The Official Website of The Secret The Official Website of The Secret
  • Explore
    • The Greatest Secret
    • Masterclass
    • Blog
    • Stories
    • Tell Us Your Story
    • Our Videos
  • Rhonda TV
    • Rhonda Talks
    • Rhonda Live
    • Ask Rhonda
  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Rhonda Byrne’s Biography
    • Creative Team
    • History of The Secret
  • Products
    • All Products
    • Apps
    • Audiobooks
    • Books
    • E-Books
    • Films
    • Masterclass
    • World Languages
  • Films
    • The Secret Documentary
    • The Secret: Dare to Dream
  • Gifts for You
    • The Secret Super App
    • The Secret Scrolls
    • Memory Game
    • The Magic Check
    • The Secret Check
    • The Science of Getting Rich E-Book
  • Translate
    • English
    • Español
    • Français
    • Dutch
    • Italiano
    • Russian
    • German
    • Portuguese
    • Swedish
    • More Languages
Close
  • Explore
    • The Greatest Secret
    • Masterclass
    • Blog
    • Stories
    • Tell Us Your Story
    • Our Videos
  • Rhonda TV
    • Rhonda Talks
    • Rhonda Live
    • Ask Rhonda
  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Rhonda Byrne’s Biography
    • Creative Team
    • History of The Secret
  • Products
    • All Products
    • Apps
    • Audiobooks
    • Books
    • E-Books
    • Films
    • Masterclass
    • World Languages
  • Films
    • The Secret Documentary
    • The Secret: Dare to Dream
  • Gifts for You
    • The Secret Super App
    • The Secret Scrolls
    • Memory Game
    • The Magic Check
    • The Secret Check
    • The Science of Getting Rich E-Book
  • Translate
    • English
    • Español
    • Français
    • Dutch
    • Italiano
    • Russian
    • German
    • Portuguese
    • Swedish
    • More Languages

Search Topics

The Letter

Submitted by: jackottinger

Myrtle beach sc

Retired teacher coach for over 38 years

When viewed from the Schuylkill Expressway In Philadelphia, Pa., heading west toward the Manayunk exit, St. John’s Church presents a magnificent picture of dignity and grace. This gray-stoned high-steepled beauty surrounded by a park made a wonderful setting for the wedding my wife and I attended in Manayunk. The ever-present swirling winds around the church only added to its mystique and beauty.

Once inside we were overwhelmed with the magnitude of the enormous high-ceiling design. The sound of the organ rang to the heavens as the bridal party proceeded to walk toward the altar.

At the church, I ran into an old friend, Casper Barrata, who happened to be the Deacon assigned to the Mass. Now 73, Casper was a brilliant and talented fastball softball pitcher back in the Men’s Leagues of Philadelphia in the mid-60s. I did not recognize the now silver-haired fellow until my brother-in-law John Kay mentioned his name to me! After a very pleasant greeting and praising each other on how good the other was at playing the game back then, Casper asked if I remembered a letter of encouragement I had written to him back in 1964. It appeared Casper fell on hard times pitching, as pitchers sometimes do, and he wasn’t pitching too well for a period of time. I did not recall the letter, but he said, “Yes, I still have it, and I continue to read it anytime things aren’t going too well.” He went on to say that he has read the letter many times over during the past 40 some years, and the situation always seemed to improve. I was humbled and speechless!

He continued, “You don’t remember?” I said, “Sadly, no, I don’t.” But I did ask if I could have a copy of the letter. He said he would email it to me. After Casper served communion at the Murphy wedding, we met on the steps of the church. Casper came up to me and presented the letter. He lived a block from the church and ran home to get it after the Mass. The envelope was faded and turning yellow, and so was the letter inside. That letter had to be nearly 50 years old.
In simple terms, the letter read:

These hard times are temporary! Maintain your passion for the game. Never quit and you’ll be back on top again shortly. Hang in there!

Bottom line: Casper Barrata once again became the best pitcher in the League. He also remained to be a thorn in our team’s side every time he pitched against us, and at the end of his great career, he was inducted into our community’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
FaithInspiration
← More Stories

Search Topics

Have a Story to Share?

Submit your story →

What Do You Want?

  • To Be Happy1
  • Better Relationships2
  • Success in Life3
  • More Money4
  • Better Health5
  • The Secret for Teens6
  • The Secret for Kids7
To Be Happy1
Better Relationships2
Success in Life3
More Money4
Better Health5
The Secret for Teens6
The Secret for Kids7

The Magic

The easiest way to lasting happiness is to practice gratitude.

Find the 28 most powerful gratitude practices in The Magic!

Find The Magic in these formats:

BooksE-BooksWorld Languages

Love everything around you, and the love MUST come back to you!

The Power reveals the greatest force in the universe, and exactly how to use it - for better relationships and for everything you could ever want.

Find The Power in these formats:

BooksE-BooksAudioBooksCDWorld Languages

Whatever dream you dream, KNOW that the Universe wants you to succeed.

Hero lights the way for your dream - step-by-step through every challenge, hurdle, or set back - until it is realized.
Find Hero in these formats:

BooksE-BooksAudioBooksCDWorld Languages

The Secret Money App

The simple secret to having more money is believing you are already wealthy!

Every single time you use The Secret to Money App you are thinking and acting like you are wealthy NOW.

Explore The Secret to Money App, available on:

Google PlayThe App StoreWorld Languages

Great health comes from having great thoughts.

The Secret Daily Teachings provides a simple, inspiring way to keep your thoughts and feelings positive every single day of the year.
The Secret Daily Teachings is available as an app and book in these formats:

BooksAPPE-BooksTear Sheet
World Languages

Live an extraordinary life and awaken your dreams!

The Secret to Teen Power explores the Law of Attraction from a teenager’s point of view.

Find The Secret to Teen Power in these formats:

BooksE-BooksAudioBooksCDWorld Languages

Imagination is the creative force of the Universe!

The Power of Henry’s Imagination is a picture story book exploring one of The Secret principles: visualization.

Find The Power of Henry’s Imagination in these formats:

BooksE-BooksWorld Languages

Look Up Stories by theme

  • Art
  • Awareness
  • Business
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Faith
  • Family
  • Feel Good
  • Finances
  • Friends
  • Future
  • Giving
  • Goals
  • Gratitude
  • Health
  • Inner
  • Inspiration
  • Job
  • Letting Go
  • Life
  • Love
  • Music
  • Other
  • Pets
  • Relationships
Be Here Now and you will be happy The Secret
  • Prev
  • Next

Our Products

  • Books
  • Audiobooks
  • E-Books
  • Films
  • Apps

Help Resources

  • The Secret Store
  • The Secret Stories
  • The Secret Blog
  • FAQ
  • World Languages
  • Customer Privacy Policy

Our Company

  • Contact Us
  • Our Mission
  • Rhonda Byrne’s Biography
  • History of The Secret
  • The Creative Team
  • Media

Search

Connect With Us

The Secret at Weibo

© Copyright 2021 The Secret. All rights reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | No Spam Policy | Site Credit