 Simply put, I find something to be magical when I literally have no other choice but to stop and gawk in awe at the thing that is seemingly magical. At that moment, I feel like there is a lightness in my chest, an expansion that suddenly fills with joy, happiness, and peace. My heart literally smiles and I feel love. That for me is magic.
Many of us feel this kind of magic in a large way, often with friends. At gatherings such as birthdays and reunions, my wedding of course felt pretty darn magical! At those rare moments when you look around you and see many faces that you love, normally in some kind of special atmosphere… that’s magic. You might feel it when you go away on vacation, to a tropical destination or a romantic European city. By candle light or on a beach. You might feel it on a dancefloor, at a concert while your favourite song of all time is blaring out the speakers. If and when you do tap into this magic, you typically find this happens when you’re away from home, away from your regular life, away from all the typical, mundane things you do day to day. And you feel like you have to WAIT for the magic to appear FOR you. Like you have nothing to do with the magic. This is something that happens TO you on some rare occasions and you believe that you have nothing to do with the happening OF the magic. However, that is simply not true. Magic is always happening. It is just up to you to decide whether you want to be present for it or not. It is indeed easier to notice it when you’re in unusual situations, like an exotic holiday or it’s a big milestone birthday with all your old friends around you. However there are magical instances and opportunities happening all around you, everyday, you just need to learn to notice them more often. And in fact, you can even add to them! Expand the magic, MAGNIFY it. And the BEST and simplest way I suggest to do this, is through FOOD! With the meals that you create and the atmosphere that comes with that experience, every meal is another opportunity to celebrate. And I encourage you to take that opportunity as often as you can! Don’t know how? Well, I have good news. The best way to do this is by planning ahead. Yes, yes, I know that sounds counterintuitive. A ‘magical’ experience sounds like something that happens spontaneously right? True! HOWEVER - let’s think back to those more common, ‘bigger’ magical experiences that happen in your life, like those big reunions, holidays, weddings! Did those events just happen spontaneously?? NO. You planned for them! And the magical moments happened in the middle of all that because you intentionally made space for them. Now I’m encouraging you to take that same theory and apply it to a mundane Tuesday night dinner. For example, imagine it’s Sunday and you have a nifty little Meal Plan template in front of you. You also have your calendar with you as the template prompts you to look at your week ahead and plug in the big things going on and notice as well the less hectic days. By doing this practice you might find that this coming Tuesday there's not much going on. Boom - an opportunity to think ahead and plan for a fun meal. Something that might take a bit more time, some experimentation, even allow you to muster up the courage to let the kids get involved and cook together! And voila - space and time have suddenly opened up to allow for some magical moments to happen on a regular old Tuesday evening in your own kitchen. No need to wait for birthdays or anniversaries! Now, I know what you’re thinking. I know there are events that we plan for that sometimes go completely sideways. Of course there are holidays, special occasions and gatherings that can sometimes turn out disastrous. So of course there will be mid-week meals or whenever meals - EVEN when we plan ahead with the best of intentions might turn out a total flop or tantrum battles with the little ones etc. Yes, all these things can happen. But is that a reason to not plan for the meal? Maybe these challenges and battles are simply preparing us for something else that’s coming to us in the future? Maybe they’re just another opportunity to practise more mindfulness. In fact, preparing in advance for a special mid-week dinner is that chance for you to do some mindset work. Ask yourself, how can you deal with the problems that might potentially come up for you this week? How can you prepare yourself better for them? That’s an interesting approach. And I wonder what kind of magic lies ahead for you with that mindset? Ok, so last thing you might be wondering - how the heck do you get into meal planning when you have no clue how to achieve that?! More good news! I host Meal Planning Workshops and the next one is happening Saturday April 22nd, 2023 at 10amEST - online via Zoom! Check it out here! So here’s to more magic and more planning and let’s say some magical planning!!
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 Hello friends and visitors!
I have a couple announcements to make. First of all - I'm VERY excited to announce that my very first edition of the Harvest the Day newsletter is out! This is a simple 6-page spread with plenty of spring photo inspiration to help you get excited about the season that is upon us. It also contains a few articles that align with the message that I wish to share with others, a glimpse into my work and how I try my best to 'walk my talk.' If you would like to receive a copy then please subscribe to my newsletter on here (it's on the main page of this website, scroll down to see it). Second - we have another Meal Planning Workshop scheduled for Saturday April 22nd, 2023 at 10amEST. If you missed the first one then you're in luck! Don't miss this opportunity. Click this link for more information and to register. Check this blog post for more details as this coming workshop will be the same as the one that ran in February. Hope you have a fabulous day! Happy reading and see you at the Workshop! |
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