I think I get it! For that I am thankful.
Yesterday afternoon during the thunderstorm and rain, a friend showed up on the front porch and was banging furiously on the door. (I think I need a larger doorbell!) Anyway, she didn’t bother to ring, she just pounded on the door. Thinking that something must be terribly amiss I literally ran to the front door.
She looked like a “drowned rat.” I have no idea what a drowned rat looks like (for that I am thankful) but that’s a phrase my mother used when I was a child and played too long in the rain. I opened the door and offered her a towel. Once dried off, I did offer her a cup of my afternoon tea. Admittedly, I had to take a couple of deep breaths before I made the offer. Tea time is my time. It’s my little space of time during the afternoon when I regroup and remind myself that all is well in the world.
We sat across from one another in the breakfast room, stirring and sipping. I knew there was a reason she had appeared in mid-afternoon… during a rain storm. Sooner or later she would reveal her purpose. It took a good fifteen minutes for her to get to the point.
She began by talking about “The Secret.” Oh, geez. That was last year or the year before and now she was talking about it! Some things are timeless. Anyway, she started by saying that she thought the movie was good and that she had adopted the principles, but her life had not changed. Life changes everyday. How could she believe nothing had changed?
A long discussion followed and I realized that she didn’t get it. She thought she did, but…
Let me say a few things about the movie or the book. Everyone who became Secret converts believes that a new truth has emerged that will change the world. There is nothing new in the book or the movie. The principles have been around forever. I’m not putting down the book or the movie. I’m sure the concepts are new to some. But, the people who offered their opinions and practices in the movie didn’t tell us anything new. What they did was to put the ideas on the front burner again, made us aware that we are the captains of our ships.
Anyway, my dear friend began by reciting chapter and verse, each time saying that she got it. I was impressed with her recall. Yet, she said that although she understood everything that was taught nothing in her life had changed. Well, let me just say that lots of people have read the Bible. Lots of people quote verses. But, few people truly internalize the words. I’m not comparing “The Secret” with the Bible by any means. I’m only saying that people who read the Bible, accept the teachings, and incorporate them into their lives see a change. People who read the Bible, quote the scripture, but don’t internalize the teachings don’t realize a life change.
That brings me to this. For most of my life I have heard that “knowledge is power.” Sounds good, doesn’t it? But, then again I have watched people on Jeopardy who seem to have lots of bits of knowledge on many subjects. I don’t know that they are more powerful than the person who doesn’t have the correct question to go with the answer.
I believe that knowledge is potential power. You have to put it to use to generate the power. Action! That is the answer to power. But, first you have to understand the meaning for it to be considered knowledge. For example, I can sing the French national anthem in French, word for word. But, long ago I forgot what the words mean. I can still sing it, get all the words right, and have no idea what the words mean.
My friend can quote from “The Secret.” She can say the same words that Beckwith said. But, she hasn’t taken the time to think about the meaning. If she doesn’t understand the meaning, there is no way she can incorporate “The Secret” into her life. So…
Whether you have been impressed and awed by “The Secret” or “Bleep” or any other so-called new age philosophy, being able to regurgitate the affirmations or language isn’t going to change your life. You have to understand, accept and practice. Too many of us wear the philosophies like a new dress. It is on the outside. It is what we present. But, underneath that bra is still cutting into you and making you uncomfortable. It takes total harmony between what we see and what is underneath to make one whole with the philosophy and with life.
If you are one of those people who say “I get it” but the little voice in your head adds “but” …. Well, you don’t get it. When the little voice stops saying “but,” stops saying “that won’t work for me,” when the little voice stops fighting with the affirmations but flows with the positive energy… well, then you get it.
I think I just stepped onto my soapbox. I’m sure I will continue this… later.
Make your weekend special.
