Hello Welcome 🙂 This edition of the “Gifts from Younger Me” newsletter contains Pages 13-21 of “What if Magic Is Real?”, a fully handwritten book completed in the span of 2 months (January 26th 2024 – March 24th 2024). If this is the first edition you’re catching, I recommend backtracking to get a better sense of what’s going on. View previous editions HERE.
January 28th 2024…
J: Wow. Something amazing happened. I lived part of today as a writer, as a storyteller, among other people who know and believe in the magic of words. I’ll tell you how.
[Turn page]
J: I texted Ana Maria López Expósito, the published author who I stayed with for a week when I first came to Madrid back in September- before I found more permanent housing. She said I was invited to poetry gatherings on Monday nights but I didn’t reach out to ask to join until this week. She messaged me back saying there is a special event Sunday (today), that I’m invited, and for me to bring a short poem to read. So after spending a moment at a tango practica I made my way over to a cafe called El Rincon Del Arte Nuevo on Calle Segovia 17. Translation: The New Art Corner on 17 Segovia Street.
It was a gathering of poets. There were 25 or so people: one played the guitar, two or three were singers, and just about everyone else was a published author who had their book with them. The lighting was dim red with some blue highlights. There were red velvet seats and marble tables with plates of cookies on them. The floor was checkered in black and white. And in the back right corner was a small red stage big enough to fit two people: Ana Maria and Manuel who, it appears were the hosts.
I was prepared. Nice black pants, a fancy black shift, and my own poetry book in hand. I was among the writers and they welcomed me as one of their own. Ana introduced me to the crowd saying I was a star, a light, and then gave me the microphone to read a poem. I chose “Above & Below”
[Turn page]
I wish fish could fly with birds
And birds could swim with fish.
Air
Water
Wings
Fins
Flying and swimming are different
parts of one mix.
What if surface was nothing
But a mirror of worlds?
Could the sky be the ocean?
And space be the soul?
I’d like it to be
and that’s why I wish
for fish to swim with birds
and birds to fly with fish.
* From Growing Wings: A Story in Poems
I read the poem in English, translated it into Spanish and everyone loved it. One man played a guitar in the background and when I heard it, I felt my voice change. I dropped into the moment. I read my poem like a true author, with depth, with pauses, with expression- the way you read when you feel the words you are reading. Everyone clapped for me. Internally, I clapped for me.
It’s been so long since I’ve felt the words I’ve written. It was amazing. I was within the swirling energies and I felt the sparkle, the call, the inspiration to write again. To feel, to create, to live life like the adventure it is. People at the event were all sharing deep, meaningful words. One person said they felt love was flying in the air. There was no doubt in my mind that it was. And I was in it.
[Turn page]
At the beginning of the event Ana Maria gave out pieces of paper with quotes on them. I thought everyone got the same one to set the mood. But no, I learned at the end that they were all different. The one I got was: “Debemos creer en el poder y la fuerza de nuestras palabras. Nuestras palabras pueden cambiar el mundo” – Malala Yousafzai. In English it means “We must believe in the power and strength of our words. Our words can change the world.”
What you’re telling me, what I’ve been writing in this journal for the past 2 days, the message that’s showing up in my physical world, is this: to believe in the power of words, my words.
~ Younger you didn’t even have to share all her memories with you. You’re starting to remember the feeling of magic, the feeling of the flame. It’s done you good simply coming back here where you left the flame for safe keeping.
You don’t have to fight the feeling that life, your life, is a magical story with happenings, experiences, feelings, and adventures fit for a book.
J: You see what I see don’t you? The Youtube video in my recommended list called “[Playlist] life is a book.” 39:46 minutes long. It’s 12:46 my time.
~ Yes, yes I do.
Up Next: January 30th 2024… ~ Good Morning. Come have a seat with us on these cushions in the grass. We don’t always have to be discussing something. We can also sit and look around and breathe and feel the breeze and listen to the birds…
Thanks for tuning in to Gifts From Younger Me. This is your place to land when adulthood feels heavy and your spark feels dim. This newsletter is available on LinkedIn, Substack, and on my website curiouswanderingsouls.com.
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