STORY5;  (For a free copy of the book, The Heart’s Choices of Benjamin Booysen, be the first one to answer the question that follows this story. The answer can be found in any one of the last five stories posted!

“Ben…! Aren’t you ever going to get up from there? We all need a turn you know!” “But Ribs, it’s big enough for all of us…jump in.” “I also want my own turn, just like you did! I’m giving you just a few more minutes…then I call Oupa.” I closed my eyes. Who says I don’t have negotiation skills…

Deep breath, relaxed, soft breeze…paradise…! “Stop that you silly bird…I’ll tell Professor if you do that again!” What? Have they moved their school to this tree? I looked up and saw all the mousebirds neatly in a row on a branch in my tree! And Professor…let me tell you about our Professori…

The self appointed teacher of the mousebirds, Professor (so he likes to be called… imagine!) moved his school to our garden not so very long ago! Being a typical ‘know-it-all’ I decided that our communication won’t much go beyond ‘good morning, nice day… see you around…’ But now, now I really need to say something about this rude interruption…and the fact that this is not a tree for a… What!? What did I hear?

“…but I don’t have holes in my body!” “No, silly, not real holes…i-ma-gi-na-ry holes!” Oh this is a good one! Let me hear what our clever Professor is teaching his class today!

“Ok, Vonnie, let’s hear how you understood my lesson this morning.” “Well, it’s like this. We mousebirds are part of a very close community, but even so, as individuals we still need to live a balanced life. In other words, we must fill the ‘holes’ in our bodies with work and study, friends, personal growth, pleasure and fun, spiritual growth…” Mmm, I thought, very impressive Professor, but what about alone time? Surely even a mousebird needs alone time!

“Ok Benjamin…it’s Rebecca’s turn in the hammock.” I looked at Oupa and then at Rebecca. “Ribs, can’t we share…? I will…”

QUESTION; What is the name of the bully that came for a few talking sessions with Ben’s beloved mother?

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STORY 4 (OF THE FREE BOOK COMPETITION)

Once in a while my beloved mother and I encounter the real bullies of our neighbourhood. It’s not often, but let me tell you, there are some mean teens out there!

This morning it was Fearless Freddie. Now there are those that I call the scuffles and then there are those I call the dogos. Freddie was definitely a dogo, which means that deep down he is still a ‘good’ person, but some of his wires got really loose! Everyone smaller and younger feared him including all the animals. So, Fearless Freddie arrived this morning for a few ‘talking sessions.’

For the first couple of sessions I found that I had a lot of matters to attend to. I’d excused myself and assured my beloved mother that she was extremely capable of talking to him on her own. Now please understand, I’m not one to avoid my responsibilities, but to be in close proximity of Fearless Freddie was a bit unnerving. I was more than a bit worried…and I knew my dearest mother fully understood.

The usual method of relating to scuffles and dogos was to give them things like tasks to do rather than talking. At then end of a meeting they had to explain their interpretation of what the meaning of the different exercises were…Fearless Freddie was incredible; he started figuring out from the fourth exercise what the message was. But it was only after the very last one that he was allowed to verbalise his observation.

I heard later that Fearless Freddie became quite the ‘preacher’ at the school he attended. All day long it was ‘don’t kick him; that kick will come back to you! You girls…stop gossiping, or worse things will be said about you! Stop fighting with your younger brother or one day you’ll have to fight for your own life! Don’t any of you know that whatever you do or say always comes back to you! What are you…dumb?!

That night I added a special line in my prayer for ‘Preacher Freddie.’

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I’m going to post five stories from the book,

Story one: 

Our neighbour’s teenage daughter, Cindy, is really a wonderful human being. I often see her just enjoying their garden, looking at the plants and talking to the fairies and the gnomes and leprechauns… I have to admit that I haven’t as yet been able to see and actually talk to them, but soon, very soon…! But Back to Cindy.

She, I discovered, wasn’t quite like the other teenagers… She was sort of always happiness-filled…a free-spirit…and at first I thought all teenagers were like that until…

‘Of course I’m unhappy…everyone makes me unhappy! No one understands me, least of all my parents. It’s really difficult not to have what my friends have…if only they understood how it feels to be the one ‘without’… No, no, there is nothing wrong with my heart, my heart is just fine! If only I can also sometimes be the first one with something new… Flowers? What flowers? Nature? No, no, I’m not quite into those things… Blame? Yes, of course I blame them for my unhappiness…

I thank the Universe that I was born a dog… As a dog. I don’t have to go through the pain of needing a new cell phone, needing a new pair of shoes, wanting gel for my hair and needing a super sound system… I’m like Cindy, I’m just happy…and things come to me anyway!

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‘Not living happily…? Husband not making you happy…? Husband just watching TV and drinking beer…? Husband not helping with the kids…? Husband not going to seminars with you…?

Mmm… You have choices…’

·        Do nothing… be unhappy forever… and enjoy victimhood…!

·        Do something…Choose to own your own happiness, after all, your happiness is not your husband’s responsibility… don’t blame him…!

·        Walk away…’

‘That’s it…?’ ‘Yip… You see, the problem is not your husband…The problem is… you want a perfect life… and you don’t want to rock the boat…but most of all… you don’t want change…’

PS. Ben and Mickey have gone ‘walkabout’ … This is the only voice left behind…

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‘Mick…how much of what you did this week… did you do to please others…? ‘Mmm…’

‘So Ben…’ ‘Yes Mick… important it is to live your truth and find Heart’s joy…’

365 short stories with Ben and his friends...

The first ten stories with music (MP3) can be downloaded from:

http://www.archive.org/details/TheHeartsChoicesOfBenjaminBooysen

The Heart’s Choices of Benjamin Booysen is available on:  

             www.africanpublisher.com

Email: info@africanpublisher.com

Tel:      (+27) 011 782 1380

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‘Aahh, shame…look at that poor boy…all alone…all…’ ‘Dezi…? Why shame…?’ ‘Shame…?’ ‘Yes, why did you say sh…?’ ‘Beenn…it’s  just an expression… Don’t you feel sorry for him…?’

         ‘Ben…? Shame is…perilously close to death…? Mickey? What does he mean?’

‘Emotions 101… Shame has a vibration of 20…If you consider that Enlightenment has a vibration of 1000…then…’ ‘Enlightenment…? Mickey…what’s Ben talking about…?!’ ‘Dezi…just don’t choose emotions with a vibration level below 200…you’ll definitely be classified as a Cosmic Thief!’ ‘Mickeyyy…!!’ ‘I told you Dezi…if you want to hang around with me and Ben…brace yourself…’

        ‘Mickey… which emotions are below 200…?’ ‘Mmm…Ben…do you think Ouma’s muffins are ready…?’ ‘Mickeyyy…!’   

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‘Object referral is based on fear… You either get on your high horse and say, hey, don’t tell me what I can and what I can’t do…! Do you know who I am…?! Do you know how many degrees I have…?! Or, you get on your submissive horse and say, oh, yes, sorry…you’re so right…I shouldn’t have thought I could make any difference…so sorry!’ ‘Ben…I wonder how many people…’ ‘Mickey, Mickey… it’s not about how many humans live from Ego, fear, high horse, submissive horse, flight horse and no horse…! It’s about how Mickey…is living…!’

        ‘Ben… What about your high horse…?’ ‘Huh…? Mine…?’

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‘Mick…what you’re up to this weekend?’ ‘Good and bad…’ ‘Mmm…judgments again…’ ‘No Ben, just life…!’

        ‘So… Mickey…?’ ‘Well, tonight is a party at Michelle’s place…that is good. Tomorrow morning it’s shopping with my mother…that is bad. Then pool and a few pints with Kyle and Jamie...that is good. Then, my dear friend…Aunt Nelly and family…That…is bad!’ ‘Mmm…’ ‘And then Ben, Sunday I’m seeing Dezi, you know, Kyle’s cousin…’ ‘Ooh...?’ ‘And that might be good, or it might be bad…it depends on whether we…you know…’ ‘Mmm…’ ‘So, you see Ben…good and bad…’   

        ‘Mickey…why don’t you choose a joyful weekend? Why do you already expect that some things WILL be good and some things WILL be bad…? Why don’t you just intend to experience joy…without all the…’ ‘Conditions and judgments…?’ ‘Exactly…! Don’t you want to attract a lighter vibration…? Life becomes so…so much easier when you live…’ ‘Beeeen!!! Where are you…? It’s time to go to the vet…!’ ‘Mickey…now THAT is…’

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‘Desire…Desire…Desire…!’ ‘Ben…! One is not allowed to desire…!’ ‘Ai, Mickey… and who told you that…?’

           ‘What…? Don’t judge my desire…? Be honest about my desire…? Ben…?’ ‘Yes, don’t judge and be honest…and desire.’

            ‘What…? Neoronets…? What’s my brain and neoronets got to do with my desire to drive a beautiful midnight blue SLK 55 AMG…?’ ‘Mick, if that desire is overlaid with a religious one…like, I shouldn’t desire material things…I should feel ashamed of myself…well, then two neoronets are activated…’ ‘And then…?’ ‘Mmm…and then…no sleek merc for you…’ ‘Ben, there is more to this thing of thoughts creating your reality then…?’

         ‘Ben…desire…desire…desire…But…?’ ‘But…Mick, my friend… with no attachment…!’ ‘No attachment…? How …?’

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‘Run Mickey…! Run…!’ ‘Aah Ben…it’s impossible! I can’t get away…it is attached to me…!’ We all laughed.

          ‘Mmm…that was quite a bit of fun…’ ‘And you’ll never forget…!’ ‘No, I suppose not…whenever I see my shadow in future…it will always remind me…that part of me is dark…that I will always have to choose…So, when I see my cousin…or old school friend…more successful and happier than me… Will my shadow choose jealousy and envy… or will my light choose happiness and more blessings for them…?’

           ‘Mick, but what is even more important than that…?’ ‘More important…? Mmm… If we do choose jealousy and envy… then it will be a good thing… to acknowledge our feelings…and not choose guilt and shame for feeling envious and jealous…because only then can Soul really…evolve…!’

          ‘Mick…I was so disappointed when Sun disappeared behind the clouds…when it was my turn…’ ‘Now, now Ben…aren’t you perhaps engaging your shadow…?’

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So Ben…I’m not in your stories…am I?’ ‘Afraid not…’ ‘It’s all about the other humans in your life…?’ ‘Yes, it’s all about my other young friends…their problems and their thoughts, but it’s also a lot about our Lukas, Rebecca, Ouma and Oupa and of course my beloved mother.’ ‘Aaahh…and then there is your own personal Mr Button Pusher…’ ‘Mmm…’ ‘Ben…it really is about your spiritual gems and Universal truths…that you so secretly collect…isn’t it?’ ‘Mickey…everyone knows about the pieces of my puzzle…it’s no secret…!’ 

The first ten stories with music (MP3) can be downloaded from:

http://www.archive.org/details/TheHeartsChoicesOfBenjaminBooysen

The Heart’s Choices of Benjamin Booysen is available on:  

             www.africanpublisher.com

Email: info@africanpublisher.com

Tel:      (+27) 011 782 1380

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‘I’m such a good person – why do unpleasant things happen to me? Why do I have to put up with all these irritating people in my life? Why do I have these annoying little problems in my life? Isn’t there a reward for being a ‘good’ human being…?’

         ‘Hi Ben…deep in thought…? Or asleep…?’ ‘Mickey…never asl…’

‘Ben…so it’s a good thing to have irritating people in your life…? And it’s a good thing to have all those annoyances…?’ ‘Yes Mick…next time you see Aunt Nelly with ‘that smile’ you’re so ‘fond of’… say thank you…and…’ ‘But why Ben…? You know very well she is so…’

        ‘You humans are here to acknowledge your negative side…and to build character…What’s the use of going to the doctor if you’re not sick?’

       ‘Ben…I’ll have to think about Aunt Nelly…Perhaps I should just avoid her…’ ‘Mickey…Mickey…use the…’ ‘Opportunity…? Mmm…yes, yes…I know…’

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‘‘Go Mickey…! Go…! Watch out…! Behind you…!’ ‘Ben…why didn’t you go with him…?’ ‘What…? Me…? No, no my friend…this is strictly a human thing…’ ‘You know… dodge here, dodge there…look behind you…look where you’re going… around and around…bump, bump, bump… No thanks Kyle…’

         ‘Aah Ben, Kyle…that was fantastic…I haven’t done the dodgem thing since way, way back…! Man…I’m pumping…! What’s next…?’ ‘The Ferris Wheel…’ ‘Beeenn…!?’

            ‘Ben…these bumper cars…’ ‘Yes Mickey, I agree… some humans have an amazingly similar way of behaving…! You bump me…I bump you harder…You betray me…I choose anger…! You violate my trust…I choose anger…! You pick a fight with me… I choose to drag old, old stuff out of the cupboard and fight back…! Bump…bump harder…turn around and BUMP…!’ ‘Mmm Ben…so what does it take…you know…to get out of the dodgem…?’ ‘A Heart’s Choice…’ ‘As opposed to…?’ ‘Ego’s Choice…!’ ‘So we’re back with the mouse and his wheel…?’ ‘Oh dear yes…the mouse and same reactions…yes, yes…’

            ‘Come on Ben…the Ferris Wheel it is…’ ‘Mickey…Kyle…? Two big, young, muscular blokes like you…?’ ‘It’s the girls…their choice this time…’  

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‘Ben…this is unbelievable…! An insignificant plant…an unfriendly plant…an untouchable plant…! And now… this awesome, most beautiful…’ ‘Mmm…makes you think…doesn’t it…?’ ‘Ben…?’

           ‘Nature’s reminders…? How…?’ ‘Well…what d’you think the cactus will do when she sees herself in a mirror…? Do you think she’ll say…ooh look at me… all these thorns… no one can touch me, no one can cuddle me, no one will ever love me…!? No my friend…not Miss Cactus…! You see…she stays true to her nature…and  when the time comes…she produces from within…and then…she is adored…noticed…touching the Heart of humans…and reminds you humans to do…’ ‘Mmm… you’re right…You know what Ben…I think this is a dare…!’ ‘A dare…? What’s that…?’

         ‘Mickey…! Yes, yes… I like it man…! I like it a lot…!’

‘Dare to look beyond your mirror … and Believe … that you too have the creative force within…! And when you look beyond your own self judgments…Oh boy…will you produce the greatest, most velvety…’ ‘Ok Ben… I get your point…I believe you…now let’s move closer to the swimming pool…’ ‘Mickey…!?’           

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        ‘Ben, he’s a bit of a spoil sport…Everyone is chained and even enjoying it too… A bit of fun has no harm…’ ‘Easy for you my friend…you’re only chained to a heavy ball…not like some…’ ‘True…to be chained to a tree…for a day…oohh…’

        ‘Ben…why on earth are we doing this…?’ ‘Easy Mick…to teach you humans your addictions of course…’ ‘Addictions…?! I’m not addicted…! I have never used dope or drugs of any kind…!’ ‘Mickey…who said anything about dope…?’

         ‘What…? Strong chemicals are produced in the brain…which gives us pleasure…then we like that ‘pleasure’ so much that we repeat the same thing to get the same ‘pleasure’?’ ‘Yip…’

         ‘Ben…but how can we be addicted to stress? Surely that’s not a ‘pleasure’ thing?’

‘Aah Mick…refreshment time… Now isn’t that a pleasure thing…!’ ‘Ben…by the way, why weren’t you chained…?’   (To be continued…we think)

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Day 3;

‘So Ben…any thoughts on this business of ladders and contradictions…?’

           ‘Mmm…Mickey, remember how your thoughts and feelings and emotions must have the same vibration…well, if you think ‘ladder,’ but you immediately judge it as ‘bad’ or ‘harmful’ or ‘shameful’…well, that would be a feeling that contradicts your thought…’ ‘Mmm…I see…But Ben…why start with a ladder…? Why not start with what we really want…?’ ‘Like…?’ ‘Like money of course…!’ ‘Aaah Mickey…how many humans out there would have the guts to say… I WANT LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS OF MONEY…! And not FEEL a touch of guilt…or shame…?’ 

       ‘Ben…we can’t judge a ladder…’ ‘Oh…Mickey…wanna bet…? Just tell a human to walk under a ladder…!’

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‘Be honest…did you see a ladder…? Along the road? In a magazine? In an ad? At a house? In the garage? A movie…? Mmm…

Why do you think you saw a ladder…? Yeah…? Any ideas…? Mmm…you give up…? Ok, let me enlighten you... You ‘attracted’ or manifested, if you want, the ladder because there was somewhat intent and somewhat focus…and most of all…there was no contradiction…! There…! That’s the reason…!

Now…for today…’

‘Ben…what’s with no contradiction…?’ ‘Mick, I’ll tell you tomorrow…let’s just listen some more…’  

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Day 1;   

         ‘Relaxed…? Ok, disgruntled human…let’s begin…’

‘Today… ‘see’ a ladder in your mind… oh, you don’t need a ladder…? Aah…just for the fun of it… ‘see’ the ladder, ‘think’ ladder…and ‘feel’ ladder… That’s all…

That’s all for now…I’ll be back tomorrow…’     

‘Ben…a ladder? We must think about a ladder…?’ ‘Mmm…yes Mick…let’s do it…’

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·         ‘Why you’re wearing that T-shirt…it’s so bright…that green one of yours is much better…’

·         ‘Ooh no Stacey…don’t cut your hair…your nose is much too long for short hair…’

·         ‘Pats…your hair is getting much too long…I think you should come to my hair dresser…’

·         ‘You know Tess…I wish you would leave Greg…he is just not the guy for you…’

·         ‘No Shaun…listen to me…this is much better for you…’

·         ‘No, no…don’t sell your car to your brother…you’ll never get your money…!’

·         ‘Well, just tell your sister to move on and out of your life… She’s milking you…! Kick her out…!’

·         ‘No…you can’t apply for that job…that’s an awful company to work for…’

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‘Mmmmm…’ ‘Mmmm…’ ‘Mmmm…Ben…you…(chew chew chew)…agree…?’ ‘(chew chew chew)…mmm…’ ‘Simply…(gulp swallow)…aahhh…simply delicious…! Ben…? Might this be the champion…?’ ‘Mickey…if not…then very close…’

          ‘Ben…! Mickey…! You finished two each…?! These are the biggest, sweetest…most decadent…’ ‘Have you even tried one duh…?’ ‘Of course…’ ‘Knowing you Miss Diet personified…you took a crumb and immediately felt guilty…’ ‘Guilty…? Why…?’ ‘Ben…haven’t you noticed that peculiar thing about some women…?’    

          ‘Mmm…immune system…’ ‘Immune system…? What’re you mumbling about now…? Forget the immune system and just savour the moment my friend…’

          ‘Ben…might as well enlighten me…’ ‘Mickey…eat a delicious, decadent c-c-muffin with much joy and delight…and your immune system will surge…! Eat a delicious, decadent c-c-muffin with shame and guilt…and your immune system will lower its function for a short time…’ ‘Aah Ben…in that case…let’s have another…’ ‘And then Mickey…there is…’

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         ‘Ben…deep in thought here under your tree…?’ ‘Mmm…dark rooms and human beings…’ ‘Dark rooms and human beings…? Yes, I’ve often thought about it too…’ ‘You have…? How…?’ ‘Well, I sit on my favourite branch and quite often I hear words like…oh, life is so difficult…sigh…life is so hard…if only I can get a break…sigh…if only a miracle will happen…if only that stupid woman will keep her hands of my boyfriend…I don’t care if he’s not Mr Perfect…everyone has their faults…so what if he occasionally drinks too much and beats me…at least I’m not alone… It is then Ben, that I think of dark rooms and human beings …’

         ‘Ben…here you are…come on…! It’s Cindy’s turn to tell a scary story…come on…’ ‘Cindy…? Cindy won’t tell scary stories in dark rooms…her attitude towards life will never trap her in a dark room…’ ‘What…? Ben…? What you’re talking about…? We’re playing man…come on…!’

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‘So…are you a mouse…?’ ‘Ben…! How can I be a mouse…? I
L-O-V-E my E-M-O-T-I-O-N-S!’ ‘Aaahh Mick, my man…! One less

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      ‘Ben…?’ ‘Mickey, still here…?’ ‘Well, why aren’t you coming…?’

‘Peace in your own Heart…?’ ‘Yes, why do you want to pray for peace in another country when there is no peace in your own home… because your husband has an affair …no peace in your own family because everyone knows that your brother cannot contain his violence…no peace in your own Heart because you’re walking around with a dark secret…?’ ‘But Ben…if it is a collective effort…the energy will…’ ‘Exactly Mickey…peace is an energy, a vibration…a peaceful Heart is one of the highest vibrations…’ ‘So Ben, you cannot pass something on that you don’t have, is that it…?’

     ‘Ben…why did you not go…surely your Heart is…?’ ‘Mickey…my peace is always there…I don’t have to go somewhere…’

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       ‘Mickey, original face is…living without a crutch…’ ‘But, Ben…haven’t you noticed…many of them cannot move without…’ ‘Mmm…’

       ‘Ben… living without a crutch…?’ ‘Means… living beyond the opinions of others. You see, some of them were probably told…you’ll never be able to walk, you’ll never be able to play basket ball, you’ll never…’ ‘Oh, I see…but they decided to…’ ‘Exactly, they chose to live life their way…according to their inner sense…according to the itch of Heart… ’

        ‘So Ben, if I want to live with original face… without a crutch…’ ‘Then, Mickey…scratch your own itch, because only you know where it is…’ ‘Ben…?! Just for once…’         

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      ‘Ben, we as humans are told every day to do the right thing… to get the best job, to marry the right man, to go to church and to behave, to eat broccoli and pears…’ I laughed…poor broccoli…

       ‘Mickey… and how will you grow? And when will you listen to your Heart? Do you want to become a rock…so fearful of not doing the right thing that you don’t move…don’t dance…don’t cry…just stuck in someone else’s definition and rules of ‘good behaviour…’ ‘And what if others laugh at me…’ ‘Oh Mick, my friend…laughing will do them good…!’

       ‘Ben…the but part…?’ ‘Mmm…yes…Commit as many mistakes as possible…but, don’t commit the same mistake twice…!’   

       Italics: From OSHO, Courage, the Joy of Living dangerously

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        ‘Ben…’ ‘Mmm…’ ‘Curiosity…?’ ‘Mickey, as you know… I’m not allowed to tell any human what to do…but, in my distinguished opinion, as you said…curiosity is what makes you alive, not kill you…! You see…all humans want to be the cause of their joy…you want to experience the joy of finding it…! And if I may…your joyful curiosity starts with yourself…In other words…be curious about yourself…!’ ‘Curious about myself…?’ ‘Yes Mick…joyfully ask yourself…Why do I know what I know…? Why do I do the things I do…? Why do I live where I live…?’ ‘Why do I like the …?’ ‘Yes, yes Ben…but what about the cat…?’

        ‘What…? The cat was killed by his own sorrow and worry…?’ ‘Afraid so my dear friend…but, trust you humans to go and change the whole thing around…’ 

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         ‘I am handsome, I am gorgeous, I am lovable…by Sunday evening Miss Right will walk straight into my arms…? That’s your affirmation…?’ ‘Yes… and come Monday morning…I’ll introduce you to her…’ ‘Mick, I thought the point…with youngsters like you…is to have a Miss Right-For-The-Weekend…?’

          ‘Mick…’ ‘Mmm…’ ‘I don’t want to spoil your affirmation…or your weekend…but…I read somewhere that it takes work and experience to move from a desire to belief… And in my experience…it is our very belief about that which we want to change or attract that very often …huh …mmm… espionages…our… affirmations… And then too quickly we say…oh, this mumbo jumbo affirmations…all for the birds…’ ‘Ben…? Espionages…?’ ‘Espionages…undermines…weakens…Point is Mick…’ ‘Ben…I believe…and that’s it…!’  

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