A friend of mine returned from a cruise on which she had seen the movie The Secret. She was excited to go purchase the movie after her first day back to work, even though she had to drive 35 minutes each direction in rush hour traffic to buy the movie. I’d heard of the book, and after her enthusiasm I decided to buy the audio version of The Secret so I could listen to it on a trip I was making. I loaded the 4 CDs in my car, and the 5 hour trip went by in a flash.

Many times during the audio I became teary-eyed from joy. It is easy for me to feel gratitude, and it has always been a habit for me to feel thanks on a daily basis. However, I have suffered from periods of serious depression throughout my life, even though I never understood why, since I have so many things for which I am grateful. I’ve been on anti-depressants most of my adult life. The A-Ds have helped the serious depression, but I still experience waves of sadness, zero motivation, and thoughts of worthlessness. What’s always kept me going is my love for my two daughters and knowing that I want to be here for them. They are now 19 & 21, and I am 48.

While listening to The Secret, I thought about many wish-list items. I wish for a life of perfect health without requiring prescription drugs. I’m very fit and healthy aside from my ‘chemical imbalance’ depression and my weak (but improving) up-close vision. I’d also like my life to be meaningful through helping other people. Helping others always brings me tremendous joy and a feeling of worth. However, I also love beautiful and comfortable ‘things’, and I love to travel. So, my wish list includes some other details too 🙂

I first listened to The Secret just two weeks ago on a Friday evening. On Saturday I met another ‘tennis mom’ and we had some very personal chats (between our daughters matches). It was our first time to talk with each other, but coincidentally we both shared similar views on spirituality, we’d both read Deepak Chopra and Neale Donald Walsch books, and we both had a desire to help other people. She told me about her sister who had had a tough life, but was turning it around as a result of reading The Secret. Imagine that!

On Monday when I was walking from my car to work, I approached two men, one blind, who looked lost. They were relieved when I was able to head them in the right direction. Of course, I asked to be able to help people, so my request was starting to manifest. The next day I had a similar situation while walking to work.

This week while at work, I was beginning to bubble over about the power of positive thinking, and what benefits it could have for all of us at work. A man at work told me a story about something his 30 year-old son had been hoping for, so I proceeded to tell my friend about the philosophy behind The Secret. My friend said he would like to listen to the CDs himself since he was dealing with some worrisome issues at the time too. The next day I brought my CDs to work for my friend. After listening to just 40 minutes of the first CD on his commute home, my friend felt tremendously better. Little did I know, but he is dealing with some scary health issues, and he hadn’t been sleeping through the night for weeks. Yesterday he told me more details about his situation, and through teary eyes he said he had a full, peaceful night’s sleep for the first time in weeks. He was thinking positively about his health issues instead of being anxious. I was so thrilled to have been a part of helping him with his issues. I told him to keep listening to those CDs!

Not only am I manifesting my desire to help other people, but I am also working towards a life without prescription drugs. During February I was still on my 150 mg of Effexor, but I was suffering from more depression than usual. My daughters encouraged me to see a counselor since some of the depression was definitely situational. On my second meeting with the counselor, she suspected I suffered from ADD (not ADHD). She said depression can be a side effect of attention deficit disorder. Although I was shocked, the diagnosis made perfect sense, and explained so much about my entire life. The counselor recommended I see a psychiatrist who could prescribe Straterra for my ADD. I was relieved to think I might find happiness, but stressed at the thought of adding another prescription drug.

I was able to get an appointment in 3 weeks if I filled out the preliminary forms and my insurance was approved. I was so proud to jump right on the forms and hand deliver them to the office of the psychiatrist (part of my ADD had been to procrastinate). The receptionist called and said my insurance was approved, and my appointment would take place on the 28th of March. Still, I was wishing for a healthy mind. The next week the receptionist called me and said the doctor had decided to discontinue my insurance company immediately. I had the choice of paying $240 out of pocket for the appointment, or I could cancel. At first I was disappointed, but then relieved. I felt it was a sign that I didn’t need the drugs. I talked with my husband about it. He wanted me to spend the $240 so I could get the prescription and lead a ‘normal’ life. I decided to try my GP to see if he would consult with me about the Straterra. He declined because he didn’t know enough about ADD and the drugs associated with it. I felt that was sign #2 that I didn’t really need the drugs. I’ve decided I don’t have ADD or depression any longer. I cancelled my appointment with the psychiatrist, and my GP is letting me try just 75 mg of Effexor per day.

Since listening to The Secret, I feel happier and healthier than I can ever remember. I plan ahead now, I’m early instead of late, and I don’t procrastinate. Hey, this has all taken place in just two weeks! I’m sure I will completely wean myself from the Effexor, but it’s a tough drug for me to get out of my system. If I don’t wean myself very gradually, I suffer horrible side effects. I insist on being smart about this because I really believe in my power to attract a healthy mind. I want to let it happen, but not be a painful process. Just because I’m not totally off the drugs yet doesn’t mean this process isn’t working!

I hope this babbling is useful to someone else who may ‘happen’ to read it. Now I’m on my way to visit a friend who lives an hour south of me. We hadn’t talked in about 10 years, but somehow we connected again a few weeks ago. I’m taking my movie of The Secret with me so we can watch it together. Her 22 year old son is experiencing some significant health issues right now, and she’s been experiencing some wonderful and unusual coincidences. I thought seeing The Secret might intensify those good vibes!

How about the nun who was cured of Parkinsons disease after writing down Pope John Paul II’s name and praying for him to cure her? I totally believe!

Blessings to all!

Ruth from Oregon