I was asked by a rather angry individual why I waste my time and my talent performing magic tricks for kids and a few tips from their parents. I took it to be a question based on a lack of personal joy on her part.
My response was: "P.T. Barnum once said that entertainment of others was among the most noble of professions." (Paraphrased.)
"To me, its never a waste of my time or my energy to be the cause of the spark of joy and ability to believe in a child. Especially in a world that is increasingly insistent on robbing them of that."
On further reflection, I realized that an adult that would ask such a question was once a child that had her spark of joy and ability to believe stolen by someone else. Probably an adult.
Yes, I overindulge my inner child with magic, superheroes, and chocolate cake. But that is because I need my joy and ability to believe. And giving that to others fuels my own.
