By now everyone has read or heard of “The Secret” and “The Secret: The Power” by Rhonda Byrne. I just heard the other day that Byrne has just released the third in the series, “The Magic (The Secret)”! Hot off the press, and no doubt, I’ll have to check it out.

Byrne’s books certainly fall in the self-help/self-empowerment/self-discovery genre, with “The Secret” alone now available in 46 languages. The essence of her work is that the ability to have and experience an Amazing Life is available to all of us if we simply follow some basic steps. I say simple in terms of applicability, but we all know about the “common things not commonly done” concept. The ideas behind the achievement and fulfillment of this amazing life are not rooted in the hardcore disciplines of math or science, they require no advanced degrees, weekend retreats or painful surgery! Heck, you can participate without ever having taken a yoga class.

Given the millions who have read the books, I venture it’s a safe bet that one, two or a hundred of you reading this have indeed done so. But herein lies my question, my dilemma, perhaps my challenge. If you have read it or know the basic concept, have you implemented and incorporated these changes into your everyday life. If not, why not? In “The Power,” Byrne quotes one of my favorite sources of inspiration, Abraham Lincoln. He says, “To believe in the things you can see and touch is no belief at all. But to believe in the unseen is a triumph and a blessing.” That’s the focus of the piece.

Having lunch in Westchester, PA this week with a friend who works as a home shopping channel host, the topic of Byrne’s books came up. My friend is a firm believer in theories Byrne presents. Formally educated, multi-talented and ambitious, she would not be one to abandon her senses for something others might describe as touchy-feely nonsense. You cannot simply achieve goals just by wishing! Clearly, one must have the basic ingredients of success in order for this to work (some people are indeed
more endowed with drive, motivation, and unwavering conviction than others). When you combine those basic ingredients with positive thinking, great things can happen and dreams come true!

My friend is living her charmed life as a TV shopping host. She followed her dream all the way from San Antonio, Texas to Westchester, by way of New Orleans. A determined woman, I would say! She told me she started by visualizing herself on the set, promoting products and refining her technique. She even posted notes around her home reminding her of her dream! But she didn’t stop there; she wrapped packages and boxed items to be shipped, totally transforming herself into who she was trying to become. In October 2011, her dream became a reality! Now I can tell you she has what it takes – not everyone could do what she does. But the point is her transformation, her journey, her strength of unwavering character and commitment. Lunch was great and her company delightful, but her story was so inspiring!

At a time when so many have lost hope and are struggling just to get through their day, let’s take a page from my friend’s book and see if fulfilling your dream is within each. I will confess to having great parking karma, and I have read both “The Secret” and “The Power”! Give it a try, shift your paradigm – hell, throw it to the ground and break it, what is there to lose! You just might fulfill your dream and transform yourself along the journey!

Bob Paff

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