Post Secret Lessons

For those who do not know, Post Secret started out as an on-line art project, but has since taken on a life of its own, spawning books and tours. The concept of Post Secret is simple. Anonymous people send in their secrets, no matter what they may be, to the address included on the blog. Every Sunday a new set of the best secrets are posted on the website. People get very creative with the post cards on which they send their secrets. If you haven't checked it out yet, it is time to do so. Here are 7 lessons you can learn from reading this amazing blog.

Post secret lesson #1 - Everyone has secrets.

Big or small, it is human nature to keep some things to ourselves. It is also human nature to want to know each other's deepest, darkest secrets. The website allows people to do both. In reading others secrets, we learn that we are not alone in our dreams, goals, needs, wants, and wishes. In trying to hide our humanity from others, we become more human. This on-line art project reveals that in a very stark way.

Post secret lesson #2 - Secrets don't necessarily need to be harmful.

There are times when you come across fun secrets on the blog. There are secrets regarding impending pregnancies (which will eventually come out), love from afar, and plain old fun. Every week it is a mixed bag, even if they try to tie them together with a theme. Secrets run the full range of human emotion and are kept for just about any reason under the sun and can be as unique as humans.

Post secret lesson #3 - The secrets people reveal via this on-line art project can tell you a lot about humanity.

Every week, most people can relate to at least one of the post card secrets displayed. Most relate to some very real human fears. As a result, we can understand why the secret was kept. Embarrassment, negative consequences, questions, and fear of revealing our true selves all lead people to keep some things to themselves. Sometimes, people keep their happy secrets in an effort to find the right time to reveal them to everyone.

Post secret lesson #4 - The Live Journal Post Secret community can be just as intriguing.

Live Journal has a community that is dedicated to displaying and discussing each week's Post Secret offering (if you have a Live Journal account, search for the post secret community and then join). The comments are almost as intriguing as the post cards themselves. Some weeks bring heated debate. One of the best reasons to read the Live Journal Community is simply to see and comment on what others thought. You'd be surprised at how many times people get the same impression from the same secrets.

Post secret lesson #5 - There is always someone out there who has it worse than you.

Sometimes there are secrets that reveal just how difficult a life the sender has (or had). It can be a real eye-opener and make your own life seem a little less bleak. Some secrets pertain to heavy subjects such as rape, adultery, drug use, and addiction. No matter what you are going through at this time, there is someone else who is struggling against even worse odds. Things could always be worse, and nothing is as bad as it seems.

Post secret lesson #6 - Revenge takes center stage when it comes to secrets.

Some of the more interesting secrets involve revenge. Secretly, we all like to root for that person and hope that the person on the receiving end of the revenge never finds them out. There isn't quite another feeling like revenge. In seeking revenge, we seek validation and a sense that the world will be right once again. They don't call envy the green eye monster for nothing. Sometimes the monster gets loose. Envy with a perceived wrong can be the most powerful motivation for revenge.

Post secret lesson #7 - If you come up with an art project that hits a cord with human nature and it is accessible to many people, you will be a success.

Everything about the website plays on human nature. Quite honestly, the project has everything - sex, secrecy, intrigue, revenge, happiness, sadness, and voyeurism. As a result of this unique art experiment, its once unknown creator has enjoyed much success not only with interviews, books, etc., but with speaking tours as well. You will in all likelihood experience many emotions when visiting post secret. Boredom is certainly not one of them. Post secret lessons reveal the triumph and tragedies, big and small, of life.

If nothing else, post secret is entertaining in and of itself. Even if you just check it out once, you will understand the premise and powerful nature of the project. It is hard to come across anything else quite like post secret. Before you know it, you will be looking forward to every Sunday when new secrets are posted.