The Secret Revealed: Exposing The Truth About The Law Of Attraction

In this presentation, I will consider the book entitled The Secret Revealed: Exposing The Truth About The Law Of Attraction. Please read the previous posts as this entry is the fifth, and the last, in a series based on this book. I will continue sharing my thoughts to some of the critiques by the authors via the lens of my own personal and professional experiences. Please note that I made mention in the first post that although I had seen the film The Secret, I had not yet read the book of the same name when I began writing the outline for this series. Since that time, I have read The Secret, a book written by Rhonda Byrne. The Secret will be the focus of next month’s entry. This entry is focused on “positive thinking.” Also, please go to “The Word Is…” on my website for an audio presentation on “reframe.”

The authors pose the following critique, “As the psychological phenomenon of “autosuggestion” tends to suggest, making up your mind to be “positive” is sure to make you feel…well, positive. But beyond that, the effectiveness of the pragmatic fallacy amounts to little more than what politicians call “putting a positive spin on things.” (pp32-33).

I am at a loss to see how being “positive” is a bad thing. If the authors are referring to a “Polly-ana” like mental state where there is a denial of the painful realities of life, then I am in agreement with them that this type of thinking can be detrimental. Denial prevents the natural process of working through negative emotions. Psychological theories suggests that when negative emotions are not processed in a timely and appropriate manner there are untoward consequences later such as comprised health or explosive rage. There is also the danger of continuing negative experiences. For example, saying “Oh, it’s OK” when someone oversteps your boundaries can be a form of denial and may foster continued victimization.

Being positive in the face of adversity is to take the reality one is presented, but to look at it with a different perspective. In psychology, it is called a “reframe.” This concept may be better explained with the following example; a “framed” piece of artwork allows you to see the subject of a painting via a perspective as allowed by the artist. What difference would the impact of the artwork make to you if you could zoom in or zoom out, see it from the back, or even upside-down. These differences are what would comprise a change in perspective.

A change in perspective associated with the negative events in one’s life allows the unfolding of meaning that at the time is hidden. It is an assumption that “things will work out,” or “things happen for a reason” that gives a nod to the notion that we just don’t know everything, or have access to all facts, at any given time. This notion is not the same as denying the reality that is presented. Instead, there is an acknowledgment of what is presented, along with an acknowledgment that there are additional factors of which we may not be aware. A change in perspective is what can help in bad times and is an important component to good mental health and the ability to have a better life.

Thank you. May this book be influential in your life on your own road to success. Please contact me if there is a particular book that you would like me to read and review.