Now, these are not all bad. There are some very good things about season.... getting together with family you haven't seen for awhile, showing appreciation to other people in your life.... anything done, said or given freely without obligation or agenda.... these are good.

However, doing things out of obligation is not. Being swept up in middle of someone else's agenda is not. These things suck life out of me and get my radical, break-all-the-rules blood boiling.

What if.... no one gave gifts one Christmas? What if it was "norm" to give your time to someone outside your regular sphere of friends or family? What if you anonymous hid $1, $5, or even $10 or $20 bills as you went about your day, leaving them for someone else to find? What if you made a game out of seeing just how many different people you could look into their eyes and say a sincere "Merry Christmas"?

What if....?

Here's to finding time to breathe and having courage to spread real joy of season.

Becky Waters is dedicated to helping people create happier, more fulfilling lives for themselves. Working with people who are serious about living authentically, she provides coaching, inspiration and resources that enable her clients to create fulfilling, meaningful lives of passion and open-hearted awareness.

This time I had a different reaction. I'd never been on a mission trip before and had starting thinking, in days prior to this conversation, about what a potentially life changing event this could be for people going. Plus, what a great opportunity, if it really worked out that I could go! So I decided, yes, I do want to go. Then I made call to trip coordinator to let him know.

Within a week, I had a ticket, all obstacles had dissolved themselves, and money had been donated for me to go. Two days later I was on plane to Lithuania!

Whether it's a trip, a dream vacation, a new job, an improved relationship, or whatever your heart's desire.... there is power in asking. So decide what you want, then ask for it. Speak it out loud or right it down. Have a clear picture of exactly what it is, why you want it, and how it will feel when you have it.

Then put some energy behind it. Take steps necessary to make it happen, knowing that things will turn out right. Because, when it's right thing for you, it will happen.

Four Steps to Getting More of What You Want:

- Know what you want and why - feel it Ask for it - say it out loud, write it down Action - take steps to make it happen Believe - know that right thing for you will happen