The secret is out ... on true happiness

The Secret, a 2006 documentary film and bestseller, proposed a simple “Law of Attraction”: think positive thoughts, focus on goals, and your dreams will come true. At best, that philosophy is an oversimplification, although there’s something to be said for the power of self-confidence over the paralysis of self-doubt. At worst, it resembles new age thought or, if you add a drop of holy water, leans toward the “prosperity gospel” touted by certain televangelists.

Now comes a feature film, The Secret: Dare to Dream, aiming to illustrate this principle. Katie Holmes stars as Miranda Wells, a widow with three children who struggles to survive financially. She reluctantly accepts occasional help from boss and boyfriend Tucker (Jerry O’Connell), who could be runner-up in a Pierce Brosnan look-alike contest. As a severe storm approaches, Miranda rear-ends the vehicle of handsome Bray (Josh Lucas), who kindly fixes her fender and later repairs her storm-damaged roof, all while imparting fortune-cookie aphorisms. Romantic complications and conflict ensue, as Bray holds a secret of his own involving Miranda’s late husband.

Although not a Christian film, Dare to Dream relates to keeping faith amid life’s struggles. “I don’t want it to be easy,” Miranda says of her life. “But I want it to be worth it.” We can endure hardships heroically if we see them as having purpose, if we offer them as sacrifice for others or focus on building virtue through them. Something Bray said could apply to prayer: “If you don’t know [what you want], how are you supposed to ask for it?”

That’s a nod to divine providence, and it’s the spirit behind Jesus’ prayer at Gethsemane: “Not my will, but thine, be done” (Lk 22:42) — for aligning our will with God’s is the real secret to happiness.

GERALD KORSON is a Legatus magazine staff writer.