Every-Day Magic

Today I'm excited because we're kicking off Season Two 

of our Character Speaks podcast with Carrie Taylor,

a passionate first-grade teacher up in Virginia.

The joy in her voice as she enthusiastically 

shares her story has me awe-struck.

I hope you'll tune in; prepare to be wowed.

This episode has me thinking about all things magic,

and where we can look for {and find!} every-day inspiration.

First, acts of kindness usually leave me spellbound.

I love watching when someone does something incredibly kind,

especially when I start to imagine its potential reach and 

the probability of all of those ripples eventually touching.

It's science, you know, because the brain actually experiences

a helper's high from doing or watching kindness!

In case you missed it, our Kind Coins campaign 
follow-up video montage is magic unleashed!

I also enjoy planning kind acts; today I'm partnering with a generous air-conditioning tech who's going to an elderly neighbor's home to help get her AC unit up and running again. So magical to be surrounded by secret agents of kindness that will come to the rescue with one phone call. 

Kids and puppets are like magic, too;

it felt a little sad yesterday, to not have a school

or students to go back to after Spring Break.

I do miss those days of joyful imaginative play.

But one look at that smile and hello happiness.

I think of Texas Wildflowers are pretty {and} magical, too;

they just appear out of nowhere this time of year,

adding a colorful awe to our ditches and fields.

And, if I'm really honest, cat naps are like a magical

little booster shot to help refresh and revive.

And we can't possibly talk magic without giving Freddy's 

frozen custard a nod. Magical deliciousness in a cup right there,

with or without the chocolate, caramel, and pecan toppings.

You know what else is magic? Exercise.

Bask in the benefits of some good old-fashioned movement, 

like a power walk, or newfangled workouts, like kickboxing.

Nothing spells magic to our bodies (and brains)

like an amazing cardio workout. 

Trust me; your heartbeats will thank you.

Finally, do you want some real magic? Running Press Publishing recently sent me a preview copy of this incredible book that boasts

30 amazing magic tricks that you can do anywhere,

in exchange for an honest review . . . and it's pure magic!

Boy do I wish I'd have had this when Joshua was younger.

He'd have had a blast with these everyday illusions using

ordinary things like rubber bands, cards, dice, and spoons

to leave his audience magically hooked and in awe.

Each trick comes with step-by-step instructions and illustrations;

I'm especially intrigued by the Superhero Hat Trick.

Watch author magician Justin Flom on the Today Show {here}.

Wouldn't it be fun to host a Magic Night with him?

Check out this book for your budding magician

in the age range of 8-12 and see what appears.

You might have the next Houdini in the house.

Here's to a magical March day.