(The following is an excerpt from the book "You Are The Change", which is now available to order.)

Hello Becky and Jerry,

Every so often I am confronted with the question of what I want my life to look like five years from now; what I would like to have accomplished by then; what my plans are.

I have been told of researchers who explored a potential correlation between making plans and achieving. They looked at a class of college graduates several years after graduation and graded what the members of that class had accomplished. Then they looked at how many of the graduates had started with clear plans of what they wanted to accomplish. It turned out that those who had clear plans had accomplished more then those who didn.t. This concept sounds plausible, and for much of my life I subscribed to it, too, and tried to follow it.

A few years ago, though, a different idea occurred to me. Since then, I have been trying to follow a different path.

I don.t know which approach is better for you.this is for you to decide, or maybe try. But I do submit the following for your consideration. By telling you about this idea now, you are aware of this different approach much earlier in your life. If it works for you, you can be successful at a younger age and accomplish more in your life.

Also, hearing about this idea should serve as another example of the fact that different approaches are always available, that you always have a choice, and that just because something sounds good and many people subscribe to it, does not mean it is the right thing for you too.

Fifteen years ago, my plans were quite precise. I wanted to excel in my job and work my way up the ladder. I admired the guy who started as a developer and became a vice-president, or the salesperson who became director of North American operations. I was striving for similar success. My goals included an income of a quarter mil, several houses to rent out, and a nice investment portfolio, a nest egg for retirement.

Today I am renting a small two-room studio. My income is close to poverty level, and my savings are hopelessly depleted.

Measured by my goals of fifteen years ago, I am a dismal failure!

However, I think I am very successful. The people around me admire me for my courage and achievements, consider me to be wise, and feel happy to have me in their lives.

How is this possible?

In the last six or seven years, I have grown very much, both emotionally and spiritually. I have learned so much and explored so many different ideas, that my whole outlook on life has changed dramatically. With it, my priorities changed, together with my understanding of myself, my goals, and the world around me; my whole life changed!

The goals I had fifteen years ago now seem unimportant and not worth working toward.

There is another difference between who I was fifteen years ago and who I am now. Then I was feeling miserable, discontented, scared of the future, constantly worried, tired, and low on energy.

Today I am generally happy. I am excited about what.s going on within me and around me. I.m full of energy and I feel fulfilled. I attribute this to a 180-degree change in my viewpoint and approach to life. Instead of focusing on how I can get ahead, I now focus on how I can help this creation get ahead.

Instead of working toward improving my own situation, I now work toward improving the overall situation in this world.

Instead of always trying to maximize my own benefit, I am now trying to maximize my contribution.

Instead of worrying what is happening to me, I am now much more concerned about what is happening through me.

Ten years ago, my goals reflected my self-centered view. I was the center of the Universe. I was important. I was seeking to improve my ability to increase my own comfort, my status, and my power. Today I am seeking to improve my ability to recognize what the Universe needs me to accomplish in whatever situation I find myself in. While I was focusing on my goals, I totally missed the goals the Universe had for me. Instead of working toward my destiny, I was working against it! When I stopped thinking about what I wanted, I started to see the doors the Universe was opening for me. And by observing where I am reaching, I am starting to understand what the goals are for me.

I decided to not make plans anymore about where I want to reach. Instead, I am trying to be aware of and available for what the Universe needs me to do, to be ready to go where the Universe needs me to go.

In a way, the idea of .to have. versus .to do. is reflected in my plans and goals, too. Instead of .what-to-have. goals, I now strive toward .what-to-do. goals.

Ha! That.s quite a change in approach, isn.t it? Well, I.m looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this . . . :)

With Love,

        Papa!