The Simple Secret

When I was a high school senior, my dad suggested I watch a video, "The Secret,” telling me how it led him to personal success by living this way. As most daughters would, I said "okay dad" and carried on with the other "important" things I had to deal with. He later asked me about it, I had no response, much like when the teacher calls on you to talk about a book you never read for homework, so you make up some short random answer to get by, as I did. Eventually, I realized there was no harm in sitting down and watching this video. As I watched it, I thought it was interesting, but silly. But as they described the law of attraction, and envisioning your goals, I tuned in. These people were very successful because of this simple behavior. At the time, I didn't think much more of it than an interesting video. I occasionally thought back on it, mostly when I wanted something, which I later realized wasn't the true purpose.

It wasn't until I took part in a meditation retreat, where I learned about the Buddhist lifestyle. I realized they were all describing the same idea in a slightly different manner, for that matter so was Christianity. I am not very religious, but I came to see they were all talking about the same general idea just with different gods and examples or scriptures. These religions and holy figures placed importance on living in the now and enjoying every moment as it happens. With no past and future, there are no worries, no regrets or wishes for better, there is only now. If you want something bad enough, and imagine yourself with that, while living in the now, it will come. The world will guide you there.

I know this may sound obvious and silly, which is exactly what I thought when I first watched the video. However, I began to take it seriously and that is when I saw its true potential. Yes, I agree with some of the video, but for those who haven't seen it, it is a bit misleading and exaggerated. A red bike won’t appear at your doorstep if you think about it hard enough. However, when I watched the video for the second time two years later, I recalled a picture of a car that was always on my dads mirror. I was always confused why he had a random corvette taped to his bathroom mirror for so long. It wasn't until he pulled into the driveway with that exact car that I realized his reasoning for the picture on his mirror. I was now more intrigued than ever in this life theory.

When I returned from my trip to Asia in January, I watched that same video again, but this time causing me to look further into spiritual thinking and acting. I decided I would try writing my goals, similar to a vision board. I scribbled a few crazy thoughts in my notes, almost just for fun. I thought of things I’ve always wanted to achieve and imagine myself doing some day. My list included: "run another half marathon and a full marathon, travel somewhere new this summer, and figure out a way to pay for college.” I thought about all of these things a lot during that time. As I went to college, I became busy, but never completely abandoned this list. From time to time, I imagined myself with these accomplishments and felt a great feeling of achievement from the possibility of achieving these goals. I knew these possibilities would someday become a reality, and never once doubted it.

While moving out of school, I was looking for a password in my notes. As I randomly clicked on all of my notes in hopes to find what I was looking for, I found something better, that list I had wrote in January. By now, it was May, 5 months and come and gone from writing down those goals. During these 5 months, I had run another half in March, a full marathon in April, planned to study in Italy this summer, and am on my way to getting college tuition paid for from a ROTC scholarship. That crazy scribbled list had all become reality, just as my dad's car had. Reading off this list I could do nothing but smile, and think of my Dad. He was right, as was the theory of the law of attraction or in a more similar sense believing in yourself and your dreams. Anything you can imagine, you can achieve, and if you work hard enough success will find you. Now you must understand, I am not writing to brag or boast about my life achievements, but to simply inspire and prove that this is possible for anyone. It takes no special talent, money, or power. It is simple, just belief from a confident you. It may sound wacky and repetitive, but whats the harm in giving it a try or maybe just writing a list. This example is just real life proof that absolutely anything is possible, with zero restrictions. Also, that Hannah Montana was right all along, life's what you make it so let's make it ROCK.

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