April 16, 2007
Letter sent by Jim Donovan to the Washington Post in response to their recent story:
Tim Watkin’s recent Washington Post story bashing the movie, and subsequent book, “The Secret” is the worst form of cynical, biased, baseless journalism I’ve sen in a long time.
From the outset, it’s clear the writer has an ax to grind and has done little research into the subject of how one achieves success. Worse yet is its effect on the unsuspecting reader who believes the article, which dismisses The Secret and other self-help books as being not worth reading. People who may have been helped will remain stuck where they are because of the author’s one sided attack on age old principles of success.
His flippant discounting of the law of attraction as being so much hogwash is absurd. To promote the idea that people got where they are by “luck” and happenstance is an explanation some people, typically those not living up to their own potential, use to justify their own lack of accomplishment.
Over two decades ago, I purchased “The Psychology of Winning,”an audio program by Dr. Dennis Waitely. With messages similar to those in The Secret movie, he teaches, as most of us in the self-help field do, that we create our lives with our thoughts, beliefs and actions and that we have within us the power to change our lives.
At the time, I was working my way up from the bottom, having just gotten off welfare and overcoming an addiction to alcohol. Fortunately, for me, there was no one like Mr. Watkin around for, had I listened to the cynical opinion of people like him, I never would have shelled out the money for the program which, at the time represented a sizable investment.
Little by little, my life began to improve and several years later, I “wasted” even more money at a Tony Robbins event. The only result of that expense was that I started writing. Though it was something I enjoyed, at the time it was no big deal.
Does this stuff work? You be the judge.
Today, I am an internationally recognized author and speaker. My books are published in more than 22 countries, I enjoy a wonderful marriage, have my dream home, live in peace and joy, do work that matters to me and enjoy most of the luxuries life has to offer. My health improves daily and I live my life with zest and enthusiasm. I regularly receive email and letters from people who have used the ideas in my books to change their life for the better, something that gives me a tremendous feeling of accomplishment.
Was this the result of luck? I think not. Everything in the known universe works on specific principles, including us. The sun dos not rise in the west and flowers do not bloom at night. And, as it is written in the Bible, ”As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”
There is a Higher order at work in our world and we are a part of that. The principles introduced in the Secret, along with the many books on the subject, including mine, have helped millions of people learn to lead a better life.
Here’s the giveaway in Mr. Watkin’s rant:
“As I squeezed an endless stream of new self-help books onto shelf after shelf at the bookstore and watched the sales they generated, I realized just how many publishers and self-appointed gurus are making their fortunes serving up nothing more than snake oil to a ravenous public.”
If he were to actually read some of these books perhaps he would be less angry and resentful toward those of us who have chosen to take responsibility for our lives and have taken the time to learn the not-so-secret steps to creating the life we were born to live.
He points to Jack Canfield and Bob Proctor, men who, for decades, have dedicated their lives to the betterment of humanity.
I find it interesting that virtually every successful person reads self-help books while the people who are complaining about their lives do not. This is hardly a cosmic coincidence.
In delivering volunteer workshops for low income people, ranging from welfare recipients to prison inmates, I hear one thing over and over - “it’s not my fault.”
If we in America begin taking responsibility for our lives rather than pointing to “the luck of the draw,” we would all be living a better life.
If there is one social ill that is at the core of America’s problems, it’s giving away our power and blaming someone else for our lot in life.
For any of us to achieve what we want and live to our potential, it is necessary to accept our part in it’s creation. As 12 step programs teach, change begins with accepting what is and then taking steps to change it.
While the Secret movie and law of attraction may not be all there is, it is a beacon of hope for people who have been taught to just “grin and bear it.” It provides them with a clear process to change their lives.
My Watkin’s story seems to have missed the underlying point; that once we accept our part in the creation of a situation, we are then empowered to change it.
If life’s a matter of luck, we are powerless and are destined to remain stuck where we are. Not a very encouraging thought.
With articles like this in major newspapers, it’s no wonder our youth are becoming disillusioned and disconnected.