About Steven AitchisonI’d like to tell you a story if you’re willing to read on, I think it can change your thinking and could change your life.
A bear is silently strolling around in the woods looking for food.
Out of the corner of her eye she spots a mountain lion, silently creeping toward her. The bear slowly turns her head in the other direction and spots another mountain lion. Her worst fears are being realized. She is being ambushed, if there are two, there will be more.
She quickly turns her head and spots another two lions. As her head turns she feels a hot searing pain in her back as one of the lions has pounced on her and dug his claws deep into her back. The bear struggles but can’t find her roar to shout for help and to scare the lions away. Another lion sinks his teeth into her leg. and the other two lions pounce on her back and front.
For a few moments the bear gives up and thinks she is good as dead. Then a picture of her cubs jumps into her mind. She sees the cubs looking for their mother, looking for food and at that moment she knows the cubs will die if she does not go back to the large hole under the oak tree, where they are dwelling. Another claw just misses her eye as she sees the lion about to bite into her neck. The three cubs keep coming back into her mind and suddenly she rises…..she rises to shake off two of the lions and lets out an almighty roar…she shakes another lion from her leg and swats another as he pounces again, she looks at the lion face on and roars another massive, bellowing roar. The lions stops in it’s tracks….another roar confirms his suspicion that this bear wants to live, and will do anything to survive. He turns and walks away and the other lions join him.
The bear, limps slowly back to her cubs and cradles them in her fur as she feeds them.
The magic in you
We all have magic in us, we all have that spark that says ‘I am not going to settle for a mundane life, I want to experience life to it’s fullest, I want to live, I want to dance, I want to do something, I want to love and feel totally alive’
The trick to life is finding your magic, finding the meaning that will drive you forward every single day of your life. So many of us have given up. I’ve heard countless stories of men and women who have retired after working for 45 years, only to die a few years after retirement, their fight had left them, they hadn’t found the magic inside of them.
You goal in life should be to find the magic inside of you, find it quick and keep driving toward it every single day of your life, you truly are magical, you might not realise it but the magic is there.
When you have found the magic, there’s only one thing you need to do with it……………. Share it with others.
Subscribe to CYT and
receive a FREE copy of
Volumes 1 & 2 of
The Best of CYT
Steven, what a lovely post. This speaks to me as someone who refuses to stop believing in magic while solidly living in the real world. To let that spark die is akin to putting unnecessary limits on ourselves. It’s self-inflicted, not inevitable. Thank you for your wise words today.
Hi Belinda, good to see you back here, haven’t seen you around in a while. I think we all need to believe that magic is possible in our lives. Thank you for you comments, always appreciated.
Hi Steven, thanks for sharing this inspiring story. From beginning to end, I could visualize this going on in my head. I think part of the reason the bear was willing to fight back was because she had a big enough reason to do so, which was to survive and help her cubs. It wasn’t just because she wanted to do it, she had to. There was no other option.
I think to really succeed in life or achieve some type of goal that we have had in our mind, we need to experience the same thing that happened to the bear, which is to go through a point where are back is up against the wall and we say to ourselves, “It’s time to do whatever it takes to get this done.” The magic is already inside of all of us. We just have to find a good enough reason for us to unleash it.
.-= Hulbert Lee´s last blog ..Kim Maglinti – Blogger and Creator of Mindset Success Coaching (Interview) =-.
Hi Hulbert. You got it, you have to ask what is worth fighting for in life. we all should have something worth fighting for, whether it’s a dream, our kids, our partners, anything that gives us drive.
Hey Steven,
Like your article… we all need a big enough reason to move forward just like the bears. Most people don’t have a big enough reason (dream) and end up doing nothing or quitting. Yes we all have magic in us.
Thanks
Coach Freddie
.-= Coach Freddie´s last blog ..Life Is A Game Of Boomerangs And Mirrors =-.
Hi Freddie, thanks for you comments on this. I think we all should have a dream inside of us, the dream might be to live a normal life, as lo9ng as there is a dream there is magic.
Steven, great post! There was a time, a very long time ago when the magic of life was all around the human race. We believed in the magic of possibilities to have and do the things we wanted. Then science replaced magic, not that science is bad but we began to believe in only our three dimensions.
Now the magic is coming back into our lives through quantum physics and the wondrous creation and co-creation towards all the possibilities of living a full life.
It is truly an incredible time to be alive. Look past the main stream media influence and you will see much more good than bad in the world.
Your generation and the one after you will bring back the magic of living the possibilities that life has for each and everyone of us. It will be exciting to say the least, not without some changes and growing pains along the way, but still exciting to be a part of.
Great blog, thanks to you and your contribution to life, more will be able to live their magic. Don
.-= Don Weyant´s last blog ..Join Us (Front Page 4) =-.
Hi Don, thanks for you comments here. I think there is a marriage between science and magic, so they go hand in hand and compliment each other.
It really is a magical time to be alive and I am so glad we are part of it. Thanks again.
Well written, most powerful.
Truly reminds me of my favourite anime Samurai X. The character is originally willing to throw away his life for others but latter on comes to realise that he is filled with greater strength when endevours to live on for others no matter the situation.
Truly how we set up our own standards and values is critical in determining how we go about living our lives.
Hi Jarrod. Thanks for your comments, I haven’t seen Samurai X but it sounds interesting and aligns with what we are speaking about here. Live magically
Thanks Steven for this very nice article. I really enjoyed it. Your post reminded me how many people giveup too fast if they face obstacles in their lives. Life is about doing everything we can to achieve our desires and goals. We all have the magic inside us, we just have to believe in it.
.-= Dia´s last blog ..What should I do with my life? =-.
Hi Dia. Belief is the major stumbling block, if we can help others believe, we can create magic.
Steven,
This is a a very inspirational post. It just goes to show that fear may hold some back, but if their inner feelings are stronger. They should be able to overcome it.
Like you said we all have magic inside of us.
.-= Karen Smith´s last blog ..Molly’s Birthday =-.
Hi Karen. Thanks for your comments. I think a lot of people, in the face of adversity, would rise to the challenge and it’s about finding that magic before we need to face adversity to see it.
Hi,
Nice story Steven.. This article should be read by pessimist people!! We can do everything if we believe that we CAN..
.-= Ben Tien´s last blog ..How to Protect Yourself from Street Hypnosis =-.
Hi Ben. Thanks for you comments, I appreciate them.
Great post and very inspirational Steve. I couldn’t agree more that we need to be in search of our passion and our true desires if we haven’t discovered what they are yet. I have always thought that you need to either be finding your purpose or living it. Living in alignment with your passion is how we were meant to live. It is how we perform at our best and will lead to the most fulfillment. Thank you for the sharing this motivating post. I really enjoyed it.
Hi Sibyl. I had to come up with a good post to follow yours
I like the ‘finding your purpose or living it’ and I am so glad you enjoyed reading this.
I personally haven’t recognized that magic in my life, but I’m hopeful that it’ll be found someday. Like most of us, I need to just be patient and live and enjoy my days
.-= Julius´s last blog ..The Challenges of Deaf Blind Internet Users =-.
Hi Julius. I( think it’s a case of going out to look for it rather than waiting on it finding you. I wish you all the magic in the world.
Hi Steven. I agree with you. I also think it’s normal for us to want to go out and find it, and also to have days wherein we choose to lay back and hope for it. In any case, it’ll come to us, most probably if we put more effort to finding it.
.-= Julius´s last blog ..Web Accessibility Benefits Persons with Disabilities and … Who Else? =-.
Thank you Steven for such a wonderful article. It’s very inspiring and true! We really need to find this magic inside of us in order, as you’ve said, to experience life to it’s fullest. Very nice words! Thanks for them (very actual for me)!
.-= Roman Soluk´s last blog ..Useful things to do during a summertime =-.
Hi Roman. Thanks for your kind words I really appreciate them.
What an amazing post, Steven. Most of the time our first instinct is to take the easy way, the path of least resistance. To grow and thrive we have to constantly leave our comfort zone and learn new ways of being. I will definitelty be sharing this one with my network.
Hi Priya. Thank you so much for your comments. The path of least resistance is not always the best way to find your magic, but knowing about it can help. Thanks again Priya.
What a wonderful goal, to find and then share our magic. And while we’re searching for our inner magic, if we need inspiration, we need only remember that there’s magic all around.
.-= Claire – Gratitude Connection´s last blog ..Today I’m grateful for… =-.
Hi Claire. There is magic all around us, but to be able to see it you need to have magic in you and you obviously have that
I like this post, I’m a sucker for a story. Have YOU found your magic Steven?
I have found it Rosie and am trying my best to share it
How about you?
I find it…I lose it…I find it …I lose it. But I have never lost sight of it. I hope you never lose it, you come across as a man with a good spirit worth sharing.
Very nice post Steven. A great feel-good post to start my day today. Thanks!
.-= Colleen´s last blog ..Utter Disappointment And The Classiest Acts That Followed, Armando Galarraga, Detroit Tigers, Jim Joyce =-.
Hi Colleen, glad this has brightened up your day
Thank you Steven for this amazing post. You made my day
Take care.
Zeina
Hi Zeina, thanks for your kind words. Hope you had a great day.
Hi Steven,
What an inspiring post! It just goes to show you that with the right motivation, we can always find a way. The bear had a strongest enough ‘why’ to survive and used her inner strength to fend off the lions. We all have inner strength and it’s out job to find out the ‘why’.
Thanks,
Karen
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Five Ways To Add Connection To Your Life =-.
Hi Karen. I think it’s the ‘Why’ that will lead us to the magic, find that and you’re set for life. Thanks for your comments, always appreciated.
Hi Steven,
Great story! Also, I think your message is more important these days than any other. For all of those affected by the downturn in the economy and lost their jobs, this presents a fantastic opportunity for soul searching and going on a vision quest to find that inner magic. Sure it might not seem like the best time to do this…after all there are bills that have to be paid. But if for a few moments a day a person could mediate and contemplate on a meaningful life…they will get the answer and they will have tapped into their inner magic.
Thanks for great story again and tremendous advice!
Hi Gregg, thanks for your comments. The downturn in the economy is caused by newspapers, there is no less money in the world today than there was yesterday. the way the news goes on you’d think there was a little man going around stealing everyone’s money and burning it all up. (sorry for the rant, I honestly don’t believe the hype of the economic downturn:) ).
I think meditation and visualisation are great tools to help us in our quest to better ourselves.
Hi Steven,
Thank you so much for sharing this magical story. I’m pretty sure I’m going to go into work today with a smile =)
I feel so blessed to have found the magic the keeps me excited every day, circus. It pushes me past my comfort zone, but in the best possible of ways. Plus it’s the circus!
Take care,
Ben
Hi Ben, you’re a member of a circus?
So true Steven. I’m convinced that the greatest need within the human experience is finding meaning and purpose, which will lead, as you suggest, to a life of passion. It’s certainly doable, but unfortunately it’s easy to get caught up in the mundane work-a-day world and miss the big picture. Thanks for the story. I’ll retell it I’m sure.
Hi Paul. I agree with that and agree that it is do-able, it’s a matter of keep on pushing yourself and never giving up.
I have found that it is easy to fight when you have something worth fighting for. The challenge is to find the “magic” that will be sustaining not just a short burst. The bear in this story wanted to provide for her family and watch them grow not just bring them one meal and go give up. Find the “magic” that will last forever.
Great post Steve.
.-= Frank´s last blog ..When The Smoke Clears =-.
Hi Frank, that certainly is the challenge and it’s what I am challenging readers every day to do: Find your magic.
I’ve got the magic in me! Love this post! I think it’s very easy in our society to get caught up in the get rich quick syndrome. It’s hard work, daily…but when you use your magic it seems tireless. Thanks for keeping it real!
You definitely do have the magic Tess
Life is hard work because we have come to expect it to be this way, the real challenge is seeing life from the perspective of living magically
Steven, great story. I really love it when a blogger illustrates a concept with a story. I could picture the event unfolding, and could see the power within.
.-= Eric | Eden Journal´s last blog ..Smile, It’s Contagious – Glow, It’s Infectious =-.
Hi Eric, thanks for your kind words. It seems when I write stories like these I get a bigger response, which tells me a lot.
yes we are magicians, that’s a very inspiring post steven, thanks
.-= Farouk´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at =-.
Thanks Farouk, we are all magicians it’s just some of us haven’t read the instructions to make the magic wand work
Avesome stroy and cool picture for it. This post illustrates us the magic of that moment.
.-= Jane´s last blog ..Dealing with back pain during pregnancy =-.
Hi Jane, I loved the picture too and thought it summed up what I was trying to say. Thanks for your comments
Steve, if only I could share a thought I had with you that I had recently that highlights your message perfectly. Maybe I’ll send you a private message and share it with you but I know exactly where you’re coming from and I can say with my whole heart you are so right!
.-= Amit Sodha – The Power Of Choice´s last blog ..Spirituality IS NOT A Separate Area Of Life =-.
Hi Amit, honestly I would love to hear that story, send it over.
Great post Steve,
I also believe we are all magic, we just need to know we can do it and not give up on our dreams and what we want.
I also totally agree with your response to Gregg, it seems the media keeps telling us we have no control and can’t do things and that life sucks, yet there are so many that manage to keep moving forward and ‘just doing it’. Those are the ones that believe they are magic.
.-= Tamara Hawk´s last blog ..A Note from the Universe =-.
Hi Tamara. If you believe that life is magical then it is, if you believe that life is not magical then it isn’t (adapted from a Henry Ford quote
)
It’s all about our beliefs about ourselves and the world around us. We are all magical and I believe that.
I think a sad reality is that people don’t realize that they are worth fighting for themselves. Your story speaks of a motivation that many of us can relate to – striving for our children – but I think there is a much more important person to strive for. Ourselves! I appreciate that you ended by highlighting the magic each person has in them — let’s hope people reading this can come to believe that think they are important enough to go looking for it. Thanks for the story.
.-= HappinessandWisdom´s last blog ..News About Happiness. Happiness May Come With Age, According to Study =-.
Hi Heather or Michael
You are so right we should be fighting for ourselves every day and I am glad that you noticed that it was about the magic in all of us. Thanks for you comments, I appreciate it.
Hi Steven,
What a great illustration — going from fear to having enough reasons to Be, Do, and Have what we most desire. It’s refreshing to have a strong visual to drive a point home.
Hi Kim, thanks for your comments on this.
Very inspiring story, Steve! What’s the magic inside each one of us? I think that magic is one’s underlying value(s). It’s important to know what experiences do we want to get out of something. This helps us focus on what we DO have, instead of focusing on the negative things. This allows us to push beyond our limits to be able to move towards our goal.
.-= JM @ Calgary Psychology´s last blog ..In a lived life, life lives =-.
Hi JM. When we know and develop our values, I believe we can live magically, but we can also find our values by living magically.
Hi Steven,
That was a very vivid story that illustrated your point precisely. Our mind is the facility that can lock us up and have us reacting helplessly, or set us free to experience our life victoriously. The bear in the story looked deep within and unlocked his unlimited potential… something we all have the power to do. Nothing can stop the power of a made up mind.
That’s exactly it Rob: the bear’s mind was set and focussed on the cubs and nothing was going to get in her way. That’s what happens when we have a goal, a dream, a plan: we are focussed, determined and that’s when the magic builds up.
Steven -
A very inspiring story – I know that there is magic in all of us. I think that when we connect to that authentic self anything is possible.
Phil
p.s. I’m guessing this story took place in Scotland – plenty of bears and mountain lions up there!
.-= Phil – Less Ordinary Living´s last blog ..The Power of Promises – How to Never Let Yourself Down Again =-.
Hi Phil, thanks for your comments on this.
No bears or mountain lions in Scotland, I had a picture of Canada when I wrote this
Beautiful story Steven. And a great analogy to make a powerful point. I agree, this perspective can change our life.
I really believe life happens from the inside out and I think that’s what you’re pointing out. It’s all the perspective we choose to take, where we place our focus.
Being in middle age I see so many people who are “deadened” to life. I just keep getting more and more excited by life. People lose their belief in life and love. But, we don’t have to.
I’m with you, I hear you, claim the magic! We get to live this one life in this body. It is a remarkable opportunity to be here and forge our own unique path.
I know you get it.
Thanks Steven.
Lauren
Lauren, I know you get this as well and I so agree with you that age does not play a part at all in living magically. We are here for a reason, find the reason and start sharing it.
Steven, I love the power of stories and metaphor. The beauty of the magic in this story was that it was directed toward something and someone beyond herself. It’s about ourselves, yes, but it’s about giving of ourselves in service to others. I’m so grateful you found your magic: what a long way you’ve come since that day you were wondering whether to give in to the lions (I’m referring to the post you shared with us about the time you almost gave up on life). I hope that myself and so many others will read this article and take the life, the courage, the magic, and the hope to go out there into the fray and bring forth life.
.-= Steve-Prospering With Aspergers´s last blog ..How To Be Ineffective Parenting Children With Aspergers =-.
Hi Steve, thanks so much for your comments and linking the story to my own life. I think we all have that story in us and it’s really important to recognise it.
I believe you have the magic in you Steve, how are you using it?
First, I apologize for my lengthy absence. We have just moved from Texas to Ohio and I just received internet connectivity in our new home.
Anyway, what a beautiful story. We do indeed have the power to change our realities.
Chris
.-= Chris Akins´s last blog ..Dealing with difficult situations (and people)… =-.
Hi Chris, hope the move went well and you are settling in okay?
Good to have you back and thanks for your comments on this, I appreciate it.
A very motivational read. Thank you.
Thanks for your comments Chris, I appreciate it.
What a great story – I have heard though that in fear, a certain emotion strikes and we can be stronger and run faster and scream louder. Is it true? Nonetheless, visualizing images of what is important and dear to us can probably instill that same emotion. Great story! Thank you! (I did not know lions hurt bears either!!!)
Hi Farnoosh. It definitely is true, it’s all to do with physiology and the shutting down of our less important bodily functions and more blood flowing to the major muscle groups and of course adrenalin pumping through the body as well; fight or flight.
Thanks for your comments, always appreciated.
What an article Steven. Short and incredibly impactful. You had the hairs standing up on the back of my neck (not much unlike that bear I presume…). The power of the human spirit is unreal. Once it gets fired up, there is little that can extinguish it. I had a similar experience when I was at a Tony Robbins Unleash the Power Within event a few years back and he had the crowd going crazy at which point he yelled “Don’t ever settle for less than you deserve. This is your life. Be magnificent” (or something like that). It set me off. Tony no doubt has that fire inside of him and I believe a lot of your readers do too (and everyone is capable of it). Thank you for reminding us in such a creative way!
To making life magnificent,
Scott
.-= Scott Dinsmore´s last blog ..The Beginner’s Guide to Being Congruent =-.
Hi Scott, good to see you here and I am so glad you liked the story.
I would imagine a Tony Robbins event could inspire anybody
This is a fantastic story. I’ve been that bear plenty of times. Just when I felt like giving up, I remembered that I have reasons to let that magic shine through. That fight is within us all. It’s just a matter of recognizing and utilizing it.
.-= Nea | Self Improvement Saga´s last blog ..Life’s Struggles: Who Would You be Without Them? =-.
Hi Nea, I am so glad you have fought on and sharing your stories.
great article. Each one of us has a magic inside of him. let us make use of it. thanks a lot
.-= hesbon kerongo´s last blog ..Jun 29- Successful life guide =-.
Steven, your story and this blog really resonated with me. As a guy who used to be filled with confidence and hope, I have for the last year lost the feeling of having magic in my life, and am at the point where I don’t know if I was actually fooling myself all those years, or if I can ever get it back.
I hate that I feel this weakness-I used to pride myself on being a rock, being mentally strong.
Anyway, I will work on getting it back, if it was ever there to begin with!
BSV
Hello Steven, thank so much for ths you made me realised that I have the magic in me. Yah…its the spark, or the magic and the inner feelings of yearning on something that you finally want in life that could make you happy and motivated.. And if you take regard on this, you will surely succeed in whatever endeavor because you the inner drive and the magic that would propel you achieve your dreams.
Well said… Each one having their own magic…
Very Inspirational..
Very inspiring story. Sometimes life can be tough but the fight is always worth it.
Joseph Condron recently posted..Harry Houdini- The First Celebrity
Steven, it is a wonderful story. How amazing is the mind !
A lot of times, situations present themselves disguised as introspective opportunities where the dormant forces lying within us come out in open just like the storm in the sea that throws out valuable elements suppressed beneath.
The reaction time available then is only as much as it is between one breath to another and the thoughts explode at the speed of the lightening, one after another searching for a solution.