Consistent Magic
Consistent magic is my jam. Over the last couple of years, I have learned to love looking for the things embedded in my life that I can count on to bring me joy, if I’ll just pay attention. I’ve written about it and learned to stop myself when I’m racing through my days, to pause and try to be in the moment.
But when I’m consistently stressed or overwhelmed, it can be hard to find these things, and lately the worries slide over me before I even realize what has happened. All the uncertainty creeps up on me until I find myself in tears, my spirits scraping the ground, and I’m covered in confusion, because I didn’t see this one coming. Again.
I thought it might help to write again about a couple of the places I can always turn when I need to pull out some happiness, those spots of consistent magic that show up around here regularly, if I’m paying attention. It turned into this list.
Sunshine on green grass
The feel of a rubber kickball in my hands
The burn in my lungs as I round the bases
A walk at twilight holding my daughter’s hand
A Harry Potter quiz on Wizarding World
A soft couch and a good book
The green hammock, where I am stretched out side by side with my daughter, each lost in a book
A really great dunk on my son’s video game
Hot coffee in a favorite mug
The red plaid blanket
The solid strength of my husband’s hug
The pile of books on the coffee table
Bright patterned socks from Target
Peeling white rocking chairs
The thunk of the basketball on blacktop
A new notebook with a good pen
The tick of fingers on a keyboard
The quiet of a sleeping house early in the morning
Old denim shorts and a soft t-shirt
Fun, fast songs, when I know all the words and feel free to dance
Conversation with a good friend
Laughter. Laughter. Laughter.
These things and so many more like them lift my heart and bring me both out of myself and more deeply into my own life. I’m grateful for every one.
Your list would look different, but maybe mine can inspire you to find some consistent magic in your own life--some places to go exactly where you are when other things fall apart.
