We have the goods, we have the gifts

It was ironic listening to American inspirational speaker Dr Mel Gill while he was surrounded by dozens of Thai angels. The apsara sculptures lined the stage walls at the Aksra Theatre on Sunday as Gill unveiled, for the first time anywhere, his concept of the “accelerated mind”, aided by music performed by well-known Thai singers.

And the message emphasised by the author of the best-selling book “Meta Secret” was that Thais are already equipped with abundant resources, already possess “the power inside”, and have already received very precious gifts – in the form of their kings.

Karn Junthong and Thanat Thunyaharn, the voice coaches from television’s “Academy Fantasia”, and Thanasit ‘Ton” Jaturaputch, who won the reality-show competition at the end of Season 8, were joined by several award-winning young singers, including nine-year-old Thitaree Wittayathawornwong. 

“Power, Passion and Prosperity: A Gift from Dr Mel Gill” opened with the Michael Jackson mega-hit “We Are the World”, a reminder of humanity is united and that together we can make the world better.

Karn sang “The Impossible Dream” from the Broadway musical “Man of La Mancha” before Gill spoke about how we can learn about the power we have within ourselves and the purpose and passion bestowed on us by beloved monarchs such as Ramkhamhaeng, Naresuan, Taksin, Chulalongkorn and His Majesty King Bhumibol. 

Other tunes performed during the afternoon were “One Moment in Time”, “Seasons Change” and “Life Designer”, all as inspirational as they are well known. 

Gill, who’s 57, said he has idolised Thailand’s current King since youth – even before he “fell off a mountain” at age 18 – the accident that changed his life four decades ago.

“The humble King Bhumibol is a problem solver, an inventor, a farmer – he inspires all the possibilities,” Gill said.

Many in the audience had read “Meta Secret” and some had attended his earlier seminars, so they were already aware of the importance of believing in themselves in order to prosper. 

“People need someone to remind them from time to time of the power, passion, prosperity and possibility they already have. I am the reminder,” Gill declared. He pointed out that the love of others we all yearn for is a gift. No one can claim the “right” to such a gift, but they can enjoy being the recipient. 

Not surprisingly, the song chosen to accompany this segment of the talk was “The Greatest Love of All”, best known from Whitney Houston’s rendition.

Midway through the lecture, Gill urged listeners to revisit their past in a bid to shed any pain they withheld. Amid tunes specially selected to reach the subconscious and evoke an emotional response, Gill asked us to recall being very young and to “hug and hold” the child we once were, and to tell that child how much it is loved and that we will never abandon it.

Later in the show Gill talked about the “science” of getting rich and outlined such guiding tenets as “the law of mentalism”. Everything, good and bad, starts with the mind, he said. Rich people see the opportunity, keep their eyes on their goal and stay focused on solutions, not problems. They’re by nature always eager to have fun and that’s why they become creative. And they have “faith in the heart”, he said. 

Near the end of the proceedings, tiny electric candles were distributed among the audience and waved along to the rhythm of the sweet song “King of the Land”. Gill didn’t need to explain whom it was about. 

Gill said the timing of this concert-cum-seminar in Thailand was perfect due to the post-coup political situation. He wanted to remind his Thai listeners, regardless of the daunting circumstances, of all the good things we have in this country. A nation can be easily destroyed by conflict, he said, but if the focus remains on the good things, the rifts can be forgotten and thoughts will turn again to prosperity.

Again, the irony of being reminded of this by an American wasn’t lost on the audience.