The Opulence Story

One day many years ago, a young man named David sat at his desk in a state of despair. You see, David wanted to be rich. But despite everything he tried, David always ended up broke. David did try everything: he mowed lawns, repaired bicycles, worked at a restaurant, sold cars, fixed lawnmowers, worked at retail stores, went to college, and worked as a professional designer. Then David tried real estate, sales, telemarketing, and the 900 number industry. He even started several businesses.

David bought countless get-power books & get-ahead tapes, and he attended numerous get-wealthy seminars. He even bought every get-rich-quick scheme available to him. Yet after years of study and hard work, David was flat broke, thousands of dollars in debt, and without any prospects for success or fulfillment. Within a year, David lost essentially everything he had. He lost his job, income, car, one-room studio apartment, TV, and VCR. Then, David's family members started dying. He felt lost and hopeless.

On his desk sat unpaid bills, a threat letter from the tax department, and a collection letter from a finance company. David put his elbows on this pile of papers and supported his head with his hands. He sighed and wondered how he could break out of this dilemma. He realized that all he had left was a couple appliances. David thought he should sell them to keep the creditors away for another month. He was wondering how much his phone was worth when it began to ring. David figured it was another collection agency calling for money. He thought about disguising his voice and saying he no longer lived here.

He picked up the phone and said hello. The voice at the other end was much different than anything he had ever heard. The voice said in a rich, soothing manner, "Is David there?"

David immediately said, "Who's calling?"

The voice said, "My name is Lisa. I am looking for David who designed the landscape for the yacht club. Is he here?"

"Yes," David said, "I designed that landscape. How did you know and why are you calling?"

"Well, David," Lisa replied, "I really like that landscape. I asked the owner of the yacht club who designed it, and he gave me your name. I want you to design the landscape for my new home."

David replied, "I designed that landscape years ago. I'm no longer designing landscapes. I'm involved in other business ventures."

Lisa said, "Are you making any money at what you're doing?"

"No," David replied in a somewhat depressed manner.

"Well, if you design the landscape for my house, I'll pay you cash." David needed the money to pay off creditors. He accepted the offer. Lisa asked David to meet her at the yacht club the next morning.

David rode his old bicycle to the yacht club the next morning. He went inside and a waiter greeted him. The waiter asked David if he had a reservation. David said no; he had come to meet a lady named Lisa. The waiter froze momentarily and his eyes blinked several times. Without saying a word, the waiter turned around and walked into the dining room. David followed. When the waiter arrived at a round table, he stopped, bowed, and then left. Standing in front of the table, David watched the waiter disappear into the crowd.

Then David heard a rich, warm voice talking to him. He turned around and saw an amazing lady sitting at the table. She had flowing, golden hair. Her green eyes were like polished emeralds. Her face and body looked as if they were sculpted by a master artist. Her clothes wrapped her body perfectly, accentuating her natural beauty. She even smelled wonderful. She looked into David's eyes and said, "You must be David. I'm Lisa. I've been wanting to meet you."

Lisa was different than anyone David had ever met. She seemed to cast a spell over David. When she stared at David, he felt as if the Earth continued to spin on its axis, but he stopped moving. As a result, David felt as if he was going to fall over sideways. Quickly, David reached for the chair and landed in it.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lisa," David replied, "What would you like me to design for you?"

"Well," Lisa said, "Will you create a landscape design for my summer home? I have just built a house overlooking the water, but it desperately needs landscaping. I think you'll understand what I'm talking about if you look at my property. Do you need to see it?"

"Yes," David replied, "I also need to see your property plans."

The two of them had breakfast at the yacht club. Upon finishing breakfast, they decided to go see Lisa's property. They left the yacht club and walked toward the boat dock.

David told Lisa that they were heading in the wrong direction; the parking lot was in the opposite direction. Lisa said that they would sail on her yacht to get to her property. This was the only way to get to her summer home; it was on a private island.

While on the boat dock, David found himself confronting a huge yacht. They both climbed aboard. The vessel began sailing down the river within a few minutes. The sky was blue, the sun was shinning bright, and there was a mild breeze coming off the water. Lisa sat on a bench across from David.

She began to look at him and then said, "Is there something wrong? Are you all right, David?"

"I've never met anyone like you. There's something about you that makes you different from all the other women I know. But I don't know what it is," replied David.

"Oh, I'm sure you'll find out sooner or later. Hey, look over there. There's my house. Use these binoculars to see my house at the top of the island," Lisa said.

When they reached the island, David climbed out of the boat and onto the dock. Lisa followed. They both walked onto the island. They stood at the bottom of an immense staircase. Lisa and David began climbing the staircase.

After several minutes, they reached the top. A magnificent new summer home sat at the top of the island. The house was huge, and it had a fabulous deck that overlooked the water. The property also had a pool, a tennis court, and a helicopter pad. However, Lisa was right; her property desperately needed landscaping.

David surveyed the property and the surrounding views. When he looked south, David could see the mainland. But when he looked north, he saw nothing but a blue sky and a blue lake. The scene was soothing. David felt as if he was in paradise.

Lisa said, "Come on, David. Let's go inside. I'll show you around and then we could talk about the landscape."

"Okay," David replied. They both walked to the front door and entered the house.

David remained quiet for a couple minutes. He was thinking about what he was experiencing. First, he meets an amazing lady. Then he is in her secluded paradise home. Just who is this amazing lady? And, how in the world did she acquire such a fabulous home?

Then Lisa asked him, "You look puzzled, David. Is there something you want to ask me?"

"I don't understand any of this," David said, "Something is going on here, but I just don't know what it is. You're different from anyone I've ever met. Who are you and why are you so prosperous?"

Lisa turned away from David and walked into the hallway. Then she disappeared for a few moments and reappeared with some papers in her hand. Lisa spoke.

"You came here to survey my property so you could produce a landscape design. Right?" Lisa asserted.

"Right," David responded.

"Well then, here are the property plans you requested," Lisa said, "You'll also find a list of plants that I like. This is all the material you'll need to complete your work. You don't need any other information, do you?"

David thought for a moment and announced, "You're right, Lisa. But I'm baffled by one thing. I've tried everything to get ahead in life. I've read all the success books. I've listened to all the success tapes. I've watched all the success videos. I've attended all the success seminars. I've tried all the get-rich-quick schemes. I've worked for other people. And I've even started several businesses. Yet, I'm wiped out mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially. I've lost everything, I'm alone, and I'm in debt. The worst thing is that I've run out of things to try. In short, I've come to a dead-end in my life and I don't know how to break out."

"I see," said Lisa.

"But you," declared David, "YOU HAVE IT ALL: BRAINS, BEAUTY, CHARISMA, PROSPERITY, AND HAPPINESS. How do you do it?"

Just then, a loud thumping noise echoed above the house. "What's that?" David asked while looking up through the skylights. "It's my helicopter coming to pick me up. I've got an appointment. I must go now," replied Lisa.

"What about my question? I must know what's going on here. I refuse to live in poverty, anxiety, and failure any longer. I want to know how to break into a life of riches and happiness. Will you tell me your secret?" David asked.

Lisa said, "Do you want me to reveal my priceless secret to you, free of charge? I will not do that. However, I figure that your landscape design will cost about $750. I'll make a deal with you. I'll disclose my valuable secret to you in exchange for your design. USING MY SECRET, YOU WILL HAVE A SUPER MIND, A SUPER BODY, EXCITING LOVE, MILLIONAIRE WEALTH, AND PROFOUND HAPPINESS. As you can see, this secret is worth at least $750. But you probably cannot afford to pay that much. So, I will trade my secret for your design. How does that sound?"

David desperately needed the cash to pay his bills. He was about to refuse the deal when he heard himself saying, "It's a deal." They shook hands, smiled at each other, and Lisa began to walk toward the door. Lisa turned around and said, "My yacht will take you back to the mainland. Call me when you finish the design. I'm looking forward to seeing your work." Then Lisa disappeared out the front door.

When David completed the landscape design, he reached for the telephone. He was so excited to meet with Lisa that his hand began to shake, causing his fingers to dial the wrong number. Finally, he got through to Lisa. She said to meet her at the yacht club the next day.

David biked to the yacht club. He went inside. David asked the waiter if a lady named Lisa was in the dining room. The waiter said, "Is your name David?" David nodded yes, and the waiter handed him a business card. He turned it over and saw a message on the back. The message said, "Call the number on the other side and say you have an appointment to see Lisa." He called the phone number on the business card and relayed the message to the voice at the other end. The voice said that David would be picked up shortly.

Within a short time, a large man with a military haircut and black leather clothes entered the yacht club. He attracted everybody's attention; he looked out of place in a yacht club. As everyone stared at him, he called out in a deep voice, "David."

David got up, walked over to him, and said, "I'm David. We just talked on the phone." The man nodded in agreement and told David to follow him. David followed the big man, but wondered where Lisa was.

The leather-clothed man walked to a limousine and opened the door for David. David climbed inside. He heard a commanding voice say, "Make yourself comfortable." Then the door closed. Within moments, the paradise on wheels was moving down the road. David sat back and enjoyed the ride.

The limousine eventually pulled into a parking garage. The big man got out of the limousine, opened David's door, and walked with David toward a private jet. Both men boarded the jet. Minutes later the jet took off down the runway.

After an hour of flying, the jet descended onto a private landing strip. A golf cart was waiting for David and the big, leather-clothed man. They got out of the plane and into the golf cart. David had no idea where he was. But he could sense that there was wealth all around him. Tremendous wealth.

The leather-clothed man drove the golf cart down a path to an awesome house. He stopped the cart in front of a corridor and told David to go inside the corridor. David climbed out of the golf cart and headed toward the corridor. Then the big man drove away.

David was now alone in a place he never saw before. The house in front of him was immense; it looked like a combination of a building and a spaceship. Extending from the house was a long corridor. David entered the corridor.

When David reached the end of the tunnel, he continued inside the house. David found himself standing in the foyer. He called out, "Hello. Is anyone home?"

A beautiful voice responded, "Welcome, David. I'm glad you could make it. You'll be glad that you came here today. Come in and see me." David realized that the voice came from a speaker in the wall.

Shortly after he had heard the voice, the hallway door opened. David looked toward the hallway and saw Lisa standing in the doorway.

Relaxing on a soft couch, David was in the center of luxury and beauty. Who knew where he was? David certainly did not know. And, for the moment at least, he did not care. He was in a fabulous house, sitting with a gorgeous lady. He felt comfortable and secure. David wished these feelings would last forever.

After Lisa explained why she had David flown to her home near New York City, they began talking about the landscape design for her summer home in Pennsylvania. Both became enthusiastic while discussing the drawing, and Lisa could not wait to have the design installed.

Lisa asked how much the design would cost if she had to pay cash for it. David told her the design would cost $750. But since she was going to reveal her secret to living in a paradise of beauty and riches, Lisa would receive the design for free.

Lisa was happy with David's work; she really liked what she saw. Now she would reveal a secret that was worth more than $750. For, the secret she was about to reveal would let David enter a life of unlimited prosperity, romance, and happiness.

While sitting on the couch, Lisa turned to David. Lisa began to speak, "You see, David, I'm a success for one reason: I think differently than everyone else. In fact, I use an entirely different mind than everyone else. My thinking and actions culminate in limitless power, wealth, love, happiness, and life. Most other people's thinking and actions culminate in a routine of boredom and stagnation, which leads to death. IF YOU REALLY WANT TO LIVE—PROSPEROUSLY, HAPPILY—YOU NEED TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK."

David was more baffled than ever. What in the world was this lady talking about? David searched his mind for the answer. Then he got it. David broke out with, "I know exactly what you're talking about. I've heard the experts say that you've got to eliminate negative thinking and a bad attitude. You've got to be optimistic, positive. I'll use positive thinking. I'll be optimistic, like the experts recommend."

Lisa told David he was mistaken. She was talking about something completely different from what the experts teach. She was not talking about being optimistic or thinking positively. Lisa was talking about a brand new mind—a super mind that thinks in entirely new ways. The experts motivate you to achieve success. But Lisa's secret has nothing to do with motivation. It is about a new, supra-powerful way of thinking.

David's eyes glazed over. He blurted out, "I don't understand."

Lisa replied compassionately, "I don't expect you to understand right now. That is why I'm giving you a copy of these notes. I've compiled these notes for many years. They captured my own transformation from the dying mind of the past to the alive mind of the future. Take these notes, study them, and write down your own insights as you master this new way of thinking. When you develop this omnipotent mind, you will experience genuine power, fabulous wealth, exciting romance, and abiding happiness."

David felt excited. He reached for Lisa's notes. In a fit of excitement, David raced through them, not focusing on anything in particular. He felt as if he possessed a map to a buried treasure. HE COULD NOT WAIT TO EXPERIENCE THE RICHES THAT WERE AWAITING HIM AND ANYONE ELSE WHO HAD THIS SECRET INFORMATION.

David found himself standing up. He was ready to leave Lisa's spectacular home. Just then, Lisa asked, "David, do you have any questions about what I've told you? You're one of the first persons to learn about my secret. Thus, you'll not be able to find anyone else to answer your questions. Don't you want to know more about this unique secret?"

In fact, this secret was so radically new to David that he did not know what to think or say. David was genuinely baffled. Lisa helped David by saying, "Think for a moment. Tell me where you are in life and what you have."

David did not have to think very long before he said, "I'm nowhere in life. Actually, I'm floundering in every area of my life. I've got nothing except some old clothes and appliances. Worst of all, I don't have any opportunities for success in the future. I've come to a dead-end in my life. I've tried everything, but nothing works for me. In short, I'm stuck."

"Now," asserted Lisa, "Tell me what is all around you."

"That's easy," replied David, "Millionaire wealth, awesome beauty, super creativity, great fun, and luxurious comfort. And at your summer home in Pennsylvania, there is prosperity, relaxation, and replenishment."

Lisa said, "Yes, you're right. All of those things exist here in New York and at my summer home in Pennsylvania. Now do you see the difference between your life and mine? Forget about the material things for a moment and think about how our life experiences differ. Can you see the world of difference?"

David thought for a moment and said, "I've got it. You live an enriching life of prosperity, happiness, and fulfillment. I live a stagnating life of poverty, sadness, and anxiety. The difference exists because you think in a radically new way compared to me. And if I change my mind—if I learn this new way of thinking—I will leave my life of poverty and misery behind forever and move into a life of wealth and happiness."

"You do understand, David. But why do you have that puzzled look on your face?" asked Lisa.

"I understand what you are saying," David answered, "But this new mind—I need to know more about it. Can you give me an example of what you mean by a new mind?"

Lisa laughed and said, "Is that where you're hung up? No problem. All you have to do is carefully review the notes in your hand. Within a few months or so, you will fully understand what I'm talking about. But for now, let me give you an example to illustrate my secret."

Lisa stood up and faced David. Then she said, "I'm going to describe a way of using the mind. Tell me if this sounds familiar to you: A man feels like doing something or feels like having something. Let's say he wants a new car. This man realizes that the car costs a lot of money, more than he has. He is already working all the hours he wants to work. But he still cannot afford the car. Thus, he thinks of ways he can get the car without having to work for it. At this point, he forgets about reality, honesty, and justice. He just wants the car. So, he looks for people to manipulate and drain. He attempts to deceive other people so he can get what he wants. He'll deceive bankers, employers, co-workers, spouse, family, friends—even himself. Then, after he finds his victims, he manipulates them to get what he wants. He gets his new car and impresses others with it."

Lisa continued, "Soon, he discovers that getting things aren't nearly as thrilling as deceiving and draining people. He thinks of other ways he could get things, not by earning them, but by cleverly extracting them from other people—from innocent, unsuspecting people. In short, he lets his emotions dictate his wants and actions. Then, with no regard for reality, honesty, and justice, he thinks and acts pragmatically to get what he wants. He does whatever he can, regardless of the consequences, to get what he feels like having."

David sat down on the couch. Looking up at Lisa he said, "Of course this sounds familiar. Most people learned this way of thinking and acting from school, TV shows, movies, magazines, newspapers, books, music, friends, and peers. Of course people let their emotions guide their actions; if they feel like doing something, they do it. If they don't feel like doing something, they don't do it. For example, if a person feels like calling someone, regardless of the time of day, he calls that person. If he feels like sleeping, even if he's in the middle of an important project, he sleeps. People do whatever works to satisfy their emotions. People will adhere to reality, honesty, and justice when these things help them get what they want. But we are told in countless ways that anyone who adheres to these things all the time would become an incredible loser. We learn that an honest, just person would be the biggest dupe of all. For, clever, dishonest people would move in and drain the honest person dry."

Lisa looked down at David and said, "David, my thoughts and actions are grounded in reality. Furthermore, I use honesty and justice as guiding principles in my every thought and action. That's why I have so much prosperity and happiness in my life. You see David, many years ago I used the same mind that most people use now. And I ended up with exactly what they have. I ended up with very little. But after I changed my mind, I experienced more prosperity than I ever dreamed of having."

Lisa continued, "So, you ask, what is this new mind? This new mind is an infinitely creative mind that is grounded in reality. Using this brand new mind, you generate a limitless array of knowledge through a process called integrated thinking. That process identifies reality in conceptual terms and lets you generate new knowledge without limits. Such knowledge catapults you into power, riches, well-being, and happiness—now and forever."

"Wow," David replied, "What you just said blew me away. People believe that a completely honest person would become a total loser. And I was taught—from many different sources—that ignoring reality, honesty, and justice is the only way a person can get incredibly rich. You know, like big-time drug dealers, well-known criminals, and professional con artists. But you are telling me just the opposite. Then I thought about your yacht, limousine, private jet, and homes. Suddenly, I saw the awesome power flowing from this new way of thinking. THIS IS BY FAR THE GREATEST PROSPERITY SECRET IN THE WORLD. I've read all the books, listened to all the tapes, and attended all the seminars on success. Yet, I've never heard anything like what you're telling me. The notes you gave me, I need to study them carefully. I think they're worth more than a winning lottery ticket."

"You're right," responded Lisa, "Now, David, do you have any more questions about my secret before I have you flown back home?" David thought for a moment and said, "Yes, I do have one more question to ask you. Even though I have only a vague understanding of this new mind, I will learn what I need to know by studying your notes. But, can you tell me exactly what you do to capture such tremendous prosperity?"

Lisa replied, "Well, many years ago, long before I changed my mind, I used to be a waitress at a restaurant. I earned the minimum wage and I was dependent on other people for my survival. I was poor, and I had a terrible attitude toward life. Secretly, I was a cynic about everything and everybody. Predictably, things in my life kept getting worse, not better. Finally, I decided I had enough. So, I made a commitment to change my life. At that point, I didn't know what to do. But I knew I had to do something different. I just couldn't go on the way I had been living..."

"Yeah," David remarked, "So then what did you do? How did you break out of your dead-end lifestyle?"

Lisa said, "I remember it clearly, like it all happened yesterday. Actually, it happened fifteen years ago. One weekend, while visiting some friends, I was looking at the books on their shelf. I saw all kinds of interesting books, titles that seemed like they could improve my predicament. I wanted to read most of them, but I figured I had time to read only one. So, I pulled out the one that was the most appealing. It was an older book; it was written at the beginning of the twentieth century by a millionaire lawyer. In it, the rich lawyer talked about obscure ideas that would enable me to prosper for the rest of my life. Essentially all I needed to do was learn how to think. So, after reading that book, I decided to learn how to think. I studied philosophy, psychology, and related fields until I taught myself how to think. Over time, my thinking improved. And as my thinking improved, so did my life. After a while, I realized that I thought much differently compared to everyone else; I used a new way of thinking."

"Okay," David replied, "But how did you use this new way of thinking to get what you have now?"

Lisa continued, "I wanted to see if I could prosper from this new way of thinking. So, I thought about developing my own business. I decided to start a modeling company. This was very hard at first, because I have always worked for other people. There, bosses told me what to do, and I unthinkingly did what they said. As you know, I was poor when I lived that way. But by using my new way of thinking, I was able to organize my new business into manageable units and develop each unit. Soon, everything came together. My business began to grow and I was able to take control of my own destiny."

"Oh, so you're a model?" interrupted David.

"Yes," Lisa said, "Now remember, David, I used to earn the minimum wage. But shortly after my modeling company came together, things started going my way. Thus, I became incredibly rich. For example, I make more money in one month than I used to make in an entire year. This was so foreign to me that, at first, I didn't know what to do with my newfound wealth. I was stunned at what was happening. And what's even more amazing is this: as more people bought my work, a larger number of people wanted to buy it. Thus, my company grew to meet the demand. The result was that my company, myself, and my employees became fabulously rich."

"Awesome," remarked David, "It sounds as if you experienced a big-bang-type explosion of wealth."

"That's a good way to describe what happened," replied Lisa, "Anyway, I used some of my new wealth to buy things that I've always wanted but could never afford. Things like a beautiful house, a boat, and other items."

Lisa continued, "The more I work, the richer I become. Since I love my work—I choose what things I work on each day—I continue to work every single day. I do not work for the money; I work for the satisfaction and fulfillment my work gives me. But, my work continues to get better and better and it sells in ever-larger quantities. And since my finances are taken care of, I am free to work on other areas of my life."

"Can you tell me how you improved the other areas of your life?" asked David.

"Sure," Lisa replied, "As you know, I am financially free. I have far more money than I need to live comfortably. So, I no longer worry about money. Materially, I have more than I ever dreamed of, as you are aware. Physically, my diet and exercise program let me enjoy perfect health. Romantically, I enjoy a fulfilling relationship with the man of my dreams. Mentally, my new mind enables me to think clearly and powerfully. I am in control of my life and I experience happiness far more often than I experience sadness."

David said, "I knew you looked different from anyone I've ever seen. From the first time I saw you at the yacht club, I knew there was something unique about you. I just didn't know what it was. Now I know why you are different."

David thought for a moment and said, "As you probably can guess, I'm tired of truth-seeking. I'm tired of reading inspirational and get-ahead books, only to remain trapped in a dead-end. I'm ready for the secret you gave me."

At home, David studied Lisa's notes. At first, he did not understand what Lisa wrote. But each time David read the notes, he gained a better understanding of just what Lisa was saying. After a few months, everything came together. David understood this new way of thinking. Now David would apply this new way of thinking to break out of his dead-end routine.

David realized that all his so-called business ventures were nothing more than money losing propositions. Thus, he decided to drop those losing activities. He would start over anew.

David thought about his situation. He understood that his new way of thinking was omnipotent. So, David decided to form an entertainment company. With focused intensity, David developed this business that would provide entertainment to people around the globe.

After awhile, David's entertainment company prospered greatly. David's income took off like a rocket; he became incredibly rich. Soon, David discovered that he, too, was financially free. Like Lisa, David was stunned by what happened.

Over time, David's life changed 180 degrees. David was able to think in vast new horizons, which enabled him to figure out exactly how to turn his dreams into reality. And finally, all his losses turned into real gains. He greatly improved his mental, physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Everything changed when David changed his mind.