INTO THE MAGIC SHOP James R. Doty
Into the Magic Shop is a memoir by neurosurgeon James R. Doty that recounts how a chance encounter with a woman named Ruth in a magic shop as a child changed the course of his life. Growing up poor with an alcoholic father and depressed mother, Doty was struggling until Ruth taught him meditation techniques to ease his suffering and visualize his greatest desires. Her final lesson was to keep his heart open and share these practices with others.
The book is part memoir, part science exploration, and part inspiration. It shows how we can change our lives by first changing our brains and hearts. Doty's story illustrates the transformative power of kindness and the ability to overcome adversity through insight, empathy, and compassion.
Inspiration Inspires... BTS is a South Korean boy band formed in 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment. They've achieved international success, topping music charts and breaking sales records worldwide.
In 2018, BTS wrote a song, "Magic Shop" inspired by James Doty's book, "Into the Magic Shop". The song's central theme revolves around the idea of an inner sanctuary where individuals can confront their fears and find solace. It encourages listeners to "open the door" within themselves to access this metaphorical magic shop, a place where they can exchange their pain for happiness and feel the love from BTS. The lyrics express sentiments of empathy and understanding, addressing feelings of despair and loneliness.
"Magic Shop" Lyrics
I know you’re hesitating, because all your spoken truths
Eventually come back to you and become your scars.
I won’t be repeating the same old empty encouragements.
My story, that’s what I’ll tell you, tell you.
What did I say,
I said we would win.
I didn’t believe (truly) that we could win.
This miracle, not truly a miracle, did we make this happen
(No) I stood still, right here,
It was you who came to me.
I do believe your galaxy,
I want to hear your melody.
The stars of your galaxy, how would they embroider your skies.
At the ends of my despair,
That’s where I finally found you, don’t forget.
I was on a cliff edge, you were my last reason.
Live.
On days you hate to be you, on days you wish you could forever disappear,
Let’s make a door, in your heart.
Open the door, go inside, and this will be what’s awaiting you.
You can trust this. To console you, a magic shop.
Sipping a warm cup of tea,
Gazing up at that galaxy,
You’ll be okay, oh, this is a magic shop.
So show me (I’ll show you)
So show me (I’ll show you)
So show me (I’ll show you)
Show you, show you
When you bloom, a rose
When you dance, cherry blossoms
When you set, morning glories (morning glories)
That one beautiful moment (that fleeting moment)
I always wanted to be the best.
So I was impatient, always restless.
Comparing others to me became the norm.
My weapon, my desire, it bound me tight, became a leash.
But hey, when I look back, to be honest I
Don’t think being the best was what I wanted to be.
Solace, emotion, that’s what I wanted to be.
Your sadness, your pain, I want to ease that from you.
On days you hate to be you, on days you wish you could forever disappear,
Let’s make a door, in your heart.
Open the door, go inside, and this will be what’s awaiting you.
You can trust this. To console you, a magic shop.
Sipping a warm cup of tea,
Gazing up at that galaxy,
You’ll be okay, oh, this is a magic shop.
So show me (I’ll show you)
So show me (I’ll show you)
So show me (I’ll show you)
Show you, show you
If I say I was afraid of everything too, would you believe me (believe me)
All of my truths (truths), the time I had left.
All of your answers are here where you found it (right here)
Written in your stars, written in your heart.
You gave me the best of me
So you’ll give you the best of you
You found me (found me), you saw me, knew me
You gave me the best of me
So you’ll give you the best of you
You can find it, inside you there’s a galaxy
So show me (I’ll show you)
So show me (I’ll show you)
So show me (I’ll show you)
Show you, show you