By nature, I'd say I'm an optimistically realistic person. I choose not to dwell in the shadow areas.

I like the sunshine with a little shade.... you don't get burned that way. My realistic tendencies have almost never done me wrong.

So, my reality probing nature gets its hackles a bit bristly with the "you can create anything you want if you're just positive enough" mantra currently making its way through popular circles.

I'm conflicted- yes, I do believe a positive mindset affects your life. Absolutely. But to assert that your life will be idyllic if you're proposeful enough (and on the flip side, that it's your fault if things aren't so hot because you're not performing positively to par).... I just can't buy it.

The first time I saw "The Secret" it left me cold... and angry. Bah! All I saw was a consortium of marketing gurus who decided to package what makes good sense into a media empire and a guaranteed job description with lots of money. It was genius- that's the secret.

I dare them to tell all the people killed in China by the earthquake that it's their fault- they allowed bad things to happen to them. Or tell the same to the spirit of the 2 1/2 year old girl who was beaten, burned, raped and murdered. Bastards.

And yet.... I agree with many of the pieces of what they preach (that's the genius part). Live your life with hope and good intention. Tell yourself you're special and here to make a difference. Make a difference.

Allow good things to come into your life.

Just don't let your eyes glaze over and drink the kool-aid.

Bastards.