9/1/12—9/2/12—Being a Rube

Weekend Reading: Three of Bottles from the Sideshow Tarot. In the world of the sideshow they know how to spot a mark. A mark is someone who is gullible or easily taken advantage of. And a really good mark is one that just keeps coming back for more...someone who truly believes the shell game is a game of chance and it's only a matter of time before they win. But, see, the game is rigged. And the gamekeeper can't be trusted. So bear that in mind this weekend and try not to be a mark. Keep an eye out for someone in your world who is really good at social, emotional or other kinds of sleight of hand. The more innocent and well meaning you tell yourself they are, the bigger the mark you'll become. And when it's all over, you can cry about being taken advantage of by meanies all you want, but the real culprit in this game is your gullibility...or your need to be liked...or your convenient denial. Nobody can take advantage of you without your permission. So don't give them your permission....and don't give more than you're prepared to lose. Consider yourself warned. ;)