"If I can transform my life from a convicted felon to an honest, responsible, happy, wealthy person, anyone can do it," Weldon "Wally" Long said over dinner last month. I had just read his book, The Upside of Fear, chronicling his journey from high-school drop out and career criminal with revolving door prison sentences, to educated public speaker and head of several multi-million dollar businesses. I had previously been impressed with stories of Tibetan lamas who attained enlightenment while serving in prison, but was truly amazed to see a shining example of positive belief and behavior from someone who was once lost in a dark, hopeless world.  
            What struck me about Wally was his unwavering commitment to not only believing he was honorable, rich, learned, and happily married, but the steps he took to achieve his goals. It took him years, but he never gave up; visualizing, affirming, studying, and working hard. As I shared my own story of transformation, and those of clients, we reflected on others who talk about a shift, and never experience one. I told him about people who seemed to be practicing Spiritual Bypassing, meaning, they fantasize a change without taking responsibility for it. They wish for a safe and environmentally-healthy world, or a prosperous, loving personal life, and stop there.
          The real shift results from what takes place after we become aware of our desires, in what Native Americans call Walking your Talk. To actualize your shift: 

1. Consistently envision yourself having achieved the result you want, be it wealth, health, love, joy. Imagine the world as you would like it to be--peaceful, harmonious, thriving.

2. Tell others about your goal, so they are energized and mobilized to help

3. Take physical action--Do you need a college degree for your dream job? Should you change your lifestyle to become healthier? Can you start a support group or a blog to involve others in your purpose? Can you run a campaign for a political candidate?

4. Feel and act as if your goal was met. Be happy.

5. Most importantly, don?t give up!

Remember the words of Mahatma Gandhi: "You must be the change in the world that you want to see."