Sharing secrets

About two weeks ago Frank Warren from Post Secret came to Utah State University. Frank is the creator of Post Secret, a blog where strangers mail their secrets to him anonymously on a post card. This idea fascinated me and I have been following his blog and reading people’s secrets for years now, and I believe my fascination goes back to my love for literature and writing—it enlightens me and connects me to the lives and thoughts of others. Adam and I weren’t really sure what to expect.

He began his short presentation by introducing himself, “Hi, my name is Frank Warren and I collect secrets.”

He told us the story of how Post Secret began, and his desire to connect with others in the world. The secrets range in topics from falling in love to deep seeded problems to suicide to admiration, and throughout it all Frank can still see the good in people. He kept saying that sharing our secrets can create a bond with another human being whom you would have never met or understood previously.

I believe Post Secret helps a lot of people but I felt that the sense of relief these people were feeling is taking the place of religion or faith. I never thought Frank Warren and Post Secret would make me so grateful for the life I have, my church, and my beliefs.


At the end of the presentation, Frank invited people from the audience to share their secrets and many did. One girl spoke about her guilt over a friend who committed suicide and it brought me to tears. I was impressed by her courage but once again, I wanted to run up to her and tell her that I have dealt with suicide and the only thing that brought me through those dark moments was my faith. All in all it was a very interesting and rare moment to hear Frank and other speak of secrets out in the open with this overwhelming trust in those in attendance. Here is a video Frank shared... I didn’t want to post the actual video because it has a few images that are a little risque, but it’s an amazing video that will move you. Enjoy!

PS. Frank challenged us to share our secrets as a way to set ourselves free, and as people shared their secrets Adam leaned over and told me that he too would like to tell a secret, actually two. He said that he would like to get up and tell everyone that he had lied about me being a student so I could get a free ticket, and then how he lied about being with the press so we could sit on the front row. Needless to say, I didn't let him set himself free.