Helping Others – Page 5

The Magical Power Of Belief!

If you are, or have ever been a pet owner, you know there is a special almost magical bond that develops in this kind of relationship. Such is the case with our dog “Houdini”.

At first glance, our lovable puppy seemed to be just like any other dog; affectionate, playful and carefree. However, as time and experience quickly marched on, a most uncanny “psychic” ability started to develop.

We acquired our Lhasa Apso “Houdini” as our older dog approached 16 in human years. The concept was that a puppy would breathe new life into our aging old friend and make the inevitable life expectancy transition easier to handle. In reality, it did even more.

And contrary to popular belief, it was not I who gave Houdini his name, it was his breeder. It seems the lady had been calling him “Harry”, and when she found out my profession pleaded with us to name him “Houdini”. A name, which I might add, he’s lived up to many times.

In fact, the first night he stayed over at the Vet’s, he escaped from his cage three times!! However, all these escapades could not prepare us for the magic that was to follow.

You see “Houdini” has developed a magical, almost psychic ability to open doors. Now before you think me mad, please hear me out.

Houdini can open a door by concentrating on it. How does he do it? He believes it will happen!!

When Houdini wants to go outside, he does not bark, scratch or draw attention to it like most dogs. He actually does the opposite.

Houdini simply stands in the room and stares at the door. Regardless if there is anyone around or not, he just stands there silently transfixed, staring trance like at the door.

If you come in and ask him “want to go outside (?)”; there is no response. Houdini just stands there and concentrates even harder on the door. He does this to the point where someone (regardless of where you are in the house) will actually feel strangely compelled to go to the door, open it and let him out!! And time is not a factor.

He will stand there for as long as it takes. It is almost as if Houdini is mentally visualizing the door opening, his going through it, and then mentally projecting his image out into the world.

I can see my old Psychology Professors shaking their heads over this one, and yes, I do know better. Animals such as Houdini do not have “psychic powers” or “mental reasoning abilities” or even “a mind as we know it.”

However, as someone who has studied animal conditioning, behavioral sciences and personally worked with dozens of animals from doves to Bengal tigers I can tell you this; it looks like something magical is happening here.

Houdini may not be aware of it but he is actively demonstrating some of the key behaviors that anyone who has achieved “what at first seems impossible” knows. This knowledge is the real secret to creating “Real Magic”!

1) Know what it is you want to have happen. Be very clear about your end result and actually visualize it happening.

2) Believe that it will happen. There are no if, ands or buts; this will become a reality.

3) Be committed to making it happen, no matter what. Get prepared to do whatever it takes and for as long as it will take. Remember there are no unrealistic goals, just unrealistic time lines.

4) Do it, make it happen. Elicit whatever skills and help you need to turn your goals into a reality.

Yes, I know there are those who will say that Houdini’s story is dribble; that this whole door thing is just coincidence, fantasy or a dog gone, self fulfilling prophecy. To others its just fun to imagine and think about.

All I know is that there is magic in believing no matter who you are, and we are not reminded enough about this!

Please keep in mind that almost everything we take for granted today, was at one time impossible. Also, remember to look for the magic in the simplest things; it’s just waiting to be discovered. Dare to dream, smile and make magic happen! Create your own magic!

Remember Real Magic can happen only when people believe in themselves and are passionate about making a difference in their own life and the lives of others! Have focus! Be passionate about what you do! Create your own real magic!!

PS: I have to go now. Houdini is staring at the door.

A Magical Story Of Wisdom And How To Apply It To Your Life.

There is a marvelous Shaman tale that has been passed down from generation to generation that truly speaks of the potential magic inside ourselves. It goes something like this.

An elderly Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said to them, “A fight is going on inside me, it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

One wolf is evil—he is fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self- pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, competition, superiority, and ego.

The other is good — he is joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

This same fight is going on inside you my children, and inside every other person, too.”

They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

I first heard this tale when I was in University and its impact has stayed with me ever since. How simple, true and powerful a lesson this is; we become what we focus on.

If we constantly focus on what is good and on our positive qualities, we will eventually take on and pass on those traits. If we let those elements that are negative and destructive take hold, well we all know what will follow.

However as simple and true an insight this is, it can be difficult to constantly feed the right wolf all the time. Yes unfortunately life does have a way of forcing us into situations that can negatively impact us and cause us to feed that negativity. We can see this happen in our life, our work and our relationships.

The real magic secret here is to “never stop believing and never stop trying”! When we encounter a set back or a negative situation, we need to simply take a step back, take a deep breath, and remember which wolf we need to feed.

An approach I use is called “pattern interrupt”, and I practice it all the time. I wear on my wrist a number of elastic bands. Whenever I encounter a negative situation I pull the elastic band and let it snap back onto my wrist. At the same time I think only the positive answer to the situation.

For example in your work if the thought or feeling comes up that something “cannot be done”, when you snap your wrist make the thought inside your mind “nothing is impossible – there is an answer”. You can use this approach in every situation in life and in business; it simply is a matter of following through and coming up with the right positive response.

Technically what is happening is the snapping is shocking your system to take the focus off of the negative, and the implant of the positive thought affects your conscious mind (current mental state) and subconscious mind (which over time will affect how you feel and look at things). I personally have used this approach to break habits, solve problems and constantly empower my mental state. Try it, it really does work.

Right now put a couple of elastics on your wrist. Now for the next ten days whenever a negative situation occurs or negative thought pops into your mind snap the elastic band on your wrist and think the mantra “I am a good person – I am deserving – nothing is impossible – there is an answer”.

Or come up with something else that might be more applicable to you. But the point is try it. After all what do you have to lose? You may be surprised with the magic that it can create.

PS: Now remember you only have to do this for ten days, no longer. After all you wouldn’t want to work this kind of magic any longer, would you:)!

Category Archives: Helping Others

THE OTHER HOUDINI?

THE TWO WOLVES