How I Used Real Magic to Win a Trip to Ireland

You read that title correctly.  I conjured a trip to Ireland. I'm not a witch and I didn't use a wand or cauldron. But I magicked it just the same.
Here's the true story of how I used real magic to fulfill my dream and go to Ireland to research setting for my novel Emily's House.


The idea for Emily's House came to me in late 2007 and I spent most of 2008 doing research for the book.  I read books and articles about Ireland and ancient Celtic myth.  But pictures just don't cut it and I knew I had to go to Ireland.


I put a farefinder up on Travelocity and kept my eye out for the deal. But it remained a dream and beyond my budget.


Then in late August, 2010, I went to Las Cruces, New Mexico and holed up for a long weekend in a hotel room to push through and get to the end of my first draft of Emily's House.  And on my way home on Sunday, a four-hour drive, I thought about what I needed to do next on the project and it was clear:  I needed to go to Ireland soon so I could re-write scenes that take place in Ireland.  So I spent four hours solidifying this intention.


The next day, a Monday, I was driving around town running errands.  I got in the car and switched on the radio.  I heard the announcer on XM say "last day to register for a trip for two to Ireland to see The Script . . ."  When I heard the radio announcer say that, it felt like she was talking directly to me!  I knew I had to register.


So I did.  One time, online. That was Monday afternoon. Hubby came home and I told him, "We're going to Ireland!"  He said, "What did you do!"  I then told him about registering for the contest and he just gave me one of those, "Okay, whatever you say Natalie," sort of looks. 


Thursday morning, the phone rings. I glance at the caller ID and it says "XM/Sony." I answered immediately.


A woman's voices asked "Is this Natalie Wright?"


"Yes," I said.


"And did you register for a contest to go to Dublin to see The Script?"


"Yes . . ."


"You won!"


"Shut up!" I said.


"No, really, you won."


Less than two weeks later, hubby and I were on a plane to Dublin. Free airfare and hotel and extra special bonus, The Script concert with VIP party before and after!


How is this "magic?"


I believe that magic is real. And you don't need a wand or a potion.  Anyone can create.
There are three simple ingredients:  Ask, Believe, Receive


I asked. My intention was clear. I knew what I wanted and why I wanted it.


I Believed. I had no doubt that I was going to win that contest. I just knew I would. 


I Received. Just allowed it to flow to me.


When I tell people this story, they say "Oh, you should play the lottery!"


But I don't play the lottery for one simple reason. I don't believe that I'll win the lottery. The belief part of the equation is required. You simply cannot manifest through your intention things that you don't believe you can have (or that you deserve or that's possible,etc.).


Woven throughout the pages of my novel Emily's House is a primer on how to perform real magic. Manifestation of intention. Emily's House is fiction, but the magic in it is real.


Do you have stories of magic?  Do you experience serendipity or have you had magical things happen to you?  I'd love to hear your magical stories.