"Success is achieved and maintained by those who try and keep trying." - W. Clement Stone
The first chapter was concerning our thought process. By directing our thoughts to positive ideals and ideas, we invite similar situations into our circle of living. Have you ever noticed that when your day starts out good, it carries on into the rest of the day? The same thing when it starts out rough … We can alter either one by focusing our thoughts on certain situations and circumstances. Smiling at a stranger, greeting your neighbor or offering to open the door for a respected elder. These can turn the shade of your day from bad to good. Remember, the ONLY two things YOU actually control are 1) Your thoughts and 2) YOUR actions
Chapter 2 involves translating our mere thoughts into DESIRES. Thinking is a good start, but until we transform our thoughts into a true desire, that is as far as it will go. Once we get that burning fire of achieving a goal, things seem to work toward that goal. Through failures and setbacks, IF we feed our desires, we will overcome and succeed.
Do not be afraid of success, nor the desire of it. If your thoughts and goals are pure, and your intent is righteous, then God will bless the journey through the fire and trials of adversity.
Luke 11:5 – 13 Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine has stopped here while on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.' Then he will reply from inside, 'Do not bother me. The door is already shut, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though the man inside will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of the first man's sheer persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
"So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Take note that merely "asking" initiates a powerful force in our lives. Persistence perpetuates that force into action and subsequent action transforms that desire into a reality.
Napoleon Hill lists six ways to turn Desires into Gold. Remember I said earlier that currency is a personal choice and the word "gold" can signify ANY value or trait or whatever you prioritize in your life. But I digress. Here are Hill's listed steps
1) Fix in your mind the exact amount of money* you desire. Specify a definite level of success. ( There is a psychological reason definiteness which will be described in a later chapter).
2) Determine exactly what you intend to give in return for your goal (There is NO such thing as something for nothing)
3) Establish a specific DATE (or deadline) as to when you intend to achieve your desire
4) Create a PLAN to carry out your desire. BEGIN immediately, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action.
5) WRITE out a clear and concise statement of your goal, name the time limit, state what you intend to give and describe clearly your plan.
6) READ YOUR WRITTEN STATEMENT aloud, twice a day. Once when you get up in the morning and again just before retiring for the night.
These steps are repeated in several other "motivational" books and philosophies. Although we are specifically using one text as our guide, truth is truth and transcends limited "ownership"
Plan your Work
Work your Plan
Aim High.
I remember when I was in High School, The US Air Force had this as their motto in recruiting. But there is a greater wisdom in this saying ….
Remember that there is no more effort required to aim high in life than is required to accept misery and poverty. A great poet has correctly reflected this universal truth in these lines:
"I bargained with Life for a penny,
And life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store.
"For Life is a just employer
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.
"I worked for a menial's hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life,
Life would have willingly paid."
There are no limitations to the Mind except those we acknowledge
***
Both Poverty and Riches are the offspring of Thought
Matt 21:18-22 Now early in the morning, as he returned to the city, he was hungry. After noticing a fig tree by the road he went to it, but found nothing on it except leaves. He said to it, "Never again will there be fruit from you!" And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it they were amazed, saying, "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" Jesus answered them, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, if you believe, you will receive."
Tomorrow's Chapter reveals the role of FAITH ….
As Always, ALL your comments, questions and suggestions are solicited and appreciated :
May God Bless You and Yours
Gene
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