Magic Of Dialogue

Words are meant to be heard, or read. They are meant for a dialogue. Even as we think them or speak them we are engaging in an inner dialogue with ourselves. Neither people or words are meant to exist in a vacuum. But it is a miracle when communication is clear and exchange of ideas really does take place between two people. I had an acquaintance once who would be clearly in the throes of anger but would be saying fairly calm words. If the listener mentioned that he seemed to be angry and could that be resolved, the answer would be, "Listen to my words, not my face." He was able to be controlled enough that he could choose words he hoped would steer the conversation where he thought it should go. Other times I have known people who seemed unable to enter into any give and take either, were extremely emotional about it as well, but would go on for multiple sentences trying to find some point, somehow, somewhere. In none of those cases was it likely that an actual conversation was going to take place. The key point here is that THE FIRST EXCHANGE IS NOT THE FULL EXCHANGE. It takes listening, exchange of message, more listening, clarification as to what was heard, reshaping of message and ideas in order to have dialogue. It is a great life skill. One that can always be improved upon. Reach out for the energy of the spark of magic that abounds around you and try to engage in dialogue with others. It will enrich your life. May the spark be with you.

The Magic Of Carrying It Over Into Zen

If a thing is worth doing, it is worth starting as many times as it takes, it is worth pushing yourself about it over and over and over, it is worth putting it down and taking it back up day after day after day, it is worth doing as small a bit or as big a bit as you can. If it is worth doing, do it. Whether you are writing a novel or organizing your office, you have to get into the zen of it until it is done. When you are truly participating in a process or activity there is a sense of satisfaction, a lack of pressure at the doing of it that will carry you on until you reach a sense of satisfaction at a job well done. The achievement of the goal will be satisfying of course, but the doing of the work to reach that goal will have its own pull. In creative work the work seems to take on a life of its own, characters in a story seem to come to life and give you a sense of delight at their richness. But the same can happen in mundane activities like housework if you are truly involved in the task. A better place to hang a picture, a more appropriate way to store something, an easier way to clean something will make itself known. Let the spark of magic that abounds in life pull you into your work. There is a lot of joy there. May the spark be with you.

The Magic Of Counting

I am not referring to the use of numbers as some do in simplistic ways of referring to magic. The act of learning to count, of being aware of what you are doing with information, and what you have just done with information, is the beginning of higher levels of learning to use the mind. Calming yourself down so you can be clear minded, putting anxiety to one side in order to function more fully, listening for the essence of what is said, organizing ideas as to sequence or importance, are all thinking skills that some people do not learn to use. The wonderful thing about the brain is that it can be self aware and likes to learn. The rest of the body gets in on the act to help that process out. There are myriad physical sensations that you can learn to notice that are signals as to what is going on in the thinking process. The muscles, the organs, the eyes, the skin may all be giving you clues as to what ideas are whirling around in your head. Let all these messages help you form the finished thought. Suppose you want to develop your skills in organizing a project. A key word or picture can be the hook. Then try using the skill you want to develop, paying attention to what goes on with your mind as you try this out. Maybe you will feel a great tiredness, or find other distractions cropping up. Review how you did at this skill when you take a break. Try some more. Brain use is like any other skill. You keep at it, refine your attempts at it, plan ways to do it better, and remember what you have done to develop this skill. Also you must get a feel for using this skill. The feeling of listening to someone and understanding what they are saying is different from listening to them and feeling confused. Your brain is a magic tool. Learn to use it well. The spark of magic can help you take on this wonderful challenge. May the spark be with you.

Ready, Set, Go

Sometimes there is a lot of getting ready before go can be achieved. Look how long the runway for an airplane takeoff is. Pay attention to the small things as well as the big. Eat breakfast, gas up the car, look at the calendar, take a breath, tie your shoe. I've known a lot of people who just couldn't get things done because they couldn't prepare to get things done. Loans weren't repaid because the small amounts of money that went to make up the bigger payment couldn't be dedicated to that end. Getting ready takes time. That time has to have been planned for. Once all the steps in getting ready are worked out it doesn't take that long. A lot of people are well groomed and well dressed every day without taking that much time at it. But the steps have to be gone through. All this may sound too simple. It is, but it is basic, and often overlooked. If you don't pay attention to it there will be a lot of unreached goals in your life. Use the energy from the sparks of magic around you and examine your life for the dreams you want to have come true for you. Determine the steps to have that happen. Get ready and go for it. May the spark be with you.

The Magic Of Love

Love is the oil that helps the gears of life mesh and turn. When all the black and whites, all the "shoulds" are said and done, it is up to love to have the final say. If you are being in too much proximity with certain people you are going to notice their foibles. If you can also notice something to love about them it is much less likely they will drive you off the deep end. Here is where the gift of magic must be acknowledged. If a person feels threatened it is hard to love. Remember the definition of magic as "the ability to change perception at will."? A centered person, a person who has made the "I AM" decision, is not at the mercy of judgment, not burdened by a fragile ego. Do not worry about whether you are loved or not. Be aware instead of who you love. Take an adventurous risk and find something to love in or about a few other people. Let your perceptions change. Love a little, live a lot. Love doesn't have to mean being stupid, just be appreciative of what you can appreciate. Let the energy of magic give you the ability to look with new eyes on those around you. Love is magic. Let it warm your heart. May the spark be with you.

The Magic Of " What If?"

You can work magic in your life by taking a "What If?" trip every once in a while. What if you stood up to a bully? What if you stood up to a bully that didn't even wear the label, but had been getting away with a lot of stuff? What if you ripped away your own excuses and pushed yourself a little harder? What if you started noticing when politicians tried to walk both sides of the line? What if you insisted on having something just right, even if it took time and trouble to get it that way? What if you found a great way to display something you have collected? What if you expressed appreciation when it was due? Daring to ask yourself the "What If?" question is the first step to grabbing onto that spark of magic and working to make the changes you need. Just asking the question can be safe and a lot of fun. Then when you are comfortable with the ideas of what you want to have happen you will find you have more strength and courage than you thought. Look around. You can find ways to ask "What if I made that right or better?" many times a day. Make the sky the limit. No barriers. That will bring magic as your ally. May the spark be with you.

The Magic Of Keystones

As I was thinking the word 'keystone' I was picturing the unplugging of a bottle-neck. Those are supposedly opposite concepts but sometimes a concept has two sides to be fully developed. The bottle-neck is the narrow place that impedes the flow of liquid, traffic or ideas. The keystone is the last stone to go into place in an arch. The pressure of the other stones holds it in place and make the arch stand. It then can be used as a passageway. Both things seemed to happen for me yesterday. I had built on previous understandings enough that my edifice could take shape and blockages I had been fighting were finally out of the way. Some of what freed me up to be so productive was a total shift in perception about something. Sometimes it is a good thing to see something in a totally different way. For example, if a neighbor has a bad habit of character you can resent it or see that she would make a marvelous character in a story. So reach out for that energy spark to help you focus on things in a new way. You will not be blocked or bullied by life. You are the magician and once your mind is clear magic will be there to help you create. May the spark be with you.