The Magic Carrot

Supposedly an old technique for getting a donkey to go forward was to have a stick with a carrot on it, dangling in front of his nose. He would keep walking towards it in anticipation of achieving his goal of eating that carrot. At times we need something to pull us into the future we are trying to create. We are in danger of standing still and we need a carrot. Revisiting the dreams about which we are passionate and making plans to achieve those dreams can be such a carrot. I was thinking about the need to get myself in gear for the day and my inner self gave me a picture of tossing a carrot down a pathway. That made me realize I needed a carrot to draw me on. Something as boring as making a plan, even a do-list, can actually lead to exciting things--what an idea. I equate do-lists and plans with dreaded responsibility. At least I did. Now I am thinking about the exciting possibilities that have been opening up in my life and I realize there are a few things I can do to help this process develop. I need to (or CAN now that I am more excited about things) make some do-lists and some plans and get some things done. I have some fun things about to happen but I also have to deal with some problems associated with those things. If I don't plan for the adjustments I have to make Life will be harder. So I am going to list the things I am excitedly anticipating first. Those are my carrot. Then I am going to face the steps I need to take. Unlike the poor donkey, I will get my carrot. I hope it was a wise magician luring the donkey onward, as a magician would be sure to give the needed reward in due time. Find your dream, devise a magic carrot and make your life better. May the spark be with you.

Using Magic in Dealing With Addictions

"Being hooked" is not necessarily a bad thing. There are toxic addictions, soft addictions and positive addictions. Anything that is an ongoing thing that interferes with a fulfilling life might be considered a toxic addiction, not just substance abuse. There are also process addictions. A toxic addiction wraps its tentacles around you and yanks you away from living fully and puts you in a dungeon or cocoon. A soft addiction does the same on a temporary basis but you can usually break through when it is really needed. Sometimes it is hard to determine if a soft addiction is really an addiction or just some down time while you gather your resources. Soft addictions can be many different things such as computer games, television, co-dependent relationships( which can also veer into toxic addictions)or even going to church. Positive addictions are things you do that allow new synapses to develop in your brain. Developing a talent, ability or skill, or any routine that gives a sense of well-being can be a positive addiction. The way you use your magic spark will help you steer yourself in the direction of the better addictions and away from the toxic ones. That spark is short but powerful. Like a thump on the head it can help you wake up and decide whether you want to improve your brain, thus improve your life, or if you want to succumb to the tentacles that pull you down. That zing that you have within you can give you the spark to go in the right direction. Use it as often as you need, or when you need. The spark of magic is always there.