Words that empower

The power of words is that our knowledge of them commands how and what we think because we can only think concretely about things of what we have words to describe.

The magic of words is that they are artists that explode vibrant paint onto the canvas of our imagination.  Think of the most beautiful words you have heard.  It might be beauty, or sacred, or reverence, or maybe God, or perhaps space.  Remember how these words imbue your entire being with a story, with an emotion or an inspiration that craves your longing.  Cherish the words that are dearest to you.  Guard them from the corruption of vileness.

These are the indescribable power and magic of words.

Try again!

It seems to me that when we aim to create something larger than ourselves, the only answer is to try again.

You failed yesterday?  Try again!

You succeeded yesterday?  Try again!

Nothing happened yesterday?  Try again!

Consistency leverages the magic of compound interest that we can’t predict going forward.  We only realize the exponential scale of our creations through deep work, every single day.

Reptilian Desires and Imperfect Heroes

I love passively indulging in our reptilian desire for Hollywood blockbuster action flicks as much as the next person.  But I’ve always felt that good entertainment also leaves a little for the imagination.

A hero that is imperfect and grows throughout the films challenges to examine our personal expectations for their actions.  A villain that shows elements of compassion forces us to break the lazy mold of black and white bookkeeping, to use our imagination instead to enhance the experience.

The Muse

It may as well be magic

We have no idea how she works

Out of nothing comes something

When the muse strikes, we write

In Praise of Gazing into the Distance

There’s something to be said about gazing into the distance.  There’s something magical about gazing out into the vastness of space.  Whether into the horizon atop a towering mountain or the roof of a skyscraper, the effects are the same.  Whether on the shores of the magenta stained ocean or into the shifting countryside on a steam-engine train, the trance is similar.

The distance is a muse that calls our name.  She slips our minds into pensive thought as mysterious as the look on our faces.  Our eyes are gateways to the bewildered and expansive wonder that proceeds.

Maybe it’s because looking into the distance is a reminder of our insignificance.  Maybe gazing into the vastness is the overdue shift in perspective from the perpetual screens our eyes are so accustomed to.  Maybe we just can’t explain it.  Maybe the mystery is part of the magic.

The Magic of Bold

Being bold is an area where I’ve dropped the ball recently.  Its an skill that doesn’t come naturally to me and one I need to constantly remind myself of.  Being bold is scary.  It’s intimidating.  Being bold is so easy to avoid and cover up.  But I’m reminded of its beauty when I reflect on when I’ve been bold in the past and the surprisingly wonderful experiences that come from it.  The German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe sums it up best:

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin It! Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”

There’s something special and magical about boldness.  There’s  a certain genius that arises out of boldness.  Choosing to be bold has an unsuspecting power that cannot be predicted or understood before.  Choosing to be bold is choosing to play the game.  Choosing to be bold is saying yes to life in face of the fear.  Choosing to be bold is choosing to roll the magic 8-ball and seeing what life has to offer.  Choose to be bold!  Let me know in the comments how you are choosing to be bold. 🙂