When I work with people on their Fives Wishes, I begin with a brief explanation followed by an invitation. Picture me saying to you, In my thirties I received the gift of a question that changed the course of my life. My decision to answer that question gave me a life in which all my dreams came true. Now I want to offer you that gift, so you can use its gentle power to create your own fulfilled life.

Then I make the invitation to you. I ask, Are you willing to receive the gift of the question, and use it to create your own fulfilled life?

If you say, Yes, I ask you to imagine yourself on your deathbed, now or fifty years from now.

I come to visit you. I stand by your bed and ask, Was your life a complete success?

You say,Yes, or you say No.

If you say, No, what are the reasons that your life hasn't been a complete success? Take time to write them down. Don't let yourself wriggle out of doing it right now. Remember: The bigger the question, the more important it is to answer it right now. This moment is all the time you need. It's the only one we have.

Go ahead. Take out a piece of paper and do it now. Just write out the sentence below and fill in the blank with what's true for you. Begin with the most important one. First, phrase it in a negative way, for doing this has a marvelous way of clearing the mind.

The main reason my life was not a total success is because I didn't

_______________________________________________________.

Now write down your remaining four reasons.

My life was not a complete success because I didn't

_______________________________________________________.

My life was not a complete success because I didn't

_______________________________________________________.

My life was not a complete success because I didn't

_______________________________________________________.

My life was not a complete success because I didn't

_______________________________________________________.

Then reread the first one to make sure it's the most important; if it's not, revise the order. When you're sure, turn these statements into your wishes:

For my life to have been a total success I wish I'd

_______________________________________________________.

And I wish I'd

_______________________________________________________.

I also wish I'd

_______________________________________________________.

And

_______________________________________________________.

And

_______________________________________________________.

If I'd done or experienced these things, I'd consider my life a success.

The above is an excerpt from Five Wishes, Copyright 2007 by Gay Hendricks. It is printed here with permission of the publisher, New World Library, Novato, CA, 800/972-6657 ext. 52.

Gay Hendricks is an internationally famous author, seminar leader, web entrepreneur and film maker. He is the author of more than 20 books, including the national bestseller Conscious Loving, and he's the founder of the Spiritual Cinema Circle. He resides with his wife, author and seminar leader Kathlyn Hendricks, in Ojai, California. His website address is www.Hendricks.com. For more information on the Five Wishes process, including handy worksheets, please visit www.5wishesbook.com