I was born into a low-income family in El Paso, TX, and had always dreamed and talked about having money and how great it would be to do this or that, travel to different places, buy this car or that house. I had also dreamed of someday starting a business, and in that pursuit I began reading several Entrepreneur books and magazines.

One day, in approximately July 1984, I came across a business idea of a Cardboard Recycling business, which I thought would be fairly easy so I gave it a try. I then began by rummaging through the back of retail stores and schools for cardboard, and one day as I was looking through a dumpster at a community college in El Paso, TX, I came across a box filled with several old “business” books, so I got totally excited and took the entire box out of the dumpster. I looked through the box and one of the books I found was the book “Think and Grow Rich”. I had never, ever heard of this book and didn’t know anything about it, but I did know that whatever this book contained it was probably very interesting and I would enjoy reading it simply by its title. Well I read the book from cover to cover and found I could not put this book down. It was almost as if the very words that were written on each page were speaking to me personally.

I then decided that I would put these principles about “Visualization”, “Believing”, and “Imagination” to use in my life. Now before I read the book I had been very lonely, as my girlfriend of 5 years had broken up with me in 1983. I decided to use the principles of the book and other “Positive Thinking” books to bring a change to my life and attract someone to love. I eventually met a beautiful girl by the name of Sharon, who I later married and now have two beautiful children with named Bethany and Joey.

I later decided to fulfill a dream of serving my country and joined the U.S. Army in July 1991. I served active duty for 8 1/2 years and was able to be with my wife during this time and we were able to be stationed in California as well as Hanau, Germany. During that time I concentrated on becoming the man I always dreamed of and pursued a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. During all this time I was able to read various books and magazines regarding wealth and prosperity, as this had always been my desire. As I read several books and magazines I was always attracted to making money in real estate, as every book always mentioned that real estate value would always appreciate in value.

We returned to El Paso, TX in 1997 and we were now able to buy our first home, and we bought our first home for $168,000.00, and I was so happy. I told myself I would one day put my real-estate ideas and either “rent” or sell this house. Approximately 5 years went by and my wife Sharon had an idea of getting a bigger house, however she felt we might not qualify. I told her let’s just try and see what happens. Well, we looked around for a bigger house and found one of approximately 2300 square feet. I was now able to put my other house for rent and it rented the very first month, and we bought the new house for $136,000.00 and moved in. As we moved into this house, I told my wife one day we will sell this house and make a good profit.

Approximately 2 1/2 years went by and I had been wanting to start a business but did not have the capital, and my wife suggested we could try to sell our new house and make a profit now. We put the house on the market and it was on the market for approximately 8 months and it was not selling.
My wife was becoming very discouraged but I kept telling her, hold on we must stay “positive”. I began to question myself and wondered what I was doing wrong.

One day I got home from work and happened to enter the living room while a t.v. show talking about “wealth and prosperity” was showing. I immediately sat down and learned they were talking about “The Secret” DVD and I had to have it. I later watched the DVD and was so thrilled. The DVD “reminded” me that I had to “believe”, “act as if” and “be happy” so as to bring my “good” to me.

Shortly thereafter, I was in the shower one day and began thinking to myself… I must fill my mind with good thoughts, be happy now, and believe our house has sold in order for it to actually happen. I then started “chanting” to myself “fill it with the good”, “fill it with the good” then it became “feel it with the good”, “feel it with the good”. Over and over again I said that to myself and really “felt” it. After this I went through my day, and not more than approximately 6 hours later we received our first and only offer on the house, and agreed to sell it for $202,500.00. Wow, I was so excited and I knew then what had happened. I started looking back and remembered the very first time I read “Think and Grow Rich” to watching “The Secret”. I now know that I was being lead by a greater force and I am so thankful.

I now continue to use the “Secret” and the power of positive thinking, as it has increased my faith in God and spirituality, and I continue to receive many blessings in my life.

Thank You so much Rhonda Byrne