Miracles are a matter of precise timing. That old adage, “you snooze you lose” is over stated only because it's true. If you forever dabble your toes in the water, you transmit to the universe a halfhearted, mixed message. You are neither in nor out; you are poised for a hasty retreat. Should things not work out as you hope, you have left yourself a fail-safe zone for retreat. Since you have not committed yourself one hundred percent to manifesting your miracle, the universe is not likely to respond.

The act of diving completely severs your connection to the land. Your security blanket evaporates; your safety net is gone. You can no longer turn and run back for protection. You have reached the point of no return where you will either sink or swim.

You might believe that you are the victim; you may think you have no choices. Your life is a rough uphill battle, and you live in fear, and everyone tells you it’s impossible. I have come to tell you that there is always a way out, even if it takes time. Use your mind. Plan your personal escape. What move will you make next?

Think of it this way: if you stay on this destructive path you’re on, you will eventually sink. You will fail. If you venture out, sure there’s a risk, but your chances are much better, because you just might succeed. Plus, if you don’t make it the first time, you can always keep trying. Each failure brings you one step closer to success. And if practice makes perfect, as they say, then you’re actually guaranteed to win already, and you don’t even know it. Don’t do what works for you today. Consider your future, and do what’s going to help you to survive in the long run.

If you’re not convinced that change is necessary and you still doubt that you can achieve your dreams, we have some work to do.

What habits do you have that are keeping you from accomplishing your dreams? What hardship in your life has become intolerable to you? What challenge will you use as fuel for your miracle? Recall a time when you wanted to help yourself or someone else and another person invalidated you for your attempts. The first step in the formula is that you must have a strong desire to change. I’m not talking about a general discomfort with your life. What I’m referring to is that feeling that you cannot possibly go another day in this miserable state, and you decide, once and for all, there’s no turning back now. Are you with me?

ADMITTING YOU HAVE A PROBLEM REALLY IS THE FIRST STEP

It sounds like cliche, I know, but in order for you to start the changing and growing process, you’ve got to admit that you’re in trouble. You’ve got to admit that you’re looking for answers to your tough questions. You may not even know you have a serious problem. You might have excused your lethargy as boredom. At least one in twenty Americans are depressed; fear and anxiety have intensified as economic woes, natural disasters, and terrorism have increased.