TEACHING YOUR SHRIMP TO WHISTLE

In the midst of the Cold War, Nikita Khrushchev stated firmly, "We wish to live in peace and tranquility. But if anyone believes that our smiles involve abandonment of the teachings of Marx, Engels and Lenin, he deceives himself poorly. Those who wait for that must wait until a shrimp learns to whistle."

Most of us remember Khrushchev as an angry Russian leader with a shoe in his hand, telling us that the Russians will bury us. However, I was struck by the humor of his remark. Khrushchev could have said, "Those who wait ... must wait until hell freezes over." Why did he mention musical shrimp? Does anyone know for certain whether shrimp can't already whistle? Has any body ever attempted to listen for whistling shrimp?

I do not know about shrimp, but if you envision inconceivable things, unbelievable things can happen. We can live our lives waiting for hell to freeze over or for shrimp to whistle, or we can truly live life by dreaming impossible dreams. Maybe shrimp can't learn to whistle, but we don't know that until we try. Strange things happen when people try the impossible. An obscure Polish electrician by the name of Lech Walesa changed Poland, Eastern Europe, and the world forever. He obviously was able to teach his shrimp to whistle. Gorbachev and Yeltsen saw a new Russia that Khrushchev never imagined. Now, all Eastern Europe, the Baltic's and the former Soviet republics have taught their shrimp to whistle. The former Soviet Union is a veritable symphony of whistling shrimp.

You too can teach shrimp to whistle. No matter what it is in your life that you want to happen, assume that it is possible. For example, if you have put off getting a college degree, look into it. Research what is necessary for you to get into school. Make an honest attempt to teach your shrimp to whistle.

Next, imagine what it would be like to own a whistling shrimp. Maybe, you already have your desired degree, but your shrimp is a dream home. Imagine the clearest picture of that dream home. Walk through that home within your mind. Sense and feel it down to the very minute detail. Then, at least three times a day, dream about building your home. Remember, if you can envision the inconceivable-your hoped for home; unbelievable things can happen-you can get that home.

There will be obstacles to teaching your shrimp to whistle. If teaching shrimp were easy, there would be a surplus of whistling shrimp. Who cares about having a laughing hyena? However, a whistling shrimp is another story. Make a list of all the roadblocks to attaining a whistling shrimp. Suppose your shrimp is becoming the top salesperson in your company. What will keep you from getting there? Compile a complete list of roadblocks. Once you have your list, take each problem and develop a workable solution to it. Then, start to remove each of the roadblocks.

Finally, sit down with your chosen shrimp and talk to it. Tell it, whether it can presently whistle or not, that it will whistle-like it or not. Don't be too pushy, but get your shrimp's attention. Make it understand that it will soon be whistling a happy tune. For you to talk turkey to your shrimp means that you must absolutely believe that it can learn to whistle. Some shrimp may not be able to whistle right now, but they can smell a chicken a mile away. Believe in your ability as a whistling instructor for shrimp.