I clearly remember the start of this year (2013) when I was returning to work feeling completely uninspired and fed up of my job. My relationship was unstable as we had only recently got back together after a break up, and, in January I lost my grandmother three months to the day after losing my grandfather.

As the months progressed my job got worse and I was dreading going in on a daily basis and it became a huge negative in my life. Knowing that I couldn’t continue in this vain and acknowledging that life is too short to be unhappy I decided to create a plan to leave my job. But because I was a relatively well paid, my financial commitments meant I couldn’t afford to leave immediately. However, at the back of my mind I told myself I would only have to stay in the same job for the next five years maximum. I discussed it with my partner and we agreed on my “five year plan” to leave.

During the same period I was given the book The Power by a friend.

She told me I should read The Secret first and so with my partner’s Christmas vouchers, I bought the book. I began to read it and admittedly was a little skeptical and at times I found it vague, but I stuck with it and that’s when small things started to happen.

It began with driving to a popular local place and always getting a free parking spot by visualizing it on the way and reminding myself to be grateful every morning as my feet first hit the floor. I had always considered myself to be grateful, but only as I began to fully understand the law of gratitude did it truly resonate with me.

Within only weeks of this I had a phone call from my father to say he would be writing me a check for a nice sum of money. I also received a bonus at work for the same amount. My relationship which in previous years had been up and down, finally completely settled and I decided to move in with my partner which once again improved my financial situation and gave me further stability and happiness.

As the year progressed I felt like my positive attitude and determination to leave my place of work led to a shift in my focus and I was happier than I had ever been. Things started to spiral and rumors began about a redundancy package being offered at work. In September I was extremely lucky to be offered such an opportunity. Again, unsure of what my future would hold and with no concrete career plan in place, I decided to take the redundancy package and I signed up to leave my well paid job at the end of 2013. Many people questioned my decision as I had no financial guarantees in place for 2014 but I knew that I had to get out of a job in which negativity and low morale was prevalent in my daily routine.

Having always dreamed of running my own gym, a strange incident happened.

Within my notice period I was approached by a friend who suggested I should visit a local gym that wasn’t doing too well as it would be a great opportunity. Whilst doing so, another close friend had suggested that me and her enter into a business partnership to open a gym.

Unbelievably, the whole thing worked out from absolutely nowhere and my friend and I have become business partners, taken over a gym and are opening for business on January 2nd 2014 with huge interest from customers already. The gym was launched by a world wide renowned rugby union coach, Warren Gatland, again through knowing the right people and treating people well.

The complete turnaround in my life within twelve months has absolutely blown my mind with me having moved from a job I hate to following my life long dream of opening my own gym and being financially able to do so with minimum risk.

My relationship which had previously been unsteady has completely settled and grown into an amazing partnership which will probably continue to marriage.

My friendships and relationships with family are better than ever and I have shared my experience, positivity and belief in the secret with those close to me and feel it can only serve to help others too. I fully appreciate the importance of positivity and how it is a mindset that is infectious, and equally, negativity works in the same vain.

During this year a very close friend experienced a bad relationship breakdown but amazingly through adopting the principles of The Secret she was able to come of the situation stronger and turn it into a positive despite initially being completely heartbroken. Her zest for life and positive approach even in difficult circumstances gave me more motivation to follow my dreams and our friendship became stronger then ever as we both inspired each other to be happy.

I have progressed to read The Power even during a time where I am busier then ever setting up a business.

I know that I have now reached the tipping point in my life. The day I knew I had reached the tipping point was when I was in the middle of town and sat in a coffee shop alone. Unlike my old self, I sat next to somebody else on her own and decided to chat. She was a foreign student and we spoke for almost an hour, I gave her advice on good things to do locally and we exchanged stories. I would never usually speak to people I don’t know and it was an empowering experience for me to know that if you are nice to people it is usually returned.

Before leaving the coffee shop I checked a lotto ticket I had recently bought and to my surprise I realized I had won a small amount. It was roughly $10 and I thought to myself it won’t change my life but it could make somebody else’s day. So I walked down the street and the first busker I saw was playing a guitar and instead of putting money in his guitar case, I put the lotto ticket in there an told him how much it was worth. He beamed the biggest smile I had ever seen and said “Good on you girl!”

I was buzzing for the rest of the day knowing I had made him extremely happy and he was so grateful for that. This was another empowering moment which made me know I had reached the tipping point and had tipped the scales by always giving 51% love through good thoughts and feelings. I had reached the point of giving more love than negativity. Now the love that comes back multiplies itself by attracting more love.