Production Column: Part 10

Steam post imageIt would be so convenient if we could use magic, wouldn’t it? If I could use just one kind of magic, I’d choose “the power to fly” without a second thought. I’d love to soar through the sky freely and effortlessly, whenever I want and for as long as I want. In the “Sorcery!” series of gamebooks, starting with *The Shamutanti Hills* by Steve Jackson, there are as many as 48 different types of magic. Of course, there are spells to attack enemies, but there are also spells that emit foul odors, spells that let you talk to animals, and even spells that make people dance cheerfully.

In this work, *The Witch of the Dark Castle*, magic is established as “a special power brought by ‘Holger,’ who visited 2,000 years ago, and not everyone can use it.” The protagonist, the witch Paneli, manifests the effects of 11 different types of magic using spellbooks and potions.

I’d like to share with you all a “magical phrase you can start using today.” It’s the magic that brings you happiness: the word “thank you” (though some of you may already be familiar with this concept).

Apparently, the brain cannot distinguish between “myself” and “others.” In other words, it interprets any words it hears as if they were directed at “me.”

When you hear the word “thank you,” your brain recognizes that “I’ve been thanked,” which boosts your self-esteem. When your self-esteem rises, you feel at ease, and above all, you feel happy. Medically speaking, the brain releases oxytocin (the love and bonding hormone), serotonin (the happiness hormone), testosterone (the action and confidence hormone), and dopamine (the pleasure and motivation hormone). Even before that, no matter how down you’re feeling, being thanked will surely bring a smile to your face. Simply saying “thank you” with sincerity—whether to people, food, or everyday objects—several times a day yields tremendous benefits. If you’re feeling so down that you’re at a loss for what to be grateful for, give thanks to the “Earth”! Say, “Thank you, Earth!”

Without further ado, I’ll say it too. Thank you for reading this far!

Digitalis Publishing Yoshio Nishimura