I am a skeptic by training and experience; a journalist without skepticism is a fool -- or a poser. Plus, I grew up in Berkeley, the land new-age cults, peopled with starry-eyed followers, looking for quick spiritual fixes. I was taught to 'question authority,' that 'intellectual' was a compliment that meant you were capable of independent thought. I took this independence to the extreme, refusing to wave my hands in unison with thousands of fans at concerts. I did not want to be swept away by my own enthusiasm, because that was my true nature, I now know. It still is. My true spirit is one of wonder, hope, curiosity and excitement. I am daily swept away by a sense of awe and beauty, feeling a universal pulse as though the world were an irresistible concert for which I would gladly stand and wave my arms with the rest of you. Reconciling the skeptic and the exuberant optimist inside has at times stymied me.

So when Maryanne invited me to her Live Dynamite® seminar, a "life skills program...where you learn to create the life you want," I felt both compelled and skeptical. But Maryanne's genuine positive nature came through loud and clear, even in her email. I told her I would love to, but I couldn't; I had limited time with my long-distance hubby who is in town for just three weeks. Then, in a hand-written note, she invited us both to be her guests. Miguel read through the materials that included 'the upside Playbook' (read 'workbook) and some other beautifully designed materials. "Let's do it," he said. "This looks very interesting." When spoken by Miguel with a French accent, Live Dynamite became irrisistible. "Now we have something to do on Saturday," he added practically.

Maryanne does not claim ownership of the ideas she cleverly puts forth in the Live Dynamite program that is quite simply based on the Law of Attraction, or as Buddha said, "What we think, we become." What's different about Live Dynamite, however, is that it helps people put into dailly practice the idea that what we think becomes reality. This is goal setting at its finest. The playbook is inviting, offering suggestions for turning dreams into goals, and how to 'chunk down' those goals into daily practices and habits. Some of them are concrete: "I will make $75,000 by 10/10 by expanding my client base." But nothing happens without spiritual, social and physical practices that feed our entire beings. This is how dreams come true.

I know that dreams come true, because this is how I met my husband: I wrote down everything I wanted in a man, in a relationship, on a piece of paper. I did not allow myself to hold back or stop. Then I put it away and forgot about it. But according to concepts in psychology and neuroscience, I told my subconscious that something was possible. I readied myself for something great. So there we were, this man I dreamed up, this man I had distilled into a prince charming list long before I met him -- taking our dreams one step further to create a life together. An intentional life, where we share work and home. He calls it "the project within the project."

It takes vision, commitment, courage and faith. Nothing happens without constant positive reinforcement. If you want to make the most of your life, refresh your sense of direction, look into Live Dynamite. Maryanne O'Brien lives what she preaches. You can feel it the moment you meet her.