If you believe in magic, then you know that there is something extraordinary in this world. Magic is not just a trick or an illusion; it is a belief in something beyond our understanding. It is the ability to see into the unseen and to connect with a higher power. Magic can be found in the simplest of things - a rainbow after a storm, a shooting star in the night sky, or a smile from a loved one. It is that spark of wonder and awe that fills our hearts and souls. Magic is the belief that there is more to life than what meets the eye.
*In a recent interview with Richie Unterberger, bassist Steve Boone had this to say about their treatment by label Kama Sutra: “So we were a) worked to death and never had the chance to really breathe deep and spend time on the cuts, and b) the label and the way they got records on the air had nothing to do with somebody sitting back and putting on FM 101.7 and smoking a joint and listening to eleven, twelve, ten cuts, maybe with some kind of a sequential order to them. That was so alien to them that I don’t think they could even handle it if they were asked to experience music that way. All they could think was wham, bam, thank you ma’am. Get it on the air, get it in the top of the charts, get it off the air, and get the next one up there.”
A brief glance at Do You Believe in Magic s tracklisting suggests it s Do You Believe in Magic, Younger Girl and Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind apart a warm-up for bigger and better things to come. That might seem like an extraordinary bout of productivity, but it was in fact pretty common practice in an era where labels assumed bands would have a short shelf life, and needed to be milked dry while people were paying attention.
Magic is the belief that there is more to life than what meets the eye. In a world filled with doubt and cynicism, believing in magic can be seen as naive or childish. But those who embrace magic know that it is a source of hope and inspiration.
Do You Believe In Magic?
What’s the harm in believing in magic? I am a realist and still, I’ve spent much of my life believing in magic and synchronicities; believing that things always turn out as they should.
I realize that over the past year, I’ve lost a lot of that. I’ve been actively grieving while losing so many people that I love. I’ve been finding myself again. I’ve been struggling but still moving.
I miss magic. I miss tiny acts of kindness, like seeing a woman crying on the subway and quietly giving her tissue. Or paying for a stranger’s coffee or manicure. Or stopping to chat with the homeless guy who was often in my neighborhood. (He told me he was homeless, this isn’t some thing I’m just assuming. A lot of folks that we assume are homeless actually aren’t and may be struggling in other ways.)
His name is Leon and I learned a lot about him over my years in Ft. Greene. The building next to us used to be a storage facility that he lived in. And when that was torn down to make room for a luxury space, he just sort of floated. He’d go to the local hospital and use the public bathrooms there to clean up. I think he had a home base somewhere, a room or some thing. But he was always still hanging around the neighborhood. We chatted so often that he even offered me $20 one day when I was heading to the subway. And I remember looking at him and saying “damn Leon, am I looking like I’m down on my luck today?” He laughed and said that he just wanted me to know that I could have it if I wanted it and he was happy to share. He also told me to stop smoking. I don’t smoke so. there’s always that.
But let me be very clear, Leon knew exactly who I was. Even years after I moved away to a different neighborhood, I ran into him again and he remembered so much of what we used to talk about. He remembered Ira and asked how he was doing, too. Leon was Leon. I miss him.
I know that was a long winding story but I do miss those moments of kindness, connection, magic and coincidence. Those moments that were so common in my lived experience that I swear most people must’ve thought I was making this shit up.
And what I’m slowly beginning to remember is that I created those moments, they didn’t just happen. I looked for those moments. I was open to those moments. And so I found them.
Today, I’m deciding to begin seeking magic. Once again.
Because of this last year I’ve incredible loss and sadness. Not in spite of it.
As always friends, thanks for letting me ramble. xx
The album does feel a little slight, it’s true, but it’s hugely charming. The fact that it starts with the title track – one of the greatest of all pop singles – certainly helps in this regard. Key to Sebastian’s art was his seemingly total sincerity. Granted, he was only in his early twenties himself, but few men in rock could write lines like “Believe in the magic of a young girl’s soul, believe in the magic of rock ’n’ roll” without coming off as unattractively cynical or disgracefully lecherous. Coming from Sebastian, such sentiments seem neither. It is instead utterly disarming.
It is a reminder that anything is possible and that miracles can happen. When you believe in magic, you open yourself up to endless possibilities. You see the world through a different lens, where every moment is infused with wonder and enchantment. You begin to notice the beauty in the ordinary and find joy in the mundane. Magic is not just about tricks and illusions; it is about the power of imagination and belief. It is about tapping into something greater than ourselves and experiencing a sense of wonder and awe. It is about embracing the unknown and trusting in the unseen. If you believe in magic, then you can create your own reality. You can manifest your desires and dreams into existence. You can tap into your inner power and create a life that is filled with love, joy, and abundance. So, embrace the magic that is all around you. Believe in the extraordinary and the impossible. Open your heart and mind to the wonders of the world. And most importantly, never stop believing in the power of magic..
Reviews for "The Magic of Perspective: Shifting Your Outlook for a Happier Life"
1. John - 2 stars - I really wanted to like "If you believe in magic" because I had heard so many good things about it. However, I found the plot to be extremely predictable and the characters to be one-dimensional. The writing style was also quite mediocre, lacking depth and complexity. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Samantha - 3 stars - "If you believe in magic" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The story felt rushed, with little time for character development or meaningful interactions. The romance subplot was particularly cliché and felt forced. While there were a few enjoyable moments, I felt underwhelmed by the overall execution of the book.
3. Robert - 2 stars - I struggled to get through "If you believe in magic". The pacing was incredibly slow, and the plot lacked any real tension or excitement. The dialogue felt stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. The ending also left too many loose ends, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and disappointed with the overall reading experience.