Three Ways to Get What You Want

Many moons ago, I lived in New York City and worked as a scenic designer for CBS television. One of the shows I designed was Captain Kangaroo. It was great fun except at Thanksgiving time. You see the Captain was the MC for Macy's Thanksgiving Parade so I had to be in the studio every Thanksgiving at 6am in the morning to supervise the set I designed. While most people were at home sleeping in on the holiday, I would be off to work at 5am.

I no longer work in television and now live on the West coast but I still am enamored with Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and watch it every year on TV. Last year, while watching, I got a longing to be part of the parade again. Instead of being behind the scenes, as I used to be, I wanted to be in the parade itself. I had no idea how I'd make that happen but I somehow knew it would because once I put my intention on something, it usually comes true. One of the reasons for that is that I believe that we are six-degrees of separation away from someone who can help get whatever it is that we want.

For several months I asked everyone I met if they knew anyone connected to the parade. Two people did and were going to work on it. But they weren't getting very far. So, one day I posted my desire on Facebook. Pretty soon after that a friend/colleague of mine, who lives in New York, said she would investigate who to contact at Macy's.

Several days later, she emailed me to say that it was too late to get in the parade but they were sending me an application anyhow. They did. I filled it out. And two days later, they said that if I want, I could march in the parade this year as a clown.

Of course, I was thrilled but I also found out that I might have to go to clown school which was not convenient since I'm on the West coast and the classes were on the East coast. In addition, I am not a professional clown, although I do teach humor workshops and once gathered a group of friends to all wear clown noses to a Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus performance. But my biggest concern was that I really wanted to ride on a float in the parade not walk the long distance. I could do it but that was not the experience I wanted. (I guess I had forgotten the lesson I learned a long time ago that you really have to be clear on what you want or you may get something else.)

So I contacted Macy's to thank them so much for inviting me to be in the parade this year but that I really wanted to ride on a float. The person in charge was most gracious and told me when to contact them next year and he could probably arrange my ride on a float.

I'll let you know what float I'll be on so you can wave to me. I promise to wave back.

P.S.- Doing this process made me realize three important steps in getting whatever it is you want.

1- INTENTION: Be very clear about what you want.

2- TELL THE WORLD ABOUT IT: Don't keep it a secret. How will others know what you want if you don't tell them about it ?

3- RALLY THE TROOPS: People love helping other people. Remember you are only six degrees of separation away from someone who can assist you in getting what you want.

Oh, and one more thing...remember to be thankful for what you get.