by Yvette Durham

Created on: March 24, 2008

Perhaps many of our childhood memories are so blissfully innocent and joyous because we believe in that wondrous phenomenon, magic. Indeed if our young formative minds fail to understand how something works we happily conclude it to be magic; "an extraordinary power or influence seemingly from a supernatural force," as the Merriam-Webster dictionary describes it.

Yet, sadly, we very often grow out of this belief. For whilst a child it is highly acceptable, encouraged in fact, to believe in all that is magical. We as adults fuel childish minds with stories of angels, fairies, Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy. We buy Paul Daniels's magic sets for birthdays and take delight in performing magic tricks to our zealous young audience.

But once adulthood has crept upon us society seemingly ridicules or punches the wind out of any magical beliefs we still may hold onto. Even though angels are an accepted part of the Christian religion I still feel foolish in admitting that I commune with my Guardian Angel. Just as society promoted magic in childhood it whips it away as we grow up.

As aforementioned, children are bombarded with magical imagery in the form of fairytales, shows and toys. Adults are not subject to the same propaganda. The movies, for example, aimed at children are often animated, packed with enchanting supernatural scenes and themes. Movies made for a more mature audience are often set in gritty reality with little or no hint of magic; we are not witness to the same magical stimulus. With this lack of supernatural exposure it is little wonder that are beliefs wane.

Unfortunately with the dawn of adulthood comes drudgery, responsibility and a good dose of rational reality. We have little time for fantasy or tales- overactive use of the imagination is not required of us as grown ups. I cannot help but think of the legendary film, Hook. Robin Williams, who plays the grown Peter Pan, has let the soul-destroying monotony and stresses of everyday working life quash any memory he had of his most magical past. All his wild adventures in Neverland, right up until the age of 13, are lost because the power of reality has forced his mind to dismiss them as unreal. His grown memory will simply not believe in magic.

As babies and children we don't understand our five senses overly well so we do not have the same reliance on them as we do as adults. We trust feelings and unfathomable instincts much more in our younger years. For babies often sense a mother's nervousness

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