The Secret: Help or Hype?

This will be a short post, and I'll post more later.

However, what about the Secret? I've seen it, read the book, and part of me is a little wary, though I think it has a really good message. I believe that empowering people is always a good thing. I believe that positive thinking is always a good thing. However, there are times when it gets a little materialistic, and I have to wonder how much of it is good marketing, and how much of it is just honest knowledge.

I think whenever we encounter something that is put out like The Secret is, it is both extremely encouraging and slightly sleazy. Sleazy IS a strong word, but it's marketed towards people that want instant gratification, and that bothers me. It mentions that being thankful, helpful, and full of love are great ways to "get what you want" but only after it's lured you in with promises of money, a perfect job, and a perfect spouse.

However, is that bad? Everything is marketing; it just depends on how skillful you are at pulling it off being the "honest" marketer. That's why so many commercials use the "regular guy" or girl, for that matter. And humor helps alleviate the spin they put on you. On the other hand, this is not a bad thing. I work partially in marketing; I understand the value of presenting something well. Self-fulfillment on the other hand just seems like something that perhaps should be in the corner, dark, mysterious and understandable only to those of us that are "ready" to understand the message...I don't know.

More later.