Imagine if anything you could think of would be magically given to you. If you just wished hard enough, all your wishes would come true. That BMW that you always wanted will mysteriously appear at your door step waiting for you to hop in and drive through a world that can sit in the palm of your hand. Sounds too good to be true right?

It is.

If you watched The Secret you’ve been elated by this new realization. Your outlook on life has totally changed and suddenly anything you wanted you can have. And it’s too bad if you’re in a sucky situation, it’s your fault because everything you put out in the universe comes back to you.

Don’t bother feeling sorry for the homeless people who may be mentally ill or have had life throw them a handful of unfortunate events that have eventually taken the roof over their heads. It’s their own fault. If they wish hard enough and are grateful for their cardboard box, a home will be given to them by the universe.

The Secret is a ridiculous documentary that takes basic common sense to an illogical extreme. Common sense: if you want something, focus on it, work hard for it, and get it. I’ve known this forever, most people do. It’s something you’ve been taught since you were in preschool. It’s not a secret.

But The Secret adds a step of nonsense: 1) ask for what you want, 2) think about what you want, 3) pretend you have it and, 4) watch it show up at your doorstep.

As I was watching this movie I felt superficial and selfish. People should not waste their time wishing for that brand new BMW. If the Secret actually worked, people should spend their time wishing for world peace and things that actually matter. Instead, the movie featured about five minutes on wishing for world peace and about 45 minutes were focused on getting rich quick.

How can the universe cater to someone in a developing country when there’s nothing of abundance to be served? How can the people living in Sudan hope and wish for food and have it appear as a gift from “the universe” when they’re suffering from a drought?

People want to believe that there’s some order in the universe and that people always get what they deserve and The Secret is just a way to make people feel safe. But the truth is the world isn’t fair and good people don’t always have good things happen to them. Bad people don’t always pay for their actions in the end. The world can’t be explained by a law of attraction.

Don’t get me wrong. When I first watched The Secret I totally believed it. I really wanted a Jeep so I did all the steps. I asked for it, I wished for it, I pretended I had one, I thanked the universe for it, I even put a picture of one in my room. I still drive a 1997 Ford Station wagon.