"That is not my message. You always insist on reading things into my i-mails that are not there. Let me put it this way. A spark is a small thing. However it initiates an action that powers your car. All I'm saying is that you could easily add a few sparks to your life that would help power your success.

"For example, you could put a watch on some of stuff you send down here. I'm not suggesting a big diet overhaul. Maybe just 10% less fat and an equal increase in vegetables and fruit. No big deal.

"As for friends, you could start becoming a friend to a few people. So what if it takes a little time. A lunch here. A phone call there. It's a great way to enjoy life.

"And to develop a stronger faith walk you need only invest a mere half-hour a day. Read Bible or any good spiritual book. If you're not comfortable with that, read a self-improvement book. Remember, taller you walk closer to God you become."

I was beginning to see some wisdom in what Other-Self was saying but I was still skeptical. "Somehow I get feeling that you're trying to make all this sound more simple than it is. For example, I find it hard to believe that small efforts, or sparks as you call them, can contribute to a large success."

"Fine. Believe what you want. But before you give up on idea you might try out this simple exercise.

"Make a list of all key areas in your life such as Career, Financial, Marriage, Friendships, Spiritual and Health. You might even add one or two of your own.

"Select any areas that are generating only a weak spark or none at all. Be honest. You know which areas these are.

"Then write a list of a few small forward steps to take in each area during next two weeks. No big deal. No heavy stuff. Just small actions."

"Okay...sounds easy enough. But promise me this. If these small action steps turn me into a highly successful and totally well-rounded person, will you stop nagging me with your annoying i-mails?"

"Dude...you won't live that long." ___________________________ ______________

Read more ‛i-mail articles' at http://www.dougcgrant.com . And be among first to read each new chapter in continuing saga of nagging ‛i-mails. Subscribe free to EMPOWERED MATURITY PAGE. No obligation, ever. And you can unsubscribe anytime. Join fun and give your life a self-improvement boost on a regular basis. Subscribe by clicking this e-mail link: mailto:empoweredpage@smartautoresponder.com Do it now. Don't miss next nagging i-mail from Other-Self.

3. The whole time keep in mind that you are on a "quest." You are looking, waiting, expecting something. Something will happen. There will be a sign that will give you an insight into question. It could be something that happens to you, something you see or hear. The world out there will give you sign!

4. Take along a notebook or some paper, and a pen. Every half hour sit down and write. Note time, place, and what has happened. Write about your reactions to what is happening to you. Write about your thoughts, feelings, and insights. Write these notes for yourself! You do not have to hand them in. But if you want to give them to me (along with your paper), I will be glad to read them and give you feedback. During exercise, if you're anxious, frustrated, or bored, ask yourself "why" and write about it. If nothing important has happened, think and write about why that is so. How could you make exercise more effective?"

As Suler says, even if nothing happens, it helps to write about that. There can be answers within that place of nothing.

Another way to uncover your deeper longings is to think about what you really want to do, even if it seems impossible. Try not to let thoughts like, "I don't have money to travel" or "I can't write" or "I'm too busy" stop you from at least thinking about what you'd really like to do. Too many dreams are stopped before they even get started because of self-defeating thoughts. Let yourself dream and spend time with this.

When you're ready, tell one person your dreams. As SARK says, "Dreams love attention and will expand more you share them." (Living Juicy by SARK, Celestial Arts; Berkeley, CA, 1994). Try not to get caught up in thinking or talking about practical aspects of your dream; just think about possibilities. Keep checking in with yourself to see what fits for you and what doesn't. Something nice that can come from sharing your dreams with someone is that your friend's dreams can be awakened, too, and that's fun to be a part of too.

Next, imagine yourself living your dream. Imagine yourself doing whatever it is that you want to do. Spend time visualizing this and be sure to include all of your senses - sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste.

When you're ready to move in direction of living your dream, think about one tiny step that you can take toward your dream. Make it tiny. As SARK said at a recent talk in Toronto, it helps to think about steps as micro-movements.

For example, because I procrastinate about painting, my micro-movement was to put out my easel and clip paper to it that night. That's it. I did it and next day I put out my charcoal pencil. The next day I was sketching again.

Think about what micro-movements you could do and then set a date and time to do them.

Every one us of us has dreams that our soul needs to fulfill. Without our dreams, our lives are incomplete. Don't worry if you're not sure of yours, or don't know how to fulfill them. It helps to try one or all of exercises here, or another one of your choice, and see what happens. Write about what you learn and keep on trying. Dreams are lived one step at a time.

Kali Munro, © 2002 http://www.KaliMunro.com