Thursday, May 19, 2011

I have a secret

I think I mentioned once that I have really smart friends. Because if you missed it, I totally do. I can be a little clueless, but it does seem to me that someone up there is looking out for me. Call it what you want to, God, the universe, whatever. But do you ever get "sign-posts"?

Think of the movie Final Destination. Got it? Like once you figured out Death's pattern, and hack it, you don't die (okay, so in the movies, Death changes its pattern to kill you anyway, but for the sake of argument think of the first movie and let's proceed with this blog post).

For example, deja vu. I get that a lot. I've figured out how to fast forward to see what will happen next. Then, because I like to be contrary, I change what I'm supposed to say and watch people fumble. It's hilarious. Also, dreams. Like the time I dreamed about my death when I was in a car full of people. I told the driver, who believed me, and we avoided the speeding red car that wound up hitting the vehicle in front of us instead. No deaths, fortunately. Or, the time I wanted to buy a Jeep. The whole way there, to the test drive, the radio played reports on how dangerous Jeeps were, the flip rates. There were also to ditched Jeeps on the highway. I finally figured it out after the second Jeep flipping, turned around and went home. No Jeep for me!

Sign posts are incredibly important to pay attention to. I'm not always so good at it. I joke sometimes that I need a two-by-four from God in order to truly get it right. Fortunately, He agrees and smacks me regularly.

A year ago someone told me I had to, had to, had to read The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne. I have a major aversion to self-help books. They feel formulated and I believe we are all so very individual that formulated books are next to useless. Anyway, so my friend and co-worker said, "This you must do. You must, for it is of good things and goodly information that thou must absorb into thy verrrrrry soul." She may not have sounded quite like that, but you get the gravity with which she spoke, yes? Good.



I said, "Pah! Self-help. Fffftttt!"... in my head. In person I blinked widely and nodded my head at her sage advice, knowing I'd never pick it up. About a month later, a guy I worked with put his fatherly hand upon my shoulder and said, "Mia, if you've never read Rich Dad, Poor Dad, you have to. And while you're picking that book up, also get The Secret. You won't believe how mind altering it is." Again with the blinking and nodding, while in my head I said, "When the f*ck do these people think I have time to read???"

So I went about my merry way. I got divorced, had a hellish move, my house was falling apart, and I was broke. Then one of my best friends, Bronwyn Green called me. I was having probably the best day I'd had in months, which wasn't saying much, but the sun was shining, I'd taken myself out of the house and was donating stuff to Good Will. Pretty much feeling hopeful but wounded. I had no money and was commenting on that when she busted out a lecture.

Now anyone who knows Bron knows she's one of the nicest people on the planet. She's a caretaker by personality and genuinely cares for people. So when Bron busts out a lecture, it's because she's a) really worried, b) tired of hearing your shit, c) thinks you're about to screw up big, or d) all of the above. Circle "d".

She told me there was this thing called the Law of Attraction. I won't give you the whole lecture because it makes her feel bad to know that I started bawling. It was a good bawl though. The kind where you realize your friend was right and you need to suck it up and figure out how to change your attitude. Amidst her words of wisdom, was "Hey, you really need to read this book. It's called The Secret. I think I have a copy you can borrow."

I didn't want to read The Secret. I'm stubborn. I don't like being told what to do. You aren't surprised, are you? I verbally agreed that one day I'd read it, people had told me of this book of wonder. Secretly, I didn't want to. I was rolling my eyes.

I talked to a lady Bron and I both know. We were talking about ghosts because I have them in spades, and because I've suddenly developed this ability to find missing people. Don't ask, because I really don't understand it either. Guess what book she told me to read. Yup. The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne. This is the point where any other rationally thinking human being would be like, "Gee, Mia, don't you think you ought to pick up that book already? Seems like you need to know stuff."

Yet I didn't. In fact, it wasn't until I was on the phone with ... can you believe, I don't remember?! That's insane. Okay, anyway, I was talking to someone. I think it was my friend Roxy, who doesn't write, but I could be wrong about the who. Anyway, it was mentioned again. I happened to have my laptop up and running (for, when do I not?) and discovered that it was on Netflix Watch Now. So I bit the bullet, finally recognizing the damn sign posts.

It's an hour and twenty minutes long and it's going to change my life. People. If you have not read or seen The Secret, you must. You MUST see it. I don't care what you believe, or what you call the driving force in our world, but I feel like God just reached down and said, "You see? I have this plan. It's why you pray and it's why I tell you that life is meant to be lived abundantly. Remember that verse: think on these things? Yeah, I had a reason for that Mia. It's how I do things. Now go forth and do as you're told."

Wow. Just Wow. If you don't want to read, then watch. It's amazing.

15 comments:

Regina Carlysle said...

You're the second person to tell me to read The Secret and that it was life altering. Guess I'd better check this out!

Jen B. said...

Darn signposts! You are about the 6 person to say it's great. Ugh! I will put this on my to do list for the summer.

Mia Watts said...

LOL!! @Regina and Jen B. You see?!?! It's insane isn't it? But I have to tell you that I watched the Netflix version (which is great since I'm a very visual person), and I will be watching it several more times to fully absorb it.

Definitely get the book or the movie. I don't care which, but it's a must.

Unknown said...

You're stubborn? I don't believe it.
The Secret is a great read. I recommend it to everyone. :)

Allie Standifer said...

Wow, this book had a really big impact on you! Will have to take a look at it!

Mia Watts said...

@Amber. Maybe just a little. :)

@Allie. Definitely look at it. I blew it off because it sounded a little too new age for me, but it actually does apply to just about everything. Loved it.

books4me said...

I have heard the same thing about The Secret but my Taurus horns come out and I been too stubborn to read it. I am also sooooooooo not a self-help book reader...I lose interest so fast and get bored easily. I might paw a few times and run at the book but maybe this time, I will stop and read it!

anny cook said...

Ahhhh. Signposts. Yes I believe they're there to help...if only we read them.

Mia Watts said...

@bearaboo. I completely understand, that's why I watched it instead. Then I didn't feel like I was investing too much time in case it was a dud.

@Anny, I'll learn eventually. It always surprises me how many sign posts I completely miss until they've come around a few times.

Cari Quinn said...

I've listened to The Secret many, many times on CD. To me it's valuable info, something you can just kind of keep in the back of your mind and let simmer. I also find it very motivating. I've never seen the movie...I'll have to check it out sometime.

Mia Watts said...

@Cari. So it seems I'm one of the few people on the planet who wasn't looking for her signposts of wisdom.

Harlie Williams said...

I have never heard of The Secret. I must go look for it. Great post and recommendation.

Harlie Williams said...

Plus, I believe that God has a plan for everyone and that He doesn't give us too much that we can't handle. It only makes us stronger.

Sorry for the preach but I truly believe that. Do I remember it? Not always but I believe it.

Bronwyn Green said...

I love you, Miss Mia and I still feel absolutely awful for making you cry. :( But I'm glad that all the signposts lined up and that there was a video. ;)

Anonymous said...

Dont know how, but apparently I'm a day late. Wonderful, wonderful post, Mia! I am so glad you finally got around to watching The Secret. I haven't seen it, but I read it some years ago. And yes, it was a truly unforgettable read. Reading your post, and where I am in life right now, I think I will dust off my copy and remind myself why it's so great!!

Elece