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Some Old Advice I Will to Take to Heart
By JLP | May 21, 2008
Have you ever read something in a book that just hit you like a ton of bricks? I had one of those experiences last night.
I’m ashamed to say that Norman Vincent Peale could have been writing about me (had I been alive when this was written) when he wrote these words in his book Stay ALIVE All Your Life
Some people complain that only the gifted or the accomplished may successfully employ these creative techniques [mentioned earlier in the book]. Such thinking is a dangerous form of rationalizing failure. The more jealousy one has in his nature the more critical he is of those who have accomplished things.
If you are critical and mouthing negativisms it could be that your own failures are caused by a mixed-up, hate-filled mind. A sign of mental health is to be glad when others achieve, and to rejoice with them. Never compare yourself or your achievements with others, but make your comparisons only with yourself. Maintain a constant competition with yourself This will force you to attain higher standards and achievements. do not defeat yourself by holding spiteful or jealous thoughts. Think straight, with love, hope and optimism and you will attain victory in life.
Although that first paragraph doesn’t fit me exactly, the beginning of the second paragraph does. I’m extremely competitive, which I think works against me as I am never really able to “be glad when others achieve.”
Anyway, those two paragraphs were real eye-openers to me. By realizing that these are my tendencies, I will make changes.
We’ll see.
By the way, if you’ve never read any of Peale’s books, you should definitely check them out
Topics: Books, Personal Growth |
May 21st, 2008 at 2:26 pm
The Power of Positive Thinking might have been the very first self-help book I ever read. My dad had a 20-year-old copy sitting on the bookshelf. In general, I find that regularly reading these types of books helps me maintain a consciousness about who I want to be and what I need to do to improve.
My favorite book in this genre is currently Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff - it’s the one I was reading during Lent, if you recall my posts from a few months ago. If I read it for a couple of minutes once or twice a day (the chapters are about 2 small pages), I just feel happier. If I don’t read it, I notice that I start to get away from that happy place.
May 21st, 2008 at 3:09 pm
The second paragraph could have been written just for me. Thank you for the reminder to be joyful of the accomplishments of others…
May 21st, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I think its great advice!
>By realizing that these are my tendencies, I >will make changes.
If you really want to make the changes take some advice from Ben Franklin and track you efforts.
-Rick Francis
May 21st, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Wow. That second paragraph thumped me right between the eyes.
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:44 am
I must admit that I used to have a bad attitude towards money. I used to think that I should have more and that other people should give it to me. If I got bad service, I expected a refund or if someone I knew cam into some money I expected a share. Thankfully I now realise that if I want money, I will have to work for it and I have found that it is so much more satisfying if you have made the money yourself than if someone gives it to you.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Great paragraph being too competitive for the wrong reason can really bring you down. I like the idea of competing with yourself thanks for posting that up.
May 28th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
JLP, thanks for the inspirational post.
Yes, it is very true that we could attain success by competing with ourselves. Optimism and right actions makes life amazing.
Jeff Clair