| I bet you are a control freak, at least in some | | | | how to get there. It's one darn simple magical |
| areas of your life, even if you don't admit it to | | | | ritual that will help you lead a magical life and |
| yourself. That's all right. I think we're all control | | | | teach you to let go. |
| freaks. | | | | |
| My wife calls me a "just so guy," because there | | | | Magic Ritual #2: The Three Day Test |
| are certain areas of my life (like my cigars) | | | | This ritual is another oldie-but-goodie. Actually, |
| where things have to be "just so" or I pout. | | | | most of these rituals are quite old and date back |
| So we are all control freaks in some way or | | | | to tribal times. In any case, this one's simple, too. |
| other, and that's fine because it helps us feel in | | | | When faced with a decision that you can't make, |
| control of something, especially when other | | | | use the three day test. |
| factors in our lives (like the economy) seem to be | | | | To start the ritual, ask the question aloud to the |
| spinning out of control. | | | | Universe. Then, for the next three days, don't |
| | | | even think about the question. Don't let your mind |
| Too Much Control Leads to Too Little Magic | | | | touch the topic. Don't talk about the question to a |
| But being too much of a control freak can really | | | | single person. Leave it alone. This is the hardest |
| get in the way of living a magical life. Trying to | | | | part of the ritual. |
| control events all the time keeps the magic from | | | | At the end of the third day, ask your question |
| happening because magic mostly happens when | | | | aloud to the Universe again. Then, wait for the |
| you're not looking. | | | | answer. Go with the first answer that comes to |
| Personally, I feel that phrases like "a watched pot | | | | you. As with the coin toss, do not stop to think it |
| never boils" were created to help us control | | | | over, ponder it, or otherwise mess with the |
| freaks who so badly want to live magical lives, | | | | process. Follow the guidance from the Universe |
| but just can't seem to get there. That's 'cause | | | | and see what magic unfolds for you. Beyond that, |
| we are trying to control the process. | | | | actively look for signs of magic. They will be |
| So how do you live a magical life if you are a | | | | there. You just have to be on the lookout for |
| control freak? Give it up already! | | | | them. They will amaze you. |
| Three Magical Rituals to Help Control Freaks Let | | | | Magic Ritual #3: Decide That All Decisions are |
| Go | | | | Right |
| Control freaks have such a hard time letting go of | | | | This magic ritual is more of a meditation. It can be |
| stuff that they literally leave claw marks all over | | | | done as a silent sitting meditation, or as a more |
| their lives. I ask you, how can magic operate in a | | | | active writing meditation. It is very simple. Before |
| space filled with claw marks? It can't. So to help | | | | you make a final decision about something, stop |
| control freaks unclench a bit, here are some great | | | | and do this meditation. Use this mantra: |
| magic rituals that will help anyone let go so the | | | | "All decisions are right. All decisions will lead me to |
| magic can happen. | | | | where I want to be. There are no wrong |
| Magic Ritual #1: The Coin Toss | | | | decisions." |
| People have been flipping coins since the dawn of, | | | | You can either repeat this manta silently during a |
| well, coins to determine the outcome of certain | | | | quiet sitting meditation, or write it forty times in a |
| events. For control freaks, using a coin toss to | | | | row during a more active meditation. I personally |
| make a decision is like walking out in front of a | | | | find that the act of writing does something |
| beer truck--a guaranteed disaster. Only the coin | | | | magical to me. It shifts my place of being from |
| toss isn't a disaster, it's a great way to let go of | | | | mundane to magical, so I often tend to write |
| control and let magic take you for a little ride. | | | | mantras rather than repeating them silently to |
| The next time you have a big decision come up, | | | | myself. |
| instead of weighing all the pros and cons and | | | | Once you have completed the meditation, go |
| trying to make the decision based on logic or | | | | ahead and make your decision... and then run with |
| control or whatever other mental stuff is running | | | | it. You can use either of the two magic rituals |
| around your brain, whip out a coin and make the | | | | above if you have difficulty making your decision. |
| decision based on the coin toss. Decide ahead of | | | | If you encounter doubt after you have made |
| time the meaning of both "heads" and "tails." Then | | | | your decision, or at any point along the journey, |
| flip it! | | | | then repeat the meditation. |
| Whatever the coin tells you, follow that decision -- | | | | |
| immediately. Do not pause for consideration, do | | | | Magic Rituals Are Simple |
| not pass "Go," and do not collect $200. Just do it. | | | | See how simple all of these rituals are? I like |
| It may sound crazy, but the universe will reward | | | | simple magic because it's fast, immediate, and is |
| you with some pretty big magic if you can | | | | an act of power. Any act of power restores |
| manage to follow through on this. Why? Because | | | | personal power. When you are operating from a |
| by letting go you allow the Universe to do for | | | | space of personal power, you can't make a |
| you what you cannot do for yourself. You open | | | | wrong decision. You really can't. Plus, you will feel |
| up space for the magic to appear. You are | | | | so positive that any decision is bound to be |
| allowing the magic to lead you where you have | | | | successful. |
| always wanted to go... only you couldn't figure out | | | | |