Old Wives' Tales

Superstitions are a fallacy. What they infer is that if a certain thing happens, the next thing that follows it would be because of previous action carried out. In other words, ‘post hoc ergo propter hoc’ which is Latin for ‘after this, therefore because of this.’

There are a few superstitions related to theater that simply fascinate me. One of them has to do with my all time favorite Shakespearean play, Macbeth, or as it is known in the theater-verse, 'The Scottish Play.' Macbeth is supposed to be a taboo word inside a theater. Why? Because it was believed that the opening scene with the three witches and the incantations they use were real and one could summon the evil spirits. And so this play was deemed ‘haunted.’ Another thing to not say inside the performance area is ‘good luck.’ It is believed that the opposite of what one says inside a theater comes true and therefore actors are told to ‘break a leg.’

What happens if you actually happen to say this inside the auditorium? Is there any way to reverse it, you ask? Why yes, there most certainly is a way. The person who uttered these forbidden words is required to leave the theater building, spin around three times, spit, curse, and then knock to be allowed back in.

Like I said, fascinating! Isn’t it?

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A New Day

What is the best thing about today? It is not yesterday and it definitely isn't tomorrow. It's the present, the now. 

When we think about tomorrow, we believe that the dawn of a new day will bring with it change and the ability to solve all our problems. With a new day, comes a new beginning. It is another chance to start fresh. It is the tabula rasa of the mind – a clean slate, a chance to forget the old, and start the new. It's an opportunity to forget about the mistakes of yesterday and to plan a better tomorrow. A new day carries with it the promise and hope of improvements. 

Each day offers the prospect of availing great opportunities. Every new day also gives us another chance to be grateful for what we have, to work towards what we want, and to enjoy another day in our life to the fullest. It is a chance to right the wrongs of yesterday, to make things better for us and for those around us. It is another opportunity to complete the unfinished tasks of yesterday. 

You exchange a day of your life for it and when tomorrow comes, this day will have gone forever and in its place you will have left all that you achieved in that day.

So, a new day is not to be taken for granted. Today, we can make the decisions that will definitely shape our tomorrow. Every day is a new day, so use it wisely.

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Delete Negativity

Positive reinforcement and constructive feedback should both be used when there is a need to advise someone about a particular issue. But, in our society, people are blamed first for their shortcomings, and then they are advised on the matter at hand. Anyone who knows anything about the psychology of the mind will know that this is the worst way to try to bend someone to your will. If you tell them they are lazy and then ask them to help around the house, they are even less likely to do it than if you had just simply asked them to clean up their act. 

This is how all those rebellious teenagers are born.

Moreover, then this specific person is plagued with all the negative things that they have been told about themselves.

Is it too late to fix this and to rid the world of all this negative energy? Is it too difficult to not point fingers and just calmly explain what is wrong with a situation?

Indeed it is a difficult world we live in.

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