My secret!



 Are you the type who reads a book you’d liked the second time over again? I am. And it almost always opens a whole new vista for me each time. “How could I have skipped that exquisite piece the last time I read it?” is what I find myself thinking after the 2nd spin through the same pages.
I just finished reading ‘the Secret’ by Rhonda Byrne. This book has thoughts and ideas that kept me glued to it like no other book ever did. I kept turning page after page and never felt like putting this wonderful book down for a second. Lest I should miss out even a single of those valuable words that all seemed to be weaving a magic carpet for me! That which could take me to all my dreams! Every thread was certainly important.
The ‘secret’ was being revealed. It wrapped me, enveloped me, ensconced me, and absorbed me in its wake, to the core. Bob Proctor had put it out loud and clear, “ If you see it in your mind, you’re going to hold it in your hand.” And Mike Dooley sums it up in just 3 simple words, “Thoughts become Things!” All that I’d read in this book made me extremely conscious of my thoughts and actions, my achievements and losses. I had to set about evaluating my life’s graph and analyzing the causes to all that happened. The why’s and how’s of all that happened; the good and the bad!

                                                                         *****************
 What I’d just read made me think back and wonder if any episodes in my life were distinctive enough to prove this theory that this book was so profoundly propagating. And Voila!! There indeed was. Not one but a couple of them already. I felt goose bumps rise all over me as I started recollecting. I will relate some remarkable incidents from my past to you here.
 One worth enumerating marks a turning point in my life. My close friend Shwe and I had gone for yet another girly- night-out- dinner somewhere in June 2006. The only thing that was Shwe’s prime concern over the past couple of months, as regards my life was my marriage. It disturbed her to see me single. Since I was motherless, almost 24 years old, with quite a steady career graph, she thought it was her responsibility and really high time that I chose my life mate. As the dinner progressed, we came back to the same old topic and launched on yet another argument on the topic and she was reprimanding me for treating the subject with such callousness.
 This time in a very finalizing motherly tone Shwe declared that she would have me registered with a renowned local matrimonial agency. My protests were given no heed. And we ate the rest of the dinner almost in silence with only an occasional mono-syllabic exchange. Poor soul she really was concerned about my well-being! That’s when I don’t know what got over me?!
As we stepped out of the restaurant we stared up at the starry sky with the romantic moon sailing along and something tugged at my heart! I was taken over by an intense longing to find my very own soul mate. And that’s when, with utmost convention and grit I declared to Shwe, “ Wait until December 2006. By then if I don’t find my guy and get engaged then I’m all yours Shwe. I’m sure I’ll be sharing this good news in December with you!” And we parted with hugs. I’d set out a deadline for my dreams. December 2006! As I walked away, the surety with which I’d just made the declaration landed on me.
And come December 2006, at Christmas I did get engaged to the love of my life! We met on the 17th and got engaged by the 25th, shared the news with Shwe ASAP. Praise be, to God! Wasn’t all that as if someone up there started working along the storyline that I’d vaguely jotted out? Paid heed to a prayer that I’d sent up into the starry night? As if some supernatural power could see what I had started dreaming of.
 My hubby is just the guy I ever wanted, to the ‘T’ and can there be anything more amazing than this real life story that fortifies the belief in the book?



                                                                         *****************
Yet another thrilling happening is one I will never forget. I had just finished with my graduation in 2004 and was rearing to go out into the world and make a career. My papa thought that my paintings should get evaluated so that I may know where I stand? We decided to take my work to a local gallerist in hope of some guidelines. My Pa is extremely proud of my skills and my friends have fortified his belief in my work by purchasing few of my works way before I even secured my graduate degree. I always got a whole lot of praises for my detailing, confident line drawing and design sense. So making it big as an artist was given, according to Papa. However when we reach this gallery with my work, we come across a haughty, seemingly very busy, know-it-all of a gallerist! And for the first time in my life, I am criticized. Not in an encouraging manner but outright derisively. Fine! My work was not mature enough (as per the gallerist) but it surely wasn’t as bad as he put it too!. He mocked and rebuked me for even thinking I could ever become an artist. A depressed and shaken me was about to walk out when he calls me and makes me an offer to buy off my painting at half the price I’d quoted. My pa and I exchanged glances in sheer dismay. Minutes ago my work was worth cow-dung and now a price tag??? Wonders of wonders!!
We walked out without saying a single word back to him. Standing right outside the gallery I turned to pa, teary eyed, “ I swear to God one day I shall make it real big as an artist and I will successfully run an Art Gallery 3 fold bigger than this one!” My Pa didn’t have a single doubt in my capabilities to make this true! The ‘big artist’ bit and the ‘3 fold bigger gallery’ part haven’t happened yet but 2 years ago, by God's grace, I did launch an Art Gallery of my own and I have sold quite a number of paintings by now. How it all happened was purely through hard work and because my pa, pa-in-law and hubby supported my dreams. But I truly realized that “The secret’ was at work when in August, I got a call from the Cultural Initative Board of the III Common Wealh Youth Games that were to be hosted in Pune. The lady from across was inviting me to a meeting at the ICC Trade Towers because my gallery had been selected for accreditation by the government. I was thrilled to bits! Having inaugurated in June, being selected within a span of 6 months was a truly tremendous achievement for me!
An accreditation would prove highly commendable and most might agree, a close to impossible feat for a budding Art Gallery. Once there I realized that only 4 Art galleries were selected from the numerous galleries all over Pune and the proprietors were to gather in the conference room. At the meeting what do I see?? Sitting right across me at the conference table was the same short, haughty, bloat head of a gallerist, from years ago!! All his spiting words came back to me but I suppressed my abhorrence and tried to ignore this person sitting there. In the corner of my heart I felt this growing feeling of pride and reassurance. Pride that I sat there at the same table as his equal and reassurance that some day my dream of making my gallery’s success 3 fold bigger than his will come true!!

Comments

Karthik said…
Ha! I've only seen/heard these kinds of things in movies/novels. And these have happened with you?! Awesome!
You had tears in your eyes when that scumbag gallery guy said those sordid things to you? I'd have broken his skull if I'd been in your place.
Well, that thing about finding your man was so sweet. :)

As for the book, I've heard about it many times, have seen in the bookshops many times. There is a book exhibition in my city, which is permanent. I go there every week to browse. Each time I see this book and upon opening I see those glossy pages. After that I smell the book (I like the smell of books very much. hehehehe) once, keep it back and come back. But never was I able to conjure up the strength to buy it (or even read it). :P Those preachy things drive me crazy!

Everyone talks about it, and they look at me like I'm some kinda crazy tramp and ask me, "You are a book lover and you've not read it?"
And now you too praised it! Guess I'm gonna pick it up sooner or later.

Wonderful review, by the way. Your book reviews are always influencing. ;)
Vinay Sharma said…
interesting post .. and amazing template .. this one's new right .. i remember it was something else when i came here before ..
Unknown said…
Heylo, I m glad you read the book. I m a "The Secret" Fan..in fact you will find a lot of posts on my blog about it. Btwz, I have also seen the movie as well i.e. complete visualization of the book.
Preeti said…
hey !! awesome post ...

i have not read secret yet ! but i can tell u numerous things from my life where i just knew its for me ..or its not ..

I havnt been that lucky in relationships ..but i have felt love and that makes me happy... i havent yet realised any of my dream projects ..but i know that will happen ..i like my current job and I am enjoying my life ...

life is strange ..and sometimes it amazes me how we all go through similar things in life ..ofcourse content and degree is different .

I smiled at both your incidents ... and i would love to see your work ..do u have a website where u display ur work ..
Hahaha..Karthik you really are a book lover aren't you..I wouldnt have dared smell a book in public..But yes the smell of freshly printed ink on paper is one of the many aromas I enjoy in life...
The Secret is one book that has demystified, I believe, one of the basic rules that govern nature! And most of us arent aware of it...
Go ahead and read it and you may have a different lesson for me from ur point of view...
I simply understood that the more negative you think, the more negativity you pull towards you..Imagine a bright future for urself and thats just what happens!
Its as simple as that...:)
Thanks for the repeated visits to my blog Vinay.Glad you liked it!!
Hi Vivek I join ur club wholeheartedly..:)

Dear Preeti,
Its amazing how intelligent minds think and experience alike! :D
Life is indeed strange and it does give you varied lessons on the way..
I have many incidents that told me not to think negative in life...
My Art Gallery 'Bingk Art Boutique' in Pune, gathered great success in 2008-2009 but since my first son was born I had to go slow with my career...When my art gallery is back on its feet again I will surely let you know...
Till then let me enjoy the attention you are giving to my writing skills..:)
What say?
Afronuts said…
Oh no! You really fell for 'the secret?'

I don't know how to put this but I was initially tripping for the secret until I learnt it was a scam.

The secret has always been and isn't a secret at all. I already knew about it before the movie came out!
They just packaged it and added some exaggerated spices to delight your thoughtbuds!

Sorry if I busted it, but I'm just not a sucker for 'the secret'. Its an old principle repackaged with mumbo jumbo to make money.

And I must say they did a good job of it.
Parth J Dave said…
Oh..Wow! 'The Secret' is indeed a wonderful book! You must have really learned some profound things from it...

Your incidents and personal experiences were a delight to read, Vibhuti. Especially, that of the Art Gallery thing... I am sure that gallerist must have regretted insulting your work after you both attended the same conference...

Anyway, great going. Have a wonderful time with your husband and also do give a hard time to that stupid gallerist.. He surely deserves it! :)
Aha Parth,
was looking forward to your visit to my blog. You really think so? Have you read the book too? Do feel free to share an experience or 2 if any..:) Wud love to hear...And thanks a ton for your wishes...Tc
Parth J Dave said…
Yeah, I've read the book and also seen the movie!

Currently I am in 11th grade. I came to know about this Secret when I was in my 7th grade.. At that time, I was an average 80% student. I really wished to top the class and secure 90% in the next exam. So I worked hard, and believed strongly that I am going to make this true...

When the results came in, I didn't get what I wanted. But I came second in my class and fared with 89% marks! That was an achievement for me, really!

So, nowadays, I use 'The Secret' to fulfill my wishes, desires and blogging goals.

I have an India-centric blog and like to meet people from my niche. So,just the other day I wanted to meet a politician, just like that.. And the very next day, I was in a politician's office, interviewing him and doing professional marketing! You can read about the interview at An Interview With A Politician!

That's not all... Today evening, I have a meeting with a few veteran and experienced police officers from Maharashtra Police. Another wish being manifested!

'The Secret' is a beautiful concept! I get whatever I want and I excel in whatever I do.

Now, I blog and excel in it. I study and I excel in it. I write and I excel in it. I have a business firm and I excel in it. Everything goes my way, you see!

So, Vibhuti, I guess even should make full use of 'The Secret'.. It is a life-changing concept!
Karthik L said…
I really liked this post. very inspiring. one of my friends had strongly recommended the book to me. I challenged him that if he gets into one of the top 4 consulting companies using the secret, I will also believe. I had seen his CV and was sure he would not make it. Guess what? Within 6 months he had an internship at Bain and within a year a job at BCG. From then I had begun to believe. Your stories seem to further reinforce the point.
Then Parth I must congratulate you coz u've found THE key to unlock a bright future..All the best..And an really awed to know that u've already achieved so much at such a young age! What business have you ventured into??
:)
Parth J Dave said…
Thank You so much, Vibhuti!

Actually, I have a business firm of handwriting analysis. I am an internationally certified handwriting analyst & personality counsellor. I usually help individuals to understand themselves better, help companies in recruiting employees and there's a lot more to it...

In fact, you must have heard about this science as this is pretty well-known in Pune, isn't it?
GC said…
Ohhhhh mah gawd.... this post is awesome....i love that book too, and the way you were able to relate your turning points in life to the morals described in that book really does justice to the book. i loved your anecdotes about how you met ur hubby and about the incident at the gallery. Its lovely!!!!!
Thanks GC...glad you could relate to the post and the book is indeed amazing..Only if you understand the simple thought at the end..Though at many points I felt that the mystery has been built up a bit too much but I guess that helps the final impact...Thanks again...Keep blogging!!
Vivek said…
I have not read the book but I will do so definitely. I have always believed in the doctrine that of we send out positive thoughts into the universe about our wishes the Universe grants them. The episode where your friend threatens to put you on a matrimonial site reminded me of a blog of mine. I am not a regular blogger but sometimes the bug bites me. If you have the time please do visit and feel free to comment on any or all of those (omg he wants me to read all his trash" i hear you say) Anyways thanks for inviting me to your blog page and here is a link to one of my meanderings. http://thaokarvivek.sulekha.com/blog/post/2008/09/ad-trouble-at-sulekha.htm
Hi Vivek and thanks for visiting...I was looking forward to knowing what you think of my writings...
I wish to visit ur blog too but the link you've provided didnt work..:(
Anonymous said…
Hey hey hey! Great that you read that book. I am a Law of Attraction expert (don't go with my age!). If you need any help, just contact me via my blog! Nice to see people taking interest in this!
manavdhiman said…
Hey hey hey! Great that you read that book. I am a Law of Attraction expert (don't go with my age!). If you need any help, just contact me via my blog! Nice to see people taking interest in this!
Vibhuti B said…
Then Parth I must congratulate you coz u've found THE key to unlock a bright future..All the best..And an really awed to know that u've already achieved so much at such a young age! What business have you ventured into??
:)
Karthik L said…
I really liked this post. very inspiring. one of my friends had strongly recommended the book to me. I challenged him that if he gets into one of the top 4 consulting companies using the secret, I will also believe. I had seen his CV and was sure he would not make it. Guess what? Within 6 months he had an internship at Bain and within a year a job at BCG. From then I had begun to believe. Your stories seem to further reinforce the point.
Vinay Sharma said…
interesting post .. and amazing template .. this one's new right .. i remember it was something else when i came here before ..

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