Establishing daily magic is about creating a sense of enchantment and wonder in everyday life. It is about cultivating a mindset that allows us to see the extraordinary in the ordinary, the beauty in the mundane. Daily magic is not about performing grand acts of illusion or casting spells, but rather about finding magic in the small moments and simple pleasures. One way to establish daily magic is by practicing gratitude. When we take the time to appreciate the things we often take for granted – a beautiful sunrise, a cup of hot coffee, a kind word from a friend – we cultivate a sense of awe and wonder. We begin to see the magic that surrounds us in every moment.
Victor Manuel Ramirez
The working poor who are working their butts off but cannot cover just the basics in life because of cost of living, rent, groceries, transportation to and from work and school. Billy Corben s newest documentary Magic City Hustle will premiere at Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College as part of the Miami International Film Festival.
We begin to see the magic that surrounds us in every moment. Another way to establish daily magic is by engaging in creative pursuits. Whether it is painting, writing, or playing an instrument, the act of creating can be a magical experience.
New 'Magic City Hustle' Documentary Brings Jai Alai Back To Life
Billy Corben's newest documentary "Magic City Hustle" will premiere at Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College as part of the Miami International Film Festival.
Magic City Hustle / Courtesy 2 of 8Billy Corben's newest documentary "Magic City Hustle" will premiere at Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College as part of the Miami International Film Festival.
Magic City Hustle / Courtesy 3 of 8Billy Corben's newest documentary "Magic City Hustle" will premiere at Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College as part of the Miami International Film Festival.
Magic City Hustle / Courtesy 4 of 8Billy Corben's newest documentary "Magic City Hustle" will premiere at Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College as part of the Miami International Film Festival.
Magic City Hustle / Courtesy 5 of 8Billy Corben's newest documentary "Magic City Hustle" will premiere at Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College as part of the Miami International Film Festival.
Magic City Hustle / Courtesy 6 of 8Billy Corben's newest documentary "Magic City Hustle" will premiere at Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College as part of the Miami International Film Festival.
Magic City Hustle / Courtesy 7 of 8Billy Corben's newest documentary "Magic City Hustle" will premiere at Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College as part of the Miami International Film Festival.
Magic City Hustle / Courtesy 8 of 8Billy Corben's newest documentary "Magic City Hustle" will premiere at Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College as part of the Miami International Film Festival.
Magic City Hustle / CourtesyA new documetary centers around the largely forgotten sport of Jai Alai, whose history is tied to the Miami of the 1980s. At that time thousands would fill arenas to watch players use cestas to launch balls at over 100 miles per hour, making Jai Alai known as one of the fastest sports around. Today, arenas in Miami struggle to sell tickets and the game is viewed as "a dying sport."
The documentary “Magic City Hustle” evolved out of an idea to bring together former University of Miami athletes, from sports like football, baseball and track, and turn them into Jai Alai players. The film was directed and written by Miami filmmaker Billy Corben of Rakontur Films, also behind The U, The U Part 2,and Cocaine Cowboys. Corben spoke to Sundial about the lost sport and the documentary.
The film will premiere Saturday, March 2, at the Miami Dade College’s Tower Theater as part of the Miami International Film Festival.
This has been edited lightly for clarity.
WLRN: It's about former U.M. athletes -- football players, baseball players -- becoming Jai Alai players? Where did that come from?
Corben: As I recall I first read about it in the Miami Herald who had covered it very early in 2018. Then I was talking to a friend who works at the casino who said: 'Did you hear about this? And are you interested in meeting the guys?' I said yes but I didn't know if it would make a very good documentary to tell you the truth. I came in and met the players and started watching them at North Miami Amateur Jai Alai where they were training, some of them world class athletes. Some of them went on to play professionally in baseball, football track and field. they had never played Jai Alai before. On July 1, 2018, ready or not they became professional Jai Alai players.
Whose idea was this, to bring former U.S. athletes together to make them into Jai Alai players?
My understanding is it was the CEO at Magic City Casino (which growing up we all knew as the Flagler Greyhound track), Scott Savin. He thought: we've given a lot of money to the school (University of Miami) so why don't we try to do something for the former athletes?
Credit Magic City Hustle / Courtesy CourtesyHow much of it was to help the former athletes and how much of it was [to] get some former local celebrities and jackpot?
I think there were a lot of reasons why they were doing it. Listen, the main reason the movie's called Magic City Hustle is because this thing's a hustle for everybody. Make no mistake. It's not just the players, it's the owners of the casino, it's the denizens of the casino who come in there to try to get a jackpot every day. And it's wild because it's a local casino, which is a funny scene because it's like the people there are not tourists. All the abuelos and abuelitas all convene there and it's like Calle Ocho in a casino.
Hustle. that word has really so many layers in this movie. I really love how at the beginning we don't jump into Jai Alai. Instead we follow some of these guys' lives. They talk about the 'Miami hustle.' Why?
Well just a few weeks ago, theUnited Way released its study that showed that 60 percent of Miami-Dade County residents cannot make ends meet. At least 19 percent living in poverty. The working poor who are working their butts off but cannot cover just the basics in life because of cost of living, rent, groceries, transportation to and from work and school. so this is a sneak preview I think of where the rest of the country is going.
And you know everybody calls it now the gig economy. You know we call it the hustle economy here in Miami and this is the ultimate hustle town. No one can get by with just one job. You have these guys who had a series of side hustles. You know they're doing one, two, six things some of them and then all of a sudden they get this e-mail that says you can win up to $400,000, plus a salary, plus dental plus medical. And really it's not about Jai Alai. That's why it's called Magic City Hustle. Miami is a case study in the gig economy.
Our Lady of Fatima University
It allows us to tap into our imagination and bring something into existence that didn't exist before. This act of creation can be a form of self-expression and a way to connect with something larger than ourselves. Mindfulness and presence are also essential to establishing daily magic. When we are fully present in the moment, we can fully appreciate the beauty and wonder around us. Whether it is taking a walk in nature, savoring a delicious meal, or engaging in deep conversation, being fully present allows us to immerse ourselves in the magic of the moment. Finally, establishing daily magic is about cultivating a childlike curiosity and sense of wonder. Children see the world with fresh eyes and are in constant awe of the simplest things. As we grow older, we often lose this sense of wonder, but by intentionally cultivating curiosity and seeking out new experiences, we can regain that childlike perspective. This can involve exploring new places, trying new activities, or learning new skills. In conclusion, establishing daily magic is about shifting our perspective and finding enchantment in the everyday. It is about cultivating gratitude, engaging in creative pursuits, practicing mindfulness, and embracing curiosity. By doing so, we can infuse our lives with a sense of wonder and make each day a little bit more magical..
Reviews for "The Power of Presence: Being Fully Engaged in Daily Life for Maximum Fulfillment"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "Establishing daily magic" but I was quite disappointed with it. The plot felt disjointed and the characters were not well-developed. The writing style was also quite hard to follow and it felt like the author was trying too hard to be profound. Overall, the book just didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Mark - 1 star - I couldn't finish "Establishing daily magic" because I found it incredibly boring. The story seemed to drag on with no clear direction, and I didn't find any of the characters interesting or relatable. The writing was overly descriptive and verbose, and I had a hard time staying engaged. I don't understand the hype around this book, as it didn't offer anything new or compelling in my opinion.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Establishing daily magic" was a major letdown for me. The concept sounded intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The pacing was incredibly slow and the narrative structure was confusing. I struggled to connect with any of the characters and ultimately didn't care about what happened to them. The book lacked a clear storyline and failed to captivate my interest. I would not recommend it to others.
4. Michael - 2 stars - I found "Establishing daily magic" to be quite forgettable. The writing style was unremarkable and the plot felt predictable. The characters lacked depth and I couldn't form any emotional connection with them. The book seemed to meander without a clear purpose or theme. Overall, it was a lackluster read that didn't leave any lasting impact.