Finding Magic in the Everyday: Lessons from Brad Meltzer’s Make Magic and Living with Ataxia

I was flipping through the channels this morning, sipping my coffee, when I came across an interview with Brad Meltzer. He was talking about his new book, Make Magic, which comes out March 4, 2025. As I listened, I couldn’t help but feel like parts of it could have come straight from my writing. His themes of authenticity, empathy, gratitude, and transformation struck a chord—not just in a general sense but in a way that deeply connects to living with Ataxia.

Meltzer’s book is based on a commencement speech that went viral. The core message is that you don’t need to be famous or influential to make magic in the world—you just need to show up, be yourself, and do the small things that matter. That idea resonates deeply with me, especially when I consider the daily challenges of living with a progressive condition like Ataxia.

So, I started thinking: how do these themes relate to the Ataxia community? How can we take Meltzer’s wisdom and apply it to our own lives? Let’s break it down.

The Magic of Authenticity: Owning Who You Are

Meltzer’s first central theme is authenticity—being unapologetically yourself. It’s easy to hear that and nod along, but when you live with a condition like Ataxia, embracing your true self isn’t always straightforward.

There was a time when I worked hard to hide my Ataxia, adjusting so that no one would notice the subtle signs. I avoided situations where I might trip, held back from activities that required coordination, and sometimes even let embarrassment keep me from speaking up. I didn’t want to stand out for the wrong reasons.

But the truth is, masking who we are is exhausting. It’s only when I started embracing my Ataxia—not as something that defines me, but as something that’s simply part of me—that I began to feel truly comfortable in my skin.

Authenticity is powerful. When we stop pretending and start being real—whether using assistive devices without shame, talking openly about our struggles, or simply owning our journey—we make space for deeper connections and genuine self-acceptance. That is a kind of magic.

The Magic of Empathy: Understanding and Connecting Through Challenges

One of the great things about struggling with something—whether it’s a health condition, a personal hardship, or just life throwing curveballs—is that it makes you more empathetic toward others. Meltzer talks about how small acts of kindness can change lives and

I genuinely believe that.

Like many rare conditions, Ataxia can feel isolating. Not everyone understands it, and sometimes, it’s challenging to explain. However, the silver lining is that it teaches you to see people differently. You begin to recognize the struggles others face, the invisible battles, and you start to show up for people in a different way.

Empathy creates community. Whether through an online support group, a conversation with a stranger who understands, or simply offering a word of encouragement to someone struggling, these small moments of connection remind us that we’re not alone.

And the best part? Empathy isn’t limited to those who share our experiences. When we lead with understanding, we inspire others to do the same. That ripple effect—that quiet, everyday magic—can change lives.

The Magic of Gratitude: Finding Joy in the Small Things

Meltzer emphasizes gratitude as a superpower, and I couldn’t agree more. Living with a condition that challenges you daily makes it easy to focus on what’s hard, what’s changing, or what’s been lost. But shifting your focus to what’s still here—what’s still possible—can be life-changing.

I won’t pretend this is always easy. There are days when frustration wins. But I’ve learned that gratitude isn’t about ignoring struggles but recognizing the good alongside them.

For me, that looks like:

• Appreciating the moments when my body does cooperate.
• Savoring the simple joys—morning coffee, a great conversation, the feel of the sun on my face.
• Being thankful for the people in my life who support and uplift me.

Gratitude doesn’t erase difficulty, but it does shift the weight of it. And over time, that shift makes all the difference.

The Hardest Magic Trick: Transformation

Meltzer calls transformation “the hardest magic trick of all.” Change is inevitable, but how we respond to it defines us. For those of us with Ataxia, adaptation is part of the journey.

I’ve had to adjust how I do things—sometimes in small ways, sometimes in ways that feel huge. I’ve had to let go of certain expectations and create new ones. And while that process hasn’t always been easy, it’s also been one of the most important lessons of my life.

Transformation doesn’t mean becoming someone completely different. It means growing into a version of yourself that meets the moment. It means navigating challenges gracefully, even when it’s hard. It means recognizing that change isn’t the enemy but part of the story.

We may not control everything, but we do control how we move forward. And sometimes, that’s the most potent kind of magic there is.

Making Magic in Everyday Life

So, what does making magic look like for those of us with Ataxia? It’s not about grand gestures or impossible feats. It’s about the small, intentional choices we make every day:

• Choosing to show up as ourselves, even when it’s uncomfortable.
• Extending kindness and empathy, even when we’re struggling ourselves.
• Practicing gratitude, even on the hard days.
• Embracing change, even when it feels scary.

Magic isn’t reserved for a select few—it’s in all of us. It’s in how we navigate our challenges, the connections we build, and the impact we have on others. And maybe, just maybe, it’s in how we keep going—one step, one moment, one choice at a time.

Final Thoughts

Brad Meltzer’s Make Magic isn’t just a book about success—it’s about the small things that create meaningful change. And when I think about Ataxia, the journey of adapting, connecting, and growing, I see that same message reflected in our community.

We may not always control the storms that come our way, but we can decide how to move through them. We create something powerful by making that choice and showing up for ourselves and others.

We create magic.

Please share your thoughts and/or comments on this or any other article.  And if you would like to get involved and share your experience with Ataxia, don’t hesitate to contact us.  Join Our Community today, where we empower you to build a healthy lifestyle and raise your overdue ataxia awareness.  Experience transformative storytelling and share your story to inspire positive change.