When I was very young, I got romantically involved with a man who treated me very badly. He had had some negative experiences in his life, and was very negative and demeaning towards some of the people closest to him, namely me. Even though I knew our relationship was not healthy, I forgave him for his cruelty, considering myself the bigger person that I could accept him as he was — despite the way he mistreated me.

We spent several years together. Throughout those years, I lost friends because they couldn’t bear to witness how I was being treated. I grew distant and isolated from my family — he and I lived in a town 40 minutes away from them, and he demanded most of my free time so I wasn’t available to see them. Our lifestyles, over the years, went down different paths, and his nocturnal lifestyle began to affect my professional life in negative ways. I lost my job and got another one, one that I did not like nearly as much.

After about 4 years together, I started to realize that this relationship was taking a severe toll on my happiness. Friends remarked that my normally bubbly and effervescent personality was noticeably dampened. I could not consider leaving him, because at that point, I couldn’t see how. We were living together, a lot of our finances were tied at this point, and we were jointly invested in a couple endeavors. It was hard to fathom how we could separate without my suffering a magnitude of losses. To break our lease would have cost me $3,000 alone. It just seemed impossible for me to leave. He was incredibly controlling, and I felt to a certain extent, he would never let that happen.

Once I began reading The Secret, I began to realize that even though I couldn’t grasp the “how” of leaving him, if I started to believe it would happen, the Universe would rearrange itself so that it could. I started putting my thoughts out there that I would leave and be OK. I pictured myself on my own and happy.

Within a few months I had the opportunity to go to another state — Arizona — with friends. I enjoyed my time there so much; I stated out loud that I was going to move there. I said it several times aloud, and then when I came back, I told my friends and family this thought. They all encouraged it. I knew I could not justify going without first securing a job.

I applied for several jobs knowing that it would be difficult to obtain one while I was currently living in California, however I flew down to Arizona for an interview two weeks later. I told myself I would get the job. I thought positively the entire way, and re-read The Secret on the plane. I did not tell my partner I was going because I knew his negativity towards the idea might impact my outlook.

Before going, I made appointments to look at housing while there. I map quested the area to be familiar with my new home. After the interview, I told my friend I knew I had gotten the job. I never let doubt creep into my mind — not for one second.

They called with the job offer within two hours of my interview. Not only did I not have to take a pay-cut, but it was actually a promotion. They wanted me to start at the exact time my lease was up — so luckily, I wouldn’t have to pay the $3K to break it. I moved two weeks later.

I have been living The Secret since my move and have not looked back once. I was able to bring myself out of a damaging relationship and a dissatisfying job with the power of my own thoughts. I am once again happy and my life is flourishing in all aspects. I am forever thankful to The Secret for changing my life forever. Now, whenever I have hopes for something good to happen to me, I prepare for it, think positively, and do not let any doubt creep into my mindset, and sure enough, the Universe provides. Thank you!