Put a Dusting of Magic on Your "Shoulds"

Magic is doing things to bring goodness and joy into your life.  Sometimes these things are not so much fun.  We often hear that you mustn't "should" on yourself, as a way of saying that it is not good to stress yourself.  This seems to catch us between a rock and a hard place. It seems to me that the only solution is magic.  First you must shake your magic wand at the "shoulds" and decide which one of the pressing tasks will actually bring goodness into your life.  The ones that are on your list because you are trying to please some demon, like keeping up with the neighbors, put to one side.  Then sprinkle a dusting of magic on the tasks that are good for you to do.  This can be done in many ways.  Use as much playful imagination as you can.  Do a royal gesture as you dub the task with a royal name.  Raise your eyebrow and arch your back as you begin.  Or label the task as your mission of the the day.  Put a flag by the mountain of dishes you must do, like the flag explorers raise when they claim a new land for their queen.  Imagine that you have finished the task and a victorious fanfare is being played.  Whatever you do, do not let stress conquer you.  In the past you may have avoided certain tasks because it stressed you to deal with them.  Then that procrastination caused other problems which led to more stress.  Now that you are a wise magician you can find a way to go forth in glory.  Do as you will, even when you should.  May the spark be with you.