The (non)Power of Positive (or Negative) Thinking

Quite some time ago, a friend of the family gave me a book to read. It is called "The Secret," and is based on a movie by the same name. It sat on my desk for several months, untouched, until last week, when, faced with computer maintenance downtime, I picked it up. I read about 5 pages and then put it back down. I have not opened it since. Until this morning, when I was lying in bed unable to sleep, as happens too often of late. It occurred to me that the reason I had not read more was because it quickly became obvious to me that "The Secret" is otherwise known by too many as "the power of positive thinking." The problem? I don't believe in the power of positive thinking. I don't think I ever have.

I believe that I was a victim of childhood incest by my uncles because someone abused them and they passed it on. This is because there are evil people in the world. I did not (nor did they) "speak" it into existence. Yes, I actually once had a new-ager tell me that I was abused as a 5-year-old because I obviously wanted it that way.

I believe that I have spent the majority of my adult life sick because mankind has caused a blight on the planet, not because I chose it to be so (or, perhaps more accurately, didn't choose it NOT to be so).

I believe that God (or goddess) can heal, but will do so (if so inclined) whether I pray to he/she "believing" it will be done.

Put in other words, I believe in fate. If it's meant to be, it will be. And there's not much I can do to affect the outcome. There are some things I can do, of course. Eat right, exercise, get enough sleep, be kind to others. But speaking to make it so? I think not.

I don't really believe in odds, either. If I buy a lottery ticket, it's either 100% going to win or 100% not going to win. It's predetermined, but not by me (unless of course I choose not to buy it after all).

What do you think?