"The Magic" Book Notes
- crystalbroyer
- Nov 3, 2024
- 7 min read
A few notes as we begin this practice and book . . .
1. She speaks about wonder and awe in the chapters leading up to the practice. I’d like to share an article with you about finding awe and how beneficial it is for our overall health. You’re welcome to read the article. If you don’t get a chance maybe just go on a walk this weekend and seek some awe and wonder in nature. This will be our bonus assignment for the weekend.
2. Starting on page 22 she begins a layout for how the book should work. You’re welcome to follow her guidelines or make it work on your own.
3. Day one (October 4) As we’re beginning to count blessings, you might put a bookmark between pages 32 and 33 if you need some inspiration to return to later in the month.
4. Day two and three include some work to do the day or night before. You might read through all of these and give yourself the weekend to carve out some time for these practices.
5. Day three involves photographs of relationships. This book was printed in 2012 when people probably still carried around some photographs, but now we all have phones which can carry these for us. You can even begin a gratitude photo album on your phone starting with the homework for day three and perhaps adding other pictures as you move throughout the practice this month.
Feel free to share on here about your experiences or anything that stands out to you. Have a great Friday! 😊
Notes part 2
Monday to Thursday) days 4-7
Day four is a focus on gratitude for our health. She will ask you to have a card or piece of paper to write on which most of us should have on hand.
You will need a dollar bill for day five. She has quite a few questions about finances and your perspective on money and your family history with finances. If Tuesday is a busy day for you, feel free to swap with a different day because I think this one is a little more time-consuming when you’re answering all the questions on page 62 and 63. Or just be sure to offer yourself plenty of time for reflection.
Day 6 offers the time to reflect on our jobs and responsibilities.
Day seven is an opportunity to reframe some negative thoughts that we might have and hopefully offer us some new perspective and phrasing.
As always, you’re welcome to move along at your own pace. Some days you might spend a lot of time, journaling and reflecting, or even in stillness. Other days may not take as much time. Feel free to share any thoughts or introspection that you might have. Again, I am so grateful that you chose to take this journey with us.
Notes part 3
Friday through Monday (days 8-11)
Day 8
Many cultures and traditions remind us to give thanks before we eat or drink. I love this reminder of how important gratitude is in our nourishments and physical sense of being filled. Notice if you look at your food or nourishment with a different perspective today.
Day nine
Money is something we rarely talk about in our society. But we should be so very grateful for the ability to cover our expenses and what a bill might represent. Is it a medical procedure that we needed? Is it the electricity to keep our homes comfortable and our lights on? Is it our car payment that gets us back-and-forth? A tuition bill to further education?
Day 10
Today we are spreading magic dust everywhere. I like to think of this like glitter. If you’ve ever worked with small children, you know how glitter remains for ever and ever lol. If you’ve ever worked with the public, you understand how important it is to feel that your work and energy is appreciated.
Day 11
Depending on when you are doing your reading, you might want to read this one the night before. It says to jumpstart our day with gratitude. Perhaps read through it or glance at the homework when you go to bed on day 10 so you can start day 11 filled with gratitude!
Again, I am grateful for each of you and this shared experience. Feel free to reach out with any insight or thoughts that you would like to share.
Notes part 4
Days 12-15 (Tuesday to Friday)
Day 12
As soon as I start reading this, I think about Mr. Rogers, reminding us to always look for the helpers. Sometimes these are relatives and sometimes these are random people that we find sprinkled throughout our lives. You may be able to have an actual interaction with one of these people or perhaps writing a note or as she suggests just a conversation that you create.
Day 13
This is a day that will probably take a little more time so feel free to swap it with a different day if you need to. I’ve mentioned before that. I read this book earlier in 2024. I have to say that this day is probably one that sticks with me the most. When I catch myself worrying about an event or becoming anxious, I tried to turn it into a chance to practice gratitude for the positive outcome that I’d like to see. I really feel like I have been blessed through this new approach.
Day 14
This is one that you might want to read through the night before if you don’t do your practice first thing in the morning. I hope this leads to a magical day for you!
Day 15
I found day 15 very challenging the first time I practiced it. I actually took several days to complete the practice because coming up with 10 things you’re grateful for in a relationship that is a struggle was difficult for me. But I was very grateful for the practice.
As always, thank you for being part of this safe space where we can encourage and learn together. I am grateful for you!
Day 16-19 (Saturday to Tuesday)
Here are the notes for days 16 through 19. On my calendar that says we should be Saturday through Tuesday. Because it’s the weekend, I am also attaching a short guided meditation. This is a body scan gratitude practice. I invite you to set aside a few minutes this weekend to listen.
Day 16
Day 16 is a big emphasis on our health. I like how she wants us to focus on being positive and noting what is going well in our physical bodies. I also like the opportunity create a visualization.
Day 17
I am going to also attach a link for the magic check that she has. You’re certainly welcome to make up your own. This is one that it took me a few days to finally create when I read the book earlier in the year. I did see some positive impact and I’m curious to hear how others experience this practice.
Day 18
I am definitely a list maker so this day resonated with me!
Day 19
I love a good movement meditation. If you’re a regular walker, I’d love to know if you feel that this is an easy practice or if you have a hard time remembering to do it.
As always, thank you for participating in this practice with me.
Day 20
I love this opportunity to truly experience gratitude in our physical bodies. I hope you’re able to find the connection with your heart and notice how gratitude feels.
Day 21
This is another practice that I find myself continuing to turn to months later. I have a tendency to be a warrior and the practice of giving thanks for a positive outcome. Before an event, a difficult phone call, an appointment, or whatever the circumstance might be. Walking into it with a feeling of gratitude has really changed my perspective.
Day 22
I mentioned before that I am a list maker. It seems that we set goals and ambitions for ourselves when we’re younger and start to lose that practice as we move through life and our focus becomes on others. I hope this gives you the chance to reignite some desires or dreams that you might have and to make a list of those. I hope you will continue to modify and adapt that list as you move through life with gratitude.
Day 23
I love the wording she uses for this day and I hope you get the opportunity to step outside, take some deep breaths and embrace the natural, beautiful, wonderful gifts that seem so simple until we stop taking them for granted.
Wishing you a lovely day filled with magic and gratitude 💕
Days 24- Sunday to Thursday
Day 24
This is another day where we get to use our gratitude to bless others. She asks again for us to have pictures ready. You’re welcome to use your phone photos as well.
Day 25
I love the mindfulness element to this day! It requires us to slow down and pause in order to experience gratitude in so many ways.
Day 26
This can be a struggle for me. Sometimes the easy response is to put the blame on something or someone else, but to truly be grateful I need to accept consequences. She also uses one of my favorite quotes on this day “There are always, always many things to be grateful for”. I also think this is a good day to sweep away some of the negative feelings of the past and move forward with gratitude and grace.
Day 27
I strongly encourage you to do this day’s reading early so you can spend the day being grateful every time you see a mirror! 💕
Day 28
This is a chance to reflect on your day before and to dwell on the positive.
Feel free to share any insight or blessings you all have experienced over the last 28 days!
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