Did you envision who you would marry? The house you would live in? Would you live in the mountains? Join a golf or country club? Own a private jet or yacht? Would you drive a very expensive car? Ever thought where your children would go to college?

So we finished school, got a job and a career, married, had kids. Then either stayed married or divorced. Now that we have our lifestyle we know that our career has to be a priority. Kids go to a certain school. Made some great friends with the neighbors. Participated in Boy or Girl Scouts. Kids play sports. We see parents taking their kids to practice after work. See them at the games on the weekend. Maybe you have moved into a larger house. Also bought a summer home.

We have the things now. Also the headaches. Their is always projects to do on the house. Either enlarging, fixing or updating. Kids want stuff. Every year the kids and their stuff get bigger and more expensive.

Our expenses keep going up. Most recent is the cost of gas. More people who want new cars are leasing not buying. Others are sworn to drive their car until it breaks. Food always seems to increase as well as clothing and taxes. The list seems to be endless.

The other end is that the weekly or biweekly checks are not endless. Budgets are always tight. The influx of money is constant while expenses increased. People know whats in their paychecks because its the same everytime.

The housing and mortgage market is going crazy. People thought they could afford a bigger house and only pay the adjustable interest rate. Now that the rates are up, those affordable mortgages are not so affordable. Foreclosures are increasing especially with adjustable mortgages coming due.

We are limited by our thinking, more importantly by our pocket book. The services that bill us, who want our money, don't care about our budget restraints. These companies provide their service and want to be paid on time.

As I look around and observe. People are caught in this vortex. Almost a black hole. They know they are being drawn in. They observe that. Unable to sidestep the fact and then be over burdened by their financial obligations.

Are we like a deer who sees the headlights and are unable to move out of the way before being struck?

What happened to those dreams of childhood. Did someone tell you that "It is time for you to grow up?", "Be responsible?", "To get real?"

Did they end your dreams of what can be possible? I asked some friends of mine who were told to grow up. They responded that someone, in their family or a close friend, told them that they now have obligations and stop dreaming. I call them dream stealers.

Dream stealers mean well. They have good intentions. As long as you follow their advise. If you ask their advise and follow yours, you will hear, "I told you so", "I tried that before", "that doesn't work because" or "if I were you" answer. These people have limited beliefs. Life didn't go their way when they created their plan. They want people around them to know that life treated them tough and the same is in store for you.

Life doesn't have to be tough. What one thinks and believes usually will become true. If you believe that life is tough then your belief is true and you will get what you believe.

If you believe that life is about serving others. Helping yourself and others by making the right decisions. Then again, you get what you believe. That too is true.

So whatever you believe you are absolutely right. People will pick up on that energy and that belief will become your reality.