That's an interesting observation! I hadn't thought about it that way, but I suspect you may be right. (If only a bona fide wizard would chime in to confirm...)
That would be absolutely wizard (in UK English wizard also = splendid, excellent - just to complicate things further...) let's see if anyone can be persuaded to reveal their true colours...
you know, I agree with this deeply and it also makes me think about extroversion vs introversion. I think the wizards have a lot of the flashy, outward qualities that American society seems to reward and respond well to; the friend is more subtle but oftentimes just as (if not more) rewarding. (I’m sure you’ve read it, but Susan Caine’s “Quiet” was transformational for me as an introvert who couldn’t understand why my habits weren’t as rewarded or lauded as others)
This is an excellent point. I was just discussing this, with an introverted friend working in a very extroverted environment (where these qualities are rewarded). And I second your feelings about Quiet! I'm thinking it might be time to give it another read.
Wow! This might be the first of your essays I send to my therapist 🤣 I just feel like I have forever wanted to be a wizard (consciously or otherwise) but am more of a friend type of person. It’s funny, because I gravitate toward “friendly” prose, and the famous people I most admire (love Glennon!) give friend energy, with a few exceptions. (I do love Bob Dylan and he has got to be a wizard - but also the type of wizard who doesn’t show up to accept his Nobel prize?) But when it comes to myself, I have this insidious drive to be something exceptional, as if being simply human isn’t going to cut it. When, probably, being simply human is the way. Thank you so much for sharing this, Caroline!
I love this comment. For multiple reasons, but most of all because I am the same way. And if I stop and think about it, I don't even particularly enjoy the path of attempted wizardry. Friends are almost always my favorites to read and watch and hang out with. So, have I just bought into societal programming or is it something deeper? (And I wholeheartedly agree, Bob Dylan definitely seems like a wizard. Though not a flashy one. Although! Once, when I was in college, I was walking down Broadway on a drizzly day when I saw this guy who looked a lot like Bob Dylan. First, I noticed his hair. Then I noticed a young woman was holding an umbrella over him. It took me a moment, but of course I realized it WAS Bob Dylan, walking with an assistant. Having someone else hold your umbrella is definitely a wizard move.)
OMG! You saw Dylan in the wild?!?! Amazing. My biggest star sighting in NYC was Elizabeth Gilbert. She was walking into my neighborhood bagel shop as I walked out! Now that’s another person to add to the list of Friend energy; she was so nice to me as I gushed over her in a (thankfully brief) star struck “conversation.” :)
Have to comment because I relate to this so much! I have always admired and wanted to be a Wizard (since childhood arguably), but due to my personality and life experiences I remain heavily in the Friend category. Thinking things over, I'm realizing that I have also really admired Friends who are able to be totally themselves, natural, and organic... which might give me a better direction to aspire towards. :)
This is such an astute observation. I think I’ve always wanted to be a wizard even though I squarely fall into the friend camp. Perhaps that means I should just be embracing my friend energy instead of striving toward something I am not naturally. I also think that social media encourages wizards: we are such visual creatures that you can be inspired by a wizard’s beautifully curated feed in an instant, but it takes actually engaging with someone’s content to feel connection to a friend.
You manage to be both a Wizard and a Friend, which is the truest secret sauce of all.
Thank you, Heather. ❤️
This is a wonderful observation. Seems to me that in a world that really admires and elevates wizards, we should strive to be more like the friend.
Thank you. And I agree!
Really enjoyed this. I suspect that many Wizards wish deep down that they were Friends but can't admit it!
That's an interesting observation! I hadn't thought about it that way, but I suspect you may be right. (If only a bona fide wizard would chime in to confirm...)
That would be absolutely wizard (in UK English wizard also = splendid, excellent - just to complicate things further...) let's see if anyone can be persuaded to reveal their true colours...
you know, I agree with this deeply and it also makes me think about extroversion vs introversion. I think the wizards have a lot of the flashy, outward qualities that American society seems to reward and respond well to; the friend is more subtle but oftentimes just as (if not more) rewarding. (I’m sure you’ve read it, but Susan Caine’s “Quiet” was transformational for me as an introvert who couldn’t understand why my habits weren’t as rewarded or lauded as others)
This is an excellent point. I was just discussing this, with an introverted friend working in a very extroverted environment (where these qualities are rewarded). And I second your feelings about Quiet! I'm thinking it might be time to give it another read.
Adored this analysis. “Everyone can use a friend” - a simple but powerful reminder.
Thank you, Lizzie!
Wow! This might be the first of your essays I send to my therapist 🤣 I just feel like I have forever wanted to be a wizard (consciously or otherwise) but am more of a friend type of person. It’s funny, because I gravitate toward “friendly” prose, and the famous people I most admire (love Glennon!) give friend energy, with a few exceptions. (I do love Bob Dylan and he has got to be a wizard - but also the type of wizard who doesn’t show up to accept his Nobel prize?) But when it comes to myself, I have this insidious drive to be something exceptional, as if being simply human isn’t going to cut it. When, probably, being simply human is the way. Thank you so much for sharing this, Caroline!
I love this comment. For multiple reasons, but most of all because I am the same way. And if I stop and think about it, I don't even particularly enjoy the path of attempted wizardry. Friends are almost always my favorites to read and watch and hang out with. So, have I just bought into societal programming or is it something deeper? (And I wholeheartedly agree, Bob Dylan definitely seems like a wizard. Though not a flashy one. Although! Once, when I was in college, I was walking down Broadway on a drizzly day when I saw this guy who looked a lot like Bob Dylan. First, I noticed his hair. Then I noticed a young woman was holding an umbrella over him. It took me a moment, but of course I realized it WAS Bob Dylan, walking with an assistant. Having someone else hold your umbrella is definitely a wizard move.)
OMG! You saw Dylan in the wild?!?! Amazing. My biggest star sighting in NYC was Elizabeth Gilbert. She was walking into my neighborhood bagel shop as I walked out! Now that’s another person to add to the list of Friend energy; she was so nice to me as I gushed over her in a (thankfully brief) star struck “conversation.” :)
You’re definitely a wizardly friend, Caroline ✨
Thank you ❤️
Such wonderful insight, Caroline. And I loved that the card was the High Priestess. Fitting in so many ways. (Co-sign what Heather said.) xo
Thank you. ❤️
Have to comment because I relate to this so much! I have always admired and wanted to be a Wizard (since childhood arguably), but due to my personality and life experiences I remain heavily in the Friend category. Thinking things over, I'm realizing that I have also really admired Friends who are able to be totally themselves, natural, and organic... which might give me a better direction to aspire towards. :)
This is such an astute observation. I think I’ve always wanted to be a wizard even though I squarely fall into the friend camp. Perhaps that means I should just be embracing my friend energy instead of striving toward something I am not naturally. I also think that social media encourages wizards: we are such visual creatures that you can be inspired by a wizard’s beautifully curated feed in an instant, but it takes actually engaging with someone’s content to feel connection to a friend.