How to Be Happier

This isn't a magic-related post, but I promise you that if you keep on reading and do these activities you will be a much happier person. I don't want to make it sound like these are the magical keys that will automatically make you happy; all three of these activities require thought, endurance, and consistent action for them to work. Try them all! You'll be amazed at how much better you feel.

1. Start a gratitude journal. Every night before you go to sleep, write a list of everything you're thankful for. Doing so will making you feel better and begin to change your perception. The goal is to become a merit-finder, to find the good in everything. Things don't always happen for the best, but you can always make the best of things.

2. Start a habit log. Pick one thing you'd like to do more of (get more sleep or more exercise are good ones). Make a chart or calendar and post it in a space that you and those living with you can see. If you can stick with this activity for 21 days, there's a good chance that it will become a habit. (The habit I'm trying to create currently is push-ups and sit-ups. I do them everyday and record how many I can do. I feel better, stronger, and am on my way to a six pack!)

3. Be more mindful. It's very easy to be distracted, but try to really be in the present moment from time to time. Try to savor the moment. For example, next time you go out to eat, try savoring every bite. You'll feel fuller, more satisfied, and enjoy the meal more.

FearCrap

I'm not even going to rip on Steve Fearson for this; I'm just going to re-print the e-mail he sent out to everyone on his mailing list:

Subj: Sometimes magic hurts.
Date: Saturday, April 15, 2006 12:38 PM
From: hello@downloadmagic.com
----------------------------------------------------------------
You're probably one of the best visitors I've ever had to my site.

Sure, I'd love to keep you all to myself. But I can't give you everything you
need. I don't know if you realize this, but you have the potential to become a
very talented magician.

I'm just going to say it..

You deserve more.

There's another magic site that's run by a guy named Brad. He's a good guy, I
know he's going to treat you well.

>> http://www.ellusionist.com

Spread your wings and fly little bird.

Friends always,

Steve
http://DownloadMagic.com

I wish I knew what was going on with Fearson and Ellusionist - this is just bizarre.

Family Crap

South Park is the most brilliant show on television (okay, so maybe The Office comes close, along with Curb Your Enthusiasm).

You have to download the latest episode of South Park, Cartoon Wars, which you can do here. Keep in mind that knowing about the Tom Cruise-Scientology fiasco concerning South Park is a must if you want to truly, truly appreciate the genius of this episode.

MoCrap

According to the latest Steve Fearson e-mail (which reminds me: why the hell did I sign up to be on his e-mail list? Oh yeah, so I can find out about goofy shit like this.) this site is the "future of magic."

First of all, Steve, how many times can the future really arrive? I mean, once we've arrived in the future (as we supposedly did for the reinventation of your hook-up with a rave light, the publication of the "Station Manager" document, the introduction of your self-vanish, and the supposed dawn of "Messiah Magic," to name a few times) there's no re-arriving. So stop trying to push us into the future - work on improving magic in the present first.

Second, are you really, really sure that a blog with shitty quality pictures and even shittier quality videos is the future of magic? Really? Plus, a few of those videos (the ones with edited titles and music, as well as fade-ins and fade-outs) plus professional quality pictures (some are even credited!) are clearly not from mobile phones. So just admit that this new "Mobile Blog" is just a trash dump for videos and photographs that couldn't be uploaded elsewhere. If this (for example) is the future of magic and communication between magicians, then boy are we fucked.



P.S.: I realize that I tend to get carried away with my rants and that - on occasion - I can get really mean. So, I'll temper this anti-Fearson rant with a pro-Fearson compliment: Fearson is a great magical mind and a brilliant magic marketer. I really question, however, the excitement he's showing about this "MoBlog."