What do you want? What do you really really want?

​As a therapist working with clients on a daily basis I listen to many stories of sadness, depression, negative feelings, fear, pain, guilt etc.  One of the questions I always ask is "so, now that you have told me all that - what do you want?"  This question is often met with complete surprise. 
 
These individuals, like so many others, have learnt not to expect anything, not to want anything, not to desire anything.  This is often because they have learned not to let themselves want what they don't think they can have.  In order to be "realistic" or even in some cases to be a "good person" they have resigned themselves to just accept what is and just get on with it.  They believe that life just happens to them and that they have no power to change this. 
 
 If you never set goals or if you never have dreams then how can they ever come true?  It's ok to want things - it's ok to expect things - it's ok to set goals.
 
What brings a smile to your face when you think about it? 
 
Remember - focus on what you want not what you don't want - this is my golden rule.
 
The following is a story which I love and which has a great deal of meaning.  I hope you enjoy it and find the meaning for you:

A Room in Heaven
 
One day a human went to heaven in the way that humans often do. 
 
On arrival, the human was greeted by a host of angels and given a tour of all heaven's wonders.  Over the course of the tour, the human noticed that there was one room the angels quickly glided past each time they approached.
 
What's in that room?  the human asked.
 
The angels looked at each other as if they'd been dreading that question.  Finally, one of them stepped forward and said kindly, "we're not allowed to keep you out, but please believe us - you don't want to go in there."
 
The human's mind raced at the thought of what might be contained in that room.  What could be so horrible that all the angels of heaven would want to hide it away?  the human knew that one should probably take the angels at their word, but found it very hard to resist temptation.  "After all", the human thought, "I'm only human".
 
Slowly walking towards the room, the human was filled with dread and wonder at what horrors might about to be revealed. 
But in fact, the room was filled with the most wonderful things imaginable: a beautiful home; nice things; great wisdom; a happy family; loving friends; and riches beyond measure.
 
Eyes wide, the human turned back to the angels.  "But why didn't you want me to come in here?"  This room is filled with the most amazing things I've ever seen!"
 
The angels looked at each other sadly, then back to the human"These are all the things you were meant to have while you were on earth, but you never believed you could have them."
 (Taken from "You Can Have What You Want" by Michael Neill)