Fussy Teaches Oprah The Real Secret

My old friend Oprah brought back her favorite book, The Secret, yesterday. This time she brought some wonderful women with her, too! I actually really liked all of them, despite the silliness of ~insert mystical music here~ The Secret.

They all talked about what the book meant to them. Yadda, yadda, yadda. I gave this part of the show 3 stars out of 5 only because I like Martha Beck.

Old time guru, Louise Such&such, wrote the classic self-help book, You Can Heal Your Life, 24 years ago. She was on the show because a movie is being made from her book. This chick is 81 and she has a more exciting life than me! ~note to self: Fussy, get a life!~

So the whole deal about the secret is it is old fashioned common sense. Remember Norman Vincent Peale's classic? If you haven't read it, go do it, seriously.

It's a little of this....

and some new-agey weird stuff....

and then some cheesy affirmations...

There ya have it- Fussy's scoop on ~insert mystical music here~ The Secret.

Wait...

Hmmm, makes me think of the the real secret text...

"For as he thinks in his heart, so he is" -Proverbs 23:7 (NLV)

Sound familiar? Think positive thoughts and you will materialize them.

"Pleasing words are like honey. They are sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." -Proverbs 16:24 (NLV)

Hmmm...speak positive words (stop the cycle of negativity)  and it will change your life.

Now the real secret was never any secret at all, was it?

If you want more of the real secret go read this and then read this.

Love, Fussy

~Don't forget we are 'Fighting the Frump with Fussy' tomorrow. Get your posts ready!~

Comments

[Andrea]

Hi Fussy...don't think I've ever commented before, but this post is, perfect!! Mwah!!! The right blend of your humor, captions on pictures AND some really great truth!! The only thing missing was your head pasted in somewhere. :-)

Thanks so much. Love your blogs!

[Andrea]

Wow, am I the FIRST one??? I knew there was a reason I got up early!!

[Nancy]

Yep, you nailed it.

"The Secret" is the 2000's answer to "The Power of Positive Thinking" which was riding the coat tails, in part, to "The Bible" ('cuz some peeps don't read the good book)

But however the message of truth gets out there is fine by me =)

[Sister Honey Bunch]

Fussy, how I adore thee.

I have a couple friends who live by "The Secret". Umm...it's all in the Bible, Dude. (I loves me some Norman VP too!)

[Robin in New Jersey]

What a fun post. Love the old folks in the tie dye!

[Alli ~Mrs. Fussypants]

Thanks so much, Friends of Fussy, I'm so happy that you liked it!

Sorry for the lack of poorly done Fussy head placement! ;)

Love you all!

[amy]

FANTASTIC POST! Fussy you are a genius. I love ya!

[John Curtis]

The Secret is the latest and by far the worst example of a HIGHLY profitable trend where self-help gurus with fabricated new age titles and little relevant education, credentials or legitimate expertise brainwash us into believing that they know what is best for us, our marriages and our families.

Often their only contribution to society is introducing some exotic sounding, new age philosophy. However, they often cleverly form an incestuous group of like-minded “experts” who cross-promote each other by swearing their success is due to following the beliefs of another member of their “cult!” All the while, they ply the airwaves jockeying for an ever-larger audience by appearing in the national media to garner third-party endorsements.

The Self-Help Movement has become the Self-Destruct Movement by diminishing or destroying our critical thinking skills to choose and evolve on our own. We have given up the freedom to build healthy lives, marriages and families based on our unique history and life experience. Instead many victims, blinded to the value of their own life experiences, are attracted to the latest secret in self-help, in an attempt to find out what they should think, feel and how they should act... this is the definition of a cult.

The solution is a return to our (common) senses! The best way out of this learned “self-helplessness” is to go cold turkey. Stop following ALL self-help gurus now. Begin, instead, to reclaim your natural, God-given ability to think for yourself. The common sense that was once readily available to all of us is still there free of charge and waiting to be applied to just about any challenge we might face in life… all you have to do is use it.

Please, let's all work together to stop the flock of "sheepeople" who blindly move from one UNPROVEN concept to the next, looking for the answers to life's challenges that you already possess and that is the OBVIOUS!

[Karen]

Amen, girl! It's all about thinking things that are honest and pure. (So I probably shouldn't change diapers.)

And I dont' think hippie dude is wearing pants. ACK! My virgin eyes!

[Hydes Like Us]

Ack! It's going to take some major focused positive thoughts to get the image of pantless hippie out of my head. I'll probably end up attracted one of my own...

:)

[Alli ~Mrs. Fussypants]

I had to post the pants-free Hippee Dude!
hee, hee....

[Beth]

I was thinking the exact same thing while watching yesterdays Tivo'd Oprah at 1:00 am this morning. Gotta love Tivo!

I'm new to your blog and love it!

[slow Panic]

my first comment on your blog - i love it. this was great.

[Queen of Shake Shake]

(whispers quietly)

I don't think the Secret has it right either.

Let's not confuse New Age with New Thought. But truly, nothing is new and time isn't real so there's no NEW thought, no new AGE.

(whispers more quietly)

I confess, I often wonder if we *think* too much, positive and/or negative, and perhaps we should *feel* more. Feeling whatever we feel w/o judging it as positive or negative, then release it. No more trying to guide our thoughts one way or another.

(says in normal tone of voice)

The Self-Help book industry really makes my butt want to suck a sour lemon.

[Regina]

wow. I woke up in an incredible funk and this is just what I needed to read. No, not the part about what a crock the "secret" is, but the Bible articles you linked to! OMG, we actually have some control in the process of becoming better people? who'da thunk? Thanks for the awesome kicker! And hippie dude.. hmm... I think I saw him on the beach yesterday! Don't worry, he had a tie-dyed speedo on :P

[Marilyn]

I always thought the same thing about "The Secret". Sounds like it'd only be a secret for anyone who hasn't read the bible, I guess!

That hippie dude kinda freaks me out, man.

[Valarie in AL]

Amen, Sister! Thats exactly what I was thinking yesterday here at work, while I watched Oprah. They are saying what the Bible says,but they are leaving out God. They want us to be our own god. God ain't gonna like that. Read the Bible, everything you need to know is there. Thanks for the links.

[Jennifer's luvin' Fussy]

At the first picture I was laughing the scribbled out name with yours underneath got me going. I love coming over here, have I mentioned that?

The Bible is truly our "guidebook to life" I'm actually teaching a ladies Bible study tonight on that very topic. Many people try to push substitutes on us but there is no out doing God and Jesus Christ.

[HRH]

I am hoping you are addressing the old guru's shirt/toga/mumu thing with the BIG RED SPOT on it in tomorrow's fightin' the frump. I couldn't stop "meditating" on her chest...it was awful.

[jenni]

(Ecclesiastes 1:9-14 NIV) What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.

[Dre the Texican]

Fussy...

I had to update my name because I guess my mother picked a name for me that someone else has, even on these comments. We need to have a little talk about that.

Anyway, thank you HRH for pointing out that red spot. I went back to look at it. Before I read your comment, I thought she was holding a pillow and was wondering if that was part of the secret. We have a lot of red pillows, so I thought maybe if I held one real tight all day as I ate bon bons and painted my nails my life might turn happy!

Now I gotta go get a shirt with a ginormous red dot on it! Dang!

[Dawn]

bwah haha @Jenni :) Even the Bible knew that big hair and neon would come back around!

[graceunderautism]

we were talking about this a little in Ladies Bible class last night....and the ridiculous people on Oprah. thanks for the scripture refrences, I'm going to take this back to my friends.

[Melody]

Well said! Amazing - we could forgo all the expensive books, and such and just listen to Him.

I'm SO glad you brought it up.
Melody

[Beck]

That's creepy! A friend of mine was just over and we were MAKING FUN OF THE SECRET! Mocking the Secret - the gift that keeps on giving. ANd someone should give the old hippy dude some pants.

[Alli ~Mrs. Fussypants]

I'm so pleased that y'all liked it!

Yeah, that big red spot. A big Fussy Fashion No-No!

LOL at Dawn!

Graceunderautism- I'd be honored. Thanks!

[Heather]

Great post, Fussy! I love what Marilyn about it being a secret only to those who haven't read the Bible.

Why do we humans try to complicate things? God gave us a manual already! Let's get back to basics and read the Bible!

[Alicia]

You are just what the doctor ordered today! Ditto from me to everyone else's remarks; funny and relevant. I love Fussy! I will check out the bible study links more when the kiddos are in bed. Thank you for being you!

[Shelly]

Oh Fussy! You beat me to it, only you did it so much better than I would have.
Thank You Thank You.
I've refused to read "The Secret" because of all the new age hype, but my sister says she's gonna make me. She knows I've been livin' the secret my whole life but she says I have to read it anyway. I told her I wasn't gonna buy the book, so she's waiting for hers to come back from somebody who rreally nnneeeds it. The I guess I have to read it. Whatevah.

[Mackenzie's Momma]

ugh oprah makes me gag a little. I am so looking forward to my frump fighting post for tommorow i got a kickin' thing i love to share(i love 'em!)

[Autumn Fares]

I love me some Oprah, but I don't think I'd ever read another book she recommend. She's a salemans dream! They want to promote cukoo motivational something-or-another, and they give the big O a call. I flipped through that book at Target and it .. well, kinda sounded like pretty much every other motivation thing out there.

I'm going to Chicago in March though, I hope I can go give Opie by loves!!

[Loralee]

The Secret Hype makes me want to stick a fork in my eye.

You nailed it.

[Philly]

Oprah makes me gag alot !!!

[Devilish Southern Belle]

Cheesy as it is, I can concur....I've been visualizing what I want (and getting it, for the most part) for years and years before I ever knew anything about 'The Secret'. I've read it, though. It's a good read, and inspiring at least.

But yeah, everything old is new again, and all that.....it'll be recycled again under a different guise in a few years!

[Blogversary]

Yep you nailed to pretty good.

It is all that old Gnositicism coming back and rearing its ugly head.

That whole notion of separating the people who "get it" from the people who don't. It is total class separation of the elites from the non elites.

Christ's message was for everyone and he made himself the poorest of poor.

When one continues to focus on the self it is losing battle. Once you achieve this higher being then what??

Where is the gospel message? Where is the fact that we are born sinners and need forgiveness? That is how we become a new person.

[Rachel]

I'm with you 100% I've been thinking the same thing all along :-)

[Becca]

"Every good and perfect thing comes from the Lord"
Way-to-say-it-sister!

[Beachmom]

ooohhhh! I knew I liked you! Great post ... and great blog (I have been giggling with you for a while!)
Thanks

[Redneck Mommy]

I think I'll skip the book "The Secret" and just stick with my bible.

[Karla ~ Looking Towards Heaven]

wonderful wonderful wonderful!

[Jennifer]

One time, a girl who was doing my manicure (I was a captive audience, obviously, since I couldn't go anywhere) was explaining to me her enthusiasm about The Secret. She offered up this example: If you drive to a store and think, "I'll get a good parking spot close to the store," then you WILL get a good parking spot close to the store. I didn't want to argue too stridently, since I wanted pretty nails, but I had to speak up.

I said, "But what if EVERYONE thinks that at the same time?"

"It will still work!" she answered.

Because there are just that many good parking spaces. I gave up. I was the only captive audience, apparently.

The premise of the book is BS. Sorry, but it is, and very materialistic, too. Shame on Oprah, who has so much money and power, for endorsing a book like this.

I'm not saying we can't influence our own lives for the good, but there's no secret to it.

[Lizzi]

That was perfect! I thought the same thing when Mr Dizzi and I saw the movie of The Secret! I kept waiting for the big AHA moment, and at the end Mr Dizzi and I just looked at eachother like "nothing new there!"

[Julie @ A Joyful Life]

Hi Fussy,
I'm a first-time visitor to your blog and I must say that your place is just delightful!

I Praise GOD that you are combating Oprah's misguided "Secret" crapola. I just got disgusted, turned off the TV, and folded my laundry in delightful silence.

You go, girl!

[lylah ledner]

Great post. Too funny. Loved the ending reality. Keep up the good work.

[Philly]

I watched Maury Povich instead

[Rhoda]

Hey! I've been by before but never left a message. Totally agree with you on the Secret. When I saw it last year on Oprah for the first time, I was appalled. I'm sure there are lots of Christians who have fallen for this hype hook, line & sinker. Good for you for tellin it like it is! O is leading people down the wrong road!

Rhoda

[Ruthann]

Bravo! You go girl!! My sentiments exactly! I am praying for Oprah, she needs to know the truth of the Gospel. Hey, I just found your blog and I love it! You have spunk! Keep up the fun and the truth!
Ruthann
Warm Pie, Happy Home

[The Nester]

I thought everything you said in your post when I watched that show.

Except when I thought it, it was not as funny, or as cute, or as creative, and I didn't know the exact verse, and I didn't make myself laugh out loud.

I'm glad I don't have to think anymore. I can just come on over here. Thank you.

[melody is slurping life]

Fussy speaks the truth. :)

[miz B]

I'm afraid the two can't go together.
God and the Secret.

Either God is in control or we are in control.

God numbers our days.

I think the secret is a big fat lie and secular humanism at it's finest.

It breaks my heart because I have a sister who is a follower of Landmark/the secret/secular humanism.....

She know about Jesus.... (like Oprah) but instead makes herself a God and follows this seemingly helpful.....crap.

Tanks for adding the Bible references. May it open just one person's eyes to the Lie.

Sorry so serious.

Donna