Elevating the Everyday: How Ordinary Magic Can Transform Your Life

The Ordinary Magic Book is a fascinating work that explores the concept of everyday magic in our lives. Written by Michael Lipson, this book delves into the idea that magic is not just reserved for wizards and witches, but is present in the ordinary experiences and moments of our lives. Lipson argues that magic can be found in the mundane, in things like reading a book, taking a walk, or having a conversation with a loved one. It is not something grand or extraordinary, but rather something that can be experienced by anyone, anywhere. The book is filled with anecdotes and stories that illustrate this concept of ordinary magic. Lipson shares personal experiences and observations, showing readers how magic can be woven into the fabric of everyday life.

We learn about life before and after Didion’s husband’s sudden death; the years spend in Malibu, and New York and in a rambling house on LA’s Franklin Avenue; how extortionate phone bills were part of their relationship; as were holidays in Honolulu.

It was only while I was researching this write up that I was to discover that she too died, eighteen months after her father s passing, and later became the subject of another of Didion s memoirs Blue Nights,. So like say Causabon in Middlemarch or young Jolyon in To Let of the Forstye Saga she did know he was in danger or ought to have taken seriously a doctor s outright warning.

Lipson shares personal experiences and observations, showing readers how magic can be woven into the fabric of everyday life. He encourages readers to look for the magic in even the smallest moments, and to cultivate a sense of wonder and awe in their daily lives. Throughout the book, Lipson explores various themes related to ordinary magic, such as synchronicity, intuition, and the power of imagination.

Book on the history of magical thinking

I thought starting my thirty-second year on the planet reading The Year of Magical Thinking would be rather apt. I had bought a copy while on a book splurge at Bondi based bookstore Gertrude & Alice, and so, before my birthday festivities began, I spent a slow morning in bed, with a lit candle, the fan on full blast; the leaves of my bedside plant swaying in the breeze.

I first came across The Year of Magical Thinking when I was living in Los Angeles last year with my boyfriend; I very nearly bought it at the Barnes and Noble I used to frequent in Studio City, but we were nearing the end of our time in the states, and I still had a towering pile of books to get through before boarding a flight back to London. And so it was when I saw it while browsing for books in Bondi recently, I quickly added it to my growing pile of tomes.

I’m not sure what it was that I expected from reading it; perhaps some inspiration on how to live a magical year; perhaps a motivational manual that would kick start my thirty-second year in the best way possible.

Alas, neither were true of The Year of Magical Thinking. The memoir is a melancholy one; an observation of grief, Didion talks openly about the sudden death of her husband, which coincided with her only daughter falling ill, and both the heartache and mundanities that followed.

We learn about life before and after Didion’s husband’s sudden death; the years spend in Malibu, and New York and in a rambling house on LA’s Franklin Avenue; how extortionate phone bills were part of their relationship; as were holidays in Honolulu.

Much of the memoir was peppered with dates and flights and phone-calls that were made in the post-John era, as Didion navigated her way around the aftermath of losing her husband, while continuing to care for her coma-induced daughter, Quintana. It was only while I was researching this write up that I was to discover that she too died, eighteen months after her father’s passing, and later became the subject of another of Didion’s memoirs – Blue Nights,

While the story wasn’t a compelling one, it was one that slowly grew on me as the pages passed; poignant and powerful in nature, while it didn’t make me cry, it did make me think. About the fragility of life, and about how everything can change in the blink of eye; and about how you can see the world differently in a matter of minutes.

Joan, John and Quintana © The Paris Review

About Joan Didion

Joan Didion (born December 5, 1934) is an American journalist and writer of novels, screenplays, and autobiographical works. Didion is best known for her literary journalism and memoirs. In her novels and essays, Didion explores the disintegration of American morals and cultural chaos; the overriding theme of her work is individual and social fragmentation.

About The Year of Magical Thinking

Several days before Christmas 2003, John Gregory Dunne and Joan Didion saw their only daughter, Quintana, fall ill with what seemed at first flu, then pneumonia, then complete septic shock. She was put into an induced coma and placed on life support. Days later–the night before New Year’s Eve–the Dunnes were just sitting down to dinner after visiting the hospital when John Gregory Dunne suffered a massive and fatal coronary. In a second, this close, symbiotic partnership of forty years was over. Four weeks later, their daughter pulled through. Two months after that, arriving at LAX, she collapsed and underwent six hours of brain surgery at UCLA Medical Center to relieve a massive hematoma.

This powerful book is Didion’s attempt to make sense of the “weeks and then months that cut loose any fixed idea I ever had about death, about illness . . . about marriage and children and memory . . . about the shallowness of sanity, about life itself.”

Love this post? Click here to subscribe.

I’m not sure what it was that I expected from reading it; perhaps some inspiration on how to live a magical year; perhaps a motivational manual that would kick start my thirty-second year in the best way possible.

He also discusses the importance of ritual and mindfulness in accessing and appreciating the magic that surrounds us. Lipson's writing style is engaging and thought-provoking, making the book an enjoyable and enlightening read. By the end of the Ordinary Magic Book, readers will have a new perspective on the world around them. They will see that magic is not something reserved for fairy tales or fantasy novels, but is a real and tangible force that exists within our everyday lives. This book serves as a reminder to slow down, pay attention, and appreciate the magic that is present in each and every moment..

Reviews for "The Magic Within: Awakening Your Inner Wizard through Ordinary Magic"

1. Jess - 1 star: I found "Ordinary Magic Book" to be incredibly boring and unengaging. The characters had no depth or development, and the plot was predictable and lacking any excitement. The writing style was also lackluster, and I struggled to stay interested throughout the book. Overall, I was disappointed and would not recommend it.

2. Mike - 2 stars: To be honest, I was expecting more from "Ordinary Magic Book". The concept seemed intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The pacing was slow, and it felt like nothing really happened until the last few chapters. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the world-building lacked depth. I was left feeling underwhelmed and dissatisfied with this read.

3. Sarah - 3 stars: While "Ordinary Magic Book" had a promising premise, I felt like it failed to deliver on its potential. The storyline had potential, but it was poorly executed, leaving me wanting more. The characters lacked depth and felt one-dimensional. Additionally, there were several plot holes and inconsistencies that were never properly addressed. Overall, it was an okay read, but it didn't live up to my expectations.

4. Mark - 2 stars: I personally found "Ordinary Magic Book" to be quite tedious. The story lacked originality and felt like a rehashing of other fantasy novels. The pacing was slow, and I struggled to stay engaged throughout the entire book. The writing style was also quite bland, and I couldn't connect with the characters or their struggles. I wanted to like this book, but unfortunately, it just didn't captivate me.

5. Emily - 1 star: I was extremely disappointed by "Ordinary Magic Book". The writing was poorly executed, with weak descriptions and a lack of depth. I couldn't connect with the characters, and their actions often felt forced and unrealistic. The plot felt disjointed and confusing, and the ending was unsatisfying. Overall, I found this book to be a complete letdown and would not recommend it to others.

The Secrets of Everyday Wizards: Masters of Ordinary Magic