This video just rocked my world. Imagine how different your life would be if watching this was part of your morning routine!
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wow! thankyou for sharing! i have been having not such a good time as of late so i think i will take your suggestion and watch this every morning to try and inspire myself to take control and make my days alot better!
I absolutely love that DVD and book. The Secret is SO life changing. Great reminder, thankz.!
I agree with you Gala-Wow…just wow.Simple ideas,yet inspiring.I might have to go looking for this book. Watching this could be garenteed to lift one’s spirit on a bad day. Thank you for sharing this Gala.
Also, imagine how different your life would be if it were set to super emotional inspirational music.
It made tears run down my face, but that could just be because I have PMS. Haha!
oohhh!
Am all happy and excitable now!
Very wow indeed.
(I think that setting your life to super inspirational music is an ace idea, what else are mp3 players for…)
Also me too on the tears but possibly for similar reasons
:)
Um, the music made an otherwise strong message pretty maudlin!
I think I might just start watching this every morning. I
I don’t really get the whole inspirational talks, books, videos and affirmations thing. Can someone explain or is it something that just works for you. Because to me I feel that I already…it’s hard to explain but I don’t feel the need for it.
I don’t want to sound mean or condescending, sorry if I do. I just would like to understand.
When it begin, I thought it was going to be too cheesy for words… but then I went: wow !
Scissorhands it’s very simple. Imagine someone telling you all day that you are ugly, useless and stupid. Or the opposite: that you are beautiful, intelligent, awesome… do how would you feel ? Most of us get strongly affected by that, in the first case we would really feel we suck, in the second case there would be a new spring in our step. So, affirmation means you telling yourself that you are great, that you can do it. However there are also people who know themselves, theyir strenghts and weakness, they have a healthily objective view of themselves. Such people would not be affected by riticis or belittling from others, and they don’t need others to notice their strenghts, they are aware of of all their good points themselves. Probably you are one of those, so you don’t need affirmation.
Scissorhands — eternalvoyageur’s comment is pretty awesome. My take is that some people like it while others don’t find a lot of value in it. I guess it depends on how you’re wired! I have always been keen on self help etc. because I find it useful & I am interested in improving myself in lots of different ways. But it doesn’t make you a bad person if you don’t dig it, it’s just how you are. Kind of like whether you like classical music or not — it’s all a matter of personal preference :>
Thank you for that amazing video Gala – after a somewhat frustrating night last night, it’s great to wake up and see things in a new perspective, and not get hung up on the little stuff. The video gave me chills! xo
This video was amazing. It made me feel like I could do anything at this moment. And I agree this vid also gave me chills. xxx
wow!
but i think it’s a lot better without the music.
personal preference =]
Did n’t necessarily mean that music! (in fact definitely not that music)
But giving your life a soundtrack that you find super inspiring sounds like a good idea to me…
:)
Ohhh I’ve been a fan of The Secret for some time now. The video is very inspiring but I don’t feel that the world needs to buy the DVD sets to understand The Secret, I dislike how they “market” it, when really the secret is the wonderful law of attraction, (thoughts become things, so think good thoughts), quite simple after all hehe but it is wonderful that the popularity of The Secret is at least spreading enlightening ideas all around the world. Though there’s no price for that kind of freedom within ourselves. Still a beautiful piece of inspiring work to help us shift perspectives!
Very awesome, I agree that watching this regulary would be a very helpful thing :)! Thanks A LOT for sharing this Gala
Don’t you think the message would be more effective if it weren’t so idealized by the easy out images they’ve chosen? Isn’t it more humbling, and more inspiring, to see how one “feels alive”, or “has fun and laughs”, without jumping off a tropical cliff or taking a very expensive Carribean vacation with your model-perfect friends and lover? This “marketing” of peak experiences seems taudry and I don’t think the images resonate with me.
(But I do absolutely recognize the opening still – it’s looking out over the edge of the Canadian Falls at Niagara Falls on Table Rock and I love standing there watching the water run out over the edge and then gravity grabs it and it falls, like a roadrunner cartoon.)
OMG I just woke up and watched this. I ca tell you I feel better already.
It would be nice to see it every morning before anything else happens, sure you’ll have a hell of a positive thought in your head all day.
Kisses.
Arwww ;)
Ah yes, Gala, I’ve been meaning to ask you this.
Next year I go into sixth form. The place I want to go to has a very strict dress code – dark grey/navy/black suit and plain neutral blouse. I’ll have to wear a jacket at all times and jewellery is not allowed, except earrings. I love fashion, but I can’t think of any ways of looking stylish with such a strict dress code. For the first time I’ll be going to a school with boys, so I want to make a good impression! Only you could help me with this, Gala dear. Thanks in advance.
Lou xx
Wow… I’ve read the Secret and found it really uplifting, but this is really something special and even more uplifting!
I would love to do base jumping (is that what those guys were doing jumping off the cliff?) only ‘coz it would likely scare me sh*tless and would probably be a great experience! That to me just screams FREEDOM....
Ahhh.. Thanks Gala. Great way to start Hump Day (and International Polar Bear Day).
T’cha, call me cynical, but halfway through I was thinking “excellent, now, what is this an advertisement for?”. I hoped that maybe I was wrong and it was just inspirational, but no, Secret did indeed want to sell me something.
I’m in agreement with Tk on the idealized notion of happiness portrayed. When I watched this last night, I was slaving over my thesis research, and I thought “Well, I really want this degree, because I need it to be eligible for the job I just interviewed for, which will definitely be a happiness for me. Even if the work to geet there is grueling and sad.
I’m sorry, I don’t have the time or money to take a break, even for a muffin. It’s -20 F outside, so I can’t lay on the grass with a puppy. I don’t even like puppies! Oh my god, what’s wrong? Where did I put that Spinoza paper? Oh my god!”
So while that was inspiring and happy, it was also a pleasant reminder of how far we have to go to get affirmative happiness.
Emily makes some very good points. I guess I fall in the cynic column as well. The video reminded me of a corny advertisement for some type of medication.
While I do see great merit in affirmation of self and meditation, personally this video rubbed me the wrong way. It’s all too idealized and fluffy. While being positive and uplifting is important, it’s also good to take into account this little thing called Reality, in which skydiving off a cliff and world travelling for many of us is not really an option [yet]. Seeing the good in the world is wonderful, but we should be careful not to submerse ourselves in blissful ignorance when it comes to the not-so pleasant issues of life, either.
You can be optimistic without hugging puppies, I assure you. :]
And their ‘money’ video is just appalling!
Personally I have to agree with Scissorhands on the whole self help concept – doesn’t do it for me, especially when cliched images are used such as those in that video. But I suppose it’s a case of if it works for you…
Lou I’m also going into 6th form nest year at a school which has just changed to a dress code similar (although not quite as strict as) yours, so I have also been considering what to wear. Here are some ideas to make your clothes a little more interesting:
- Good tailoring – seriously can’t reccoment this enough, if you have the money, go for one really good suit instead of multiple less expensive ones. If you can’t run to this (sadly nor can I) keep an eye on second-hand shops/ebay for bargains, I recently got a aquascutum suit for £40 second hand and a while before that a Karren Millen waistcoat/trouser set for £20.
- This brings me onto another idea – waistcoats, I don’t know if these are allowed in your dress code but if so an interesting waistcoat really helps to add interest, as does adding in a jumper or cardigan under your jacket for a pop of colour.
- Look for interesting details/shapes in the clothes you buy, for example, perhaps go for trousers with a higher waist and wide leg (super flattering), or a high waisted skirt (also pencil skirts always look unfailingly sheek/sexy) perhaps with braces attached. With shirts (if this is allowed) again you can go for interesting details such as ruffles or a bib-front)
- Accessorise! I know you said you cannot wear jewelery other than earings but you can still look at other accessories. Try wearing a narrow scarf, cravat, or even a tie (in an interesting fabric). Maybe you could look into unusual hoisery too, patterned tights can realy add omph and even just having a seam down your stockings can be really sexy. For sparkle maybe look at broaches or cufflinks which you could probably get away with! Also look at more unusual shoes, there are alot of these on the maket at the moment, but a word of warning : if you go for super-high ones make sure you can walk in them – you won’t be able to a sexy hip swing if you can’t walk!
- Finally, look put together – evenn if you’re just wearing a cheep black polyester suit and white shirt it will look tons better if you have your hair done nicely (this is the time to bring a nice bun or french roll into play) and good makeup (bold or natural is down to you) and most important – you feel confident!
Umm…yeah – just reallised I’ve pretty much written an article here (sorry Gala) but I’ll just finish off by linking you to some ideas I’ve thrown together on polyvore www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=87…
Camilla x
Pretty awesome video, i will upload this to my mp4 player so i can watch it often.
A while a go a friend of mine show me another inspirational video, it’s called Wear Sunscreen, if you haven’t seen it you should, here’s the link : youtube.com/watch?v=xfq_A8nXMs…
All of those statements are so true, but the visuals don’t do it for me. I kind of think I should take the statements and make my own daily powerpoint/video with my own photos & music to make it personalized. I’ve been trying so hard to live consciously lately, and trying to remind myself that I’m in control of my own life.
I think the visual cues mess a little bit with the message here. My life is ups and downs. It’s like climbing up mountains. The pursuit of the current goal is hard and tough and sucks from time to time (also a research these, I feel your pain Emily!) but I can still be positive, purposeful and all that along the way. You don’t need to be on permanent vacation to live like this.
I am reminded of the film The Pursuit of Happyness. Will Smith’s character announces from time to time that this part of his life is called being stupid, or internship, and so on, until he reaches his goal and that part right there is called happiness.
I LOVE The Secret! That clip was beautiful…thanks for sharing this one Gala :)
It’s a great reminder that it’s impossible to feel negative when you are in a state of GRATITUDE.
I just got to work and the first thing i did was check my emails and your site, and watch this video.
Such an incredible way to start the day! Thanks Gala!
I hvaent read The Secret, but i think i might now :)
This one put it all into perspective for me today:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=p86BPM…
thank you for this, afterwards i watched the full video and it’s truly amazing and inspiring
Camilla!
Thankyou so much! That was incredibly helpful.
xx
This was inspiring, not because of the “inspirational messages”, but because I just realized I never think any of those things when I wake up. My first thoughts in the morning are usually “I don’t want to go to class” or “Crap, I only have 45 minutes to get to class….I’m not going to make it!” I probably need an emotional makeover….I wonder if EFT would help (but what on earth would I tap about?).
I quite like the idea of the book, but what came out when they put it as a film was just cheesy.
I’m not one for motivational things at all really. The one thing that does is “to succeed you must know your abc’s” getcrafty.com/blogs.php?user=E…
Mirei — True that. In fact, you can be optimistic without even being very nice! Some of the most successful people I know are hyper-aggressive as well as being optimistic… They would rather kick your ass in a race than sit around chanting (or whatever)!
sora — Yes, of course it would! I’m going to do a post on being happy soon, should answer some of your questions!
Liz — That ABC’s thing is a summary of every motivational tip I’ve ever heard! So maybe you are a fan, but you just don’t like the standard delivery ;D
That made me cry.
I’ve always considered that book to be a bit of a scam, but I’m always willing to change my perspective on something.
Thank you for sharing that video.
I’m afraid I’m also one of the cynics about The Secret. I don’t in any way doubt the power of positive thought, but I don’t appreciate someone repackaging that message into a marketing device and making millions of dollars out of telling people what they already probably know. So with that in the back of my mind, I just found the video kind of tacky, like a clichéed movie trailer. I’d rather start every morning watching a nature documentary; those are truly inspirational, plus I would also learn interesting and important information, which I feel is more constructive than watching a marketing video of The Secret telling me how awesome I am.
Irina – cynical is definitely how I feel about The Secret, and any other ‘self help’ business idea. I tried to ignore the fact that it was essentially an ad for the book and instead concentrate on the message.
I’ve never read the book…but I gather that they are basically saying you can have, achieve or be anything you want, which is an inspirational and nice enough thought in itself, whether or not you need to buy the book to realise it.
Well, maybe being in high school, I just have heard too many “if you can dream it, you can do it!” bs stories. If I dream of being an elf, I wont become an elf, ect.
That video was really nice
i think saying a couple of those words from the video loudly each morning would make the day seem brighter
www.flickr.com/photos/ninjatun…
imagine swimming in this every morning
Liz — High schools are notorious for hammering in that stuff way too hard. It makes it hard to believe when the people who are saying it are often mean or sad people trapped in jobs they don’t like! But there’s more to it than that — it’s not just about words, it’s about taking action. & in my experience, whatever I focus on is what I get more of.
Sent chills down my spine! Tears filled my eyes. I have never felt so inspired.
This was the perfect time in my life to view that. I’ve been really depressed, jealous, insecure and overall unsatisfied with my life. I’ve really hit an all time low. But I’ve been working on it, and after seeing that I feel so empowered.
Thank you SO much, Gala!
Thanks for the inspirational video, Gala! I’ve read the Secret but I haven’t watched the DVD. Instead, I’m thinking of making a slideshow like this one but inserting my own pictures with the captions. I think it will make it even more realistic. =)
What a great video! I have been going thru a tough time for the past few months and have just recently decided that enough was enough! I decided to get over what was bothering me and move on. It’s been great to finally have that huge burden lifted, but once in a while, I’ll feel myself slipping back into the same miserable pit. Watching this video not only pulled me back out of that pit, but boosted me way up over it, too! I think I will have a definite spring in my step in the upcoming days, which will be awesome and much needed, considering how much work I have to catch up with at university. (I’m aiming for straight A’s this semester! Wish me luck! lol) :D
I actually just watched the movie today; it was very refreshing to to mind. Sometimes I go into a slump and forget that I can change it all by simply thinking positively! I just need to remind myself once in a while.
Now I’m focusing on my dream to meet Rory Stewart;D
Oh, and btw, one song I listen to when I feel a bit out of it and depressed, is “Send Me On My Way” by Rusted Root. It’s so happy and carefree; it always makes me feel loads better.
i do something similar..
i listen to “first day of my life” by Brighteyes and it just puts me in a good mood.
That was more of an inspring read that any thing they tell me, thank you.
i lovee that sooong!!! I thought about it while watching the video..
gala, thanks! you always post the exact thing in the exact moment…I kinda needed this
infinite x’s & o’s..
i want a gala up date :(
“it’s about taking action. & in my experience, whatever I focus on is what I get more of.”
That really spoke to me. Even though it sounds so straightforward, sometimes I need someone else to say it for me so that I somehow have this affirmation that it’s true or that someone else believes in it also, and that it works for someone else. Lately I’ve been getting poor grades and I’ve been trying to find ways to change my study habits and I realize I haven’t been focusing on it enough. I’ve been reading Gala Darling too much :P
Oooh lovely. I really liked the images. (I’m all about the cheesy.) I’ve never heard anything about ‘The Secret’ that’s motivated me to actually read it, but this vid was very nice.
OK, I now feel compelled to leave my 2p on The Secret. I have quite a complicated relationship with The Secret. I don’t like how it is marketed, and I don’t like its focus. I do believe, however, that if it can be conceived, it can be achieved (LIZ – hence the reason you won’t become an elf ;-) but I can’t abide the focus on the acquisition of material goods. For such a motivational message, it has such a strong capitalist agenda, that, when I first watched the original TV show, which you can see at www.thesecret.tv/ , I ended up finding the whole thing terribly distasteful. It was only after much thought, that I came to the conclusion that there is value in the message,just not in the way it’s been angled towards the possession-focussed. I actually found Notes From the Universe, which also follows the law of attraction concept, to be far more inspiring, www.tut.com
And I found the book, Write it Down, Make it Happen by Henriette Anne Klauser to be a more palatable, believable take on manifesting your dreams.
Anyway, I seem to have written an epic, so I’ll finish up, but I just wanted to say thank you to Gala for sharing the video clip, and for cultivating such a magnificent readership that engages in issues of positivity and personal development.
I absolutely believe in valuing and appreciating what you have, looking for the positive in things, aiming high, thinking creatively, etc. But the whole package around The Secret gives me the squicks. This article on Salon.com really sums up my unease:
www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2007…
i totally agree with you, amypalko, on the fact that Notes From the Universe is totally more amazing then this!
And no wonder I don’t like “The Secret” (besides the obvious “cheese” factor and all the problems everyone else sees with it mentioned above)...It was featured on Oprah! Blech (she’s just not my cup of tea)! Thanks for that awesome article, Annabel :)
And thank you Gala, for sharing everything you do and your opinions with us…no one is going to agree with someone else all of the time, but you are brave enough to at least put these things out here for us to look at and discuss…xoxox
I have been feeling a lil blue lately but this made my day. Thanks for sharing Gala! :)
I have to agree with amypalko as well, I’m really uncomfortable with the capitalist agenda of The Secret, I know everyone needs to eat but you don’t need to focus your whole life and all your thoughts on money. I also find the whole thing too individualist – encouraging people’s self-absorption. I do subscribe to Notes From The Universe and it has positively affected me, but I am aware that y’know, the rest of the world exists and it’s not all about me.
I did kind of like this video. Some of the phrases are overwhelmingly cheesy, but I didn’t think the music was that bad, although I wouldn’t listen to it again!
The sentiments in the clip are fab but I really, really didn’t like anything else about it (mostly for reasons already covered by other commenters). The great thing however, is that it obviously made a lot of people feel better/stuck a chord – so whatever floats your boat.
If you’d like another spin on Taoism and manifestation (of all kinds) try
www.barefootdoctorworld.com
I have no affiliation with the site but find it to be a little bit of sunshine and reason – the daily emails are lovely and interesting.
www.barefootdoctorworld.com/co…
Thanks for a stimulating discussion – it’s always nice to find people happy to agree to disagree without getting all passive aggressive (or just plain aggressive) :)
That’s incredible! Thank you so much Gala for brightening my day! :)
Gala!
just watched this video by UK band sugababes, totally thought of you and the asthetic you like
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4vJ8Z…
x Charl
Elaine! Thank you! I had forgotten about the Barefoot Doctor! I love him! He did (does?) a column in “Spirit and Destiny” magazine – fairly dire overall pop spirituality magazine that I bought in the first place because I was a teenage witch and kept getting for a couple of years because of his columns and the fashion pages, which were actually really cool because they were themed properly, not just based around a current popular style. I stopped reading it though when they started almost-repeating old articles, and forgot about the BD until now :)
Sarah : Settle down, love! May I gently nudge you towards Gala’s comment policy … (http://www.galadarling.com/static/comenting)
I’m probably a bit late (haha, “a bit” is a huge understatement)~ but I wanted to thank you for posting this video. When I saw it, I cried ~ but because of happiness rather than sadness. The images might be cheesy but all that’s being said is so true. I’ve been damaging myself for far too long (well, the damaging-phase is over but I’ve still got my tics, so you know …) and I should finally start doing all the things in the video.
Thank you so much!~ It doesn’t really seem much, posting a video ~ but I can feel how it changed my perception, if only a little bit ~ it did something. I’m taking little steps but that’s something.
“It made tears run down my face, but that could just be because I have PMS. Haha!” Don’t worry about that, I cried as well and certainly not because of PMS. ;)
xoxo
(And now I’ll go and manicure my nails ~ that’s already something positive!)