My Friends,
I don’t know how many of you give a quack – or have taken the time – to become acquainted with Og Mandino (one of my ancient ‘trainers’ and ‘counselors’ and author of The Greatest Salesman in the World, both Volumes I and II). In my semi-retirement mode, waiting for Carolyn to finish the book she is writing, I have become reacquainted with a few of his legendary teachings. I’m not recommending you slow down on your study of Nephi or Capt. Moroni, but I am suggesting that after you have raised the Title of Liberty every day you might do yourself a favor by pondering one or more of The Ten Scrolls or The Ten Vows of Success found in Og’s famous pieces of work.
Today I studied the 3rd Vow of Success: “ALWAYS WILL I BATHE MY DAYS IN THE GOLDEN GLOW OF ENTHUSIASM”
ENTHUSIASM
What a great one! All my life I have been intrigued by this incredible resource and weapon of the successful. “Being Quick to Observe” (the secret of Mormon’s rapid rise to Leadership) I have been quick to observe that those people whom I have encountered in my life, who possess this powerful asset, are usually at the top of their class, no matter the course of study. I’m not suggesting that one can conquer the world with that attitude alone but it sure goes a long way to cover a multitude of other weaknesses.
I remember John Tolson, a great friend from Simi Valley who served with us on our High Council. He, for his assigned Spiritual Thought, had us all stand in the High Council room and instead of quoting the Pledge of Allegiance or The Standard of Truth or Section 4 or The Gettysburg Address had us repeat ten times: ‘I AM A HAPPY CHEERFUL PERSON’…I AM A HAPPY CHEERFUL PERSON…I AM A HAPPY CHEERFUL PERSON…repeated ten times and he counseled us to do that in front of a bathroom mirror every morning for the rest of our lives (at the same time you are scratching all the itches of the night). I admit I have not done it with regularity but I have never forgotten his secret of success and have repeated it more times than I ever thought I would…I discovered that it WORKS.
When we approach each day with a HAPPY CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE and ENTHUSIASM we most often WIN no matter our tough agenda or the challenges we are going to face as we charge out the door. When the world sees us coming with a smile on our face, a zip in our step, an enthusiastic greeting, a vibrant handshake…they automatically prepare for our visit and expect something positive to happen.
I’m going to resist sharing Og’s full 3rd Vow of Success and just give you a taste of his powerful and motivating words of wisdom…but having said that, I would strongly encourage each of you to get a copy of both of his books (cheap On line) and do the full program as he counsels…I promise you it will make a difference in your attitude and success…even if you are already an optimist and achiever.
From Og Mandino and the Third Vow of Success:
Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world. It’s potential value far surpasses money and power and influence. Single-handed, the enthusiast convinces and dominates…tramples over prejudice and opposition, spurns inaction, storms the citadel of its object and, like an avalanche, overwhelms and engulfs all obstacles…I have learned a great lesson – enthusiasm is my faith in action. With faith I cannot fail.
Isn’t that powerful? But there’s more.
Enthusiasm, the love for whatever it is I am doing at the moment…Enthusiasm in all I do will become, with hard work, a habit. WE first must make our habits and then, good or bad, they make us. Enthusiasm will be my chariot to a better life…Already I am smiling in anticipation of the good to come…it is the genius of sincerity, and truth is rarely victorious without it…like so many others, I have conducted my life with false ideas of true rewards, believing that comfort and luxury should be my goals when all that any of us need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about….there is no person, no occupation, no trouble that cannot be affected for the good by my attitude.
What a great exhilaration I feel, knowing that I possess this great power to alter my days and my entire life with my attitude…ALWAYS WILL I BATHE MY DAYS IN THE GOLDEN GLOW OF ENTHUSIASM.
That’s enough…hope you are converted to both Og’s Formula of Success and today to his belief that ENTHUSIASM is the key to unleashing your potential and winning both at home and in the market place.
I AM A HAPPY CHEERFUL PERSON…I AM A HAPPY CHEERFUL PERSON…I AM A HAPPY CHEERFUL PERSON…(AND 7 MORE ).
With Love from a valley of which I am an ENTHUSIASTIC advocate that it has been patterned after the Celestial Kingdom.