One day, this year in tenth grade, I was walking towards the tennis courts after my classes, heading to the parking lot when I spotted a piece of trash on the concrete floor. 

My head hung as I tread, my eyes stayed to the ground as I was exhausted from the five hours of school. The sky was a few hours past noon, and the sun was something I walked to avoid.

Passing by the piece of trash, I thought:
“Man, I really wish I just had some magic to pick up that piece of trash and throw it away… Maybe some wind magic to sweep it off the floor and put it in that trash can over there… just a little magic…”

I mumbled to myself stupidly in my head.

But then I realized that I could do that. I had the power to pick up that piece of trash. I could pick up that piece of trash and throw it away. The magic I wanted was already in my hands… I just had to use it. What, was I expecting it to be free—that it wouldn’t require effort? Hah!

That was the moment I realized that we are the magic that shapes the world. We have the power to bring change, to imagine and create, and to fix things… it isn’t just that piece of trash I’m talking about. I’m talking about anything. 

We have a gift—we can make things happen. I hold power, and I am not letting that go to waste. I’ve always dreamed of magic- and now that I’ve realized we had it, I’m going to change the world. That is why humanity has achieved all the amazing things it has achieved. 

If you want the world to be a better place, put some effort into it, because you are the magic on Earth. We are a miracle enough already; don’t be lazy and ask for fantasy magic. You already have it.

Featured Image – Fern, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.

P.S. I didn’t throw away the piece of trash… I figured I’d stop being lazy after the next day