"I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph."
-Shirley Temple

"I still believe in magic."
-Paul Draper

Welcome to December's "Mysteries of the Mind" monthly newsletter!

Happy Holiday's, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy New Year, Happy Yule tide greetings and I hope that you have a season of Joy celebrating with your loved ones this time of year.

Here is a fun list of how to say "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" in dozens of languages: click here

I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah
currently the "whoopee cushion" of America (due to how many jokes are made at it's expense.)

Half of my family are LDS/Mormon and the other half are Jewish. Due to this wonderful combination I often had the blessing of 9 days of presents! However, this year the dates overlap so I will be back to just 8 crazy nights.

Utah was a lovely place to grow up, especially because of the beautiful mountains, natural wonders and the majestic four seasons. We would have a Christmas tree in the living room and a menorah in the window. How beautiful it is to live in a country and time of so much religious freedom. I was often asked by teachers in my schools to represent Judaism and teach the history of the holiday to my fellow classmates in a time before History Channel programs on demand 24/7.

History Ch. Christmas
History Ch. Hanukkah

For further thoughts on religious acceptance, education and freedom, here is a fantastic list of some other fun Holidays and calibrations that our friends families and neighbors may celebrate include: click here

Life isn't about the money we make,
the things we accumulate or even the awards displayed on our shelf. Life is about the people who come into our sphere and teach us how to reflect on time, self, meaning and kindness towards others.

Have a wonderful season of giving and reflection. I hope to see you and spend time with you soon,

Thank you for being my friend.

Your friend,
-Paul Draper
paul@mentalmysteries.com
801-541-2976

Websites:
www.MentalMysteries.com
www.MentalMystery.com (agent friendly site)
www.helpinghospitalsheal.com

"To laugh often and much. To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children. To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others. To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition. To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

Based on a poem by Bessie Anderson Stanley, but changed through time and often attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson & Robert Louis Stevenson

Wonderground
Las Vegas, Nevada
December 15th

Bingham High School Sub for Santa South
Jordan, Utah
Dec. 19th

TEDx
Las Vegas, Nevada
January 7th

UTA Theater Conference
Provo, Utah
January 26th - 28th

Filming untitled Area 51 feature
April 1st -19th

GOH at The Odd Gathering
Livermore, California
April 20th -23rd

Daytona Magic Convention
Daytona, Florida
November 2nd ­ 4th

TEDxCalicoCanyon
Theme: The Human Revolution
Las Vegas, NV
January 7th, 2012

This TEDx Event will focus on and deliver on the invisible connection that brings people together. By bringing Story, Theater, Art, Magic, and Psychology together in one place we have the opportunity to go deeper into what creates the connection in human relationships. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design. All those functions are key to shaping our future. The Human Connection strives to breathe another part of life into TED by taking all the elements and bringing them closer to the human heart, where REAL change happens.
read more

What is TEDx?
read more

I met the Krampus at the Santa Rampage on Fremont Street this week

I told him that I have been a good boy this year... I hope that he believed me! (He is the beast that follows St. Nicholas around and beats and eats bad children.) Better stay away from Austria, Bavaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Friuli and Hungary for the rest of the season!