QUOTE : Take about fifteen minutes to complete the following five lists: 1. Things I Want That I Don’t Have (a new car? a thin body? a different job? a new relationship? a baby?) 2. Things I’ve Wanted That I’ve Gotten 3. Wanting Allows Me To . . . ? What does wanting give you? How does it help you? Does it give you a goal to always be working on? Does it give you a pleasant fantasy? Does it protect you from disappointments by keeping you locked into a fantasy? 4. How My Life Would Change If I Got Those Things (Do this quietly and by yourself.) Go down your list and next to each item you want, write a brief description of what would happen if you got it. Be specific. And honest. If you feel that having a baby would give you the chance to really love for the first time in your life, and in so doing would complete you, write that. Don’t hold back, no matter how dreamy or romantic or ridiculous your imaginings sound. Better to get them on paper and look at them instead of holding them inside as vague, dreamy impressions. 5. How My Life Has Changed Now That I Have What I Wanted (Do this as quietly as you did number 4.) Especially note things that have brought long-lasting happiness.