by: Winsome Coutts
When the Secret DVD was first released, and when people heard about it on Larry King and Oprah, everyone wanted a copy. I bought mine 5 minutes after seeing the trailer and I loved it. My eyes were opened. I still count it as one of my favorite movies.
Lots of people got really excited about it.
"At last", they cried, "NOW I understand. All I have to do is focus my thoughts on what I want, and change the language in my head. I can manifest ANYTHING I think about. As long as I think about it hard enough and long enough".
"I want to get results...and fast. I shouldn't have to wait for months or years to achieve my dreams. I am going to practice LOTS of visualizing and positive self talk. I'll get my Dream Life...NOW"
They eagerly watched The Secret over and over in anticipation that this would bring them their goals. They visualized their goals all day long. They made Vision Boards and Lists of Goals. They kept a Gratitude Journal.
Now these are all extremely useful tools. Use them.
But does only this really work? Is it possible just to manifest things just like this? Really?
This is where The Secret falls short. When you watch it you get the expectation that you can manifest your dream out of nowhere. That belief and faith will automatically bring you what you want. Well...yes, and..no!
You MUST take action.
Mike Dooley says: "Thoughts Become Things"
A friend of mine Gideon Shalwick's has a great quote that he uses: "Thoughts are only potential things. They become things only through specifically directed action."
The Secret DVD only briefly mentions taking action. But it needs to be really spelt out.
Focus on your goal. Visualize it with feeling and excitement. Repeat it in your head or out loud. But here is the important missing bit ..... every time you get a little idea just popping into your head about ways to get closer to what you want, you MUST act upon it. (Bob Doyle says: "You might get some inspired idea of some action to take".) That little idea is The Universe responding to you reaching out saying..."This is what I want".
Being focused and thinking constantly about your goals is important; you must focus on what you want. (John Assaraf says: "You become what you think about most but you also attract what you think about most").
But unless you DO something you are just a dreamer. Unless you ACT, Nothing will become.
"The Science of Getting Rich" was the little book which inspired The Secret DVD. In this book, Wallace D Wattles wrote:
"... man must not only think, but his personal action must supplement his thought. By thought you can cause the gold in the hearts of the mountains to be impelled toward you; but it will not mine itself, refine itself, coin itself into double eagles, and come rolling along the roads seeking its way into your pocket. Your pocketbook is not going to be transformed into Fortune's purse, which shall be always full of money without effort on your part. This is the crucial point in The Science of Getting Rich; right here, where thought and personal action must be combined. There are very many people who, consciously or unconsciously, set the creative forces in action by the strength and persistence of their desires, but who remain poor because they do not provide for the reception of the thing they want when it comes.
BY THOUGHT, THE THING YOU WANT IS BROUGHT TO YOU; BY ACTION YOU RECEIVE IT."
And you must act NOW. Do not wait until you are in the perfect situation, the perfect job, the perfect relationship. NOW is the only time you have. My friend Sherry who works in my local Organic Fruit and vegetable shop told me this the other day:
PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE
The Past is History
The Future is a Mystery
The Present is your Gift: Do It NOW
Put your whole mind and strength and act to the very best of your ability in the situation in which you presently find yourself. Do your absolute best in your current job today to provide service for your customers, your employer and your work colleagues. Be the best person you can with everyone you meet. Look after your health today as if your body was a sacred temple (it is).
Make every day a successful one. A successful day is when you have done the best you can, when you have been as efficient as you possibly can. You know if you have dallied around and wasted time and energy - having days like that actually take energy from you, disconnect you from The Universe. They don't feel good; YOU don't feel good.
Make very day a winner.
Now this doesn't mean that you should work yourself to the bone, working late with long hours and running around after the whims of other people. That is not successful.
If your days are ALL successful, you are moving in the right direction. Keep holding a clear image in your head of what you want, while being deeply grateful and The Universe will respond to you and bring you closer and closer to your dreams.
So - Does The Secret Really Work?
Well yes, and..no! It has made us aware that we can consciously use our brains to focus our thinking and putting our intention towards where we want to go. And as you change on the inside, you expose yourself to larger possibilities, BUT, when those possibilities come along, then this is the time to ACT.
Have a fabulously successful day.
