Parlor Tricks, Modern Day Compass’s, and a Odd Looking Mouse - Motivational Essay

While working in Orlando Florida for the Walt Disney Company, I fell in love with the magic and excitement that constantly surrounded me.  Visiting the numerous attractions that Disney had to offer became a journey of a lifetime.  I had many places within and without the parks that I loved to frequent. 

One of these places was a magic shop at Downtown Disney.  I loved to stand and watch the numerous tricks that the magician would perform.  Of course, part of his job description was to sell the tricks to the customers who came in.  I soon became one of those customers.

One of the tricks that caught my attention involved a nickel that was glued to the top of a hallow device that was designed to look like three other nickels, giving the illusion that there were four stacked together, with four dimes hidden underneath.  The magician would then explain that he could magically turn these four nickels into four dimes by placing a brass cap on top of the pile and saying a simple magic phrase.  The magician would then place the cap over the device, which, by the way it was designed, put pressure on the stack of nickels and when pulled up, holds them tightly inside, revealing the hidden dimes underneath.

After wowing the audience, the magician would explain that all good things must come to an end, so revealing a secondary brass ring that fit over the cap he slams the cap back on top of the dimes, which releases the nickel device, and gives the illusion that he has changed the dimes back into their original nickel form.  He would then explain that for a low price of $9.99, he would reveal the secret of this magic trick to anyone willing to pay the price.

Though I was amazed at how the magician accomplished this feat, after learning the secret behind the magic trick, I was disappointed in the simplicity of it all.  It became a simple parlor trick to amuse those around me. 

In life, we come across many who are willing to sell us these great and wonderful illusions of grandeur.  “For a small price, I can make you rich, I can make you powerful, I can make you happy.”  They would say.  Once the bait is taken, however, the illusion washes away and reveals the reality of the situation, to which is rarely beneficial or of any real worth, leaving the buyer feeling deceived, frustrated, and worse off than before.

Once committed to these deceptions, the bitterness of the situation is made known.  You have then become entrapped in his ugly snare, and have started to walk down a path to which returning becomes increasingly difficult.  There is hope for those who have become lost in the world of deception.

Modern Day Compass’s

Recently, while on social engagement, I became lost while traveling to the venue.  I thought I knew where I was going and had been given general directions, but had missed a turn and found myself in unfamiliar territory.  After awhile, the situation became increasingly difficult, and I discovered that I had been traveling northwest, when I thought I was traveling southeast. 

After regaining my bearings, I tried again to follow the directions I had been given to reach our destination, deciding that if I could not find the venue, we would have to settle for an alternative activity for the evening.  Fortunately, after paying closer attention to the road, I found the turn that I had previously missed.  Though the road was there, the lighting was such, that if one did not look closely, it would be easily missed. 

Now thirty minutes late, we entered the arena and enjoyed the rest of what turned out to be a pleasant evening.  A few weeks later, I was given a GPS (Global Positioning System) device for my car as a gift for graduating from college.  This new tool would give me step by step directions to anywhere in the United States and be accurate within ten feet of my destination.  My parents smiled and then told me I now had no excuse for getting lost.

There is a lot of equipment that we use today to aide us in our journey in life.  We have computers, electronics, and other machines to guide us.  There are tools given to us that can guide us to a happy, and productive life.  Such things as obtaining an education, building up our personal and business networks, working at least part time while in school to learn time management, and having a strong support family and friend support system.

No matter what walk of life we come from, and where we want to end up, the road we choose to walk down today, while achieving the goal of becoming a contributing member of society, defines who we are.  It is normal to make mistakes, for that is how we learn and grow as individuals, but when we choose not to learn from them is when we become addicted to the pitfalls of life. 

Life is full of distractions that are intent on getting us lost.  When we have clear goals set forth, and a definitive plan on how to get there, we reduce the chance of becoming lost.  We create our own personal GPS devices to our future by learning from the past, living in the present, and planning for the future.

An Odd Looking Mouse

A popular children’s book and now motion picture, entitled The Tale of Desperaux, is a story about a curious and brave little mouse that goes on many adventures in the human world.  He befriends a lovely princess, to whom he tells his sad story to, of being banished from the world of mice for not being cowardly enough.  Before being banished however, his brother takes him to the castle to eat the pages from books.  Being the curious and brave little mouse that he is, he begins to read the book instead of devouring it.  He finds himself enthralled in reading the story about bravery, honor, and chivalry, and the princess tells him it is now his quest to finish reading the story makes him promise that he will finish his quest and return to tell her on how it ends.

Many difficulties fall upon Desperaux while he struggles to complete his quest.  He meets many new and interesting people along the way, including a wayward rat with a chip on his shoulder.  Though the rat’s intentions are good, disaster befalls on him and Desperaux.  In the end, Desperaux shows his bravery by overcoming his trials and finishes his quest of reading the book and reporting to the princess.  The princess praises him by calling him brave, noble, and true.

In today’s world, there are many people who are filled with good intentions, but end up tearing us down.  These people look like leaders to whom we can trust and rely upon, but lack in dedication, loyalty, true courage, and perseverance.  One thing is for certain in a world filled with uncertainty - it is only going to become worse before it gets any better, and it is up to us to stay on the course.

Like Desperaux, we must be brave.  Trials and tribulations will be thrown at us with a force that we have never seen before.  We must live up to the potential that we have within us to be the next generation of leaders and individuals that can contribute to this nation’s prosperity, even in one of its darkest economic hours.  We must be like Desperaux and be brave, noble and true; true to ourselves and to what we believe, noble enough to realize our great fortune, and brave enough to finish the task we have set out to accomplish.

Final Thoughts

We must be true to ourselves and to what we have been taught.  We can use our experience and education to better ourselves, our communities, our state, and our country.  We have been blessed to belong to one of the greatest nations in the world, and soon the mantle of responsibility will fall upon us.  Life is what we make of it, not what is defined by those around us.