From the book Wishcraft, by Barbara Sher.

The next exercise in this chapter is to list “20 Things You Like To Do.” It came pretty easily for me, but took a little thinking to get the last few things on the list. Then, you are to put them on a chart to note how long since you last did it, does it cost or is it free, do you do it alone or with others, is it planned or spontaneous, fast or slow, etc. You can add your own, too. I wanted to see what was done at home and what away. I also wanted to see which were active and which were passive. It was an interesting exercise. Once you get the 20 things down, and the chart crafted (I did it on the computer) it was easy to check off the boxes. I went back and bolded some of the more interesting revelations.

For instance, I was delighted to find that I do most of these things regularly. There were more things than I thought which included others, were spontaneous, physical and not done at home. Most of them were free or cheap. More than half of them touched me Mind, Body and Soul. I liked that! I definitely learned a few things about myself.

Next, we are to describe our Ideal Environment. She asks us not to adjust ourselves to fit it, but to adjust it to fit us. Just exactly where you would like to be, in what situations would give you the best possible life. My ideal environment is very close to what I have now. Aren’t I blessed! I would change a few things, like the climate and the space.

My Ideal Day, too, has many elements of my current day: doing things I love to do, having time for things that are important to me. I have a good structure around my day that includes work, movement, tending to my home and spending time with my husband. It might be missing a little play, but I get some once in a while.

Then, she does an interesting thing: she asks you to analyze your fantasy. That’s bringing it down to earth! You create a chart which includes what’s Indispensable under What, Where and Who. Then, you list the things that are Optional, but Desirable and finally the Frills. I didn’t have any frills. I like to think that I’ve worked on this so carefully, and my life is so well designed, that I don’t need frills. They would have to be things I haven’t even thought of yet.

I think most people don’t bother to think about these things, because they’re too far away or impossible. Let me tell you, I haven’t had a whole lot going for me. The most important thing I have is an ability to allow myself to dream. That’s why I find myself very close to my Ideal Environment living my Ideal Day. I took the leap of faith, years ago, to define what would be the best situation for me.

What is Indispensable in my dream? What are the pieces that I need in my Ideal Life? Writing my words, on my schedule, mostly from home. Music to listen to. Good money and radiant health. Time to tend to the things that are important to me. I have most of that. The optional, but desirable piece is the custom designed house in my perfect climate. No frills!

Next week, in Chapter 4, we take all the wonderful fantasy mining we’ve done and make it into something in Goalsearch.