As you might have guessed, I do a lot of reflective writing, whether it is in preparation for a presentation, a weekend seminar, or a taping session.  Often, I go through old journals, checking on my own personal progression toward growth. I came across some personal reflections recently, about some information I found in early 2000. I'd like to share them with you today.

When the new century had settled down, some fascinating, but not entirely unexpected data appeared concerning death rates in the month of January 2000.  You see, they went up - higher than any January before.  It seems that many desperately ill people goal-set to see the 21st Century.  Through sheer force of will, they extended their lives.  Once the goal was reached, they let go and passed on.

Charles Schulz, creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip died the night before the publication of his final Sunday strip.  His son claims it was no coincidence.  "He had done what he wanted to do, and that was it for him."

Now, I don't mean this column to be depressing.  We've all known, or heard, of people who willed themselves to either live or die.  My wife, Diane, is a classic example of someone who goal-set to survive cancer, and not just survive but thrive and continue to make a contribution to the world.  You see, what we are dealing with is the strongest entity on earth - the human mind.

My question today is this: If one can goal-set to live or to die, what else can we be goal-setting to accomplish?  If the mind has the power of life and death, what is holding us back from doing more and being "more"?