When I was in middle school, I kept a special piece of string. I don’t remember the exact material, but my guess is embroidery floss, as this was deep in the days of hair wraps and friendship bracelets (bring back the smell of burnt hair, anyone? Just me?). Every time something good happened, I would tie a knot onto the string. If I needed to remind myself that life was good, I would literally count my blessings.

I don’t know where that string is now. It’s probably up in the attic, sharing a box with a book of silly poems I wrote in seventh grade, and my movie stub collection featuring Free Willy, Jurassic Park, My Girl 2, and other forgotten films.

While the only knots I make these days are for Scouts or macrame, I still make it a habit to memorialize my magic moments, and to write down the things that bring me joy.

What are magic moments, you ask?

Magic moments go beyond joy.

Magic moments are the unexpected experiences that make your soul light up.

They are treasures stumbled upon accidentally.

It’s listening to an old man sing Ukrainian worship songs while he hands out dog biscuits to all the pups that pass by in the middle of the Dogwood Trail on Powell Butte.

An impromptu twirly dance with the clouds after watching them gracefully float across the sky.

Walking through a cathedral of trees with their tall, slender branches arching perfectly, inspiring a hushed reverence.

Magic moments take your breath away.

Just as important are the everyday moments of joy.

Everyday joy is recognizing the normal moments that make your heart sing.

Everyday joy is reveling in the explosion of tangy flavor from a homegrown sungold tomato.

It’s the warm richness of ripening harvest that’s carried on the late summer breeze.

Lazily floating down a cool river on a hot summer day.

The sound of a thousand dancing leaves.

Everyday joy is like getting a cozy hug from the universe.

Then there are the random acts of magic, those moments where you take magic in both hands and MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Like putting googly eyes on random objects in public places.

Sharing your snarky sarcastic stickers with your favorite coworkers.

Drawing faces on the two acorns you collected from a walk with a friend, then creating an elaborate and romantic backstory for them.

Leaving a few of the business cards you made for your Steampunk themed birthday party eleven years ago, at every community bulletin board that crosses your path, just to see if they’ll be noticed.

It’s making an inedible but totally amazing looking hobbit gingerbread house.

It’s being heartbroken at the thought of destroying an inedible but totally amazing looking hobbit gingerbread house, so you borrow one of your son’s dragons and stage a photoshoot where Smaug lands on the top of it and unleashes his destructive fury.

Random acts of magic are exciting and energetic.

Whether it’s a magic moment, everyday joy, or a random act of magic, the important thing is to honor it and remember it.

Tie a knot in a piece of string and keep it somewhere special.

Keep a Joy Journal and spend a few minutes every evening writing down at least three things that brought you joy.

Let your friends share your joy by posting it on social media.

The next time you encounter a moment of joy, I challenge you to post about it and use the hashtags #ThisMagicMoment #EverydayJoy and #RandomActsOfMagic. Let’s fill social media with joy!