Is this really that important to me? Yes, it is...
I was reading an article in our gym's magazine and decided it was totally meant for me... an "AHA!" moment as they call it. The editorial summarized a book called Five Wishes by Gay Hendricks http://www.5wishesbook.com/wishes/index.php - the premise is:
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Imagine looking back on your life from your deathbed and identifying the important things that might have kept your experience in this lifetime from being a complete, totally satisfying success
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Next, translate each Major regret ("I wish I had experienced A or accomplished B or not screwed up C") into a positive, powerful, present-tense statement that would be true, assuming you had created successes in the areas you currently feel lacking E.G. "My life is a total success because I have experienced A, or I am enjoying B or I have come to understand C"
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Once you have articulated each area of desire, ask yourself why that goal or experience is so important to you. And finally, assuming it really is important, take ownership: Commit yourself fully to making these life-affirming wishes a reality by supporting them with your decisions and actions - starting today.
Another phrase that is offered by the author is "No show, no glow" - it's only by showing up fully for what's going on in our lives right here and now - and for the choices and commitments that we've decided are important to us - that we get to collect the glowy, energizing, feel-good satisfaction that makes life worthwhile.
It spoke to me
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Although I love my 3 boys to the ends of the earth and back, I would regret not experiencing bringing up a daughter
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Positive statement: "my life is a total success because I am raising up a daughter."
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Yes, its' really that important to me! Really? Why? So I can use what I have learned from my relationship with my mother; I come from a long line of strong women and I want it to continue; I want to be totally included in society; I'd like to have someone in my immediate family to pass our jewellery onto; so someone might call me on my birthday without being nagged by his wife to do so; because we are good parents and have so much to offer; so DH can experience having "Daddy's little girl" and for her big brothers to have a sister, and for all to be better people for it.
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So I'm taking ownership by moving forward with our high-tech journey. We're on the MS West list, down for April 2009. I will start a saving account today so we can do this without financially hurting our family. I am getting healthier and fitter at the gym so I have the best PG possible, and life beyond with my 4 kids - 3 DS and 1DD!