Now that we’re finally in the new year, let’s hope that we will all have fun! It is a time of setting new goals for yourself, both personal and for your business or career. Allow me to share this series of 12 articles, which have been my most successful in the sixteen years of my experience writing The Religion Corner for The Washington Informer.
My life changed 38 years ago as a result of reading a new book. Though I’m the daughter of two preachers, my clarity became much clearer once I read the principles outlined in “Think and Grow Rich,” the book researched for 20 years by Napoleon Hill. He teaches how our thoughts control our actions and, thus, can make or break us. Here is how it all began.
In 1908, a young man named Napoleon Hill was invited to the mansion of America’s first billionaire, Andrew Carnegie. A young, ambitious reporter with plans to write his way to success, Hill quizzed Carnegie for an article he planned to write to make money to pay his way through college.
Carnegie, impressed by the young writer, offered him a position the average man would have rejected. He said, “Mr. Hill, I would like to commission you to study the lives of 500 of the greatest achievers of our time. These men will include men in the industrial field, business owners, inventors, merchants, farmers, statesmen, artists of all types and many others.
“Take as much time as you need — observe them, interview them and learn from them. Then, write an article, one in which you validate the beliefs that success is based on universal laws others can achieve. From those great achievers, you might learn and be able to describe the process of making steel or the process of providing a service used. In a similar manner, I want you to describe in this article the process of the laws to success.
“You will accomplish this mission by documenting the beliefs and behaviors of all these great men and women by sharing what it is they have in common with each other. I will not pay you any money; during this project, you must support your own self while discovering these new ideas.
“Your goal will be the publication of a ‘success-type’ book, similar to an encyclopedia in the category of laws of success. This book will share laws and every step one must take in order to use a thought and make it into a success. Include all spiritual components of faith that are required. Notice how each person had unwavering faith in order to accomplish their idea.
Hill only had 60 seconds to accept, and he said yes. More than 100 years later, incredibly, over 20 million people have learned the principles of success because of his decision, and all of his principles are based on Christianity. In fact, he wrote an entire chapter on faith. Hill teaches us how to put our faith to work. Scripture teaches us that “faith without works is dead.”
Hill said he spent three hours each morning and three hours each night reading the Bible, doing his meditation, and visualizing the goals and dreams he wanted to accomplish for that day. Scripture says “faith cometh by hearing” and John 14:13 KJV says, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” Pay close attention to what his research has taught millions. Here, I share enough of his research to inspire you to want to learn more about the process and to go into action too.
The first of those 12 principles that makes men rich is the value of having a positive mental attitude. Notice how this principle heads the list, and it is not about money. Look for details in my column next week.
This is my fourth run on the universal laws to success. The series continues to be my most popular among the list of topics I wrote about over nine years.
Lyndia Grant is a speaker/writer living in the D.C. area. Her radio show, “Think on These Things,” airs Fridays at 6 p.m. on 1340 AM (WYCB), a Radio One station. To reach Grant, visit her website, www.lyndiagrant.com, email lyndiagrantshowdc@gmail.com or call 240-602-6295. Follow her on Twitter @LyndiaGrant and on Facebook.