Merlin’s Guide to Living Your Best Life

Back in 2018 I wrote a blog post which began,

And truly, these words seem more fitting now than they did even then.

Now, more than ever, there is a desperate need to be kind, seek positivity, focus on personal growth, and appreciation of our fellow humans. Merlin — not only the great wizard of legend, but the boy who grows to manhood through The Merlin Saga — has been a source of inspiration for me to follow the path of hope. His wisdom, faith, and ability to dig deep and find the good in himself and others, even while facing personal struggles, encourages me to find the magic within to create a better life.

I hope Merlin’s words do the same for you.

Merlin’s Guide to Living Your Best Life

No matter how small you are, remember you have the power to do good.

Merlin’s story reminds us again and again that no matter how small or powerless we may feel, we all have the ability to make a difference. It is through our own efforts, determination, and will that we can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, succeed in whatever we put our minds to, and change the world around us for the better.

In times of uncertainty like those our nation faces today, when chaos surrounds us and we ache to make a difference, it’s important to remember that we have the power to act and change things.

Listen before you speak.

We can learn much from Merlin about respecting the opinions of others, the power of perspective, and the importance of personal growth. When you take a moment to listen to others, to truly hear what they’re saying, you not only show that you respect and care about their opinion, you also give yourself an opportunity to learn — about the person, about the situation, and even, sometimes, about yourself.

Humility may be your greatest power.

Prideful people often lack the ability to notice when they’ve got more to learn, admit when they’re wrong, and accept help and guidance from those with more wisdom, strength, and experience.

Confidence is important, but it’s just as important to never trade humility for arrogance.  Though we all aim to move toward enlightenment and deeper understanding, we all remain human and therefore, fallible — just like Merlin.

Cherish love and follow your heart.

Love is magical. In one or all of its varied forms, it’s a powerful emotion that has the ability to fill your heart, mind, and soul so completely that it truly feels like magic.

If you are open to love – if you allow it into your heart to guide you – it can lead you to places you wouldn’t otherwise have access to. It can open your mind to new experiences. It can show you things you’d easily overlook or dismiss without it.

Love inspires Gratitude, requires Courage, and encourages Generosity. It is fueled by Knowledge and Belief, accessed through Wonder, and kept alive by Hope. It is through Love that we are able to find the most meaningful ways to live a magical life.

At the end of the day, none of us is an island. What we do, how we think, and how we live… all of it has an impact on others — our friends and family, other parts of our community, other creatures, our country, and our planet. We, as humans, require interaction and interdependence to survive, and just as recognizing the connectedness of things was an important part of Merlin’s journey, it must also be for us in order to create a better world for all.

To live your best life — and help others live theirs — understand that your actions have consequences. Understand that your words have power. Appreciate that you have shoulders to lean on and that, at times, others will need to lean on you.

And remember, we’re all in this together.