My Quest for Everyday Magic. That sounds suspiciously like something my daughter’s imaginary unicorn threw up in the back yard. Who actually goes on a quest (unless they play Dungeon’s and Dragons…wait, no, those are campaigns…I think)? Does anyone? I mean Lewis and Clark were clearly on a quest to discover land and people. That was a quest of magnificent proportion. Maybe I should confirm the definition of the word first…quest: noun: long or arduous search for something; verb: search for something. According to my online dictionary, the definition fits. Maybe it’s “quest” and “magic” in the same sentence. I know, I know. Some people hear the word magic and automatically think dark magic that would parallel Voldemort and his horcruxes (cue the chilling music and fog machine). Others envision rainbows, unicorns, Glinda the Good Witch or the television show Bewitched. Nope, wrong again. Here is how I define everyday magic: those moments or situations or act of observing objects that FEEL magical. Let me break this down a little bit. There are moments in our lives where our heart is so happy it feels as though it could start singing a glorious divine tune. There are moments when we see something or experience something so loving and strong that we are almost certain there is a divinity to it. There are moments where we are so present and alive that time feels as it has stretched from seconds to days and snapped back again. THESE are ALL examples of everyday magic: Observing nature, playing with a pet, getting your feet in the dirt, the lake or the ocean. Hugging someone you love, for at least 30 seconds. Holding the door for a stranger; a stranger paying for your coffee. Watching the snow fall… Holding a newborn. Dancing in the rain. Finding a waterfall. Gardening. Traveling back in time through music. Watching your children do something that brings them joy. Laughing…really deep belly, full body belly laughs. Enjoying a warm cup of tea. Finding shapes in the clouds. Feeling the warmth of the sun on your face. Watching the sun rise. Watching the moon rise. Counting stars. These are just some of ways I have personally experienced everyday magic. Once I realized that those elastic moments were in fact everyday magic, I began to seek them out more and more. I started chasing that feeling of complete awareness, of complete joy. I found myself looking for ways to step out of my comfort zone. I made a decision to be more “present.” To not just physically show up, but to REALLY be there. This has served me well the last few years. Thanks to this mindset I have had so many great adventures…most of them well outside the parameters of my comfort zone! I challenge everyone who reads this to identify some everyday magic in your life. Find what makes your heart sing and seek it out.