this last weekend of July.  Or was it actually the start of Fall? My friend Nancy pointed out the nightingales have been singing. I thought about seeing sumac showing a slight red tint. But I said, when asked which side I was on, high summer because the green leaves of  Oak and Maple trees, the corn fields and soybeans have this deep green of high summer. I didn't want to believe the start of August is the end of summer.

This morning, in a coffee induced muse, staring at the Oak and Maple trees bordering my backyard, I realized I am noticing more gradual changes in the seasons. Before, I would look up and see Fall; a magical, seasonal shift. Maybe, because magic seemed entirely possible in my life.

My definition of magic is changing, I guess. This year so far, has been about facing some unpleasant truths about my self; stubborn flaws and how despite life experience i.e. knowing better as my mother would say... don't stop me from making some of the same mistakes especially when stress, the great leveler, is involved. Change is easier in easy times.

Part of my definition of magic was about easy. I could make changes easily, like magic. I could just stop eating greasy, salty foods ( for a while). I could easily get up and exercise every day. Looking too closely at how this happened seemed to slow the process. So, just go with it. It's magic!

Magic was also about possibility. If magic exists, there is always a possibility for powerful good to come from bad. My emphasis now is trying to be open to the good even in its smallest form. I have given up believing the magical thought; the good will eventually outweigh the bad.

Sometimes, it doesn't. What I gather hope from is those who just keep going despite tragedy. What works for me to outweigh the bad is the passage, the sheer pressure of time compressing those bad events and the overlay of good, everyday events. One of my current self assignments is to get better at recognizing the ordinary good in every day.

Today's good is a sunny morning without sticky heat. The good in the smell of a piece of toast with butter on it. Eggs and bacon smells to follow. There is a lot of goodness, whether you rename it enjoyment and add gratitude, in the everyday. Especially in the Minnesota summer every day. High Summer or early Fall. Does the label really matter? What matters is not letting the slow progression; the natural loss of summer ruin this beautiful summer day.

These days, magic could also be random happenings giving me exactly what I need at that moment or on this day. A compliment, the perfect parking spot, someone doing a job I am not looking forward to doing. I guess there is magic in easy but it's the easy of having something I dreaded be much easier than I thought. Maybe, this changing definition says life is harder than I thought. My definition is more balanced. Maybe, there is a bit of magic in saying Fall is coming but it's a beautiful summer day. Today, I am glad I still believe in magic.