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Five Wishes: How Answering One Simple Question Can Make Your Dreams Come True
You never know when it is going to happen - when you will experience a moment that dramatically transforms your life. When you look back, often years later, you may see how a brief conversation or an insight you read in a book changed the entire course of your life. Gay Hendricks had an extraordinary, life-altering experience during a conversation at a party. The gift he received in that meeting became his touchstone for creating the life of his dreams. Now, in this wonderful gem of a book, he passes on to all of us the pivotal insight he gained in that magic moment. Could reading this book be one of those life-changing moments for you?....GAY HENDRICKS has become one of the most popular writers and speakers of our time. His books, seminars, and web courses have helped hundreds of thousands of people profoundly change the quality of their lives. The Hendricks Institute offers seminars, online courses, audio programs, and trainings. Gay's newest project is Illumination University, where the world's greatest teachers join in cybercourses and telegatherings. He also cofounded the Spiritual Cinema Circle, which brings vibrant new movies to people in more than seventy countries around the world. He lives and works with his wife, Kathlyn, in Ojai, California.
153 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2007
107 people are currently reading
924 people want to read
About the author
Gay Hendricks
110 books507 followersDr. Gay Hendricks has served for more than 30 years as one of the major contributors to the fields of relationship transformation and body-mind therapies. Along with his wife, Dr. Kathlyn Hendricks, Gay is the author of many bestsellers, including Conscious Loving, At the Speed of Life, and Five Wishes.
Gay received his PhD in counseling psychology from Stanford University in 1974. After a 21-year career as a professor at the University of Colorado, he founded The Hendricks Institute, which offers seminars in North America, Asia, and Europe. He is also the founder of a new virtual learning center for transformation, Gaia Illumination University.
Throughout his career, Gay has done executive coaching with more than 800 executives, including the top management at such firms as Dell Computer, Hewlett Packard, Motorola, and KLM. His book, The Corporate Mystic, is used widely to train management in combining business skills and personal development tools.
In recent years he has also been active in creating new forms of conscious entertainment. In 2003, along with movie producer Stephen Simon, Gay founded the Spiritual Cinema Circle, which distributes inspirational movies to subscribers in more than 70 countries around the world. He was the executive producer of the feature film Conversations with God, and he has appeared on more than 500 radio and television shows, including Oprah, CNN, CNBC, 48 Hours, and others
Gay received his PhD in counseling psychology from Stanford University in 1974. After a 21-year career as a professor at the University of Colorado, he founded The Hendricks Institute, which offers seminars in North America, Asia, and Europe. He is also the founder of a new virtual learning center for transformation, Gaia Illumination University.
Throughout his career, Gay has done executive coaching with more than 800 executives, including the top management at such firms as Dell Computer, Hewlett Packard, Motorola, and KLM. His book, The Corporate Mystic, is used widely to train management in combining business skills and personal development tools.
In recent years he has also been active in creating new forms of conscious entertainment. In 2003, along with movie producer Stephen Simon, Gay founded the Spiritual Cinema Circle, which distributes inspirational movies to subscribers in more than 70 countries around the world. He was the executive producer of the feature film Conversations with God, and he has appeared on more than 500 radio and television shows, including Oprah, CNN, CNBC, 48 Hours, and others
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
November 29, 2011
Okay, I haven't written a review for ages, but I need to justify why this book gets 5 stars. There are many other books on a similar vein out there, and I've read a few.
5 Wishes is simple, it is not contrived, and each step is plainly made and easily followed. Reading it I can feel some of what he is saying flow over me, and I'm getting those occasional twinges of excitement which are all too rare as I become more cynical. Reading 5 wishes let me be innocent again, and ready to accept the changes into my life I need to make so when I'm asked the question at the beginning, I can say "Yes."
If you're in a rut, read this book. If you are not feeling satisfied with life, read this book. If you are not totally happy and connected with yourself, with the joy of living and with the rest of creation, you need to read this book.
If you've just read this review and think it is sappy, then you most definitely need to read this book! And get that rod out of your arse! ;-)
5 Wishes is simple, it is not contrived, and each step is plainly made and easily followed. Reading it I can feel some of what he is saying flow over me, and I'm getting those occasional twinges of excitement which are all too rare as I become more cynical. Reading 5 wishes let me be innocent again, and ready to accept the changes into my life I need to make so when I'm asked the question at the beginning, I can say "Yes."
If you're in a rut, read this book. If you are not feeling satisfied with life, read this book. If you are not totally happy and connected with yourself, with the joy of living and with the rest of creation, you need to read this book.
If you've just read this review and think it is sappy, then you most definitely need to read this book! And get that rod out of your arse! ;-)
December 23, 2007
five wishes asks the question: picture yourself on your deathbed. did you accomplish everything you wanted to accomplish? if not, what were the things that you regret not doing?
it's not really a "how to live the life you always wanted" book, but it brought things into clear perspective for me: if you're going to regret things on your deathbed, well, why the heck are you living life that way?
speaking of wishes, i wish all business books were like this -- i read it in less than an hour, got the core idea, and have been able to apply it in a day since finishing it.
it's not really a "how to live the life you always wanted" book, but it brought things into clear perspective for me: if you're going to regret things on your deathbed, well, why the heck are you living life that way?
speaking of wishes, i wish all business books were like this -- i read it in less than an hour, got the core idea, and have been able to apply it in a day since finishing it.
January 14, 2011
A great read for people looking to make changes in their lives- positive, life-affirming changes. While this book doesn't reveal anything that isn't ultimately common sense, it does draw attention to things that we may forget or not even think about in our busy lives. This book has taught me to slow down and think about what I want to get out of my life and while five different goals doesn't seem to be enough, it's a start. I recommend this book to people looking for a simple way to make a difference in their lives, one that is powerful but yet unobtrusive.
February 22, 2013
Having just read The Big Leap and gone completely nuts about it, I'm now reading everything else I can get my hands on by this author.
This is a really good book. If you've never thought about what's most important to you in life and how you'd see your life from your death bed, this is a very personable, approachable exploration of that. The idea is to consider yourself from your death bed, looking back on your life. Would you consider your life a success? Why or why not? What's missing that you wish you'd done or achieved?
I've thought about it quite a bit, but the structure provided by this book still helped me get clear on some things I had never quite been fully conscious of before. That's a win for sure. Honestly, I'm not sure why it doesn't feel like 5 stars to me. I guess I would have liked to see more examples and more guidance on action steps. In some cases, they're pretty obvious, but for more abstract wishes, I'm at a loss as to how to make them happen. I guess it will come to me in time if I keep trying to figure it out.
Note: once you have your wishes figured out, you'll want to revise them from time to time. If you're thinking of removing one, first ask yourself, "If this wasn't hard, would I still want it?" If the answer is yes, stick with it.
I can't imagine anyone really wants to know this, but since I wished for more examples while reading this book, here are my answers/homework:
The main reason my life was not a total success is because I didn't:
- figure out who I was and fully accept and align with it
- experience real, deep, lasting love on a long-term basis
- earn a living in my zone of genius
- find peace and happiness regardless of the situation
- throw myself fully into life as if I had no fear
- figure out my "big why" and live it
Rewrite 1:
For my life to be a total success,
- I wish I'd understood, fully accepted, and aligned with myself completely.
- I wish I'd experienced real, deep, lasting love over many years with the same person.
- I wish I'd learned to earn a living in my zone of genius.
- I wish I'd been able to find peace and happiness in any situation.
- I wish I'd thrown myself fully into life as if I had no fear.
- I wish I'd known my "big why" and lived it.
If I'd done these things, I'd consider my life a success.
Rewrite 2:
My life is a total success because I now understand and accept myself completely and live in full alignment with myself.
It's also a success because I'm now experiencing a real, deep, lasting love with Rick. I'm enjoying a lifetime of facilitating each other's growth together.
And I'm now earning a living in my zone of genius.
And I'm now experiencing peace and happiness regardless of the situation or circumstances.
And I'm now throwing myself fully into life as if I had no fear.
And I'm now clear on my "big why" and living by it.
Action steps:
1. Read Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha
1, 4, 5, 6. Meditate daily for 5 min.
1, 4, 5, 6. Find a soft bong timer for phone or 5-10 min. ocean waves audio
3. update Elance portfolio
3. build website
1, 4. clear out old incomplete tasks
5. rejection game
4. get enough sleep
1, 4, 5, 6. re-read How to be Happy, Getting Unstuck, Beyond Fear
This is a really good book. If you've never thought about what's most important to you in life and how you'd see your life from your death bed, this is a very personable, approachable exploration of that. The idea is to consider yourself from your death bed, looking back on your life. Would you consider your life a success? Why or why not? What's missing that you wish you'd done or achieved?
I've thought about it quite a bit, but the structure provided by this book still helped me get clear on some things I had never quite been fully conscious of before. That's a win for sure. Honestly, I'm not sure why it doesn't feel like 5 stars to me. I guess I would have liked to see more examples and more guidance on action steps. In some cases, they're pretty obvious, but for more abstract wishes, I'm at a loss as to how to make them happen. I guess it will come to me in time if I keep trying to figure it out.
Note: once you have your wishes figured out, you'll want to revise them from time to time. If you're thinking of removing one, first ask yourself, "If this wasn't hard, would I still want it?" If the answer is yes, stick with it.
I can't imagine anyone really wants to know this, but since I wished for more examples while reading this book, here are my answers/homework:
The main reason my life was not a total success is because I didn't:
- figure out who I was and fully accept and align with it
- experience real, deep, lasting love on a long-term basis
- earn a living in my zone of genius
- find peace and happiness regardless of the situation
- throw myself fully into life as if I had no fear
- figure out my "big why" and live it
Rewrite 1:
For my life to be a total success,
- I wish I'd understood, fully accepted, and aligned with myself completely.
- I wish I'd experienced real, deep, lasting love over many years with the same person.
- I wish I'd learned to earn a living in my zone of genius.
- I wish I'd been able to find peace and happiness in any situation.
- I wish I'd thrown myself fully into life as if I had no fear.
- I wish I'd known my "big why" and lived it.
If I'd done these things, I'd consider my life a success.
Rewrite 2:
My life is a total success because I now understand and accept myself completely and live in full alignment with myself.
It's also a success because I'm now experiencing a real, deep, lasting love with Rick. I'm enjoying a lifetime of facilitating each other's growth together.
And I'm now earning a living in my zone of genius.
And I'm now experiencing peace and happiness regardless of the situation or circumstances.
And I'm now throwing myself fully into life as if I had no fear.
And I'm now clear on my "big why" and living by it.
Action steps:
1. Read Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha
1, 4, 5, 6. Meditate daily for 5 min.
1, 4, 5, 6. Find a soft bong timer for phone or 5-10 min. ocean waves audio
3. update Elance portfolio
3. build website
1, 4. clear out old incomplete tasks
5. rejection game
4. get enough sleep
1, 4, 5, 6. re-read How to be Happy, Getting Unstuck, Beyond Fear
April 5, 2008
Once again a super fast read. It opened my eyes to a different way of thinking and if nothing else a great conversation to have with others instead of small talk. Some of the things he wrote I disagreed with but all in all not bad. I have always disliked the rollercoaster of emotions in relationships and the author had interesting insight on how to not have so many lows in relationships. He said that "....perhaps we sabotaged our good feeling because we simply didn't have much practice feeling good for any substantial length of time. The history of humanity, as well as our personal histories, teaches us alot about adversity and how to deal with it but very little about how to feel good and maintain that feeling." To learn more read the book....around page 73.
Lastly, I will share one of my wishes with you...which is actually one of the authors wishes...to savor every moment along the way in life. I want to savor the moments I am in rather than wish I was someplace else, or be thinking of what I could be doing instead. I want to feel...there is no place I would rather be...than for example...listening to my child tell me how she is going to dress her stuffed animal up in a pink shirt...really listen and be happy she is talking to me...rather than thinking...okay hurry up tell me what you want to say...b/c I really want to finish writing this review. I am really going to work on this...and I am happy to say I have already started!
Lastly, I will share one of my wishes with you...which is actually one of the authors wishes...to savor every moment along the way in life. I want to savor the moments I am in rather than wish I was someplace else, or be thinking of what I could be doing instead. I want to feel...there is no place I would rather be...than for example...listening to my child tell me how she is going to dress her stuffed animal up in a pink shirt...really listen and be happy she is talking to me...rather than thinking...okay hurry up tell me what you want to say...b/c I really want to finish writing this review. I am really going to work on this...and I am happy to say I have already started!
August 18, 2009
It's a short book and I could relate to it well. It's about what five wishes the author would want granted/what five things he would change if he were on his deathbed. I could use work on what the other refers to as "pure consciousness" and feeling like all people and things contain God within them. I already think that, but I can turn into an incredibly angry person, sometimes over stupid stuff. Though if someone is sorry (or at least says so) I always forgive them. I don't have a lot of "incompleteness" in my life, because I get really agitated if things aren't complete (I'm also the opposite of a procrastinator usually). This definitely extends to human relationships. I tend to be open about my feelings and try to fix interpersonal problems.
The author says if something is bad for you or you don't like it (and don't have to deal with it, just leave it behind. This is a problem for me. I need things to work out and feel whole, so I hate giving up on people or things. I have trouble letting go of things that aren't good for me. This allows me to continue my obsession and anxiety and depression. I don't like feeling that way at all, I just haven't found a good way to let go yet. Aspects of this book triggered negatively feelings in me, but a lot of it was simply familiar and the author's wishes were similar to what my own would be.
The author says if something is bad for you or you don't like it (and don't have to deal with it, just leave it behind. This is a problem for me. I need things to work out and feel whole, so I hate giving up on people or things. I have trouble letting go of things that aren't good for me. This allows me to continue my obsession and anxiety and depression. I don't like feeling that way at all, I just haven't found a good way to let go yet. Aspects of this book triggered negatively feelings in me, but a lot of it was simply familiar and the author's wishes were similar to what my own would be.
August 19, 2012
I saw the movie (yes, there is a movie) first and wanted the book to remember the important concepts. Not earth-shattering enlightenment, but a practical and reasonable question to ask yourself when searching for your reason for being.
March 14, 2014
This is a great New Year's Resolution book. It really got me thinking about what is important in my life and how to make that the priority of my daily actions. I made two wishes and than wrote the tools I need to make them come true.
December 15, 2021
ReedIII Quick Review: Simple, yet powerful, usable concept to put focus into your life. Imagine your deathbed; “Was your life a complete success? What would make it a complete success?” The ending includes examples how the concept works and aids self-reflection.
August 25, 2008
Short book- ponders the question "If you were on your death bed, what aspects of your life would you wish had been different." Then he encourages you to make those changes now so you can die with no regrets. His claim- "you can make all your wishes come true."
A bit hokey, but well written.
A bit hokey, but well written.
June 28, 2016
Starting at the end and working backwards has been great life advice for me.
I would be a better friend of the book if it were written with less hokiness and left out any mention of astrology.
Carl Kruse
Miami
I would be a better friend of the book if it were written with less hokiness and left out any mention of astrology.
Carl Kruse
Miami
July 22, 2017
I found this book thought-provoking and a little challenging. Although I haven't done the suggested exercise, I nevertheless found that I have shifted my perspective on my values as a result of reading the book. I'm sure its influence will stay with me, in a positive way, for a long time to come.
January 7, 2012
I wasn't impressed with the book as the anecdotes were predictable and redundant.
July 22, 2014
A good reminder that if we want to be happy and successful in this life we have to work for it! It was a Nice short listen.
December 20, 2019
So thought provoking. Such a simple task that has changed me forever. This is the secret to a fulfilled life. Thank you, Gay!
January 4, 2020
Absolutely phenomenal! Read this and do the exercise - it will change your life!!!
Very quick read.
Very quick read.
August 28, 2025
I love how quick and concise it is. Maybe I am partial to that now more than usual because I just finished another similar book that is long and repetitive. If only we all could follow the principle taught in this book.
November 3, 2022
Decent framework to reflect on the end of your life, but I wish it was slightly longer with more examples.
June 24, 2017
life changing book
April 15, 2008
One simple question completely changed Gay Hendricks life. What was the question? How did this amazing transformation take place?
Five Wishes tells the story. The living changing event started out rather uneventfully enough. The author had committed himself to going to a party that he would have really liked to decline. The notion of sitting by the fire reading a good book seemed far more attractive than trying to create small talk all night.
Fortunately, he did make it to the function because it became the stage of a very important conversation. He met a man who engaged him in "big talk" which involved one question. "...if you were on your deathbed... Was your life a complete success?" This one question then led to an exploration of what would have made the Gay Hendricks' life a success. He then had a place to begin making real changes.
Five Wishes asks the question that we all unconsciously fixate on but never really spend any honest time working through. Really, we all have two choices. We can continue to be unhappy and bitter about all the things we don't have or we can gather the courage to make our lives resemble the life we had hoped to lead. What's your choice?
Five Wishes tells the story. The living changing event started out rather uneventfully enough. The author had committed himself to going to a party that he would have really liked to decline. The notion of sitting by the fire reading a good book seemed far more attractive than trying to create small talk all night.
Fortunately, he did make it to the function because it became the stage of a very important conversation. He met a man who engaged him in "big talk" which involved one question. "...if you were on your deathbed... Was your life a complete success?" This one question then led to an exploration of what would have made the Gay Hendricks' life a success. He then had a place to begin making real changes.
Five Wishes asks the question that we all unconsciously fixate on but never really spend any honest time working through. Really, we all have two choices. We can continue to be unhappy and bitter about all the things we don't have or we can gather the courage to make our lives resemble the life we had hoped to lead. What's your choice?
April 24, 2008
When Five Wishes by Gay Hendricks arrived, I started at the foreword by Neale Donald Walsch and the book swept me to page 63 before other work demands forced me to put it down with great reluctance. I finished it the next day, followed the action steps he lays out, and suddenly my life was very clear. I knew what was absolutely of primary importance to me and what wasn’t, and had a pretty fair idea how to actualize the things that were important. The rest would take care of itself, falling away as needed.
For more review: http://www.bleepingherald.com/dec2007...
For more review: http://www.bleepingherald.com/dec2007...
July 31, 2019
This is a clear, straightforward book in the way that many self-help types of books are not. It does the simple task of telling a story that outlines a process for making your dreams come true, and then providing the structure for you, the reader, to follow that process.
It's not excessively rooted in magical thinking, which is a good thing. The wisdom is plain and unvarnished, which is also a good thing. And it's a quick read, which is an excellent thing. To my mind, the ability to avoid excessive complication of this subject matter is a skill worth knowing.
It's not excessively rooted in magical thinking, which is a good thing. The wisdom is plain and unvarnished, which is also a good thing. And it's a quick read, which is an excellent thing. To my mind, the ability to avoid excessive complication of this subject matter is a skill worth knowing.
December 27, 2017
Quick listen. Author narrates in a relatively entertaining way.
Not that different from any other description of 'look back at your life and think about what's missing, then make those things happen' (which might mean that this originated that in this industry of books).
Personal anecdotes were interesting. Wish there were more examples in last chapter ('how-to' section).
Not that different from any other description of 'look back at your life and think about what's missing, then make those things happen' (which might mean that this originated that in this industry of books).
Personal anecdotes were interesting. Wish there were more examples in last chapter ('how-to' section).
August 8, 2018
Interesting concept, but terribly flawed by its fortune cookie writing. It's all vague.
Call me cynical, but the content was just way too magical. Around every turn is unicorn waiting to gift you winning lottery tickets.
In the end, it came across as one of those chain letter emails...you know, make five death bed wishes and pass it on. If you do, they'll all come true.
Call me cynical, but the content was just way too magical. Around every turn is unicorn waiting to gift you winning lottery tickets.
In the end, it came across as one of those chain letter emails...you know, make five death bed wishes and pass it on. If you do, they'll all come true.
February 11, 2009
Excellent book and another quick read. I read it in conjunction with the Jackrabbit Factor and it really helped me to figure out what I want. It is great to have dreams and goals and the process Hendricks outlines is very useful if used correctly.
December 13, 2017
Great book!
A wonderful recipe on how to improve your life greatly. Finally I have a path to follow; out of the wilderness of my current life and into the life of my true inner dreams of passion and desires around a life lived to my fullest potential.
A wonderful recipe on how to improve your life greatly. Finally I have a path to follow; out of the wilderness of my current life and into the life of my true inner dreams of passion and desires around a life lived to my fullest potential.
January 23, 2018
My suggestion would be to read the introduction, then chapter 6. Chapters 1-5 are then the sort of initial case study of the main theory and how it worked in the author's life.
Quick read, all in all, just wish they'd reordered things, but that's maybe personal preference.
Quick read, all in all, just wish they'd reordered things, but that's maybe personal preference.
January 7, 2020
Perfect way to start the new year
Great book. Second time I've read it. For anyone who needs direction in their life. Or anyone who wants to dig deep and discover what their next step is.
Great book. Second time I've read it. For anyone who needs direction in their life. Or anyone who wants to dig deep and discover what their next step is.
February 5, 2012
Uggh. Someone gave this to me, and I felt obliged to read it. Glad the author is so supremely satisfied with his life - but just uggghh.
June 16, 2014
این کتاب و توصیه هاش رو خیلی دوست داشتم. اونقدر کاربردی بود که منو واداشت در آخر تمرینات کتاب رو انجام بدم.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews