Magic

Do you believe in magic? I do. I believe that there are forces in the universe we cannot reliably observe with the tools we, as a species, currently have.

For example, if you were to try and explain the presence of red and green to a dog, they wouldn’t get it. They can’t see it. They lack the biological mechanism to distinguish between those two colors. But we, as humans, know there is a difference: it’s measurable. They are a function of different wavelengths in the visible light spectrum. They are so differentiated, in fact, that the red-green combination is arguably one of the post powerful color frameworks in our society. Any driver could tell you that.

So why is it so hard to believe that we, too, have energetical blind spots?

Some have told me that my belief in magic feels like a juxtaposition to my identity as a scientist. To me, it feels like a natural byproduct. It is an essential skill of the scientist to recognize gaps in their knowledge and leave space for possibility.

…then again, there’s a big difference between “I believe magic could exist” and “I believe magic does exist.” I suspect that’s where the scientist in me ends, and the creative in me begins. I’ve simply had too many experiences to leave room for doubt.

It feels vulnerable to talk about — less because it feels silly, I think, and more because my belief in magic is central to my understanding of the world. To me, it’s a great source of joy, optimism, and a sense of belonging. It keeps me connected to humanity, to the world, and (perhaps most of all) to my younger self. Once upon a time, there was a little girl who looked out into the world and believed in its possibilities. It wasn’t silly or naive — it was brave. And I want to be brave, too.

It’s unsettling to reveal my hand in that way, I suppose.

But the older I get, the more I find my inner self showing through, like paint chipping away to reveal the layers beneath. No matter how many times it’s been painted over, what is within remains. And, with that age, I’ve learned to surround myself with people who value that sense of wonder in me. It makes me feel less afraid.

So, yes. I believe in magic. I believe in the threads that tether two souls together, and I believe that energy manifests in more than the forms we all learn in our textbooks.

You don’t have to agree with me. But if you do, I’d love to hear more about it. You don’t have to hide your colorful layers with me.