Asking for Trouble
Burt
From 1987-1995, I volunteered as an outreach counselor at a homeless shelter in Tampa. We served not only those with no residence but families in crisis, too.
One afternoon, I overheard two young mothers who had gotten two bag of groceries apiece wonder how they were to get them home to the apartment they shared. They had no car and carrying the bags several miles under a sweltering summer sun was their only alternative. I offered to give them a lift.
Once installed in my back seat, one of the women turned to the other and said, with an air of triumph in her voice: “See, Linda, I told you God will always come through for us!” If they wanted to believe that I was sign of heavenly favor, who was I to dissuade them? I held my tongue, but what I wanted to say was, “Hold on a minute, Linda. That kind of thinking is asking for trouble down the road. There will come times when you won’t get what you want and then you’ll drive yourself and everyone around you crazy trying to figure out how or why you pissed off God. For the sake of your sanity, Linda, don’t put that burden on the Deity or yourself.”
I see evidence of that same thinking from some adherents of “The Law of Attraction,” “The Secret,” and similar offerings. I’ve been told by them that if I put my faith in the Universe and eliminate all negativity, the objects of my desire will start rolling in.
Years ago, there was a star cornerback with the then-Los Angeles Raiders. He had a phenomenal number of interceptions, but many critics claimed he was just lucky. Appearing in a television commercial for a product I now forget, he addressed the issue head on. Dressed in his uniform and pacing like a caged panther, he said something to the effect of, “I get up every morning at 5:00, work out for three hours, practice another four hours, watch films of opposing teams until 10 every night. And you call me lucky?”
I’m not dismissing “The Secret” et al as outright twaddle. One, I have no stranglehold on Truth and two, I did find some good and interesting things in them. And Spirit may indeed want you to be a rock star, but chances are that unless you learn to sing and play, you’re going to spend a lot of time wondering why the Universe let you down despite reading all the right books and thinking only the purest thoughts.
Access: Public
disillusionment
May 2008
we learn from life, and chance encounters
a wonderful pair of stories Burt.
Not only a joy to read, Burt, as usual, I also relate very much to what you're saying.
Once you're caught up in any belief system that is supposed to grant you whatever you think you 'need' or 'deserve', you're in deep shit when you're challenged with disease, heavy storms, tough luck, wars and other catastrophes… what have all these poor people done 'wrong'?
And funny in a way, isn't it, that Linda's friend felt so well taken care of by God in the first place, considering where they came from and where they were probably going - not a life anybody would screem “Here! Take me!” when it was offered, I'd imagine…
:)
The Lord moves in strange ways!
I like this blog entry a lot. I know what you mean re: The Secret, etc. I see so many good points in that book and other related ones, but I question some of the things they claim, as well. Sure it makes sense to focus on what you want, to keep thoughts positive, remember that you're creating your reality, etc. And I believe that doing so can result in some very positive experiences–internally and often externally. But not always… All the positive thoughts in the world won't stop certain things (those outside of yourself) from happening–eg, natural disasters, etc. as Gabriele mentioned.
Also, what about a person's childhood circumstances? Is one supposed to take 100% responsibilty for that? I'm not so sure…
Some people were born into a wealthy family (which gave them certain advantages or options)…or were in the right place at the right time (an ambitionless female cashier with no dreams gets “spotted” by a modeling agent…. Some people were were simply blessed with a good childhood….or an ear for music…or whatever. They didn't think positive thoughts to make those things happen. They were there or they simply happened…
And what about those born into unfortunate circumstances…children who are born sick or are violently attacked at a young age or victimized in some other way. They didn't create those circumstances by thinking negatively or not thinking positively, did they? This is where I question The Secret the most.
Sure, many of those who were lucky early on struggle in life and many of those who suffered overcome it and are quite happy. Still, did one truly create those early experiences and that reality? I don't know…I don't have the answers…I'm simply doubting, wondering and asking…
What bothers me about The Secret is that if you're going to buy into it, I think it's really an all or nothing deal. And that really hurts those who are true victims of external circumstances–realities they did not create.
As for what you say re: the athlete…yes, I agree. If he sat back and just thought positive thoughts and what he wanted, he wouldn't have gotten it. Perhaps it's 10% luck and 90% effort? I think I've heard that somewhere…
Thanks so much for your comments, Wanderer, Gabriele and Lisa. Some will say that children born into unfortunate circumstances purposely picked that existence before incarnating for reasons of the soul. As I said, I don't claim to have the answers, but common sense tells me that if you're generally upbeat and work hard at your craft, you'll tend to attract other happy, hard-working people to you. If you fall under the sway of those who love to pour cold water on people's dreams because their own have never been realized, the odds of your succeeding diminish significantly. But there are limits to creating one's own reality. You may choose to disbelieve all you want in gravity, but if you step out of an airplane, you're going to have an up close and personal encounter with the Earth at the rate of at 32 feet per second squared.
FYI, Lisa – Thomas Edison: “Success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.”
Burt, I was just having a conversation with Morningstar the other day, and though she dislikes the ol' American football, I was reminded of a situation that happened at some point. Ironically enough, some cornerback had intercepted a bunch of passes, and thanked God for putting him in the right spots a bunch of times in the post-game press conference. I immediately wondered if the player was implying other team's quarterback hadn't prayed as hard as him, or that maybe the quarterback was just a bad person.
If this were true, imagine the money teams could save by getting rid of defensive coordinators and just having a cluster of hard-praying defensive players!
hi Burt, fascinating. mind if i crosspost to the God Pod?
peace
nicole
Oh, yeah–good old Thomas E!
I like what you said here:
Common sense tells me that if you're generally upbeat and work hard at your craft, you'll tend to attract other happy, hard-working people to you. If you fall under the sway of those who love to pour cold water on people's dreams because their own have never been realized, the odds of your succeeding diminish significantly.
And that's why I've “unfriended” some people in my offline life who love to pour cold water on one's dreams, ideas, etc. I'd rather spend time with positive, encouraging people vs. trying to “work on” or “fix” friendships that don't enhance my life in some way.
Re: “purposely picking” an existence (beforehand) for soul purposes…I've heard of this and I'm not sure what to think of it. Interesting to consider, however.
BTW…good points, Eric!
Eric – thanks for a great point and a good laugh.
Nicole – crosspost away with my blessing.
Lisa – I've found that the older I get, the less patience I have with the “Yeah, but…” crowd
I know what you mean… How about the “Yeah…and” crowd? Much better! :)
I have to admit that I have not seen The Secret for many of the very reasons you talk about Burt. Quite honestly Ive had a number of discussions about the danger of this type of al or nothing thinking…in that when something bad happens to people who follow this thought process they immediatey think I must be doing something wrong and not doing it right..otherwise this woud never happen. I certainy believe in the power of positive thinking but also reaize that we are given challenges for a reason. I personally dont have any ilusions about my being able to think away my cares and woes as easiy as changing my mindset. Perhaps Im a mess..who knows. But Im happy - most of the time! :-) Thanks for this blog…few people have the courage to speak out about this what I see as money driven ideal. hugs
I leave it up to the universe, and take the most compassionate path I can…along the way.
I don't need a secret, I have a sense of humor. If I need direction the trees whispers in my ears when I walk through the woods…sometimes the answer is not always what I wish, but I have belief that the end result will be the best for all.
Excuse me I am going to be a blade of grass tonight… ;)
Much love sweet wise one,
Janie
I like that Janie! :-)
I'm part of the crowd that goes:
“Yeah… and… but… I wonder.. but…. what if… and…” lol
LOL, Marmalade you sure are! hugs
Burt, thanks, I did crosspost and I think it's important to talk these things through. I hope you forgive me for once again violating DD responding guidelines by replying to Marmalade first :)
oh yeahhhhhh! so right on ;)