Disney inspired my childhood with their theme song, “When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you, when you wish upon a star, your dreams come true.” As we mature, negative people stamp out the dreamer in you, and it is replaced by pragmatic realities of survival and life style. Society mocks the dreamers. Those who break through this negativity are the underdogs who are later celebrated for their vision, their brilliance, and their contributions. Very ironic, isn’t it?

It takes courage to be different. I am giving you permission to let go of all preconceived notions and expectations from others. Take your disability, your challenge, your victim stance, and turn it into the fuel you need to fire your passion.

I once asked my uncle for a loan to help put me through chiropractic school. I erroneously assumed that because he was my deceased father’s older brother, he would want me to succeed. Boy was I wrong. He chewed me out for changing careers at 26 and argued I should be working in downtown L.A. as a secretary, looking for a husband. I seethed inside as he told me I would never be a millionaire. That anger stirred me to be successful as a chiropractor years later.

People internalize adversity and hardships in a variety of ways. Some sink and fade. Others use them as fuel for change. Instead of bemoaning fate, ask why you unconsciously allowed this to happen. Look for the higher message involved. Maybe you were living a negative lifestyle because you felt you had to, and just maybe, it was time to stop and go down a different path.

I lost everything so that I could get to this very point in life that I have described to you. Without prodding, I wasn’t going to go out on a limb and teach the secrets of Miracle Making. Not me. I was forced to sink or swim, take a deep breath and dive. My life was so unbearable that I was forced by my circumstances to change, kicking and screaming. I had no options because the alternatives were unthinkable. In my case, I could not imagine continuing my life as it was going.

It takes courage to be free. While the riverbank seems safer, your best option is to dive—immediately. It really is best if you move forward no matter how scared you feel. The bridge is shaky here, and you have nothing to hold onto. It is within this shift from the old world to the new, the unseen bridge between outer reality and inner certainties, that you will uncover your miracle. Don't wait too long or the flow of the river will swiftly change, the energy will shift and you won’t catch that transformational wave.

You may see a tiny raft, your way to freedom, but when obstacles suddenly appear, you might think you need to run back. That's your old self-trying to trap you once again. If you turn back and go home, you feel like your bid for freedom was lost. It becomes that much harder to break free. Maybe next time you won't even have a raft. It's better to do it all at once as you go forward, without allowing the past to hold you back. Escaping from the illusions of your troubles and struggles requires a willingness to take risks.