The Magic Hidden in Ordinary Days

I often tell people there's no magic in January.

And there's no magic in Mondays either.

There's no magic in the first of the month, the new planner, the fresh notebook, the new diet, the perfect routine, or the date circled on the calendar.

We love the idea that something outside of us will suddenly make things different.

But after enough years of living, learning, succeeding, failing, rebuilding, and beginning again, I've discovered something else.

The magic isn't in January.

The magic is in a random Tuesday when you decide to show up differently.

The magic is in a difficult conversation handled with kindness.

The magic is in noticing the flowers blooming on your morning walk.

The magic is in laughing with a friend.

The magic is in choosing gratitude before your feet hit the floor.

The magic is hidden inside ordinary days.

RECOGNIZE

"Waiting for the big moments"

The magic has been there all along. We have been too distracted to see it.

We spend so much energy planning for moments that make up only a small percentage of our lives.

We rush towards the weekend or the long awaited vacation, and not that we shouldn’t look forward to these things. Good things that break up the monotony of life are important.

We count down to summer vacation when our children are school age, only to find ourselves looking forward to the return of school because we miss the structure of our days.

We keep waiting for the next chapter, the next great thing while missing the great thing that’s happening today.

I've also learned that two people can live nearly the same day and have completely different experiences.

Why?

Because of the story they tell themselves while they're living it.

"The magic is already here."

There's no magic in January or Monday. The magic is in how we show up for the ordinary days in between.

REFRAME

"Most good days are built from small things"

So how do we create more opportunities to notice the magic?

I discovered a few years ago that I am at my best when I am intentional to create a morning where I don’t have to wake up super early to rush out the door. 

I can still wake up early but I can move slower and with intention to build in the things that bring me joy.

I make a hot drink. I’m not much of a coffee drinker but I do enjoy a hot beverage in the morning. I freshen up my ladies’ food and water. I may clean up around the coop. If the weather permits, I sit in the swing and read. Later I may practice yoga or piddle around in the garden. 

Watching things grow brings me a lot of joy and knowing I had a part to play in it, even more so. And my love of reading has been reignited. I am constantly listening when I don’t have time to sit. 

I also try to make space for time with friends or something creative.

Mostly, I’ve learned that my headspace matters. 

The story I tell myself and the thoughts that run free in my mind, that matters a lot in how I view my day, my life, and the world around me. 

One of the quiet shifts I've made is asking myself:

"What would make today a good day?"

Not a perfect day.

Not a productive day.

Just a good one.

There is goodness available in this day if I'm willing to notice it.

RESTORE

"Creating more good days"

Allow me to make a connection that you may relate to. 

Have you ever looked back through old photos and suddenly remembered a moment you had completely forgotten?

A family vacation.

A conversation on a porch.

A child holding your hand.

A sunset you stopped to admire.

Looking at the photo brings the memory rushing back.

I think the same thing happens in our lives.

We forget the magic.

Not because it wasn't there, but because we were busy living it.

And some of it simply can’t be captured in photos but it could be captured in writing. 

I invite you to intentionally collect evidence of good days.

Not through perfection.

Not through achievement.

Through attention.

Maybe you could keep a list or a journal of the good things. If you enjoy posting on social media, perhaps you could share a daily intention or a simple mantra. 

Who knows, this chapter of your journey could inspire others who could use a similar reminder of looking for the magic that already exists. 

Here a few examples of what that may look like:

• Today, I choose presence.

• Today, I will notice what is working.

• Today, I will look for beauty.

• Today, I will be gentle with myself.

  
  

Maybe the magic was never hiding.

Maybe we just needed to slow down long enough to see it.

A meaningful life isn't built from a handful of extraordinary days.

It's built from thousands of ordinary ones.

And sometimes the difference between an average day and a good day is simply whether we were paying attention.

Have a magical week.

Much love,