Others believe that a dream is meant to serve a purpose and provide information that our conscious mind is unable to recognize.

So many believe that dreams are meant to serve and guide, that numerous books, websites, workshops, etc. have been created on very subject of dream interpretation.

Although I have had some dreams that have made no sense whatsoever, and I wouldn’t even try to look for a message in them, I have had many insightful dreams that have guided my life profoundly.

Dreams may just be another vehicle through which our intuition speaks to us. I believe that although not all dreams can be analyzed and scrutinized to point of clearly revealing a message, they should not be written off as mere “hooey” either.

By acting on feeling a dream gave me, I was able to create a positive impact in life of another. Here is how.

Throughout grade school, I had a best friend. After entering college, our paths separated as we pursued our individual goals.

We crossed paths every once in a while in twenty years following high school, but encounters were few and far between.

About a year ago, I dreamt about my long lost friend. The dream really carried no meaning for me and I dismissed it as my mind recycling old memories.

A couple of nights later, I dreamt of her again. “Gee, that’s odd,” I thought, “to dream of her twice in one week.”

A few days later I had a third dream about her and in this one I sensed she was lost, unhappy, and confused.

I could see that she was pulling away from her husband and looking for something or someone outside of her marriage.

I felt compelled to contact her and one evening, decided to call.

How often do you see people who have succumbed to their current, sometimes ill-perceived, circumstances?

In extreme cases perhaps these people drink too much or take some other "home remedy" to self-medicate their feelings of inadequacy and/or hopelessness. On a more conservative level, they may simply complain about being treated unfairly and/or feel deserving of something they think they've either earned or are entitled to.

When setting goals for future success, it's imperative that you begin process with a clear healthy mindset. One that empowers you with realization that you, and you alone, possess ultimate tool to improve your situation - Freedom of Choice is this tool.

No doubt you've heard others speak about power of choice. The fact remains that in virtually all scenarios, each of us has personal freedom to choose how we will respond to any given situation.

Those who choose NOT to choose will remain a self-imposed victim of his or her unique circumstances. Those who DO take control of, and responsibility for, their own situations have ability to effectively prepare, respond, and take actions necessary to improve their lives.

So as we step into each New Year, new month, new week or new day, "STEP OUT"!

Take ownership of challenges in front of you - and make some winning choices (which may not be easy choices, but will be right winning choices) that will benefit you for rest of your life.

Remember these important words by Leonardo da Vinci as you consider obstacles in front of you. Make your New Year's resolutions and conduct your goal setting with this in mind:

"Every obstacle yields to stern resolve." - Leonardo da Vinci

GOAL SETTING QUICK START

Goal setting doesn't have to be a long drawn out process. While you should certainly take enough time to be thoughtful in your planning, process itself is fairly simple.

Consider using following "Quick Start" goal-setting process to start year off with a clear vision of what is important to you and how you intend to achieve your New Year's resolutions.

Reflect On Prior Year

Note your achievements of past year - list all of good things that happened in last 12 months. List names of new friends and people who have come into your life. Be as detailed as possible, listing simple to significant.

List things that you are grateful for including Health, Friends, Family, Employment, Financial, Emotional, Spiritual, etc.