posted November 19, 2004 12:55 AM         

A magic spell for success and happiness:

Step 1 -

As you walk down the street, try to see every face that can be seen. See them as they are..as familiar faces, not as the strangers that they have always appeared to be.

See the old man, see the young couple, see the little baby and his mother. See the policeman and the bus driver. See the shoppers and the stompers and the bikers.

See them and imagine their story, imagine their lives, imagine what might be their dreams..and their dilemmas(of course in a big crowd...just work on seeing them all.)

Imagine what their wives and children might look like, where they might live and what they might do for a living. Imagine that they are your uncle, or your aunt, or perhaps, your little brother. Imagine that they are your big sister, or that they are your teacher.

Imagine that they know you, and just forgot to say "Hi!"...maybe their minds are on their troubles. Perhaps they could use a friend, perhaps that friend could be you.

Perhaps they need advice or a shoulder to cry on. Perhaps they have no friends and they have been looking for you everywhere.

Get in the habit. Force yourself to...no matter how foolish you might feel, or how afraid you might be that they will take your searching eyes the wrong way. Don't stare.

Just look and imagine..it doesn't matter if you are wrong about them, as long as you always imagine the very BEST and most positive image of them that you can come up with.

Do this for 4 solid weeks or as long as it takes to really get into the habit.

Step 2 -

Start to approach the ones that seem most approachable, no matter how embarrassed you may be, or how unapproachable the most approachable may appear to be.

As you approach them, think of something simple to say.

"Hi, I couldn't help but notice your ______. I just wanted to tell you that I think it's cool." (It doesn't matter whether you do or do not think it is cool, IMAGINE that you do. You should be pretty good at that by now.)

If they respond negatively, just smile and say "Just thought I'd let you know...sorry to bother you." Then move on.

If they respond favorably, ask them another question...like "So..where'd you get _________, if you don't mind my asking?"

Continue to ask and answer questions for as long as they seem interested, and respond favorably.

The minute they seem to become too uncomfortable or suspicious, excuse yourself and move on. There are no end to the number of questions that you can ask them, but ASK!

Most people love to talk about themselves and their lives.

Step 3 -

Repeat step 2 for the rest of your life.

You will find yourself quickly surrounded by familiar faces, by people who know you and who share something with you..a connection.

Your world will suddenly seem a smaller and safer place to live in.

You will make contacts that will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life.

You will find jobs that you could have never known about, you will learn where the best deals are, you will learn about the most delicious recipes and what the best techniques for doing all manner of things are.

You will learn how other people live and what they do, hope and dream.

You will have stepped outside of your box and into the reality of a fantasy that is not beyond reach.

First spell's free. Second one is going to cost you. The price isn't too steep though:

Simply follow through with this first bit of sorcery and when it has worked it's magic, smile. Know that you are not only blessed, but have blessed yourself.

Then come ask for another spell. It will be yours for the taking.

posted November 19, 2004 08:37 PM         

Go into things with the best of intentions, seeing them in the best light you possibly can, then let them prove you right or wrong.

If they prove you wrong, always allow for people to change, because they do that. (Although it's my understanding that fixed signs tend to change a lot more slowly (if at all) than the others.)

Hope remains, waiting to be vindicated.

posted November 29, 2004 12:56 AM         

quote:

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Start to approach the ones that seem most approachable, no matter how embarrassed you may be, or how unapproachable the most approachable may appear to be.

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Do you mean "seem unapproachable"? What does "how unapproachable the most approachable may appear" mean? I mean, yeah, people love talking about themselves, but I don't really like listening I am attracted to people though. The ones I befriend remain unusual friends like we always say hi and smile, but don't need to talk. The ones that want you to listen just kinda annoy me and I usually walk off (they'll be spouting stuff to people nearby). I honestly think friends are overated. My wife's me best friend. My bro in law and sister are the next best. But then, I'm a 30 (meditator/loner) and have realised that this is very true of us.