Radish Sprouts

Finding Magic in an Ordinary Day

Henry David Thoreau said, "It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." Do you choose to see the wonderful and exciting? Or do you see the dark or ordinary? How can you experience more magic moments? These are questions explored by Rev. Lydia Ferrante-Roseberry and others during a recent Unitarian Univeralist service.

The Cupcake Story

Recently I had a few magic moments while in Chicago for Thanksgiving. I planned a gathering with some friends from elementary school — a special event in itself. Then I discovered that a High School cheerleading buddy, Pam Rose Glosniak, lived across the street from our meeting place. The more the merrier, so Pam came to the gathering with her daughter Alexa too. That was extra special.

Pam, it turns out, is the owner and creative genius of Swirlz Cupcakes, named by Food & Wine Magazine as one of the "Best Cupcakes in the U.S." She surprised us by bringing dessert. WOW! When I tasted that first mini cupcake, it was a magic moment. The Chocolate Raspberry Torte and Boston Cream Pie cupcakes were exquisite. By their 10th anniversary, Swirlz had created more than 1500 unique flavors. They cater corporate events and weddings, and deliver happiness by the thousands since "cupcakes make people happy"®. Consider spreading some magic to your friends and clients this holiday season.

What Is Magic?

According to the dictionary, Magic (noun) is the power to use supernatural forces to make impossible things happen as in "do you believe in magic?" It is the power to seemingly influence the course of events by using mysterious or supernatural forces. Magic (adjective) is wonderful and exciting as in "what a magic moment" or apparently having supernatural powers as in "a magic wand." I'm not talking here about Harry Potter magic that may require extraordinary supernatural forces, but everyday magic that each of us can experience.

Why bother opening to the magic? Because it feels good. It opens creative juices. It can make others feel good. It can bring unexpected results. It helps you find the beauty and wonder in the small as well as the big things of life.

Some Magical Moments

If you open your heart and mind, you may find magic by:

	hearing a crisp Autumn leaf crunch or a lovely song
	feeling sunshine, snowflakes, or wind on your face
	standing on top of a mountain and seeing snow-covered summits around you
	going into nature and seeing a rain drop on a leaf or the sun dance through trees, smelling pine needles, hearing birds sing, or feeling your boots on the trail
	feeling the awe of the universe in gazing at the stars
	being present in the moment
	experiencing a deep inner sense of knowing
	getting into a meditative state and experiencing impermanence
	being in the flow — a focused state of concentration where nothing else seems to matter
	tasting an exquisite cupcake
	and more.

What Helps You Find Magic?

On our recent trip, five little girls came into the hotel elevator with matching pajamas. They were celebrating one girl's birthday. On the way down to breakfast, they giggled and squealed in delight as they looked out the glass elevator as we moved down to the lobby. They were experiencing magic. It made us aware too.

1.	Set the intention to be aware. Use the Attractive Strategy (Chapter 8, p. 155, Pursuit of Passionate Purpose).
2.	Open your inner eye, ears, and heart. As Plato said, "see with the eye of the soul." Sufism states, "Open your inner eye and the mystery of life will unfold. Just as the owl is blind to the light of the day, we are blind to the spiritual world and are unable to see."
3.	Be present in the moment.
4.	Go into nature.
5.	Surround yourself with those who experience magic. Share your experiences.

Summary

How can you experience more magic moments? Set the intention to be aware. Be present. Go into nature. Open your inner eye and the mystery of life will unfold. Surround yourself with those who experience magic. Here you will find magic too.

 

Theresa M. Szczurek (copyright 2017.  All rights reserved.)  www.pursuitofpassionatepurpose.com, www.tmsworld.com, www.radishsystems.com

ENERGIZE: How to Live to Be 100

Passionate pursuers, those people who find and successfully pursue their purpose to reap the real rewards of life, increase, focus, and use energy. Ask yourself,' do I have the energy to do what I need to do?'

 

WHY IS ENERGY IMPORTANT?

 

My theme in 2015 is “Be a SUNFLOWER.”  Each letter of the word aligns with one of the traits of successful Passionate Pursuers.  E stands for Energy..  From page 52 of Pursuit of Passionate Purpose, “The capacity to do work--energy--is a habit of vigorous activity and forceful expression.  Your head, heart, and hands are your energy centers.  There are simple ways to increase your energy levels.  David Hawkins, MD, PhD, explains in Power vs.  Force:  The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior that energy levels can be calibrated into a map of consciousness.  Low energy levels manifest as shame, guilt. grief, and fear.  Courage, acceptance, love, and enlightenment align with high energy levels.  Positive jumps in energy are possible through intention, will, choice, and motivation.  Many spiritual disciplines of the world are interested in approaches to ascend these levels. ”

 

Seven Practical Pointers to Increase, Focus, and Use Energy

1. Be Aware.  The first step toward increasing the strength of your energy is being aware of what energizes you.  Note what makes you feel alive, engaged, and energized and what does not.

 

2. Build.  Intentionally nurture and build your positive, energizing forces.  Do more of what makes you feel energized and do less of what zaps your energy.  Say NO to zappers and distractions.  Say YES to energizers.  Be good to yourself.

 

3. Meditate.  Hawkins notes that one technique to increase energy levels is meditation.  It also increases your ability to focus and concentration. Do you have a regular practice?  Even one minute each day is infinitely better than no minutes.  Find a teacher or a support group.  Improve your meditation posture.

 

4. Surround Yourself with Energizers.  Ask yourself, 'what people energize me?'  Spend time with those supporters that provide encouragement and external validation.  As Kit Fox summarizes in the article "How to live to be 100 (or pretty damn close) in Men's Fitness, "Finding a healthy partner could actually save your life.  University College London researchers studied 3,722 couples and found that 67% of men became more physically active if their partner was." Smiling is an energizer! 

 

5. Sleep More.  After decades of burning the candle at both ends, and surviving on 5 hours of sleep / night, I realized the price I was paying because sleep is important,  Not only does it feel good, sleep improves your cognitive and physical abilities.  It gives you energy.  For an even bigger energizer, try jumping out of bed in the morning, clapping your hands,  and saying, "I feel energized.  Today is a great day."

 

6. Move More.  Exercise, even just a 20-minute walk, increases your stress robustness and resilience.  It provides a source of energy.  Ask yourself what movement works best for you? Using energy creates more energy.  Too much media zaps energy too -- turn off the TV, smart device, or computer, get off the couch, and move!  While you are at it, breath.  Oxygen is an energizer.

 

7. Eat Well.  There are certain foods that zap energy.  Fresh, colorful vegetables and fruits are energizers. Pure, clean water energizes -- are you drinking enough water per day?  Too much fat, salt, and sugar reduces your energy.  Fake sugar zaps energy.  Too much food in general reduces energy -- do you have the ability to stop eating when you are full?  Be aware of what works best for you.  When did you last have your blood tested?  Make sure you have enough iron and other important elements are in balance.

 

 

Summary.

People who find and successfully pursue their purpose are energetic.  They have tremendous energy and know how to increase, focus, and use that energy.  What are you doing to increase your energy? Start now.

 

Theresa M. Szczurek (www.TMSworld.com, www.PursuitofPassionatePurpose.com, www.RadishSystems.com)

copyright 2015 Theresa Szczurek.  All rights reserved.