Putting the Magic Back into My Life

 

I've had a bit of an existential crisis lately. Trying to figure out what felt "off" about my life consumed my thoughts. Eventually, I figured out what was wrong: my life was missing the magic it once had.

See, back when I was really poor, I spent a lot of time in nature. I mean, A LOT. I would hike every Saturday and most Sundays, no matter the season, and spend every nice weekend evening sitting on my back patio. Surrounded by trees, friends, my kids, and a roaring fire in the pit, I felt one with myself and the world. I also camped often during this time, and there was nothing better than waking up to a light breeze, sunshine, bird singing, and a hot cup of campfire coffee. It allowed me to move through the world differently and, thus, see it differently.

Since then, though, life has changed. I moved up in my career, which gave me more money to indulge in the other side of life. Nights out at wineries, overnight trips, traveling around the country, and dinners in quaint cafes. It's wonderful to be able to live this life, too, the one that had been missing in my life until this point.

While I don't want any of the latter to change, I need to incorporate the former back in. What I need to do is mesh the two together, so I can finally enjoy everything in life that fills me with joy and gives it meaning.

So, I've been slowly getting myself back out to my old outdoor haunts where I hike and spend time sitting quietly, soaking Mother Nature in. This morning, I took a hike in one of my favorite parks, and there was no one there but me, not when I arrived nor when I left. I walked amongst the trees, soaking in the rays of sunlight as they streamed through the branches, listened to the birds make their calls, and talked myself through some things that had been bothering me. When I finished, I sat on a bench in the shade and just looked around and listened. 

I came home feeling better. More refreshed, more in tune, and most importantly, more like myself. 

I can't believe I let this part of my life sit around and gather dust for so long.

Not anymore.

I'm putting the magic back into my life, friends.