We Don’t Need A Magic Wand, We Need Love.
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I used to want a magic wand more than anything else in existence.
For as long back as I can remember, I fantasized about being the proud and righteous owner of my very own magical wand. With it, I’d make all things right in the world; it would instantaneously set things as they should be and make sure everybody had what they needed to be and do their best.
It’s a very childlike desire, but I wanted it for what I knew were very grown-up reasons. I wanted to be able to save the world, without having any idea of how much work was involved in that particular endeavor. I don’t feel that way anymore. Now, I want to do the work. I embrace it and cherish all that it will help me uncover along the way.
After living a few decades here on Earth, I realized this life doesn’t always call for a right-away kind of answer.
Some of the answers to life’s toughest questions must be experienced in full, in real time, to be learned and valued in a way that they can be beneficially applied, much like a butterfly needs to work through its own struggle to get out of the cocoon in order to gain the strength required to take flight and survive.
From its beginnings as a caterpillar, each stage is vital and needs to take its time to reach full potential before proceeding to the next.
Life is such a precious process. We need to give more allowance for what wants and needs to happen. Sometimes it seems like things want to happen fast, too fast, almost. Sometimes everything in my gut tells me it’s right and it’s overdue, but the art of having its production come organically and naturally is paramount.
No matter what it happens to be, there is no other way.
I’ve learned not to skip over things and I listen to my intuition. I am considerate of myself and others, and I work hard to keep my focus on the positive amidst all the things out there that could bring me down. All it takes to succeed is stopping to think and feel. It’s gratitude.
Consider what means the most to you, what brings you the most joy. Is it your loved ones? A passion for an art or service? Talking to people, or playing an instrument, or being drawn toward animals? Maybe it’s a connection to something more special than you can even describe.
Well, take a moment and really tune into that feeling — that excitement — and take a slow deep breath as your mind expands to let that feeling fill you up completely. Allow yourself to soak up the satisfaction of life’s journey as you go, and always stay open to learning, growing, and sharing; apply that mentality to everything and everyone you encounter.
When we can get in touch with the things that light us up in this life, we are able to tap into into a sense of fulfillment that will continuously provide nourishment for our souls and inspiration for our spirits.
Fear fuels itself with sabotage and shame, contentment and satisfaction; on the contrary, our hearts are fed by gratitude and a hungry recognition for what is good and right.
I say these words loudly and lovingly for anyone out there who needs to hear them, and who may be coming from a similar place from that which I’ve traveled: a place that feels dark and cold and alone, that crushes dreams and extinguishes hope and perpetuates doubt, where shame rules and you just can’t bear it anymore.
This is a lonely place that demands you relinquish the gifts of your heart in exchange for anonymity and remaining quietly afraid. I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to be alone, afraid, ashamed, or silent any longer.
We are wonderful creatures, capable of greatness and amazing comebacks. Don’t get stuck in the past, beating yourself up for things that happened to you, that were beyond your control; bad things happen to good people. Are you ready to rise above it?
If you’ve struggled and stumbled without yet discovering the trick to getting back up on your feet, I want to offer you my hand. I’ve been there. I’m fresh off the course, actually, and all fired up to share what I’ve learned.
It has been quite the voyage so far, and I’m starting to feel proud. I’m not used to this feeling, so it’s something I’m working on getting comfortable with as it comes. I finished my 350+-page book about six months ago, and am about halfway through editing. I’m scared and excited, but I will not stop until I have finished, even though the pace has slowed a bit.
Yes, it’s nerve-racking preparing to share your story with the world, particularly when it involves secrets, transformations and vulnerable material that might alter the way people see you. However, it’s impossible to keep it inside; it’s like a force of nature that cannot be contained or denied.
If I’ve learned anything over the past couple years, it is that other people’s opinions are none of my business. Whoever coined that phrase was a genius, and I’ll bet they went through some shit too, so let’s allow that to inspire us.
We don’t need a magic wand. We need each other and we need love.
*****
Shay Stockman is a lover of life and writes out of a makeshift basement office in Seattle. Her two children, Ike and Sam, have given her the gift of gratitude, and she’s open to the possibility of meeting her Mrs. Right at any time. No pressure, though. She believes that cooperation, collaboration, and generosity are vital to happiness. That, and not caring too much about what others think. After living in the shadow of fear for half her life following adolescent tragedies, Shay brings us inspiring stories and welcome reminders that we’re all capable of creating the lives of our dreams. She’s an advocate for women, and aims to serve them, nudge them into action on their own behalf, and motivate them to follow their dreams and find their own particular flavors of success. She says she writes to save herself, but it might help save us all.
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