Back in 2006, the same year of the Westmeath Public School’s 100th reunion, a book called “The Secret” debuted. Since then the book has sold 4-million copies, likely to become one of the best-selling self-help books of all time. It is regularly advocated by celebrities.
The celebs is what many of us wish we were. Wherever you ventured by the late spring of the next year (2007), people had gathered at Kenny’s Store, Lilly’s in Beachburg and the three Timmy’s in Pembroke holding electrifying conversations about the possibilities this popular book had in store for them.
They were not just the kind of people who consult astrologers and who listen to Tony Robbins tapes, but normal, average people like the ones who might have been at the WPS reunion but all declaring their belief in this newly found philosophy, “The law of attraction.” Why now and not centuries earlier did this unique opportunity result!
Even small groups on Main Street in Westmeath were excited. Their constant body motions caught my curiosity and I went to one bunch and asked questions. Even though they all talked at once I got the gist. I borrowed a book from one of them for the day.
What I read was an encyclopedia exposing the whole universe unlike a Farley Mowat book on only wolves in the wild. The book stated ”There isn’t a single thing that you cannot do with this knowledge within – it gives you whatever you want.”
Imagine that: the power to get absolutely anything. I love shortcuts and this methodology was like a fantasy coming true. It says we would experience the logical manifestations of our predominant thoughts, feelings, and words. Also, give direct control over our lives. I have read other positive-thinking books over the years promising to change your life. They were all hogwashes; why not this one?
I talked with the group the next day. They seemed even more confident about receiving whatever they asked for. One woman wanted to finally find true love; another wanted a new smart-home. I decided to buy in.
The three steps to applying these laws are simple. 1) Ask the universe for what you want, 2) Behave as if your desire is on its way, and 3) Be open to receiving it.
The week after Oprah’s endorsement, sales of “The Secret” jumped to six figures, from 18,000 to 101,000. After a second endorsement sales doubled again. Oprah since had to soften her enthusiasm as people were following the book and foregoing medical treatment, believing in the power of their thoughts would heal themselves. It was even said that the law of attraction can grant immortality. Yet the people who teach this law seem to be aging at the same rate as the rest of us.
I decided to simply ask for money ($50,000) and have flexibility of spending it upon arrival. To keep me focused on cash I taped a crisp $20 bill to the corner of my TV screen. I concentrated on getting that cash bonus every chance I got. The weeks went by but I didn’t give up on yearning for that fifty grand.
That is until one day the $20 bill disappeared. I was torn about slipping into negatively about losing it but I managed to accept the loss. I checked with the others involved. No one could definitively say they received their wish yet.
The book warns against listening to others speak about their illnesses or problems lest you begin to think negative thoughts. Also, about sacrifice because it makes you believe in lack of rather than in abundance. Always place yourself first and to always look out for your own interests ahead of anyone else’s. That seemed harsh, not what I was taught growing up.
It went on to claim that the earth turns on its orbit for You. You are the heir to the kingdom. You are the perfection of Life. And now you know The Secret.
I began to think that it also works in ways that defy both common sense and human experience. When I first read the book ‘’The Secret”, I decided to change my life. My life did change significantly– I’m more cynical now.
