THE MAGICIAN

by Richard Quek

Houdini was the greatest magician during his time. He
was also a fantastic locksmith, and boasted that he
could escape from any jail cell in the world in less
than one hour. A small town in the British Isles built
a new jail and issued Houdini the challenge. Houdini
loved challenges and there was a prize money offered,
so he accepted the challenge. When the big day
arrived, there was a large crowd present and the media
was also there to cover the special event. Houdini
confidently walked into the cell, and the door was
closed. He immediately took off his coat and went to
work. Hidden in his belt was a flexible, yet tough and
durable ten-inch piece of steel, which he used to work
on the lock. At the end of 30 minutes, his confidence
disappeared. At the end of an hour, he was soaked in
perspiration. After two hours, Houdini literally
collapsed against the door – which opened! The door had
never been locked, except in Houdini’s own mind.

SUCCESS PRINCIPLES

The door had never been locked except in Houdini’s own
mind, which meant that the door was as firmly locked as
if a thousand locksmiths had put their best locks on
it. Houdini could have unlocked any physical locks, but
not the lock that was in his own mind. Just like
Houdini, our locks are in our own mind and prevent us
from getting out of our “jail”. Most of us are in a
“mental prison” and in order to break out, we need to
realize and admit it, and just give it a little push.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE

"You can end half your troubles immediately by no
longer permitting people to tell you what you want."