My side of a debate

The Secret:

You think, therefore all* is. (Thank you, to butcher a quote from Robin Williams in Baron Munchausen)

A realist:

You think ahead, therefore you have savings, retirement funds, and food storage.

I agree that positive thinking can very much shape the world around you. You can give such beautiful things to those you meet, craft your home or office into something you truly love, and engage in activities that help you feel fulfilled.

But I don't agree that "if you think it, it will come." Psychology tells us that humans tend to have less value for the things that come for free.

Here is an interesting article on how humans might value -- I take it with a grain of salt and freely admit that the article doesn't explicitly support my point, but it does broaden my perspective of how we come to value things in different ways.

Here's an example: I know a lady (waves to lady) who is very good at finding the kind of parking spot she wants. She visualizes the characteristics of the spot she wants then drives around and usually finds it. But here are some points of interest:

1 -- She drives around to find it. She doesn't just wait for one to appear or to be built beneath her while she waits and enjoys the "fact" of the parking spot she wants.

2 -- If she doesn't find what she wants, it doesn't stop her from reaching the real goal of the outing and it doesn't make her late to her appointment. She could have a battle of wills with the universe, a sort of game of chicken if you will, telling it that she won't park until she gets what she wants.

3 -- Despite the above, she doesn't change her ideas of what she wants based on what's available because she doesn't need to. She still acknowledges what her preference is, acknowledges the reality of the situation, discerns what she does or does not have control over, changes what she can and then gets over it. Refusing an opportunity because one or two exact points of desire aren't met is absolutely ridiculous. So what if the ferrari you saved for isn't the blue you wanted? Save some more money and make it blue!! Or learn to love yellow. Or get over the fact that there is not one single tree or large truck to park next to, go ahead and park, put those reflective thingys in your front and rear windows (which you, the pessmist, bought and brought with you!) and go have some fun! Besides, what if you visualize yourself a ferrari but you "only" end up with a mustang GT? Would that ruin your life?

I'm glad that this nice lady who has a talent for finding parking spots has taught me to find out what I want before I go out looking for it. And... along the way, I might find something better than I had imagined. Like a mustang. :)

Please comment! Discuss!

*As I was going to sleep last night, I thought of some adjustments that I needed to make.

Also, thought it was interesting to note that a lady wrote in to Oprah letting her know that once she read The Secret, that she would be discontinuing her chemo for breast cancer so she could focus on healing herself with her mind. Oprah then begged her on television to resume treatments. No word yet on how that's turning out.