10 Secrets to Living the Life of Your Dreams by Dr. Steve McSwain

The spiritual wisdom expressed in the following 10 Secrets has actually been around for centuries. I call them “Secrets” however because so few people seem to be aware either of their import or their impact. If, however, you will learn these ten secrets and make it your spiritual practice to apply them to your life, you will live the life of your dreams.

Dr. Steve McSwain is an author, speaker, thought leader and spiritual teacher. His books and blogs inspire spiritual seekers around the world. He is a devoted follower of Christ but an interfaith activist as well. He is frequently heard to say, in the words of Mother Teresa, "I love all religions; but I'm IN LOVE with my own." Read more from Dr. McSwain on his blog Your Best Life Ever.

Question What You Hear and What You Think

Why? Most of what we think is not accurate anyway, which is why Byron Katie counsels people in whatever situation they’re in to do “the work,” as she calls it. The “work” is a series of questions you should ask yourself: “Is what I’m thinking true?” “Can I be absolutely certain it’s true?” If you’re honest, you’ll admit to yourself that you cannot be absolutely certain about much of anything. Then, given that reality, there’s the question, “What do I feel or think, or how do I react, whenever I believe this thought is absolutely true?” And, finally, “Who would I be, or how would I feel, if I gave up this thought?” Euripides said, “Question everything; learn something; answer nothing.”

Let Go of Your Regrets

“For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been’,” or so wrote the abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier. So, let go of regrets. When asked if they’d change anything were they to have the opportunity to live their lives over, those who say, “No, I would change nothing,” are not telling the truth. Everyone has regrets. They’re normal. But, to carry them around like one would tote a backpack is not normal. Think of regrets as Divine reminders of what’s needed now—some kind of action, as in perhaps, self-forgiveness. Write the letter. Make the phone call. Instead of waiting on their apology, reach out to the person who offended you. Take action and do it now. Then, let things go.