A day or three ago, I listened to a piece on CBC Radio (much akin to public radio in the USA, I think) about The Secret and The Law of Attraction and so on. Last season, many of us heard about the same topic on Oprah. When it was on TV, I couldn't see what the big deal was because, to me, it's no secret, for the law has always been pretty darn obvious, at least the way that I would understand it. In my universe, your values influence your thoughts which, in turn, influence your life. What the recent radio program clarified for me was that it (the law of attraction) has been distorted to mean something slightly more than that: if you think about being rich and visualize it, then you shall become rich.
Is it just me, or do you find it so very shallow? Maybe I am mistaken, but I don't seem to hear anyone of these motivational gurus talking about using the law of attraction to become smarter or to serve one's fellow humans in order to make the world a better place. Oh yes, the CBC did interview one apostle who opined that rich people had more resources with which to serve and aid. Who can argue with that? But, let's face it, that's not exactly the drawing card. It's not what the movement is all about.
From what I heard in this documentary, they (the proponents) will admit that it doesn't work for everyone, but their explanation is pretty much like those of certain faith healers, and it goes something like this: if it (the program, the secret, whatever) doesn't work for you, then you did something wrong. Puhleeze give me a break. Let's call a spade a spade, for that's just a convenient rationalization, an escape hatch as it for these proclaimers of the gospel of the secret.
Do you ever wonder why all of these people have to write books and shill multimedia packages if they possess the secret knowledge of wealth accumulation? I mean, if you truly possessed such a secret, would you be forced to make a living by charging others for it? Give me another break! I mean, really, according to this radio report, they were selling such educational kits for up to five hundred dollars at a recent convention in Toronto. Tell me that's not about making money.
I believe I have discovered the real secret that I am willing to share with you: write a motivational book telling others how to get rich, and you shall reap untold rewards.
Sadly, that is true.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I have been getting tired of Oprah and her shilling. Why does she need to shill?
Ah, AC, you are so logical -- and so right! Would that all the people wasting their money paying to hear/read how to get rich, had your realism.
ReplyDeleteThere are a very few people, as you say, who consider their wealth a way to help the world. I have enjoyed a board member of our institution who says, "It's God's money anyhow; I just get the fun of choosing which of the many needs in his kingdom to help with it."
Wise words.
ReplyDeleteBTW I gave you a mention today.
Reminds me of a comic strip from some time ago. The drift of it was that the first person announces they wrote a book "Eat Chocolate & Lose Weight". The second exclaims "Wow! Does that really work?" The first person replies "No, but the book royalties are awesome."
ReplyDeleteYou are right on Anvilcloud. It is very shallow and materialistic.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is "so very shallow". Perhaps this is more of a comment about gullible consumers than avaricious pseudo-gurus.
ReplyDeleteThey'll always be snake oil salesman. Really, it's sad.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, I am right there with you. And there is ALWAYS another "secret" that will trump the last and make another motivational speaker/writer rich. If it's not The Secret, it's the Prayer of Javez (or whatever it was called), and before that it was Tony Robbins or whatever his name was. Clearly there are a heck of a lot of gullible people looking for a silver bullet to happiness.
ReplyDeleteThe underside of the law is that it's a blame the victim thing. If your life is bad, you just aren't praying right with enough faith. Oh, excuse me, I must be mixing up my miracle religions.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I frequently watch Oprah and also listen to CBC radio.. I missed both of these programs.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that the reason these people are doing so well is that others are looking for an easy path .. which just doesn't exist.
There have been religious leaders who have said pretty much the same thing. I've thought about and had a problem with this common philosophy for years, even wrote poetry about it while in college on the order of: do poor starving people will that into their lives?
ReplyDeleteIsn't there a huge element of luck as to where and to whom you are born? I don't believe we get to pick our parents, like some of those philosopies/religions claim. And just "decide" to "create" wealth and happiness in our lives.
Same old greed, just repackaged with a newer wrapping. I like your attitude of service rather than acumulation.
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