Recently I read the book, Five Wishes by Dr. Gay Hendricks. I had heard him talk of the book at a conference earlier this year and really felt compelled to pick it up. If you haven’t read it yet, check it out.

Gay’s own words about the book:

“In my thirties I received the gift of a conversation that changed my life. At the heart of that conversation was a certain question. Answering it gave me a life blessed with love, happiness and wealth, a life in which all my dreams came true.
Now, I want to offer you the same gift, in hopes you will use its power to create your own fulfilled life. “

All his dreams came true?! Okay, I had to read it. I did, in one sitting, and immediately went on to write out my five death bed goals…asking myself the question: When I look back on my life, what would make my life a success?

But the real revelation happened for me less than two weeks ago. I had a deadline to meet on a project that I’d been procrastinating on for months. The mere idea of working on it just seemed painful. And then I remembered one of my wishes:  To live each day, in joy, gratitude and FUN. I figured if I could look back on my life and had done that – really, what else would I need? I mean, that would equal a great life! So in that moment, I changed my outlook on the project I needed to complete. I decided to be joyful, grateful for it, and have fun with it!

Here’s the most astounding thing: IT WORKED!

And then it occurred to me that it is actually possible! I was doing it! And if I could do it then, I could also decide to make that choice at any time, in any circumstance! This is life changing, without a doubt.

Last week I had the privilege of sitting down with Gay and telling him about my experience. He mentioned to me his excitement in me learning of this at such a young age (Ha! He thinks I’m young!)…that most people don’t come to this information until much later in life. I told him that despite coming to it by way of a series of tragic life events, I’m here, I learned it, and am so grateful for all of it. I then told him how so many people I know and people around me, think it’s just crazy - they think I’m crazy to think in such a positive way, and that it just can’t be done. And then Gay asked me another, pointed question:

“At the end of your life, what will matter? That you lived by your principles, or that people thought you were crazy?” Hmmm, point taken. {Interesting side note, he also told me that if a lot of people thought I was crazy, I was probably headed in the right direction!}

While I was sitting with Gay, telling him about my revelation, I expressed my thrill in being able to raise children with this same awareness. How great that I can teach my two-year-old the same thing! Can you imagine a world where this is default thinking? And that we all actually think about what we want in our lives, living by design rather than default? Can you imagine growing up with that information and how it could make for such an incredible life?

I can. And my little one will too. How about you and yours?