Over the past few months I've been thinking a lot about what truly matters. My mom's diagnosis, illness, and death have caused me to stop, question, and look more deeply at the things and people in my life that are important. Through the pain and challenge of this experience, I've also been grateful for the perspective and awareness it has opened up.

Since childhood, all of us, at one time or another, have thought about having a magic lamp and making our three wishes. Several years ago, I wrote a novel entitled The Lamp about adults making real-life wishes and then making them come true. Recently, my partner Tracy J. Trost and I have turned The Lamp book into a movie. Here’s a preview. (There is a link to the trailer, and this article includes Jim's Christopher Story - an absolutely wonderful video of Jim in action. ed.)

We know that it goes beyond feeling good about ourselves and actually has us live more powerfully, more responsibly, and more compassionately. Healthy self-esteem can grease the wheels of our lives enabling us to weather the ups and downs inherent in our life experience. But if we don’t have strong self-esteem, how can we get it?

Unfortunately, the more we grow and learn, the more we seem to limit our futures. As small children, everything seems possible, but as we pursue our education and our career, we seem to narrow instead of broadening the future outcomes we are willing to consider. If anything is possible, we must realize that everything is possible. Both the limitations and the pathways to success exist in our mind and imagination.

We've all had it happen, I'd guess: an encounter with a Vision-Zapper. A new client had a heart-wrenching experience with one version of these Vision-Zappers (they don't mean to vision-zap, they just don't know any better!). Thankfully, she recognized that something was wrong with that picture and followed the shining breadcrumbs back to her heart's fiery passion and a vision that could take off because of it! Lucky for me, I got to help her do that. How cool is that?

Read the full scoop about her 'vizion zap' experience & find other vision-friendly things at Ivy Sea Online.

John Hunter puts all the problems of the world on a 4'x5' plywood board -- and lets his 4th-graders solve them. At TED2011, he explains how his World Peace Game engages schoolkids, and why the complex lessons it teaches -- spontaneous, and always surprising -- go further than classroom lectures can.

In just about every situation and circumstance in life, we really do have more than is required to not only "deal" with what's happening, but to thrive in the face of it. As the saying goes, "if it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger." And while I don't believe that we have to necessarily suffer and struggle in order to grow and evolve in life, one of the best things we can do when dealing with adversity or challenge is to look for the gifts and find the gold in the situation as much as possible.

This is an inspiring piece discovered by Mary Hartsfield and forwarded to me by a friend. I've never been a dog person however, I've recently helped train my daughter's new puppy and appreciate the good words. Enjoy!

"If I should have a daughter, instead of Mom, she's gonna call me Point B ... " began spoken word poet Sarah Kay, in a talk that inspired two standing ovations at TED2011. A performing poet since she was 14 years old, Sarah Kay is the founder of Project V.O.I.C.E, teaching poetry and self-expression at schools across the United States.

Tapping into the findings of his latest book, NYTimes columnist David Brooks unpacks new insights into human nature from the cognitive sciences -- insights with massive implications for economics and politics as well as our own self-knowledge.

Diagnosed with cancer, Bruce Feiler worried first about his young family. So -- as he shares in this funny, rambling and ultimately thoughtful talk -- he asked his closest friends to become a "council of dads," bringing their own lifetimes of wisdom to advise his twin daughters as they grow.

Please allow yourself to be inspired!

There's an angry divisive tension in the air that threatens to make modern politics impossible. Elizabeth Lesser explores the two sides of human nature within us (call them "the mystic" and "the warrior”) that can be harnessed to elevate the way we treat each other. She shares a simple way to begin real dialogue -- by going to lunch with someone who doesn't agree with you, and asking them three questions to find out what's really in their hearts.

Neil Pasricha's blog 1000 Awesome Things savors life's simple pleasures, from free refills to clean sheets. In this heartfelt talk from TEDxToronto, he reveals the 3 secrets (all starting with A) to leading a life that's truly awesome.

With profound simplicity, Coach John Wooden redefines success and urges us all to pursue the best in ourselves. In this inspiring talk he shares the advice he gave his players at UCLA, quotes poetry and remembers his father's wisdom.

My Christmas Wish To You
by Catherine Pulsifer

If I could wish a wish for you,
it would be for peace and happiness
not only now,
but for the whole year through!

I wish that there always be food on your table.
And that you always remember those less fortunate.
May you always take time to share,
and thank those who share with you.

I wish for time, so you may reflect
on the blessings that you have,
and that you express your love
to those who are dear to you.

May you never feel lonely,
because there are those who care.

That you realize:
you are special,
you are unique,
you make a difference,
not only at Christmas, but all year!

I wish for your thoughts to be positive ones,
that you never quit,
that you never give up,
and that you continue to learn.

I wish for the love, peace, and joy
of Christmas be yours always.

Remember what most people want, more than almost anything else, is to know that they are loved, valued, and appreciated. Appreciation truly is the best gift we can give to the people in our lives (for the holidays and at any time of the year).

Giving is the most misunderstood and complicated interaction that we face. Whether it’s giving our time, our effort, or our money, it’s hard to do the right thing for the right reason. There are certainly many needs in our own communities and around the world. We need to take some responsibility to find the appropriate place where we can make a true difference for other people. At the same time, we each have a need to become a giver. This is the complicated part of the formula because it requires us to fulfill a need in our own life while addressing the needs of other people.

As I write this, the wind is whipping and howling, the rain is falling, as if the wild-heart of Nature is calling to our own wild, authentic hearts -- that part of us that's natural, Divine, and hasn't been tamed or squished into the box of the status quo. Speaking of our hearts, maybe you've heard this: "Where your heart is, there you will find your treasure." There is a major shift of consciousness happening, to return us to our hearts. After wandering around in our heads for an age, our beautiful hearts are yearning for reconnection and fuller expression.

Entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk gives a shot in the arm to dreamers and up-and-comers who face self-doubt. The Internet has made the formula for success simpler than ever, he argues. So there's now no excuse not to do what makes you happy.

Whatever holidays you celebrate at this time of the year, and however you observe or celebrate them, there is a choice between deeper meaning and enjoyment, and stress, pressure, and consumption-focus. One powerful gift that we can offer to others is the gift of our full presence -- being fully present with and for another. Deeply listening, looking for and receiving the very best within them, and being open-hearted and kind.

What do you think of people in poverty? Maybe what Jessica Jackley once did: "they" need "our" help, in the form of a few coins in a jar. The co-founder of Kiva.org talks about how her attitude changed -- and how her work with microloans has brought new power to people who live on a few dollars a day.

Recently, I have been editing some recorded interviews I did with my friend and mentor Coach John Wooden. Coach Wooden passed away earlier this year, and we want to release the recordings featuring his wit and wisdom shortly on what would have been his 100th birthday. I believe that if you live on this earth nearly a century, you gain certain wisdom and knowledge that is priceless; however, Coach Wooden’s elite level of wisdom and perspective cannot only be attributed to his long life.

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

I hear a lot of people say we have to wake people up... convince them of the urgency of this moment... make them realize that the planet is headed for disaster! But I don't see it that way. Anybody who needs to be woken up at this point is so deeply asleep that they're not the target audience for global activism. We don't need to wake the sleeping so much as we need to harness the energy of those who are already awake. Enough people know we're in trouble; what they want to know is what to do about it.

We always have a choice as to what we pay attention to, what we focus on, and what we appreciate (or don't). Make a commitment to yourself to appreciate the simple things in your life in a genuine and ongoing way, and see what happens!

My late, great friend and mentor, John Wooden, was fond of saying, “Assume that your best is good enough.” Coach Wooden was far from an overoptimistic Pollyanna-filled dreamer. He was a realistic, down-to-earth man who achieved the highest goals imaginable by putting the right people in the right places and expecting them to perform at their best.

This week, a woman emailed me and said, “... Recently I was reading some of your quotes. ‘Take ownership of your life; you are where you are because of decisions you have made in the past.’ ‘You change your life when you change your mind.’ I have taken ownership in my past, but haven’t seen any difference in my life, just keep hitting walls. Do you have more insight on this?” Although I don’t have the answers, I do have some questions that will help to frame the answer that all of us have inside our minds, hearts, and spirits.

I first heard the phrase "act as if" about fifteen or twenty years ago. I remember learning that if we "act as if" we already have something we want, "act as if" something is already occurring in our lives (even if it's not), or "act as if" we know how to do something (even if we don't) - we create the conditions for it to manifest in our life with greater easy and probability.

When it’s all said and done, the greatest joy you will receive from any dream is pursuing it. Success is a long journey, much like climbing a mountain. You will spend months and years mounting the expedition that will get you to the top of the mountain. You will only spend a few moments at the summit. Be sure you enjoy the journey.

The Winter Olympics in Vancouver have captured the attention of the world. Having been a live spectator at both the Atlanta and Sydney Summer Games, I've experienced first-hand the true spirit of the Olympics - which has been on display these past two weeks in Vancouver in a beautiful way.

There is a saying: "Pain pushes, until vision pulls." A vision reflects our sense of purpose. A clear vision is like our North Star, rich with a sense of who we are, what we're doing, and what we're doing it. It gives us a sense of direction and momentum, and guides inspired, efficient action. With our intention and attention on that vision, we navigate whatever is before us more easily, supported by the courage vision bestows.

As a motivational speaker for Fortune 500 companies and an Olympic gold medalist, I have seen what makes an individual most successful in the boardroom and on the slopes. Over the last five years, I have researched the similarities of forty different highly-successful individuals -- including the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Prince Albert of Monaco, Dr. Stephen Covey, Shaun White and many more. And no matter the field or endeavor, I have found The Turtle Effect philosophy at the core of everyone's success. This philosophy was taught to me by my mother, who told me that I could achieve anything I wanted. I always held it close and adapted it to every situation I encountered. I'd like to help people breathe in this confidence and share the secrets that are common to those at the top of their given field.