Last year ended with a particular presidential candidate (hereafter known as PC) making outrageous comments about immigrants, Muslims and basically anyone that was not an old, white, American, male. There was a flurry of Facebook, internet and Twitter responses decrying his statements. People seem surprised that PC has any support base and that he is miles ahead of GOP presidential candidates in the latest polls. The obvious question becomes how is this happening? How is PC remaining at such a high rate while still saying ridiculous, playground-bully level stuff?
I can hazard a guess: the Law of Attraction.
If you have seen the film The Secret or read the book on which the film is based, you are familiar with this law.
The Law of Attraction comes from New Thought religion, a 19-century philosophical movement founded upon the teachings of Phineas Quimby. Within this New Thought context, the Law of Attraction communicates the basic belief that "like attracts like:" whatever thoughts or behaviors you are focusing on become reality. If you have and focus on negative thoughts, negative outcomes will manifest in your life. If you have and focus on positive thoughts, positive outcomes will appear.
We tend to think: If I concentrate on ridding myself of the thoughts and behaviors I do not want, then those bad things will disappear and the good stuff will have a space. However, if you focus on what you do not want and like attracts like, you will create more of what you do not want because that is what you are giving energy to. To truly get rid of the negative, to attract the things that will transform your current state you have to focus on the positive (even if your current reality is terrible).
If the Law of Attraction dictates that like attracts like, it really should be no surprise that PC has such high poll numbers: He is getting all the attention because we focus on him. He continues spewing terrible things, because we give him attention for it. Every time we comment on him negatively or attempt to show him all the ways in which he is wrong and lacking in compassion, we are helping his negativity grow and flourish.
I don't know about you, but I would rather expend my effort on something worthy of growth.
We can use the Law of Attraction to do just that, and increase the things we claim to want by giving attention to those. Our actions must follow our words and thoughts. If you want less of PC, do not share or comment on articles about PC, do not rail against PC. Instead, focus on the positive things that have nothing to do with him.
In my peace studies class, students give mini-presentations each week on news stories that demonstrate peacebuilding and conflict resolution in action. They are not allowed to present on wars, conflicts, or violence or any kind. They may only bring in articles concerning the steps people are taking to positively change situations in which conflict and tension exist or to actively promote peace. Stories of this nature may not be front-page news but no student has ever had trouble finding something to talk about.
At the end of the semester, I give a little talk about what students can take from the class. This year I added an assignment for them, a daily and life-long assignment: Continue to seek out stories of peacebuilding and conflict resolution, and SHARE THEM on whatever social media outlet they prefer. Attract more of this peacebuilding effort and drown the voices that want turmoil and conflict. Cultivate, develop, and nurture peace in the world. Offer people something positive on which to focus so that positivity can take root and bloom, to offer models and realities of peace and compassion.
Let's try a New Thought experiment.
In 2016, let's act with intention and use the Law of Attraction to cultivate kindness, love, and peace in our everyday world. Refrain from feeding the fire of bigotry, intolerance, and bullying. Reinforce compassion, care, and hospitality.
If there is something you do not want, redirect your focus to the world you want to create and live as though it already exists. Share at least one story each day that offers a vision of a compassionate world. Attend one event a week or a month that reinforces the social roots of love and kindness. Contribute to the daily building of the peaceful and compassionate future you want by making intentional choices about what you will and will not devote energy to.
If we make a concerted, intentional effort now, imagine what stories might we be looking back on at this time next year.