Mr.(s) Wizards World

Do you remember the somewhat campy TV show called Mr. Wizard’s World?

“Mr. Wizard” (aka Don Herbert in real life) produced and starred in the Nationally Televised show than ran for 15 years covering topics from Astrology to Zoology.  His ability to really capture the minds of people at any age, especially young closet science freaks such as myself (proud member of Science Olympiad and 3 time attendee to Space Camp talking here) is something I find so intriguing.  He was able to take fairly complex “stuff” and make it interesting… dare I say fun… to the point where you wanted to learn more.  Furthermore, it was as if your Grandpa was sitting there doing your science project with you. OK, your cool Grandpa, but still, no flashing lights, pulsing music, crazy graphics or extensive marketing campaigns; just the facts.  For me, the point was that Mr. Wizard really drove fairly complex concepts and theories down to the basic level where it made you say, “Yeah, I get that”. 

So what’s the moral of this story?  It’s that everyone, at some point in their life, needs a Wizard.

I wish that I could take credit for the term “Wizard”; however I admit I totally stole it from a friend.  Either way, I use it all the time even if I didn’t create the term.  In the end, the name doesn’t matter; call it what you want- counselor, therapist, shrink, head doctor- who cares?  (Insert gasp here) Oh- I went to the taboo place, didn’t I?  It’s the Person-Who-Must-Not-Be Named…. Oh, but I went there anyway.  Now, for those of you who are saying “I would never need to go talk to someone about XXX” OMG- get over yourself.  We are all f’d up in some way, shape or form, and isn’t life all being the best you can be and enjoying every moment?  Besides, you don’t know what you’re missing!

First, a Wizard is so much more than going for Girls Night Out and commiserating with others about “how can you not see the 1,528 things that need to be done around the house as you are playing Black Ops- AGAIN?” kind of thing.   Venting to friends, for both men and women, is priceless; but at the end of the day, it is what it is- a conversation that leaves you knowing you are not the only one that can’t stand picking up dirty socks of the bathroom floor for the millionth time, but not necessarily something that leaves you a better person.

Finding the right Wizard is not an easy task- trust me, we went through 3 other less than magical folks before we found the current Wizard, but in the end it was all worth it.  Previous encounters included a lot of self analysis, test taking, and discussion around the man/woman dynamic- that is so not what I am talking about.  It is about you being able to really discuss what is going on in that little head of yours- confessions, past hurt or scars, dreams and aspirations- and how all of this mashed up together makes you  into who you are today.  But the best part is, when you are able to identify some of the  ... um.. roadblocks shall we say?... that are in your way to happiness, a good Wizard is able to break down all of that “stuff” and lead you to a point where you are like “Yeah, I get it…”  You realize that it doesn’t have to be complicated, and that honestly, you knew these self discoveries all along, you just needed someone to help you understand what they meant.  No flashing lights, pulsing music, crazy graphics or self-help books needed.   

Working with a Wizard does not have to be a long term science project or result in a Masters in Biochemistry; maybe it’s just a refresher course that helps you remember what you need to, or expand on a theory that you totally got the basics on, but now want the AP version.  Either way, I encourage you to be open to the Wizarding World and all it has to offer… the results can be magical.