There are no happy endings.
Endings are the saddest part,
So just give me a happy middle
And a very happy start.

– Shel Silverstein

I was having a discussion with my uncle about life and he pointed out that he has found that for him, beginnings are happy and endings are sad.

I took this idea and rolled it around in my head for a while, thinking about theatrical structure, leadership, and life. Some have said that a tragedy is a story where the character’s end in a predestined way due to their own inability to change. They end poorly, no matter how good of a beginning or middle they experience. In many of the Tragedies of Shakespeare, everyone we care about dies in the end. A Drama has a sad conclusion when the primary character ends with revenge, fails at their mission, dies, or gives in.

But a happy ending is often a door closing that opens a window. A happy ending is a beginning. We end with a marriage, with a birth, a new job, a new opportunity, or simply the phrase “and they lived happily ever after”. Magically transforming an ending into new beginning that is filled with possibilities. In modern movie culture these new beginnings are often inserted to create the desire for a sequel.

I have often been told by peer to dress like I am “going somewhere better later”. In essence, dress as if there is a new beginning about to happen. In my corporate workshops I teach that a leader should always have a vision for the future of how things will be. And that vision is most powerful when we are included in that better tomorrow. A vision of a new and brighter beginning. Every day is a new opportunity, and spring in particular gives us all of the messages of a fresh start and a new life springing from the cold death of winter.

This is our time to change our future, avoid the tragedy and find happiness in the optimism of a new beginning. Start today. The best place to start is where you are, with what you have.


Let me know if I can help facilitate fun at your trade shows, parties, or brighten your meetings this year, lets create days your guests will remember for years to come.

Your friend,
-Paul Draper
paul@mentalmysteries.com
801-541-2976

Websites:
wwww.PaulWDraper.com
www.MentalMysteries.com
www.AnthropologyOffice.com
www.helpinghospitalsheal.com

Read more about Paul:
Paul Draper Mentalism (pdf)
Transformational Leadership with Paul Draper (pdf)


The Truth Is Out There

X-Files Cast and Paul

X Files stars Mitch Pileggi (Skinner) and William B. Davis (CSM) talk with Paul Draper about “The Masked Magician”, “Skepticism”, “Moon Landing Denial”, “The Magic Castle” and more in front of an audience of 5,000 fans at Salt Lake Comic Con FanX. Watch Mitch squirm.

Watch Here


Spoons & Lions

YouTube Video

Trade show crowd gathering and performing at the “ISC West” Security Conference at the Sands Convention Center at The Venetian, Las Vegas. Bending a spoon for a Russian engineer in the Dahua Technology booth.
Watch Here

L.A. Times Article

Lions roar at sanctuary near Las Vegas, but visitors are few. Make sure to stop in on your next trip.
Read More