"The Magic" is a self-help book written by Rhonda Byrne, an Australian author. It is the third book in the famous "The Secret" series. Released in 2012, "The Magic" focuses on gratitude and the power it holds in transforming one's life. The book begins by explaining the importance of gratitude and how it can shape our reality. It highlights the idea that when we express gratitude, we attract more positive experiences into our lives. Byrne encourages readers to incorporate gratitude into their daily routine, making it a habit.
Byrne encourages readers to incorporate gratitude into their daily routine, making it a habit. Throughout the book, Byrne provides various exercises and practices that readers can follow to cultivate gratitude. These exercises range from making a gratitude list and creating a gratitude rock to saying thank you for specific aspects of everyday life.
Lessons from Glinda the Good Witch
Yesterday I read something on Facebook that was not about me. Shocker, I know. How could it be!? Seriously, though, it had NOTHING to do with me but still it found a fissure in some obscure strata of my heart and wormed its way in. It found a weak spot; an unexplored space and I felt suddenly bound to it; unable to disentangle myself.
I’m not sure I can adequately explain what caused it but I can explain how it made me feel. I felt like I was on the outside looking in through the glass at the cool kids. I felt uninteresting. Unpopular. UN. I felt un-. As a writer and by extension as a person.
I was sort of surprised by my feelings. I have insecurities like anybody else but mostly I think they’re in check. They bubble to the surface from time to time but I usually think of my emotional health and sense of “self-worth” as good to go. I’ve been through some arduous counseling and spent years working on being “ok being me.”
After wrestling with it for most of the day, I turned to poetry. Of course. Doesn’t everybody? I googled “poems about feeling lame” and other awesomely depressing search terms but didn’t find much so I tried writing my own.
admiration un-bequeathed
perceived grandeur brought low
again
comparison-wrought
contempt and
illusions of scarcity
unseen
i am
insignificant
small
After listening to that Seth Godin podcast and reading his book, Jason and I declared 2015 to be the year for risking failure. We both find ourselves at a crossroads professionally and we want to dare greatly, both personally and professionally. Doesn’t that sound grand? It’s all so inspiring and “chase your bliss” and whatever, right? It is until you actually fail. Which, as a writer, I’m discovering happens a LOT.
Anne Lamott says that,
. “…if something inside of you is real, we will probably find it interesting, and it will probably be universal. So you must risk placing real emotion at the center of your work. Write straight into the emotional center of things. Write toward vulnerability. Risk being unliked. Tell the truth as you understand it. If you’re a writer you have a moral obligation to do this. And it is a revolutionary act –truth is always subversive.”
This has been my mantra for more than a year now as a writer but, interestingly enough, it isn’t actually all that fun! It turns out being vulnerable and unliked aren’t at the top of my “favorite things” list. I’ve been trying to figure out if I need a thicker skin or if this feeling of discomfort just goes with the territory. Either way, I spent some time last night meditating on a word art meditation I made a couple months ago.
When threatened by the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz, Glinda the Good Witch responds by saying, “You have no power here! Begone!” One of the speakers mentioned it at the Oprah event last Fall and I worked on a rendering of it afterwards.
Brené Brown carries a piece of paper in her wallet that has written on it the names of people whose opinions of her matter. I think I might make my own list tonight lest the feelings that surfaced yesterday start to fester; lest I start to mistake the projected opinions of people utterly unconnected to me for the ones that actually matter. And to scarcity, comparison and insignificance, I say with Glinda, y ou have no power here .
Before they went to see Glinda, however, they were taken to a room of the Castle, where Dorothy washed her face and combed her hair, and the Lion shook the dust out of his mane, and the Scarecrow patted himself into his best shape, and the Woodman polished his tin and oiled his joints.
Byrne emphasizes the principle that gratitude not only has the power to change our present circumstances but also has the ability to shape our future experiences. She argues that a grateful mindset attracts more desirable circumstances, fostering happiness and abundance. "The Magic" also delves into the concept of gratitude in relationships, health, money, work, and personal development. It explores how expressing gratitude in these areas can transform and enhance them. The book presents real-life stories of individuals who have embraced gratitude and experienced remarkable transformations in their lives. These stories serve as inspirations and further illustrate the power of gratitude. Rhonda Byrne's writing style in "The Magic" is persuasive and motivational. She skillfully combines spiritual concepts with practical suggestions, making it accessible to readers from various backgrounds. The book ultimately serves as a guide, helping individuals discover the life-changing potential of gratitude. Overall, "The Magic" is a captivating read for those who wish to shift their mindset and cultivate a grateful perspective. It offers practical techniques and insights to bring about positive change in one's life. By emphasizing the power of gratitude, Rhonda Byrne encourages readers to tap into their inner magic and create a life filled with abundance, joy, and fulfillment..
Reviews for "The Magic: Unlocking the Key to Abundance and Success by Rhonda Byrne"
1. John - 1 star
I found "The Magic Rhonda Byren" to be nothing more than a rehash of generic self-help advice and pseudoscience. The author claims that positive thinking and the law of attraction can magically manifest anything you desire in life. However, I found this to be nothing more than wishful thinking and unrealistic expectations. The book lacks any scientific evidence or practical strategies to support its claims. I was left feeling disappointed and misled by the book's empty promises.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
"The Magic Rhonda Byren" was a letdown for me. The book is filled with vague and repetitive statements that fail to offer any real guidance or actionable advice. It felt like a collection of inspirational quotes rather than a coherent and practical self-help book. I was expecting something more insightful and enlightening, but instead, I found myself rolling my eyes at the simplistic nature of the content. Overall, it was a disappointing read that didn't live up to its hype.
3. Daniel - 2 stars
I can't say that "The Magic Rhonda Byren" had a positive impact on my life. The book relies heavily on the idea of the law of attraction, which suggests that simply thinking positively will attract positive experiences. While I understand the power of positive thinking, the book fails to address the fact that life is full of ups and downs and that mindset alone cannot dictate our circumstances. I found the book to be overly simplistic and lacking in practical advice. It left me feeling unsatisfied and unconvinced by its teachings.