Paul Harrington - The Secret to Teen Power

NOTE TO READERS

This book contains the opinions and ideas of its author. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subjects addressed in the publication; it is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any health disorder or other serious personal issue, nor is it guaranteeing any particular results. This book is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering medical, health, or any other kind of personal professional services in the book, and the reader should consult with such person(s) before adopting any of the suggestions in this book or drawing inferences from it. The author and publisher specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book.

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Childrens Publishing Division

1230 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, NY 10020
www.SimonandSchuster.com

First Simon Pulse hardcover edition
September 2009

Copyright 2009 Creste LLC.

THE SECRET text mark and THE SECRET logo are trademarks of Creste LLC.

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

SIMON PULSE and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales at 1-866-506-1949 or business@simonandschuster.com.

Book design by Gozer Studio (Australia), www.gozer.com.au, directed by The Secret.

www.thesecret.tv

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Control Number 2009932594

ISBN 978-1-4169-9498-5

ISBN 978-1-4169-9499-2 (eBook)

TS0159TTP_USBK09

What this power is, I cannot say.
All I know is that it exists.

Alexander Graham Bell - inventor

This is the dullsville section where the author gets all gracious and thankful and maybe even a little self-indulgent

Hello?

Are you still there?

Anyhow, since so many people totally deserve honest and heartfelt thanks for their contributions to this book, Im going to push on regardless of whether or not anyone is still reading.

First of all, I want to thank Ross McNair, who was my co-conspirator, my creative sounding board, and my rock through the early stages of this project. Not only that, but you gave so many thoughts and ideas and insights and turns of phrase, particularly relating to money, health, relationships, and the world. You are a great teacher and a great friend, and I thank you.

To Colin Lee from Shift International for inspiring and cajoling me in the first place. In THE SECRET , we highlight the importance of ASK, BELIEVE, and RECEIVE. Well, it was Colin who asked for this book. He truly believed in the need for a SECRET book for teens, and so I thank him for his enthusiastic encouragement.

To Jim Stynes, who gave so freely of his time and wisdom. Like Colin, Jims organization, Reach, provides the most inspiring programs to help teenagers realize their potential and achieve their dreams. And there is no more inspiring leader and dreamer (and a gentleman to boot) than Big Jim.

To Jan Child, who has championed this project through to publication. Alongside her invaluable advice and brilliant creative contributions, Jan really stuck her neck out for me, and that is something I will always remember and cherish.

To the many story writers who contributed their own personal stories: this book is a lasting record of your courage, honesty, and willingness to give and to teach others all you have learned. I offer you all my most humble gratitude. Included among these: Rachael, Shiri, Michael, Michael, Elizabeth, Tien, Asher, Cassie, Jason, Shannon, Sam, Penelope, Yoshimitsu, KC, and Janice from Northwood University.

To Daniel Kerr, who clearly missed his calling as a private investigator. Your work in gathering and tracking down all the stories that appear throughout the book was simply marvelous.

To Skye Byrne for living THE SECRET every day, for your expert knowledge and advice, and for sensitively turning this book inside out as required.

To my outstanding creative design team, Cameron Boyle and Nic George. Your bold cover artwork and sensitive and insightful page designs have taken this book to a whole different level. You guys rock.

To the team at Gozer Studio Shamus Hoare, James Armstrong, and Luke Donovan for the outstanding layout and graphic design, all done in record time. And might I add, Carn the Roos! Best football team in the entire world. (Hey, I did warn you that this would be self-indulgent!)

Many, many thanks to the team at Simon & Schuster: Darlene DeLillo, Dan Potash, Katherine Devendorf, Carolyn Reidy, Judith Curr, and most especially, Bethany Buck, whose velvet sledgehammer style of strong-willed yet sensitive book editing is so perfectly suited to bring out the best in this writer.

To my great friend Glenda Bell for coming aboard a year ago and quite literally keeping the wolves from the door. If it werent for your tremendous support and dedication, I doubt I would have had the chance to finish this.

To Jessie Oldfield, Tim Patterson, and Damian Corboy, whose notes, suggestions, horrendous puns, and provocative conversations acted variously as my hand brake and my throttle, allowing me to keep it real. Cheers for that; it is so very much appreciated.

To Declan Keir-Saks, a teenage Aussie in LA, whose editorial notes ensured I stayed on track and didnt get too far ahead of myself. Thank you.

To the Chicago suits, Bob Rainone and Don Zyck, in fact not just suits but more like our very own Secret Blues Brothers, whose one-track mission from God appears to be to take our wild ideas and deliver them to the world.

To Mike Gardiner and all his compadres taking care of THE SECRET Im happy to say that you can handle the truth! Thank you for keeping the dream alive.

To THE SECRET team members: Andrea Keir, Josh Gold, Raph Kilpatrick, Hayley Byrne, Laura Jensen, and Chye Lee; the Chicago crew: Danielle Likvan, Sibel Rainone, Andi Roeder, Lori Sharapov, Susan Seah, Kyle Koch, and Mindy Hankinson; and the website warriors: Mark OConnor, John Herren, and Jimmy Palmer thank you all for your tireless support, suggestions, and encouragement.

To my family, Megan and Paige, thank you so much for believing in me and telling me that Im cool, even when Im wearing a purple velvet suit. And to Asher, my teenage inspiration and the specific reason this book was written. I dedicate this to you and thank you for your comments and advice, and especially for not telling me that Im totally lame. Well, not every day, at least. I hope more than anything that through this book, you come to believe in your dreams.

And, of course, to Rhonda Byrne, my boss, my mentor, and my best friend thank you, thank you, thank you for trusting in me, for believing in me, and for inviting me on this wondrous journey. Your boundless generosity and spirit continue to inspire me and light up the path. It goes without saying that there could be no Secret to Teen Power without THE SECRET in the first place, and I especially thank you for sharing that SECRET , not just with me, but with the entire world. You once gave me a book, and it changed my life. I now offer you this book in return. Its not Wallace Wattles, but it comes with all of my heart.