No one has all the answers

No one has the answers, yet everyone is giving advice and telling you what you should and what you shouldn't do. I am no different.

I don't claim to have any answers, yet I have many. I have the answers that work for me, the findings of my personal journey.

Many people like to claim that this is the way in which you should go; it's also the only way that exists, at least, the only correct way that exists. This is a classic lie that is told to us by many teachers and education systems. It's a lie to keep us conforming to their thoughts. But in truth, these lies only teach us what to think.

The above applies to anything, but more to magic (art) than to anything else. We tend to appreciate people for their unique approach and perspective. Yet, when we are watching lectures and talking about magic, there seems to be a right and a wrong way to approach it, or at least so we're told....

In any art, personal experimentation is an essential factor, but then why are there people teaching you specific ways anyway? This is because any art has restrictions that make it what it is. The limitation of magic is that it has to fool someone; it has to (ideally) instill a feeling of wonder. To achieve this, we have different approaches and schools of thought. These are crucial for becoming proficient in the art. Learning from masters is critical to mastery. 

Only after learning the art, its principles, different ways of thinking, and approaches can we go out into the world and start experimenting with them, breaking the rules. This is a fun and essential phase. It is important to remember that inspiration comes from others, not from copying their routines one-on-one. When we start to be inspired, we can become inspiring. We can become a magician people look up to, leaving beauty wherever we go.

So now go out, my children, and inspire everyone who comes in your wake (or something like that LOL).

-Rico