In last week's memo we spoke of the duality of the universe, otherwise known as The Law of Two. Likewise, this week's memo could easily be titled, The Law of One.
This Law of Singularity was powerfully communicated in the movie City Slickers when Curly, the character played by Jack Palance, shared the ultimate secret of success and happiness with Mitch, the character played by Billy Crystal. “The secret of life,” said Curly, holding up a forefinger, “is this.” “Your finger?” asked Mitch. “One thing,” answers Curly with conviction, “Just one thing. You stick to that and everything else don't mean #@!&.” Crystal responds with interest, “That's great, but what's the one thing?” “That's what you've gotta figure out,” answered Curly. And then he died.
During a recent visit to Wizard Academy, Dave Lakhani expressed the Law of One when he said, “Clearly defined problems are fast attractors to powerful solutions.”
Lewis Carroll's Cheshire Cat expressed a comical corollary to this Law of One when he quipped to Alice, “If you don't care very much where you are going, any road will get you there.”
A couple of thousand years ago, Jesus spoke directly to the Law of One when he said, “If your vision (goal) is singular (clear and focused,) your whole body will be full of light (creativity, enthusiasm, stamina, ability to solve problems.) But if your vision is foggy, (unclear, vague) your whole body will be full of darkness (aimlessness, apathy, depression.) If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” Yes, the amplifying words in parenthesis are my own, but lest you fear that I'm stretching the meaning beyond its intended context, please note that the statement which immediately precedes Jesus' statement is this, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Did Jesus originate this Law of One just two millennia ago? No, he was simply restating a principle that was/is known to every Jew since the giving of the Sh'ma thousands of years before; “Hear O Israel, the LORD our God, God is One.”
The singular point of today's memo is that you need to give yourself wholeheartedly to one mate in a marriage, one goal in a business, one hope for your life. But who can name that mate, that goal, that hope?
“That's what you've gotta figure out,” answered Curly.
And then he died.
Roy H. Williams
PS – Only 3 seats remain for the Miller/Bard Writer's Workshop at Wizard Academy, Saturday, August 10. This is a non-fiction writer's fantasy camp. Likewise, Dean Rotbart is hosting a Free Public Seminar previewing his awesome Newsroom Confidential curriculum in Denver on Friday, Aug. 16. And the unforgettable Magical Worlds curriculum at Wizard Academy will be taught by the Wizard, himself, at the Wizard's castle in Austin, August 21-23. For complete details visit wizardacademy.org or email jg@wizardacademy.org – JG Tornoe, Academy Director, (800) 425-4769