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There's been a lot of buzz recently about a film and book titled "The Secret"
( http://www.thesecret.tv/) A lot of people have seen it, more have heard about it and plenty have asked me what I think of it. So, given all the interest I thought it worthy of a newsletter.
What is "The Secret" anyway?
"The Secret" is about the Law of Attraction (LOA) - how like attracts like and the notion that what you think about is what you create more of. The LOA exists on the premise that by focusing your thoughts and energy on what you desire it will enable you to attract the people, circumstances and opportunities that will allow your 'vision' (whatever that may be) to manifest. Likewise, by focusing on what you don't want you also attract more of that into your life. The LOA works both ways!
So is "The Secret" really a bona fide 'secret'?
Not at alll. Obviously calling something "The Secret" is clever marketing on the part of Australian producer Rhonda Byrnes but people have been applying the LOA principals throughout history. The great thing is that in this age of mass media the LOA has gone prime time. Jack Canfield, Bob Proctor and John Gray, three of the experts interviewed on The Secret (and with whom I co-authored "101 Ways to Improve Your Life, vol 2" last year) all shared how powerful the LOA has been for them in achieving their success. Henry Ford, Oprah, Gandhi, Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela . . . all practiced the LOA by focusing on the change they wanted too manifest in the world. Their results speak for themselves.
So how can YOU apply the Law of Attraction (LOA)?
You can apply the LOA in your own life in countless ways, but first you must take some time to clarify what you REALLY WANT in your life. After all, it's a bit rich to ask the universe (or God or anyone for that matter) to give your wishes if you aren't clear about what they are. So, if you want to be powerful in creating what it is that you want in your life, you must first be specific about what that is.
For instance, my book Find Your Courage! (www.findyourcourage.com) is being released across the US next month (publication date June 1st!) and, as you'd expect, I want 'lots' of people to read it. But how many is 'lots'? Okay... well... how about I be bold and dare say "I'd like to sell a million copies by 2010". Now my stomach turns just putting that desire into words (andmy throat clams up declaring it in this newsletter) but applying the LOA also takes a bit of courage too. You see if you don't have the courage to honestly answer the question "what do I really want?" and then share your dreams with those around you, then you will have Buckley's chance (i.e. 'no chance') of ever getting it. Do you think Walt Disney would ever have created the Disney empire if he'd only just imagined a kid's playground with a carousel in it? And do you think any of the leading candidates for the '08 US Presidential race would even be in the race if they had never visualized themselves sitting in the Oval Office? Not a chance!
So, what is it you really want to attract into your life?
Although 'The Secret' focused largely on material things, the LOA is not about acquiring more "stuff". It is about experiencing whatever feelings you think that "stuff" might bring you -- greater peace, joy, love, wisdom, harmony.
- Is it feeling good about yourself -- more self assured, purposeful and confident?
- Is it better quality relationships where you enjoy greater intimacy, deeper trust, more playfulness and passion?
- It is a job that is really rewarding and offers exciting opportunities to fulfill your potential?
- Is it clients that you really love working with and whom can afford to pay you what you would like to earn?
- Is it a lifestyle that you feel is balanced and allows you to have the time you want to do the things that you enjoy the most - a nice balance of challenge, time for family, time for you, time for others, time for fun?
- Is it greater financial security that provides you with the choices you'd like to have in your lifestyle?
- Is it a better sense of physical health, vitality and wellbeing?
- Is it a home that you truly love living in -- with space both to unwind and enjoy the company of others?
I believe the Law of Attraction's ultimate purpose is to help people grow spiritually and in doing so, experience greater freedom, peace and joy in their daily lives. So don't just stop at the 'new car-lose 20 lbs-getta payrise' level. Go beyond the surface stuff to the level of desire that resonates with you most deeply. That's where the real gold lies and where the LOA is put to its' greatest use.
And what about what you don't want to attract?
I remember hearing Mother Teresa asked once in an interview her opinion about a war. Which war it was I don't recall but what has always stuck with me was her reply. "I am not anti-war nor will I ever attend an anti-war rally. But ask me to come to a peace rally and I will come". I try to embrace the same spirit in life. For instance in raising my four young children, it is not my intention to raise children who aren't bullied. Rather it's my intention to raise kids who will have the self respect and confidence so that they are never anyone's victim.... on the playground or throughout life. Likewise I don't want to not attract problems in my life, but rather I want to expand my ability to take them on - with greater ease and less stress - attracting fabulous people who can support me in doing so.
As I said earlier, the Law of Attraction works both ways. So if there's something you don't want any more of in your life - financial stress, a health issue, boring job, unreliable friends, disastrous dates or unwanted pounds - then quit complaining about those things, stop expending precious energy on them and start focusing on just their opposite... financial security, great health, a fit body, an exciting job, fabulous friends etc. Remember, what you think about expands so focus your thoughts, time and energy on what you DO want!
Why should you even bother with this?
As you are reading this perhaps you've got 101 cynical thoughts running through your head. If that's the case... that's okay. It's your subconscious trying to protect you from disappointment. But whether it's having faith in the LOA or anything else in life, at the end of the day, all faith is an experiment. Remember though, you cannot get the results of an experiment without doing one! Just because you don't understand how the laws of meta-physics work doesn't mean they don't or that you can't use the LOA.
One thing I know for sure is that none of us are victims of happenstance. We are creators of our life and through our thoughts we attract people, opportunities and circumstances into our lives; like magicians, we have influence that extends far beyond our own awareness.
So, what do you have to lose? Why not have a play and experiment with the Law of Attraction in your life today? So do yourself a favor and just let go of your cynicism (or at least shelve it temporarily), get out a piece of paper and write down the top 1 - 3 things you'd like more of in your life right now.
As the saying goes, "When the student is ready, the teacher appears." The question is: Are you ready to attract more of what you want into your life?
And if not now, when?
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.
Think bigger, live bolder!
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