Every once in a while, you come across a person or a book or have an experience that makes you literally STOP and THINK. Such is the impact!
One such experience for me was a book I just read. I started reading it in January this year, but then I finally got around to finish reading it yesterday.
Into the Magic Shop, is the autobiography of Dr James Doty, an American Neurosurgeon, who talks about the importance of the 'humane' approach in treating his patients and the pros and cons of the same.
Born in a dysfunctional family, to an alcoholic father and a depressed,suicidal mother, Doty's childhood was spent looking after his ill mother and drunk father. His elder brother was gay and a victim of bullying, with Doty fighting his bullies all the time.
In short, there was nothing to look forward to in life for the 12 year old boy until he met Ruth who transformed his life!
Doty loved magic tricks and as he entered the Cactus Rabbit Magic Shop in his hometown Lancaster,he met Ruth, the shopkeeper's mother. Since Doty was the same age as her grandson, they got talking and Ruth offered to teach him some powerful magic.
It was only later in life that Doty understood the true power and potential of the 'magic' which was essentially the connection and working together of the heart and the brain.
Ruth taught the little boy to love and accept himself, to 'open his heart' and to love and accept others without judgement or expectations. She taught him to value and respect himself for what he is and not to identify himself with his parents' socio-economic conditions. She taught him to care and to show that he cares. The little boy learnt the power of positive thinking, determination and hard work.
Doty wanted to be the best doctor in his field. He wanted to be rich, famous and successful. He achieved what he aimed for but a single stroke of bad luck reduced him to a pauper overnight. However, that taught him a very valuable lesson- material possessions don't define you and money doesn't give you happiness.
He was still one of the best neurosurgeons in the country and he took his profession very seriously. He finally understood that kindnesses, compassion and love is what Ruth meant when she asked him to 'open his heart'!
I came across this gem, courtesy BTS. Yes, my favourite music band from South Korea! While themes like 'love yourself ' isn't anything new in BTS music, there's a specific song inspired by Dr Doty's book.
' Magic Shop' is a song co-written and co- produced by my favourite singer Jungkook alongwith others. The lyrics of this song mean that for those listening to their music, BTS is like a magic shop, which helps to ease their pains and solve their problems with the magic of music. (Here is the link to the song with lyrics, on You Tube - https://youtu.be/hLf6yZPJyvM)
That the music of BTS is magical and transcends all man made barriers of age, gender,language, religion, ethnicity, culture etc, is proved by their global fandom. The sun literally never sets on the Bangtan Universe!!!
Even Dr Doty acknowledged the fact that his book became a bestseller in South Korea and other Asian countries because of BTS!
The revered Dalai Lama not only contributed financially to Dr Doty's research but blessed the gathering with his wise words as well. Currently Dr Doty is spearheading medical research and founded CCARE ( Centre for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education). He is also a motivational speaker on Ted Talks. Through CCARE and his inspiring talks, Dr Doty wants to share and teach Ruth's 'magic' to others. " Everyone has worth,has value and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Everyone deserves love. And everyone deserves a chance....and then, a second chance."
Excellent 👌