“When I grow up, I want to be a magician; or a policeman, or a fireman. Oh wait, maybe a movie star– I like playing a doctor. Or maybe a doctor! But I also like sports. I think I will be a baseball player…or a tennis champion.”
<?xml:namespace prefix = o /> Remember those daydreams? Most of us encountered them at one time or another. They grew from our childhood experiences– those internal pictures, sounds and feelings we made– that were beyond our control. They were “out there” someplace like wild stallions waiting to be tamed. We just didn’t have a rope; or the confidence to climb aboard. Call these situations, Environmental Variables. They may be distinguished from that dimension of our experience within our control. These may be called, Decision Variables. As we grew older, our dreams changed– some died– as we attempted to convert environmental to decision variables. It is useful to consider “confusion” the catalyst which creates this change.
 People often learn most when they are confused. To the extent that dreams generate this state, its resolution creates decision variables that become powerful skills which can make future dreams come true. There you are on the tennis court. You have had three lessons and are now about to challenge a superior player… who has had five. You hit the ball, forehand, off the rim, and it lands in your opponent’s court. However, not knowing much about tennis, there are many behaviors beyond your control at this point. Where do you stand to receive your opponent’s next shot? When do you begin preparing for yours? How do you control its depth; or the degree of spin? Fulfilling your dream of being a skillful tennis player depends upon your success in converting these environmental variables into decision variables within your “grip.”
 Skiing, anyone? The concept is the same, only your opponent is “nature”, the ultimate environmental variable! Remember your first skiing experience? Looking up the steep mountain slope from its base, you may have gasped in awe, curiously awaiting the illusion which was about to occur: How could people come straight down without falling off and breaking their necks? It’s magic! And how do they walk around in these boots? Now as you descend the chairlift in preparation for your “black diamond” run, you can smile inwardly knowing the illusions were not “magic” at all, but a trick done with “mirrors”; mirrors that reflect change as you learned to control the elements.
 Dreams enrich our lives with the essence of creativity; the opportunity to fulfill our wildest fantasies. While many of our dreams– especially in childhood– seem unrealistic, they should not be taken too lightly. Many of our most practical inventions and commodities began as dreams– environmental variables that were converted to practical decision variables by the creative applications of previous learning.
 Waterfalls, though awesome and beautiful, were once thought to be a hindrance to the development and growth of industry and trade because they prevented rivers from being utilized for transportation and communication. Today, they are used as a source of hydroelectric power, allowing for greatly increased choices of transportation and communication.
 A century ago, the idea of man flying high above the clouds was considered preposterous. Today, we have gone beyond the moon. Harmful bacteria and viruses in the environment were once considered uncontrollable. Now in diluted forms they are purposely injected into the human body which, in turn, develops immunity to those same diseases!
 How many times have you thrown away moldy bread? Alexander Fleming learned how to use the mold to produce penicillin, a brilliant medical discovery.
 A new year has begun: Time to plan your itinerary of work and play. It’s also a good time to dream of what lies ahead. So go ahead and dream! Then use all your creative abilities available to your senses to tame environmental variables and make them work for you. Ask yourself, “What is something that I don’t yet have, but would recognize immediately if I did? And, “How is it possible for me to not have it yet?” Confused? Good! You’re on your way. Aim high…and make your fondest dreams come true!