Saturday, September 29, 2007

The Secret

Jane has asked me about The Secret. The 16yo read it and she felt empowered by it and told me I should read it, then her mother sent me an email about how she (the mom) had been reading parts to the 16yo and her brother during the summer and some of the positive effects it had on their confidence levels, and THEN I just happened upon it at the library last week. It was really nothing new to me, having spent years many years ago learning about those same ideas ("New Thought"--you get what you expect out of life, even if you aren't aware that you expect it; we have the power to change our lives by changing our thoughts, by visualizing how we'd like things to be, etc.), but it was a nice refresher. And I was able to talk about some of the things with the kids, mainly the older two, and the 16yo really appreciated it. She said she felt all raring to go when she'd read it this summer but has found she's slipped away from all of it and is back to old negative thinking in many ways.

I haven't yet watched the movie, but did take it out from the library on Thursday. We'll probably watch it over lunch on Monday. I know it'll be very much like the book, but having those added visual images and sounds can really enhance the message. The 16yo seems to be really craving that sense of "can-do" right now and this should help. Of course, this has all brought me back to Marva Collins and her focus on having the kids read and discuss pieces which focus on how *we* are the ones who determine our lives, our persistence and trustworthiness and effort and all that. I've been doing better at bringing quotes in, but not enough. I keep trying to get the academics going but know I need to get that fire (belief in self) lit before things will really move.

In any case, I enjoyed the book. They were the same principles that got us the house we are in, that prevented us from getting a van we shouldn't have gotten because the van we really wanted showed up in time, that have produced healings in my life and more. I've drifted away from that sort of faith. Which reminds me: it doesn't really matter what sort of religious faith you have in terms of benefiting from the book--while some really small parts may not fit too well with some Christians or other religions, in general, it's age-old wisdom that all can learn from.

2 comments:

Jane said...

Thanks Daisy - I think I will look for it at the library too. It sounds very much like cognitive behavioural therapy. My ex husband is a CBT therapist in the UK.

I wonder if thats why my life has been the way it is - I've always been a very positive/ glass half full kind of person - even through difficult times - I always believe things will work out for the best - and they almost always do (I daren't say always!!!) I put it down to luck but since hearing about The Secret it has made me think that it is more to do with the way I see things.....the way I think.

I guess what put me off reading the book is that so many people said it was all about material riches and believing you will get a new bike and then there it is....I know some people believe the book should have talked about earning things rather than just wishing for things...that put me off reading it...but I like the idea of positive thinking so I think I'll give it a chance!

One Alberta Voice said...

While it has a part about money, its purpose is to show that how we think, what we say and what we expect are what create our lives, and that we get more of what we focus on. So, there's one chapter on money--there's also a chapter on relationships, on health, and some others that I can't remember. The whole opening is about how our thinking in general brings into our lives certain experiences.

You're right, she doesn't talk about earning things. But that doesn't mean people don't do things to earn what they want. Sure, she shares stories of people unexpectedly receiving things, but the whole point is that if you have a specific thing in mind, keep focused on it, believe that it will happen and the details, including what role you need to play in it, will work out.

In any case, I thought it was good. Nothing new to me, but a nice refresher. :)