Magic & Mundane
Key takeaways
Life is predominantly made up of mundane moments that shape us and make up our stories.
Embracing and finding beauty in the unassuming parts of life can lead to a more fulfilling existence.
Magical thinking, often associated with childhood, can enhance cognitive functioning and creativity.
Would you agree that there is magic in the monotony of life ? The truth is, life is 95% mundane. Your life is a collection of all the moments that happen in the middle. Sure, there are adventures and excitement along the way, but it's the unassuming parts that fill in the blank pages of our stories and shape us into who we are.
Just think about your favourite adventure books from childhood, the ones where the hero embarks on a brave quest. Sure, they slayed a dragon, but that was never the full story. In the chapters we didn't get to read, these characters returned home to their very ordinary lives - working, eating, playing, and caring for their families. Perhaps then it's not just the "dragon slaying" that shapes us, but also the moments before and after. Would you agree ?
Consider the seasons - they come and go as expected. Every morning, the sun rises then sets. The facts of this are très boring. But look at the colours in the sky, and you'll see a very different story - that view never gets old, right ?
Or there are the tides. They rush in and out twice a day, two high and two low tides every 24 hours. It's always been the same - quite basic yet again. But have you ever walked on the soft sands of a shoreline freshly swept by saltwater ?
And then there is us - also known as good old humanity. Even we live by the rule of cycles, from inhales and exhales, from life until death.
These moments may seem insignificant, but they are the tiny events that make up our lives, in between the sighs and splendour of our daily rituals. I'm learning to pay attention, to hold these mundane moments close and see them for the gifts they are. Slaying dragons can be fun, sure. But have you ever tried to embrace an unassuming life, lived on purpose ?
Do you believe in magical thinking ? Eugene Subbotsky, PhD, one of the foremost researchers on magical thinking, has written - "The belief in magic is a fundamental feature of the human mind, which is present throughout history, cultures, and the lifespan, and may have important implications for education and communication in the modern world."
"I think it's part of our nature — it's part of who we are as human beings — to not be overly rational all the time," Subbotsky says. He points out that, as the West has become more secular and people have turned away from organised religion, there has been a concurrent rise in "spiritualism" and Eastern practices such as yoga and meditation that often incorporate ideas of connectedness or a guiding power. Magical thinking refers to the idea that you, can influence the outcome of specific events by doing something that has no bearing on the circumstances. It's pretty common in children. Remember holding your breath going through a tunnel ? Magical thinking can persist into adulthood, too. Some of Subbotsky's research on children has even found that watching films with magical content facilitates imaginative and creative thinking. He's also found that magical thinking can enhance other aspects of cognitive functioning, including perception and memory. You've probably come to terms with the fact that monsters don't live under the bed, but you might still check (or do a running jump into bed), just in case. Or maybe you have a lucky outfit you wear when you're hoping things go your way. Athletes showcase bespoke rituals that qualify as magical thinking behaviours while competing (e.g., Naomi Osaka when scoring a point). Generally speaking, there's nothing "wrong" with following magical thinking rituals or superstitions. Sometimes, though, magical thinking can be a sign of a mental health condition (seeking out medical advice is suggested in that case).
Common examples of magical thinking include knocking on wood to prevent misfortune, wearing a lucky item of clothing, making a wish on a dandelion, wishbone, or birthday candles, and skipping the 13th floor or room number in building design. These are all examples of magical thinking. You do these things to cause a specific outcome.
Magical thinking doesn't always focus on making things go well. Walking under a ladder brings misfortune. Breaking a mirror will cause 7 years of bad luck. Bad things come in threes. A black cat crossing your path brings bad luck (plenty of cat owners worldwide would beg to differ).
Another type of magical thinking involves linking specific outcomes to something that can't directly cause them. For example, you shouted at your sister, so she fell down and hit her head. Restarting your phone will make that text you've been waiting for show up. Your old car will finally, finally start if you just beg it hard enough.
In the end, embracing the magic in the mundane is about finding beauty and significance in the ordinary moments of life. It's about cherishing the simple routines and appreciating the small wonders that surround us. So, let's take a moment to savour the everyday enchantments and live our lives with purpose, finding extraordinary meaning in the seemingly ordinary.
