The future isn't etched in stone. But it's not hard to predict either. When you open your eyes to the wide world around you, things you thought were "impossible" suddenly aren't. Yeah, it's that simple.

"And, when you want something, all the Universe conspires to help you achieve it." Paulo Coelho's THE ALCHEMIST is a veritable fountain of meaningful quotes. But the one above is my favorite. Because it's totally true. Even psychology studies suggest that when we visualize what we want, things seem to magically fall into place. Except, it's not magic. It's a body moving forward. An implied inertia inevitably follows.

The best part of imagining the yet unwritten future is believing that you still have a chance to make happen what has perhaps eluded you in the past. Today, I walked around all day doing just that, and my smile couldn't have been any bigger. My sense of joy, larger than I've felt in years. The bottom line: It's never too late to accomplish your dreams. As long as you survive your humanity, you will see a day when the thing you want most will finally find you. And when it does, don't hesitate.

We often feel unworthy of the wonders the world sends our way, putting up roadblocks to sabotage our potential happiness. Because eventually, the future becomes the now. And it can be a little intimidating to accept an invitation outside of your comfort zone. But Coelho has an answer for this, too:

"Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure."

Your future gains are guaranteed if you follow your heart. Maybe your treasure is love, or having a child, or getting that dream job...or all three! Whatever it might be, go for it. Life is about living. If you wait for everything to be perfect, you're just waiting to die. But death finds you soon enough. The whole point of life, however, is living.

So what are you waiting for??? Go get it! 


The future is now....

Bettie Page was one of the first women to bare all. Known as the "Queen of Pinups," she was also the first model to do BDSM and fetish shots (see insert, left). And everyone knows she was Playmate of the Month for Playboy in January 1955. But did you know Bettie Page was also her high school class Salutatorian, voted "Most Likely to Succeed"? Page was a star on the debate team, too. Looking at her picture, it's hard to imagine this sexy seductress as anything more than her infamous 36-23-35 figure. Makes you wonder, can we ever really know a person beyond what we see on the surface?

Page had a mood disorder later in life, suffering from depression. She also became an Evangelical Christian, even working for Billy Graham. Every individual is a series of complexities, like Page. We can never really know everything about a given person. Appearances are often deceiving. Really deceiving. But in a world of globalized technologies, social media networks, and search engines that can keep your photos online for, well, ever, is it possible to not judge a book by its cover?

The interesting thing about this 21st century quandary is, we all have an innate desire to share who we are with another human being. We want to bare our souls, and our bodies. Share our secrets. Become intimate. The ultimate human desire is acknowledgement. When we are intimate with another person, and not just through sex (though that's a good start...), we are asking for all of our scars and imperfections to be not only seen, but accepted. It's like saying, "I'm a monster...can you still somehow love me???"

The answer isn't always a kind one. But once in a while, we let someone get close enough to say, "Yeah, everything you think is hideous, I find beautiful." When that happens, it feels like a miracle. Like something out of a fairy tale. Except, you don't have to lure the prince by leaving your shoe (or smart phone) at his castle.

Ironically, social media networks can provide a space big enough to spurn intimate friendships, despite the enduring prevalence of (often regrettable) pictures on the internet. #SelfieSunday anyone???  People you've never met before are suddenly trusted friends you talk to on a daily basis. Sites like Twitter can provide an anonymous sheen to those who desire it. You don't have to use your real name, or post any personal photos. You can be anything, say anything. Under the mask of anonymity, without the pesky intrusion of "surface" judgments, it's easy to get to know someone. But some of us don't have the luxury of being anonymous. And that poses a different question: How can you trust people who may well know everything about you when you have no real way of verifying their identity?

A recent story in the Toronto Star talked about a woman who was swindled out of over $1,000,000 by a man she knew only from an online dating site. You may be tempted to criticize her, saying, "Why would you do that???!!!" But before you do, remember, we all crave acknowledgment. Know what another word for acknowledgment is? #LOVE.

Yup, as usual, #LOVE is to blame.

Why would you send naked pictures to someone you've never met before? Give large sums of money to what is, essentially, a name on a screen? Tell your most intimate secrets to a friend who may not be a real person at all? 
In our desperation to be #LOVED, we are willing to take BIG risks in a brave, new world. Like Bettie Page, what we know merely scratches the surface. Makes you wonder just how much you don't know about the "friend" you've never actually met. Not that meeting a person guarantees anything. But when you do meet another human being, you at least know that individual is real.

There's no easy answer, or one-size-fits-all solution. The first thing to check is your gut. What's it telling you? Next, observe. Look for pictures, signs of "real" life. Look at their interactions with others. Consistency is key. And if you really want to know if Shelly from Detroit who claims to be 34 isn't some 17-year old little shit getting his rocks off on punking innocent people, do an internet search. If you have a person's name, city and state, you can find pretty much anything you want. You may have to use your credit card to get it, but so what? Your peace of mind is worth the price of admission.

Even with all of the above, it doesn't guarantee you'll really know that person. But if the person on the other side of that DM (direct message) is sharing their world with you, it's very likely it's legit. Acceptance and acknowledgment are the reasons. The need to be loved is something we all share. It's the miracle of humanity (sorry, Jesus...). Trust is always difficult, but you don't need complete trust to take a risk. Except in yourself. Know yourself and no matter what, you will be fine.

And what about me??? You want it all, you say? Sure! Start with the 2009 archives and work your way to the present. Even five years' worth of essays won't help you know all of me. But I have shared who I really am with a few special people over the course of my life. Even a person I've never met. Know why?

Because I believe that #LOVE always wins, and not just in my books....