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The Secret opens with a story about a woman (Rhonda Byrne narrating her past) who, down on her luck, is given a book from her daughter that unlocks the secret to abundance in the form of wealth, health, and anything desired. 

In The Secret DVD, the “secret” is unraveled cinematographically with a cheesy montage including a genie, secret societies, and messengers/keepers of the “secret”. Despite the dramatic opening, the film goes on to include noteworthy writers such as Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul), and Dr. John Gray (Men are From Mars, Women are from Venus) and now famous (thanks to the DVD’s promotion, and appearances on Oprah) teachers of the secret, discussing how to obtain money, health, happiness, and abundance in you life – simply by asking for it.  

So, how does The Secret work? The answer, according to The Secret teachings is via the law of attraction. It works like this:

1.) Proclaim to the universe what you want

2.) Believe that you will obtain what is asked for

3.)Visualize obtaining what you want

4.)Remain optimistic about getting what you want

And then, like magic, (or via the law of attraction), you will receive what you want. Sound a bit like prayer? Ask and you shall receive kind of stuff? It is, but with one key difference – prayer insinuates that you have to ask a higher god/being for what you want, and he/she decides if your prayer will be answered.  The Secret implies that if you ask, visualize, and believe, what you want will manifest via the law of attraction.

The Law of Attraction is defined as the universe working to give you what you want, simply because you asked (and believed) in it’s ability to respond to you request. The universe, therefore, is the source of abundance that is attracted towards your energy, and like a genie, is ready to grant your desires. Yeah, ok, but it gets better…

In the book, which is mostly a transcript of the DVD, Rhonda Byrne promotes “there isn’t a single thing that you cannot do with this knowledge. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are, The Secret can give you whatever you want.” Unfortunately, it is those kinds of statements made throughout The Secret, which have lead to a growing amount of criticism, and cynicism about the teachings.  

Since the release of the DVD and book, the handful of teachers featured on the film, have spoken out about the simplistic nature of The Secret (aka ‘ask and you will receive’). In two episodes on Oprah back in April 2007, The Secret teachers explained that a common misconception of The Secret was that people assumed that they could materialize millions of dollars from thin air, or cure cancer by simply lounging on their couches eating bon-bons visualizing money, health, etc. They went on to explain that in addition to visualizing and believing in your success, you have to follow-up with action to achieve what is sought.  In other words, you have to work for that million dollars. Oprah’s response: “I didn’t know that was a secret.”

 Fortunately for us, however, the teachers of The Secret provide a solution: they are promoting their seminars and personal development programs designed to finally teach people how to manifest The Secret into their lives, and promise to provide the missing/ additional information not taught in the DVD and book. In the fall, we will review one of the instructors, James Arthur Ray, and is seminar.

The take-away: although The Secret offers a simplistic message, it is a profound message. When striving to achieve success, it is important to believe that you can achieve it. The power of positive thought and prayer is common practice that we often forget, but it is in no way, like Oprah pointed out, a secret. I think the biggest secret behind The Secret is that mysterious book that Ms. Byrne obtained from her daughter. Fortunately, she leaves a clue in the book version of The Secret by relinquishing that the book is almost 100 years old. So what is it? Stay tuned for our upcoming review of this classic work that has been quoted from throughout the years by such greats as Anthony Robbins, Mark Victor Hansen, etc, etc….

 

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Featuring  Going Green Tips – Everyday Eco-Friendly Tips

• Wonder whether to choose a desktop or laptop? One green reason to choose a laptop is that laptops use up to 70% less energy than a desktop. Even better, take advantage of your local internet café or library to schedule time with a computer, or splurge a little on a video-capable iPod.
• Going green in the office is now easier than opting for recycled paper. Check out the newest green office products for your business. One website to check out: www.thegreenoffice.com 
•  Interested in purchasing green power from your local utility company?  Visit: http://www.eere.energy.gov
•   In case you’ve wondered while in line at your local drive-thru, idling for any length of time burns more gas than restarting your car. 
• Carbonfund.org enables you to calculate your carbon dioxide footprint, and purchase offsets that support renewable energy projects: www.carbonfund.org. 
•  Want to travel and help save the planet? Try out environmentally-friendly travel options such as: All business-class airline, Silverjet (www.flysilverjet.com); California-based tour company, O.A.R.S (www.oars.com); and Colorado-based travel company, Natural Habitat Adventures (www.NatHab.com). 
•  How fishy is your fish? Want to know whether to choose Atlantic or Pacific when shopping for seafood? Websites such as www.mbayaq.org, and your local aquarium offer the conscious consumer up-to-date fish watches. 
• Want to save your local bay/coastline? Organizations such as www.savesfbay.org offer ways you can help you get involved in supporting efforts to save our coastlines.
• Wondering how to dispose of your electronics? California-based Universal Waste Management. Inc. (www.unwaste.com) offer solutions, and list pick-up dates. Also, local universities, and Whole Foods offer e-Waste drop-off events; and Dell offers e-waste disposal for all their products.

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We provide a little something for the mind, body and soul  

For your Mind… 

Take advantage of our FREE life coaching advice!!! We just opened our Coaching Corner, and our resident Life Coach, Lori is ready to answer your questions!  Email your life coaching question to: coach@enlightlife.com

Your advice will be answered with a personal email, and will be featured on our blog site.  

Also, watch for our upcoming non-biased reviews on media like The Secret, books like the Laws of Success, and seminar reviews of motivational gurus like Anthony Robbins, Raymond Aaron, Christopher Howard, and more!!! 

For your Body…Check out our upcoming Wellness Corner 

For your Soul…We believe that if you work on your body and your mind, you automatically work on your soul. But, for extra zen points, check out our upcoming life enhancing Hot Tips.

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