Do You Believe In Magic?

Before we begin in earnest, let's review two events from the past week:

1. As you will recall, on Sunday, December 12, TJOW published a column focused on the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) policy. It was the first time we had written about this unconstitutional, discriminatory approach to squelching free speech and individual freedom in the military workplace, a policy that cost a reported 13,500 people their job.

2. A mere seven days later, on Saturday, December 18, in a 63 to 33 vote, the Senate repealed DADT. After 17 years, the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military will end.

We post on December 12 and the Senate takes historic action on December 18. Coincidence? You be the judge.

Calls to leading senators of both parties to confirm the connection between our blog and their vote have not yet to be returned.

Of course we still await the President's response to TJOW's two compelling proposals, each designed to put at least 5 million unemployed back to work (Dear Mr. President, August 8; Dear Mr. President, Part II, August 29). Mr. President, please get with the program. We're talking two worthy plans here. And, Dude, don't look now but you could use a significant boost in the polls, having alienated just about everyone who voted for you with the extension of the Bush tax cuts. So take a look at our proposals and get in touch. We're talking jobs, Mr. President. Time's a wastin'.

Speaking of magic, it seems that there's simply too little of it to go around these days. That bounce in the step, sparkle in the eye, confidence in the voice that motivates, strengthens and emboldens us to act with determination. That mojo that raises valleys, lowers mountain tops, that makes even the most audacious goals seem somehow possible, attainable. That energy that quells doubts, calms nerves, that inspires us to dream of what can be. The spirit of hope.

Yes, that magic.

So, we ask: What happened to it? Where's it gone?

And we answer: Nothing. It hasn't gone anywhere. It's still here. We're just not using it as often as we should.

Why we're not using it is easy to explain. The magic of which we speak is dampened by uncertainty and fear. The uncertainty that accompanies a poor economy. The fear that is the product of depressed corporate earnings, little or no revenue growth, on-going reorganizations, job eliminations. High unemployment. Budget crises in cities and states. Lowered giving to non-profits. The talk that the economy is yet to turn upward. The prognostications that growth will continue at a snail's pace. That we'll be in this for years.

Indeed, it's hard to be up-beat, optimistic in the face of the doom and gloom that we've been hammered with the last few years. How not to be affected by the onslaught of negativity? And let's not overlook the power of the season, as short, dark, cold days don't help. They, too, tend to undermine our ability to feel that warm glow of hope.

So, it's easy to explain the loss of the magic. A more important question, though, is this: How to get it back?

We fervently suggest the following:

1. Believe! The magic exists! Feel it, touch it, smell it (to steal a good line from The Producers). It's right where you left it, ready for use.

2. Start small. Let yourself feel a bit of optimism about something, anything. That this week will be better than the last. That a good thing will happen. That 2011 will be better than 2010. That there's reason to hope.

3. Build. Small gains beget larger gains. Allow the simple act of feeling optimistic warm your soul. Look carefully about you and you'll see that there is reason to be positive, to be confident. A child's smile might do it. A good laugh. A favorite song. The belief that life can be good.

4. Expand. As your confidence returns and the magic again flows, find a cause, a purpose. (What, you thought this was only about you? Don't be silly! You're not alone in this. The magic is wasted unless you use it for a greater good.) Have a favorite charity, an organization that needs your help? Yes? Cool. Get more involved. No? Find one before the week is out, make the call, and seek a specific way to help it. (Need help? I've got a list of dozens of wonderful organizations that would love your involvement.)

5. Share. Magic is more powerful when it can be shared. Amazing but true, our magic produces more when we help others feel it. There's nothing quite like bolstering someone's sense of optimism. Try it this week. It is, after all, the season of giving.

6. Maintain. Magic takes work. You've got to fight for it. Once you have it back, you've got to use it -- or lose it. Using it daily is easier than losing it and starting over again. Find reasons to be optimistic and use that magic to invigorate others. Together, we can recharge the souls -- the mojo -- of thousands.

Find the magic. Rekindle optimism. Help ourselves by helping others. Let's get a running start on 2011. We need it to be a very good year.

Happy birthday, Mom! And, of course, Merry Christmas! See you next week with predictions for 2011.