From as early as my teenage years and my entire adult life I had suffered from depression and anxiety. I had never really understood why, but there were two reasons that I can only think be the cause. The first, realising I was gay from a very early age living in a small, narrow-minded Welsh town in the 1970’s where everyone knew your business and it was so wrong to be different. The second witnessing my cousin drown right in front of my very eyes a day after my sixteenth birthday. Some say those would be two perfectly good reasons, which no doubt have affected my mental health. They certainly tested me to my limit over the years.

My partner and I relocated to the county of Shropshire in England in 2013 and the new start away from my old life seemed perfect. We lived in a very rural area, my partner had a new job while I took time out to decide my future career. But there was still something missing. I still suffered from the depression and anxiety, but I carried on battling each day. What other choice did I have?

In 2017 at my father’s funeral, my nephew, who had also had his own battles, spoke to me about this life-changing book he was reading. I was always very sceptical of “these books” and always brushed them off. But this book was different. My nephew was so passionate and enthusiastic in the way he spoke that I was hooked straight away. The book was called “The Secret” by an author called Rhonda Byrne.

After a very short time, literally a couple of weeks, I realised that my life was totally back to front. My thought process was so negative, I had no confidence and my glass was always “half empty”. After reading “The Secret” and practising every part of what I had learned throughout the day, my life has literary turned around. I now wake up each morning feeling blessed, feeling grateful for everything I have in my life and excited about the day ahead. The depression and anxiety have slowly disappeared and I even look forward to going to work, something I had never done before.

Rhonda’s book, “The Secret” and her daily “Tweets” keep me motivated every minute of the day. I am constantly aware of everything I do and practice being positive at all times. I see life from a very different perspective. I see the good in every person. I have forgiven people who have hurt me in the past. I smile for no apparent reason and my heart is fit to burst. I love “me” for the very first time ever. I feel as though I have won the lottery. In some way, I have!

When I first heard of The Secret film, I knew I had to see it. Wow! It blew my mind away. I have watched it several times and it gets better and better each time. After reading “The Secret” a third time I am now working my way through “The Power” and “The Magic”.

So, to sum it up, I am healthy, extremely happy with life, have an amazing partner, a beautiful dog, a comfortable home, two cars and an awesome job. All of the above I had previously, but I never realised it. My mind has now been “reprogrammed”, not with the latest “Windows 10” version, but “The Amazing Rhonda Byrne’s” version. For that reason I am truly thankful for my nephew, who introduced Rhonda to me. I am thankful of course, to Rhonda and her team for all their hard work and dedication. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!