What do you find enchanting in your world?
I hadn’t thought about enchantment in a long time until this past weekend. A friend and I took a day trip to northwestern Illinois, exploring Savanna, Galena, and the breathtaking views at Mississippi Palisades State Park before crossing the Mississippi River into Iowa. It was hot and humid, so our hikes were shorter than we had planned, but the adventure was exactly what I needed. I love road trips, discovering places I’ve never been, or revisiting places I love, and following my curiosity. I’m still trying to figure out how to fund a national hug tour where I can drive around the country, meet incredible people, and offer hugs along the way—one day. If you have ideas, let me know. 😉
Before heading home, we decided to find a castle tucked away in Savanna. It took us a little while to find it. Our GPS led us up a steep hill, and there it was, nestled among the trees. If you didn’t know it was there, you could easily drive right past it. It had been there all along.
On that same road was a simple sign that read, “Enchantment Awaits You.” I smiled and thought, Yes. That’s how I want to live.
Maybe enchantment is like that castle. It doesn’t always announce itself. Sometimes it’s there all along, but life’s distractions, disappointments, responsibilities, or even our own worries make it difficult to see. That doesn’t mean it disappeared. It may simply be waiting for us to notice it from a different perspective. Sometimes it’s quietly tucked between the ordinary moments of life. If we’re only looking straight ahead, we might miss it completely. But when we become curious, take a different route, or slow down enough to notice, we often discover it was there all along.
I’m not suggesting we pretend challenges don’t exist. They do. I’m simply inviting you to leave room for wonder alongside them. A beautiful conversation. A breathtaking sunset. An unexpected opportunity. A quiet moment of peace. A day trip. Enchantment doesn’t erase life’s difficulties. It simply reminds us there is still beauty to notice as we keep moving forward.
Moving forward, I invite you to:
Collect ordinary moments of wonder.
The smile from a stranger. The sound of laughter. A breeze across your face. The first flower you notice. A text from a friend. These moments may seem small on their own, but they build upon one another. Over time, they create a life that feels richer, more joyful, and filled with meaning.
Follow your curiosity.
Take the scenic route. Visit a nearby park. Wander through a town you’ve never explored. Stop at the little shop that catches your eye. Curiosity has a wonderful way of leading us to experiences we never planned, but are grateful we found.
Leave room for possibility.
Life can hold both challenges and beautiful surprises at once. Making room for enchantment doesn’t mean ignoring reality. It means allowing hope, wonder, and possibility to have a seat at the table too.
Begin each day expecting a little enchantment.
Ask yourself, “Where might I find enchantment today?” You don’t need to know the answer. Simply asking the question begins to shift what you notice. And, if you believe in a higher power, ask your team to show you enchantment and then keep open to seeing it.
I believe our dreams deserve more than our hard work. They deserve our curiosity, our joy, and our willingness to notice the beauty along the way. Sometimes we become so focused on reaching the destination that we forget to experience the journey. I hope that you’ll keep taking steps toward the life you want while allowing yourself to be surprised by the enchantment you discover along the way.
If you’d like a partner to help you dream bigger, create a meaningful path forward, and celebrate the possibilities ahead, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.
Affirmation
Enchantment is waiting for me.
Sounds for Your Soul
Sometimes a song finds us exactly where we are. I hope this one brings you a little reminder to be gentle with yourself.