|
I know a
man who read a sentence that changed his whole mental
chemistry about being a father. When his son was
about six years old this father happened to read these
words: "A boy does not have to be shown a mark
on the wall to measure up to when there is a man around
about the size he wants to be." He decided to
so live that his example would be an inspiration to his
son. He didn't go off to the golf course and let the
son grow up without him. He wasn't "too
busy" to be a companion to his son. They played
ball together, fished together, read books together, went
to the circus together, attended church together.
That father raised a fine son through the influence of an
inspiring example.
What are
some of the inspirational chemical elements that we can
use to inspire others?
Appreciation.
Pass the praise along. Praise stimulates and results
in improved work, for it increases a person's
confidence. One feels that one "belongs,"
that one is on the team. Praise a child's good marks
or good behavior and watch that child improve.
Praise your wife's pie and you'll have more and even
better pies in the future.
Vision.
Often we quit because the future is clouded. We feel
there is no hope. It is as though we are trying to
look into the future through a soot-covered window.
Wash the window so that you can see through its gleaming
surface into the months and years ahead. Many a
young person has been helped and inspired to carry on
because someone has shown him or her the possibilities of
the future.
|
|
|
Faith.
Most of all we need someone to have faith in us,
especially when we meet with failures and reverses.
Faith is a steadying quality. When someone believes
in us and in the work we are doing we are greatly
strengthened. Edison was sent home from school
because the teacher said he was hopeless. Years
later Edison said, "I won out because my mother never
for a single moment lost faith in me."
Courage.
Someone has said that beaten paths are for beaten
people. People with new ideas, big plans, great
ambitions, noble dreams, need someone to lift them up,
cheer them on, stimulate them to dare, to wrestle with
so-called impossibilities, and to win. Every new
idea, from steamboats to airplanes, has met with ridicule
and opposition. But someone believed in those ideas
enough to urge the inventors on.
Imagination.
Arousing the imagination arouses the creative powers of
people. Help people to see themselves as they wish
to be. Help them to visualize themselves
succeeding. Help them to dream great dreams.
Patience.
People need to be taught the wisdom of working and
waiting. Many people have left the dock just before
their ships came in. Time has great power to solve
problems. Counsel patience.
Love.
The most wonderful inspirational chemistry we can use on
one another is the gift of our love and acceptance.
Devoted and unquestioned love has a magic creative
power. The consciousness of being loved is an
uplifting, saving, healing force that causes one to go on
when otherwise it would be impossible to do so.
"Love," said Emerson, "is the affirmative
of affirmatives."
We talk
about the inspiration of God in our world. That
inspiration can come only as individuals like you and me
become channels for it. In our behavior, in the
words we write and speak, we can become ambassadors of
God's inspiration. Whenever we strive to lift others
in ways that are good and noble we are serving as
radiating centers for God's inspiration.
All we
know of God's inspiration has come through the great lives
that have been lived, the great books that have been
written, the great music that has been created, the great
buildings that have been built, the great pictures that
have been painted. The great and good men and women
of all the ages expressed God. To strive to
express the goodness of God is to become a supreme
inspirationalist.
|
