Magic the Gathering
Stationed in front of the Christmas tree with my laptop, the background noise in my home should be brass band holiday carols. Instead it’s the aggressive rumblings of the dishwasher. But if I listen with a little more attention I can also hear the faint wittering of my husband and son. They are upstairs discussing in great detail the changes they are going to make to their video game avatars. In light of Frankie’s current obsession with dragons Clifford figures now is a good time for them to play an old game of his together. No, this is not becoming a gaming newsletter (though I have written about various educational benefits from game play here and here). But I will say that the magic of their co-play has been a balm to me this week—and it’s only Tuesday. Hearing them get excited about impossible characters and magical storytelling is a soundtrack I want to keep on repeat as it plays in such contrast to the jarring sounds of real life these days.
I am grateful that they are building magical worlds even as the internet is making sure that I know about horrific real life events happening mere minutes after they have occurred. In this city and beyond. But I’m not going to link to those events here because you’ve no doubt read about them like I have. Or you’ve watched a video.
Instead I want to make good on my link-making promise and share with you some of the counter-cultural moments of magic that I have come across of late. These moments give me hope for a different sort of living and learning. Magic the Gathering is the name of a card game that I might one day try. In the meantime, making a metaphor of its name, let’s magic a Good Enough gathering this season. A meeting of the minds in this space and beyond where we try to build worlds together for good. Start with me here by:
Reading this article that looks at life lessons for adults that are shared in children’s stories;
Watching this video about the downright fantastical work scientists are doing to preserve coral reefs;
Looking at this art piece that emerged from a damaged tree. In its new form it remains ever reaching to the sky.
If you have some inspiring or magical links to share please do in the comments. We need each other to keep learning and striving. Sending love to you in what I hope is a magical season. Don’t forget to check out the Reframeables podcast over the holidays during (what I hope is!) some time outside your normal busy schedule.