Communication

In a recent podcast with Eric Richardson, he made a profoundly insightful comment.
Eric said that no matter what you're doing, you're constantly communicating something to your audience.

We are constantly communicating something to our audience. This happens through the way we dress, talk, pay attention, and use body language, among many other factors.

If we're constantly communicating something, even if it's not said, we should start communicating with intent. Especially as magicians, we should be aware of what we're communicating and even think about whether we want to communicate something or not.

This might seem basic, but it goes much deeper. In the world of magic, many of us are performing other people's routines. Many of us are not just performing other people's routines, but we are also using other people's scripts, jokes, and mannerisms. This is a form of imitation that can significantly aid our learning of magic. 

Since it helps us learn magic, it's not all bad. However, the downside that this brings with it is that we're giving away our free ability to communicate. Essentially, due to our lack of intention to speak, we are now conveying someone else's words, thoughts, and essence.

You will always be the best version of yourself. No one can be a better Rico than me, just like no one can be a better you than you. But if you're trying to be Dani Ortiz, you might just be second best at best.

Words have power; they are like magick. So when you're using your magick, be sure that you're casting your own spells, and then you're not casting them for someone else, because you might eventually find out that you don't like what you've been communicating.

- Rico