There is some contradictory ideas about how much influence we can have on others. You will find a great deal of discussion about this on the site theabeforum.com Some contend that we every person is on their own path, and we have no right to and no business what so ever in attempting or even wanting to influence that path. However, I do feel strongly that our thoughts about others does have an influence. I also believe that others are indeed on their own path, creating the experiences that are the foremost ones in their thoughts, and they do have the singular right to create without interferance, I have concluded that the best way to be of help to others is to hold them in our thoughts with respect and love, wishing always for them, that which is best for them. While it is true that we cannot create in the experience of others, we can send positive love, support and energy to them. Nothing we wish for them will materialize if they are not in the vibrational place to recieve it. But, our love and support and our positive energy will be felt by them and help move them to a place where they are willing to recieve. Here is a meditation to use to support a loved and help them to feel the peace, calm and love that is really what we want for them anyway. Picture youself and being the source of a pink glowing light (love). See that light beaming out from your core and surrounding that person in a glowing aura of pink light. I have done that with a person I was estranged from, and was longing to see that person's little girl. Within 24 hours, that woman drove into my driveway and sent her little girl into my house to give me hug and tell me she loved me. It was totally unexpected and had never happened before. The little girl only stayed a minute before her mother called out to her and she had to leave. What else could have called to the woman to stop by my house (which she had not done in at least a year) and give her daughter permission to speak to me? Nothing except the pure light of love that she felt drawing them to me. Sandra F

The Secret, for me, is a continuum, and/or secondary, to my growth as a Christian: loving, caring, giving; being my brother's keeper, etc. So, hearing people say 'I'll wish the other person well, or hold them in my prayers, or ....." seems too passive for me. My guide, Jesus, actually helped people by the side of the road; healed people; fed people and so much more. My guide, the Bible, tells me it is a sin to see a man on the side of the road and not help him. I think many people do not understand what a lack of 'hope' can do for a person in need. Ironic that Obama is making such an issue of it, but it is true. You who have, try to live YOUR life one or more days WITHOUT hope, and see how you feel about someone reaching in to help you then! I have been blessed, my entire life, with love, hope, gifts, blessing, and the secret. None have ever failed me and I try to use them each, wisely, each day. But, it is an ACTIVE job, not passive, to share ALL of the secrets. Taking the easy, mental way out is the solution to the secret for YOU. But, the REAL secret is to learn to 'give' it to others! TOO much 'all about me' continues. I hope we get past it soon, as the world needs us to 'give' of ourselves to help, not just to get 'well' ourselves and thrive.

Positive thoughts are much like a virus, infectious. Not only do they infect us physically and mentally, they run their course through those we connect with, crossing from one host to the next. I had a friend who was an avid runner. She shared her life with a beautiful German Shepherd who ran with her daily. I moved to another city and had occasional contact with my friend. One night I dreamed my friend and I were running through a wooded area. Since I was not a runner, I lagged behind. As I was rounding a corner, I saw the muzzle of a dog sticking above the ground. The rest of the dog was buried. I knew that it was her dog. I cried out for my friend to help me save the dog. My friend stopped, calmly looked my way and said "it's ok, come on". I woke up and felt the urge to breathe a prayer for both of them. The next morning my friend called me. She told me that she had made the crucial decision to have her dog put to rest due to a painful hip degeneration that had finally crippled her, making it impossible for her to even stand. I shared my dream with her. She told me she had been thinking of me as well and that she felt my thoughts and was comforted. See, we spin on this wee ball in space. We spin with each other, with each remarkable creature and creation amongst a universe of which we cannot begin to comprehend its span. We are spiritual beings with spiritual abilities. I take seriously the thoughts, the prayers I send out into the universe. I know how they have affected others, as well as how I have been affected by another's thoughts, prayers. I have been both a transmitter and a receiver. Listen to those gentle nudges. Pay attention. You have nothing to lose. We journey together. That is the way it was meant to be.