I have always been a survivor. Even when younger and consumed with my fears, I somehow always KNEW I would be protected as well as knowing instinctively how to protect myself, as I stumbled through life like we all do.

That is strange, because I have never really found much solace in my religion. I always thought outside the box, drew outside the lines, and yet was not intelligent enough to be considered a “geek” while in school. I really had no identity. I didn’t realize then what a gift it was.

I was different. I seemed connected with other forms of life, many times on unearthly planes, and I was scared by that. I rarely shared my experiences, and the few times I did, I was either told to seek psychiatric help or go to a priest for an exorcism.

Yet I always felt empowered and eternally optimistic, even when life threw me curve balls (often) and my fears got the better of me. I always had the ability to reinvent myself, allow my imagination to take hold and zoom me to a better place. And amazingly, at these junctures, my life actually improved greatly as a result.

Could it be that I actually KNEW about The Secret for all those years, even during the conventional formative ones?

Perhaps. But I certainly could not share it with anyone. Until now.

I rather think of my life as part of an amazing journey. I met many wonderful mentors and teachers along the way. I allowed myself open to explore the world through the eyes and wisdom of Florence Scovill Shinn, Eckhart Tolle, and Pat Rodegast, to name a few. I began understanding the importance of abundant thought rather than that of scarcity and fear. They helped me carve the many epiphanies I came to know as my own truths.

And then I found out about The Secret.

A few weeks ago I was getting a hot stone massage at my favorite day spa. My massage therapist was in her twenties, yet she had a great talent at kneading my “old, tired bones”, as I told her. She laughed and told me that they were only old and tired if I thought they were.

Ouch. That zinger hurt. Not me, personally. But the fact that I put my thought out into the universe to turn my bones old and tired. I asked her what gave her that insight and bravery to tell me that. She told me she had read “The Secret.”

That was about the fifth time somebody had told me about The Secret in about a month. I told her that as soon as I was done, I would go to the bookstore next door and just buy it. We then shared fantastic stories of opportunity and growth before I left.

It was wonderful. I then realized I was no longer alone. I could share my life experience of survival and growth freely, for the first time ever with the most unlikely of people, and they with me; all because of The Secret.

In all honesty, I have not finished reading the book yet. I am savoring each chapter, meditating on the words and putting into practice its teachings, one chapter at a time.

Since I started reading “The Secret” two weeks ago, I have made my Vision Boards (one permanent; one portable), seen my portfolio gain several thousand dollars in one week during this horrible economy, and received 3 checks in the mail.

I am watching my dog heal from an ACL injury, of which I was told major surgery was the only option for her to walk properly. She not only jumped on, but jumped freely off my bed this morning before running down the stairs with her sister for breakfast.

Do I believe the principles of The Secret? You bet I do. I am proof positive it works even before it was given a name.

Thanks to all the contributors for your exciting, fresh words to live by. Not only do I have the book to finish reading, but amazon.com just delivered the audio CDs and movie this afternoon. They will not be on the shelf for long.

I am so glad I am no longer the loner crazy kid in the neighborhood!

Welcome to my wonderful world!