FEBRUARY 19, 2021
As many of you know, I am a big fan of Dale Carnegie. The first book my father gave me in college (1968) was Carnegie’s classic; “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” I have read it numerous times now and have even done my own “Cliff’s Notes” version so that I can continue to reference his timeless principles. Carnegie reminds us; “The more you get out of this book, the more you’ll get out of life.” That was enough for me. Yes, Carnegie is trying to lead each one of us to “Success,” with his many principles of life, which are so important in building human relations. Speaking of success, I hope you all look at success as something that can be internalized and personalized. Your OWN definition of success and not one that others push on us. Learn to think for yourself.
While growing up in the Midwest, Carnegie began his career as a struggling salesman in New York City selling Motor-trucks. He despised his work and the life he had created for himself, so he set out to teach public speaking at the local YMCA on a commission business. He wasn’t interested in making a lot of money, but he was interested in making a “lot of living.” People took his classes for one reason only; they wanted to solve their problems. Notice he says THEY wanted to solve their own problems. (Responsibility) That is what attracted me to Carnegie and his writings. Carnegie points out that people wanted to be able to stand up on their own feet and say a few words at a business meeting without fainting from fright. Salesmen wanted to call on a tough customer without having to walk around the block three times to get up courage. They wanted to develop poise and self-confidence. They wanted to get ahead in business. Much of what we all seek in our own careers and life today.
As the years went by, Carnegie realized that another one of the biggest problems of most adults was worry. So, he wrote; “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.” He felt that “worry” is one of the biggest problems facing mankind and was surprised to find no one taught classes in high school or college on the subject. Check it out for yourself as worry, fear, and obstacles are some of the most toxic conditions we bring upon ourselves in our daily living.
While thinking about life, living and worrying in general, and how it links to our Elevator Guy theme of Living, Loving, Laughing, Learning, Listening, Leading, and Leaving a Legacy; I was enamored with a you-tube video from 2010 called “Interview with God.” The interview asks God what surprises him most about humankind. You probably won’t be surprised at God’s answers. God reminds us that;
“Humankind gets bored with childhood. Rushing to grow up and then longing to be children again.”
“That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health.’
“That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live in neither, the present nor the future.”
“That they live as if they will never die, and die as if they had never lived.”
“That it is not good to compare themselves to others.”
“To learn they cannot make anyone love them. What they can do is let themselves be loved.”
“To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.”
“To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in persons we love, and it takes many years to heal them.”
“To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness”
“To learn that there are persons who love them dearly, but simply do not know how to express or show their feelings.”
“To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it differently.”
“To learn that it is not always enough that they be forgiven by others. But that they must forgive themselves.” And finally;
“To learn that I am here; ALWAYS.”
Enjoy your life with a little less worry or stress in life. All we need is the wisdom to follow him. Then learn to lead others. After him, it all starts with YOU.
Elevator Guy