1.Do things left-handed to stimulate other side of your brain. If you are left-handed then use your right hand. OK - so your make-up might look a bit odd or there’s a chance you could lose an ear shaving but it will do your brain some good and that’s what matters.

2.Spend time with small children. They are very creative and they always ask questions – lots of questions that will really make you think. Incidentally, if cows eat grass why isn’t milk green?

3.Read a book you would never normally read. If you are an ‘arts’ person find a book on genetics. Go into sections of library you normally avoid at all cost. If you can’t face a book try a magazine – you never know, picking up one on radio-controlled model planes might just give you some ideas.

4.Learn to meditate. Find a quiet place, close your eyes, take a couple of deep breaths, relax and empty your mind. There, does that feel better? It’ll make your mind a fertile place for ideas to take root.

I met Kathy at a personal growth workshop. Kathy Swan is a single mom with two charming teenage girls. When her daughters dropped by gathering to say hello, I sensed deep love and harmony flowing between girls and their mother. Little did they know that their rapport would soon be put to test.

The Swan family lived in Chicago. Yet, for many years, Kathy fantasized about having a house in country. A rural setting, my friend believed, would provide security she craved her entire life. Finally her dream came true. Kathy was given a secluded, wooded piece of property in rolling hills of Kentucky. After putting a mobile home on land, threesome moved in lock, stock and barrel.

The Dream Goes South

The remote beauty and quiet of emerald green hills won Kathy's heart. And for first time in her life, she felt safe and comfortable. She had only one problem. Her daughters were miserable! The teenagers dearly missed their close friends and exciting urban bustle. The Swan's were in turmoil. Overnight, Kathy's dream of security turned into a nightmare of conflict.

Steve Martin Saves Day!

After three weeks of homesteading, frazzled family drove to nearest town to see a movie. "Cheaper by Dozen," starring Steve Martin, was showing on local faded silver screen. This motion picture turned out to be an uncanny reflection of real-life struggle Swans were going through in their new home. In flick, father of 12 children pursues his dream of coaching college football. In her life, Kathy was pursuing her dream of feeling safe. To reach his objective, father relocates his clan from country to big city. To secure her goal, my friend relocated her family from big city to country. The kids in screenplay don't want to move. Kathy's kids didn't want to move. The celluloid dad isn't going to let anyone get in way of what he thinks will make him happy. Our down-home mom wasn't going to let anyone get in way of what she thought would give her joy—until she saw film!