On Monday, Ken and Karen were given until Friday to decide whether or not they wanted to transfer to a new department at work. Each morning, the dark circles under Ken’s eyes were more prominent. By Friday morning, he was so worried and weary that his voice trembled slightly when he asked for an extension of the deadline, “I’m exhausted. There are so many things to think about.  I can’t figure out which decision to make.”

Karen’s work situation was virtually identical to Ken’s. Their personal responsibilities and support networks were so similar that they had instantly bonded as coworkers.  Even though Karen had been given the same pressing deadline to make a decision, she showed no evidence of stress.  Apparently, her decision-making was quick and easy.  On Wednesday morning, she informed the supervisor with a confident voice and a thumbs-up sign, “The best choice is clear to me. I’m ready to make the transfer.”

It started innocently enough.  I’d been working longer hours, spending more time at the computer, eating the wrong stuff on the run and not taking the time to exercise.  When I called my best friend and told him I was certain someone was shrinking my underpants in the middle of the night, I finally faced the fact that I had to do something about it.  I had gained weight and it was no longer something I could ignore.

Maybe some of you can relate to this.

Whether for its joy or sorrow, whatever we wish for another person comes true for us in the same moment we make that wish!

Imagine for a moment a woman who inherits an antique jewelry box from a loving grandparent.  She puts the cherished keepsake on her makeup bureau, next to her own collection of rings and pearls, but never really pays it much mind. And there it sits. But what she doesn’t know is that her grandmother hid a priceless diamond ring within it, in a secret compartment. It’s hers to have, if only she knew where to look for it. But will she?

How often have you been driving your car, ended up at your destination without remembering the last hour of your journey?  Or have you been sat at work with a deadline looming and suddenly realize you’ve been staring at the computer screen for the last 20 minutes without doing anything?  Most of us have experienced time lapses such as these, when we drift off, thoughts claim our attention and we become totally unfocused on the job at hand.  It’s as though we become unconscious.

The reality is that during these times our unconscious mind does take over, we do lose control of our conscious thoughts and we’re no longer present to where we are and what we’re doing.  We might as well be unconscious medically, because that’s how unproductive we can become.