LIZZIE'S WORLD : The power of The Secret

On Saturday morning, feeling amped up by my successful application of The Secret on Harry, I decide to test my theory a little bit more.

“Materialising parking space,” I hum to myself as I enter my car and head off to the local shopping mall. Saturday mornings are usually the worst time to go to this particular mall; the parking slots are inadequate – but the mall is extremely popular – and it is

always a bit like pulling teeth to find a space. There’s a lovely little dress shop in there that I have been meaning to visit, and I am sure I will find something I will love in it, but I have never been able to find parking when I visit.

The last time I tried, I thought I had found myself a lovely spot near the mall when I spotted a driver reversing out of their parking… only to have some old man drive through and zoom into it in one smooth move while I waited for the exiting driver to

vacate the spot. Sheesh!

‘Not today, not today,’ I tell myself as I start the car. Today, I have The Universe on my side, making the parking slot that is meant for me to happen! I’m feeling good about things today – I’m even feeling good about the super tight jeans I am wearing and

my Ankara peplum top, and my heels and the way I have applied my make-up and done up my hair. “Damn, you’re looking too good to be denied a parking space today!” I tell myself.

And off to the mall I go, filled with optimism and happiness.

It is with much confusion – and some delight – that I get to the mall and find that there are quite a few free parking spaces today. Hmm. Maybe my prayer was a little bit more powerful than I thought. Or maybe it’s too early in the morning for people to be

out and about? Or maybe it’s the wrong time of month for people to be out shopping?

‘Typical human reaction,’ I say to myself. ‘You get what you asked for and then you start wondering if there was something wrong with the way you asked for it. Just be grateful.’

BIG SMILE

And so, with a big smile, I exit the car and head off to the shops.

Inside the shopping mall, I am quite surprised that the first person I bump into is none other than Alex – would you believe it? Of all people! The memory of how Alex treated me has faded somewhat, but not enough for me to feel a slight sting when I see

him walking towards me with a huge smile on his face.

“Well, well,” he says. “What a lovely surprise to bump into you here.” He leans forward to offer me a hug and a peck on the cheek, and I am suddenly feeling quite grateful that I am dressed to my best. He looks like he just rolled out of bed, too, in his grey tracksuit. Up close I can smell his cologne and a hint of last night’s tobacco – he must have been out smoking cigars. “Where are you off to?”

“Just out doing some shopping,” I say. “And you?”

“Looking that good?” he smiles. “I’m buying breakfast with-,”

“Babe, I thought you’d left me behind,” a female voice trills behind him. We both turn to look; it’s Chantal, the woman I suspected he was involved with.

“Oh, hi Liz,” she says, holding out her hand for a shake and looking me up and down. I, too, give her the once-over, and I take note of her worn running shoes and her yoga pants and raggedy t-shirt. Oh, my word, but I am having a lovely day!

“We just rushed out of bed to get some breakfast, didn’t bother to shower, even,” she raises an eyebrow huffily and puts her arm round Alex’s waist.

“Shall we go now before our coffee gets cold?” she turns to look at him.

“Yes, lovely bumping into you Liz,” Alex says to me. “And you really do look great.”

“Thank you,” I say.