You Can Create Magic Moments Every Day
The power of small actions to create life-changing moments.
“If you pay close attention to each day, you will discover the magic moment.”
—Paul Coehlo
It was my first time around the campfire at Delaware 4-H State Camp. As dusk settled in the camp director called forth a camper who had been named “Spirit of the Camp” the previous year. He handed her the box of ashes that she had gathered from the closing campfire at the end of last year’s camp, and instructed her to sprinkle them on the campfire to re-ignite the spirit of the camp.
I sat mesmerized as she walked around the fire carefully sprinkling the ashes, and we sat in silence waiting for what would come next. As she walked away and returned the ash box to the camp director, smoke began to rise, and the fire slowly came to life.
It was a life-changing-magical-moment for me. Because it was the first time I felt like I really belonged some place. A safe place where I could show up as me…not as “the fat kid” or “the cop’s kid”…I was free to just be me.
As the fire came to life, the camp director shared the history of the camp, and it became clear I was now a part of something bigger than me. Something I was now responsible for protecting and defending. It was a magical moment that changed my life (though at the time I had no idea just how much).
The short version of the story is I attended the camp for a few years, served as a counselor for a few more years, and ultimately had the privilege of returning to lead the camp for a decade.
It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Last Sunday I returned to the camp to work with the staff who will lead the 75th annual camp this year. One of my former campers and staff members is now the camp director (the third one to do so), and he invited me to spend time with the team to prepare them for success.
On the drive down I was struck by just how many magical moments in my life were connected to my experiences as a camper, counselor, and camp director. I became convinced none of those moments occurred by accident. They were spontaneous and unexpected when they occurred, and there was a lot of intentionality and commitment behind them.
In my time with this year’s staff, I encouraged them to create magical moments for the campers this year. To be present in the moments, and to trust themselves to take the right action based on what they were observing. To recognize the power of a kind word, an acknowledgement, or a moment of listening to create lasting impact for the campers.
You see, the reality is those who attend that camp and then step up to be counselors often do so because they experienced a life-changing-magical-moment as a camper. A moment created by someone who was observant and offered a camper some encouragement, acknowledgement, or recognition. Someone who made them feel seen and helped them know they mattered.
I deeply believe that is why we are all here—to be ready to impact someone else in a moment when they need to know they matter, that they are not alone, and that they belong to something bigger than they imagine.
Those moments define our backstories. They make us who we are. They prepare us to create magic moments for others when we step up, show up, and speak up in service to them. That is what my five decade long connection to Delaware 4-H State Camp has revealed to me, and it is what I challenged this year’s counselors to do.
It is also what I challenge you to do. You’ve earned lessons that matter on your life’s journey and they have equipped you to impact others. Isn’t it time to begin sharing them?
Today’s Action Questions
When did you experience a life-changing-magical-moment?
What did it mean to you and what might it mean to others?
How did it change you, shape you, and turn you into the person you are today?
How can you use your experience to create magic moments every day?
P.S. If you’re finding value in these posts, please take a moment to share them with someone you know who needs to be inspired to think differently and become the person they are capable of becoming. You might help them take the most important step — the first one.