We exist in a world of relentless change, living a life where the challenge to achieve success and riches has become the byword for the meaning of life itself. The attitude of the media promotes this belief and is one of increasing the daily pressure, of telling its readers, or viewers, that you are nothing if you are not one of the chosen ?elite?. Young people in particular feel the onslaught of this constant pressure, while those of middle years find the goal-posts have not-so subtly moved and they are redundant long before they are prepared for their retirement. It is little surprise there has been an upsurge in books that tell us how to be successful, how to become rich without really trying and of how to become some sort of winner. We are given various hints that imply that by adopting some secret formula, that whatever your dream is, it will be yours for a mere couple of hundred dollars. Anyone familiar with the internet know it is full of such stories, awash with a variety of special offers we are informed will only last for a few days, and if you do not accept it now, it will be raised by several times the price. In the real world, success is achieved by adopting the tactic of thinking bigger than the next person, by recognising that life will give you back exactly what you expect from it, and nothing more. One of the simple truths of life is that the lower your expectations remain, the lower your returns will be as a result. Within the pages of this book there are various articles written by people who are outstanding successes in their field. They describe what makes them different to others, how they think and act and more especially, what works for them. When you meet Nicci, and read of her experiences at the hands of a brutal teacher, you will discover a mature young man who learned the hard way that life is what you make it, not what others tell you it is. There are other writers who describe what makes them different to their fellows, who dare to dream of life lived on a larger canvas and hold fast to their dream of happiness. Then there are the stories that describe a single incident that has made a small difference, has provided the impetus to repeat this little success until it transforms an ordinary life into something less so. I read each submission with interest, sometimes with a sense of surprise, especially when Annie contacted me from Wales, asked for guidelines and proceeded to forward her article within a couple of hours. She had previously written of the experience she wanted to share, and the most delightful surprise was my discovery that she is just twelve and a half years of age. I am convinced there is great hope for the future of literature when youngsters of such tender years feel they can sit and write what others will take pleasure in reading. As you trawl through each page, it is impossible to promise that what you read will turn you into an overnight success. I do however promise you will discover many things you must not do, will discover new methods that encourage you to think in more positive terms, and in particular, learn to refuse less than your fair share of the multitude of life's gifts. Each writer will touch you in their individual way, will reach into your heart and show you that life is special, that everything is what you make it, no more and no less. This book is designed to awaken your interest in the increasing possibilities offered to those who seek new ways forward.