Genie in a Bottle

You’re cleaning out your garage and you find a dusty bottle with a cork at the top. Although it looks to be about 700 years old, there’s a magical glow around it, an aura, if you will. You immediately recognize it for what it is - a genie’s bottle. You look around for a clean spot to sit down. You decide on a cleared-out space between the weed eater that doesn’t work and the bike with two flat tires - you’ll get around to them in the spring.

You sit down - just you, your bottle, and your future that just became brighter than Jessica Simpson’s smile. Your heart beats in your throat as you uncork your bottle and dreams. For a few seconds, nothing happens and you start peeking around from side to side, without even moving your head - to see if anyone sees the biggest fool in the world. Just then, a huge cloud of smoke ascends from the bottle as it spits out your own personal genie. As it takes shape, you start thinking of those wishes. There are a billion flying around in your head, bumping off of one another - A beach house in the Florida Keys…but, wait, hurricanes….How about a large but cozy log cabin in the mountains of Tennessee - right on the lake? No hurricanes in Tennessee…Then your mind reminds you that you could just wish away hurricanes.

The genie’s voice snaps you out of your daydream. He’s about 9 foot tall, smells like mothballs, has a black beard that touches the ground and eyebrows that say he’s planning something devious. But he has the map to your future, whether it’s on the beach or in the mountains, so you believe him to be the most handsome thing you’ve ever seen.

But when he speaks, you notice that his voice sounds like Ryan Seacrest. It’s then you realize your smack in the middle of a freaky, “I shouldn’t have had that cold slice of pizza at midnight” dream.  You wake up no closer to what you wanted than when you and your full stomach laid down.

I’m sure you know by now where I’m headed with this - I’m about as subtle as I am Chinese.

What if it weren’t a dream? What if you really were faced with the prospect of being handed exactly what you wanted - no questions asked. We won’t get into the aspects of “It’s better to work for what you want…” or “You should put others above yourself…” and we won’t touch the “I’d wish for world peace..” hot button. Let’s just deal with getting what you want…. what you want for YOU. But don’t try the “More wishes” trick - the bearded genie and I are both wise to that one.

Think of all your possibilities: The body you had at 21, thicker hair, a closet full of new clothes (hmmm, what does the fact that the first three things out of my brain are centered around appearance say about me - I wish for you not to answer that…), a rust orange hummer, a log cabin in the woods, new bedroom furniture, a beach house, a television set so large the neighbors could see what you’re watching, wisdom, etc.

After you’ve thought for a minute, literally write down the 3 things that you’d most wish for. Write each at the top of an index card, or on a small piece of paper.

Now, take each card (one at a time) and create a plan to make it a reality. Write down the things you KNOW you need to do more or do better to get from here to there. Be honest. It’s like looking in the mirror first thing in the morning - ‘taint always pretty, but before leaving the house you have to know what you’re up against. What’s poofy, what’s puffy, what’s in dire need of hiding - that sort of thing.

Keep what you’ve written down someplace where you’ll see it and see it often.  If you don’t want others to see, just be a little sneaky.  Of course, there’s something to be said for letting people who care about you see your dreams - they’ll want them to come true almost as much as you do, and they’ll give you support, help, and most definitely will keep you honest. (Once when I was trying to lose weight, my husband and daughters started their own little walking club - and I was the guest of honor each time.)

Your plan(s) will of course depend upon your wishes.  If, for example, you want to lose weight - your plan of attack would go something like this:

1. Cut out fried foods and red meat.
2. Exercise for at least 30 minutes each day.
3. Take my lunch rather than eating out.
4. Cut back on bread, sweets, and other empty calories…

If your wish is something that costs more than you have in the bank (Don’t worry, I live in this neighborhood, too.) - the plan should include ways to start getting serious about making money.  Really serious.  Get creative, take chances, and be bold.  Nothing good ever comes from being a common, run-of-the-mill, chicken in a sling. 

Write those dreams down and then plan your route.

You’ll end up with three cards or pieces of paper that’ll be more valuable than any genie. The genie would just give you the end results - you wouldn’t experience any growth in the process. You wouldn’t develop any character, strength, or self confidence along the way.

But if YOU make your own magic, you’ll get far more than you ever wished for.