The *Real* Secret
By Scott D. Wilson
magical thinking: irrational belief that one can bring about a
circumstance or event by thinking about it or wishing for it; normal in
preschool children, it also occurs in schizophrenia. (Farlex Partner Medical
Dictionary © Farlex 2012)
There is a mindset in circulation these
days that preys upon the weak and the vulnerable in our society. It plays upon the hopes and dreams of those
who seek to improve their lives. It has
many names; “The Secret” and “The Law of Attraction” are but a few. They all make the premise that wishful
thinking and a positive attitude are all that it needed to bring about
prosperity and success in one’s life.
They all peddle books and videos that are designed to help people
develop the right thinking and emotions.
Here are a few quotes from “The Secret” that illustrate the errors I am
talking about:
“Ask once, believe you have received,
and all you have to do to receive is feel good.”
“Your wealth is waiting for you in the
invisible, and to bring it into the visible, think wealth!”
“Food cannot cause you to put on weight,
unless you think it can.”
Plain and simple, these statements are
prime examples of magical thinking that will bring about disappointment and
disillusionment. Reality, such as food,
does not truly bend to the power of our minds.
What is genuinely sad is that these mindsets are all filled with
half-truths that have been exaggerated into outright lies. Controlling our thinking is important. Controlling our thinking does affect what we
have and what we become. However, the
process is not magical, nor does it involve any mystical laws or
principles. In 1977 a fellow named Frank
Outlaw outlined the process quite well:
“Watch your thoughts, they become words; watch your words, they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your habits, they become character; watch your character, for it becomes
your destiny.”
What we think about affects our
attitude, actions and habits that ultimately become out character. Our actions, attitude and character are
viewed by others and thereby significantly affect the outcome of our
lives. This has nothing to do with
simply thinking positively and remaining grateful and then expecting the
universe to deliver everything on a silver platter. We must control our thoughts because they
generate attitude and actions that affect all that we interact with around us,
and there is nothing magical or spiritual about that fact.
Earl Nightingale created an audio
recording in 1956 called “The Strangest Secret.” The recording sold over a million copies,
making it the first spoken-word recording to achieve Gold Record status. It is now public domain so one can find
copies of it all over the internet.
Below is a link to a transcript of the recording:
In reading it one can clearly see that
its ideas are the basis for the fad video and book “The Secret.” Unfortunately, the latter has depleted all
the value from Nightingale’s work and replaced it with irrational and vacuous
claims. If you want to know the *real*
secret, Nightingale states it quite clearly:
“We must control our thinking. The same
rule that can lead people to lives of success, wealth, happiness, and all the
things they ever dreamed of and that very same law can lead them into the
gutter. It’s all in how they use it … for good or for bad. That is The
Strangest Secret!”
And he further clearly explains exactly
how this principle works, through goals:
“The difference is goals. People with
goals succeed because they know where they’re going. It’s that simple.
Failures, on the other hand, believe that their lives are shaped by
circumstances … by things that happen to them … by exterior forces.”
Nightingale also clearly outlines the
mundane yet simple principle by which people become wealthy:
“Your success will always be measured by
the quality and quantity of service you render. Most people will tell you that
they want to make money, without understanding this law… Success is not the result
of making money; earning money is the result of success and success is in
direct proportion to our service.”
That is the essence of the ‘secret’. There is nothing magical or wishful here. It is all perfectly good common sense advice. Mister Nightingale gives his listeners a 30 day plan with actions for what a person can do to start becoming successful and ultimately wealthier. The key word here is ‘do.’ Success requires action, substantial and constructive action. Thinking and attitude are very important parts of this equation but they are merely the beginning of the process.
Whether our goal is losing weight or
becoming wealthy, the universe does not respond purely to our thoughts and
emotions. It responds to what we do with our thinking and attitude. People like Oprah Winfrey and J.K. Rowling
did not become wealthy and successful by simply thinking about wealth and
having a great attitude. They became
successful through their wisely chosen personal goals and by increasing their
own value to others through their exemplary service. This is the honest and simple truth of the
*real* secret that Nightingale wisely explained some sixty years ago so don’t
be duped by the simplistic thinking of today’s prosperity gurus. As the old advertisement goes “Accept no
substitutes!”
©2017 S.D. Wilson
