The first time I have ever appeared in the newspapers was when I was in 3rd grade (November, 1992) wearing a wizard's costume I designed myself: in midnight blue but so alive, both the pointed hat and robe, with golden moons and white stars all over-inspired by the heavens up above and the 'celestials,' the elements of the universe I always commune with during nighttime, and well, by Mickey Mouse and Merlin too.
I was one of the winners in a Halloween costume contest and our photos were featured in the local dailies. I could still remember a combined feeling of awkwardness and excitement in seeing a photo of myself wearing something I dreamt into reality published in the papers (eventually, but much later on, I would get used to the idea of coverage).
But overall, more than anything, I was just happy and content that I was finally able to have, in tangible form, the wizard's costume I had conjured in my mind (a vast, nay, infinite field of dreams). This obsession with magic and wizardry and alchemy, over 20 years ago, happened way before Harry Potter became the hit that it now is.
It's wonderful when parents allow their kids to run around in a world all their own, to wave their wands so they may practice and perfect their own brand of magic, giving them just the right amount of space, of freedom, to dream, imagine, and create.
To this very day, I still wear my wizard's hat every chance I get (in both the literal and figurative sense, that is), reliving the fantasy and enchantment of my childhood, channeling inspiration from a time when I had more than my fair share of that mystical potion for limitless possibilities, and to simply let my inner child take over.
And when I do, I swear to you-even in this world so real, so raw, so ruthless-I make magic happen.
(Composed via iPhone)
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Some secrets to success:
Going the extra mile; giving it your best shot; coming a little early; leaving a little late; initiating the conversation; saying what you feel; believing in yourself more; doubting yourself a little; verifying your sources; double-checking facts; considering all angles; knowing what you want; looking after others; hearing a friend out; being there for people; obeying your parents; listening to all opinions; considering all options; dreaming big; working harder; praying for miracles; taking the risk; saying you're sorry; saying 'thank you;' giving without counting the cost; loving with all your heart; living life to the full-although I don't get to do all these all the time, these for me are just some of the secrets to success and a life of few regrets.
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On ambiguous Facebook posts… and our tendency to assume it's about us:
A good rule of thumb for Facebook posts that make you feel alluded to is that each time, one thing is less certain, and another is more certain.
The uncertainty is this: it may or may not refer to you in actuality. Only he who posts knows the truth, the secret behind each cryptic FB status.
The bigger certainty: if you feel alluded to-regardless of whether he who posts was thinking of you in so doing or not-then you are, in varying degrees, guilty as charged.
Wise is he who hath said, “We are who we respond to.â€
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On some of life's timeless truths:
For me…
A tight embrace from family or foe is the greatest dance;
Loving till it hurts, the greatest song;
Giving till nothing's left, the greatest gesture;
Making the most of what we have, the greatest prayer.
And whatever our circumstance may be-life-life will always be our greatest adventure!
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On setbacks that we face:
Setbacks are welcome as they make us stop and think, step back and see the bigger, clearer picture.
Often we proceed with life without caution, with sheer speed and bold determination that we forget that the process of creation starts with imagination.
Stop, inspire yourself, and imagine. And then work to make it happen.
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Twitter: @MykLopez
Email: mikeacebedolopez@gmail.com