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Doubt, Discouragement and "The Power Of Positive Thinking"
By Larry Barkan
The February 8th, 2008 New York Times, carried the obituary of Ruth Stafford Peale, the widow of Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, best known as the author of "The Power of Positive Thinking." The obituary quotes Ruth Peale as saying that her husband, who died in 1993, "grew discouraged after his book, 'The Power of Positive Thinking' was rejected by publisher after publisher." Norman Vincent Peale at one point actually threw the manuscript away only to have it retrieved by his wife who "insisted he try one more time." Eventually, of course, the book was published in 1952 and "has sold more than 20 million copies in 42 languages." Now here’s the part I found fascinating: "I don't have as much self doubt as he did," Ruth Peale said. Ruth Peale, wife of the “father” of positive thinking, had less self doubt than her husband!?!? This reminded me that To live is to have doubts. The true genius of Norman Vincent Peale was that, in spite of his self doubts, he continued to pursue his dreams of bringing "positive thinking" to the world. As Thoreau reminds us, “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours.” It is heroic to keep going even as we are facing doubt and discouragement. And, of course, it helps to have a good woman/man behind us to retrieve our manuscripts from the trash.
I have been an author, motivational speaker and business consultant since 1984. I have three passions: The first is my wife of 37 years. The second is challenging conventional wisdom. The third is dogs and their welfare. I am the author of "Everyone Wins! Playing The Game of Conflict Resolution In All Your Relationships" as well as "Present and Persuade: Create Talks and Speeches That Capture Hearts and Change Minds."
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Thank you for this Larry. As a struggling author and film maker, this is something I have to cope with every single day. It's good to be reminded once in a while, even though I've heard it often enough before. When you're struggling, you need all of the encouragement and reminders that you can get.
Regards,
Jim
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
"Copy that," James as Gene Kranz (played by Ed Harris) said in the movie Apollo 13. It can be lonely being a writer and I frequently struggle with generating my writing. Thanks for the encouragement.
I'm reading the book "AS YOU THINK" by James Allen, Marc Allen http://amzn.to/9Q9yO9 and it talks a lot about this. "As a being of power, intelligence, and love, and the lord of your own thoughts, you contain within yourself that transforming and regenerative agency by which you may make yourself that you will"
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thanks, Bill. Here's another: "We are not what society or randomness has made us. We are a product of our will. We are self made in the deepest sense." (Peter Koestenbaum, "Do You Have The Will To Lead?"
Thank you for sharing this very interesting story, Larry. I read this book back in the early 1960's and have referred to it many times. As with any journey of length, we need to keep referring to the map, or we'll be lost!
Best wishes.
Frederick
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thanks, Frederick. Very well put. We need to keep looking at the map.
There is a major affirmation of a general principle in this story. Look at the actions of Ruth and then at the actions of Norman then think on this:- Those who can - DO
Those who can't - TEACH Ruth could, so she did while Norman couldn't, so he taught.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thanks for the comment you "old coot." Your story is, indeed, incredible. I don't believe it was turned down because it's so incredible. I have a friend who works with authors to get their books published. He is the former head of sales for Time Warner books and a great guy. You can check him out at writersreaders.com. Your story needs to have a wide audience and I hope my suggestion helps you on that road. Good luck with your health issues. You are truly courageous.
And another: "We've reached such explosive levels of freedom that, for the first time in history, we have to manage our own mutation," declares Koestenbaum. "It's up to us to decide what it means to be a successful human being. That's the philosophical task of the age. Nothing happens unless you make it happen. As a leader, everything is your responsibility, because you always could have chosen otherwise."
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Ah, another Kostenbaum "fan." He is thought provoking, isn't he? The quote I used came out of a 2000 "Fast Company" Magazine article called "Do You Have The Will To Lead." Thanks for adding to my knowledge base.
it is interesting to me that he lost his positive thinking when he threw away his manuscript and then his wife carried on in the endeavor to get it published. its interesting that he had such self doubt. I teach yoga and often people expect yoga teachers to be 'blissful, at peace, calm, centered, everything is so wonderful," at all times. Not so, we are all only human and we all have doubts and struggles just the same.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
I suspect what makes you inspirational is your humanity. When your students see you transcending your doubts and struggles, they are inspired to do the same. Thanks for your wonderful comment.
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