A couple years ago while surfing the web, I came across a light festival that was held in the desert somewhere on the West Coast. The images contained a night sky being illuminated by thousands of paper lanterns. That image stuck with me and has been on the top of my bucket list ever since. I truly believed the only way I would check that item off would be with a carefully timed trip out west. Being that the furthest west I’ve traveled in my 38 years has been Kentucky, I didn’t foresee this happening anytime soon.
One day, while scrolling through my Facebook feed, a post popped up showing that a friend was interested in attending a Lights Festival in Pennsylvania. I was so excited! But, at the same time I was a little worried because I didn’t want my high expectations to ruin the event. After all, I wasn’t sure how many people would actually attend, and if there weren’t “thousands of people”, could it still be as magical as the photos showed?
After two months of waiting the day finally arrived. It was a chilly November day with temps in the mid to low 50’s. The sky was blue and there was little wind. The car was loaded up with chairs, markers, extra layers of clothes, charged phones and a backup battery so as far I was concerned? We were a go.
We were among the first to arrive to the venue. Plantation Fields, located in Kennet Square, was the perfect spot! A line of trees in their autumn splendor served as a backdrop to rolling green fields. We claimed our spot by one of the many tiki torches, then got in line to pick up our lanterns. After making a stop at the food trucks, and enjoying each others company and scenery – it was time to decorate our lanterns. I filled my lantern with good intentions, wishes, dreams and desires. The only thing left to do, was enjoy the sunset and wait for the darkness to quickly fall upon us.
Before we knew it, someone was on stage giving us directions and a few moments later the first lanterns began their slow ascent into the night. Within seconds, hundreds more journeyed on the breeze and lit up the sky. The music and lyrics of Hallelujah traveled through the air and barreled into my heart like a freight train. The impact left me speechless. The many emotions that filled my heart spilled out of my eyes. All I could do was hold my heart and stare into the heavens.
As the first lanterns and I drifted back down to Earth, I watched my husband and sister take turns lighting their lanterns and sending their dreams into the night.
Next it was my turn. I handed my phone to my sister, and with my husband’s help we carefully held the paper light over the tiki torch.
Once the fuel cell ignited, I watched my scribbled intentions swell on the paper and as they did, so did my heart. I sent my wishes out into the Universe, and knew that the only word that could ever describe that moment -and evening- would be: magic. I now understand firsthand where the saying “magic in the making” comes from.
If you ever have the opportunity to attend one of these events. DO. We can all use more magic in our lives. On my Facebook page, I often share memes about creating your own happiness and making your own magic. Reflecting back on last night, I realized that this is a perfect example of that. Even though last night’s magic came from thousands of people uniting, if I let that event in my news feed scroll on by – that magic would have still been there, but I would have missed out on being a part of it.
How many times do we chose to not partake in something for one reason or another? It could be something as large as an event with thousands of people that you miss because you don’t want to deal with the crowds, or something as intimate as lunch with a friend because you have 50 other things on your to-do list. Maybe you are afraid to go to that new yoga class because you don’t know anyone – or you’re too self-conscious. And how many times have you delayed picking up a new hobby, writing that memoir or simply put off taking 10 minutes out of your day for yourself? Who knows what excitement could be waiting in that crowd, what inspiration lays in that yoga class, what new talent you could discover in that hobby? It’s magic. All of it. Part of being in the present is actually BEING. IN. THE. PRESENT. Making the most of every moment, embracing life and taking every opportunity that you can to create your own magic.
Stay present. Stay magical. StayWonderfull. 💖
