It's been quite the year – quite magical in some ways.

Seems to me that when I was much younger “magical moments” had to do with special events … a birthday, a trip to the circus, Christmas…a moonlight “serenade”! Yet here I am talking about a whole year being “magical”.

So. What's made it so special – “magical” in fact? And more to the point, how do I keep it this way!

Well, I guess there've been all “the usual things”. Good health, good fortune, the care and concern of loved ones and good friends - a paying job. You know, all those things we tend to rhyme off without another thought …until they're not there, that is, and we bemoan our previous ignorance (or is it arrogance?) and promise never, ever again to take anything for granted! Yes, these things been quite special this year.

But “magical”? What's contributed to that…?

Well, first and foremost, I've come to appreciate that “happiness” is not something that happens to me…but rather, something I can make happen.

And that's where the contradiction begins.

“Making it happen” with all it's implied intent, focus and action has, in actuality, meant the absolute opposite. It's required me to “let go”...

• to let go of desired outcomes - and to trust in the process, allowing things to flow;
• to let go of expectations - and be pleasantly surprised by the simplest of pleasures;
• to let go of the familiar - whether preconceived ideas, regular activities or well entrenched habits;
• to let go of the past - even the future – and “simply” make the most of the now; and
• to let go of the good things, so that better may come.

And better will come.

No, that's not an expectation. It's knowing from experience that just when you think you've seen it all, felt it all, had it all…as if by magic, something or someone appears on the horizon to…. What, did I hear you say ”prove you wrong“? Hardly! Those are “glass half empty” sentiments! With perspectives to consider, choices to make, actions to take we can “make it happen”…make it special - even magical!