There is so much negative news here in America lately, so please allow me to help keep readers in a positive mental state.
This series kicked off last week, as we began by sharing research by Napoleon Hill, who was once commissioned to study the reasons some people are successful and others are not. Hill studied hundreds of men all across America, up close and in person. Over and over again, he discovered the same formula utilized by each and every person interviewed.
This series is to share those 12 Things That Make Men Rich, with money as the 12th and least important principle. First on the list is to have a “positive mental attitude.” Observe that it heads the list at THE most important principle.
You cannot achieve anything if you don’t have faith. When you walk around thinking negative thoughts, it causes you to have doubts. You feel down, not lifted up and ready to get the job done at all.
Scripture reminds us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Therefore, we must be of good courage, and when things are looking bad, repeat Scriptures such as “God wouldn’t see his seed begging bread.”
One of my radio show guests, Victorianne Russell-Walton, suffered the ills of breast cancer, yet she is a prime example of what makes men rich! Vicki has such a positive mental attitude that it helped her up from her sickbed as she experienced chemo and radiation, yet she continues fighting for her own life and for the lives of thousands of others, and many years later, she’s still going!
She was misdiagnosed four times with questionable doubt for survival, but drawing from the story of what happened to her grandmother, who died from breast cancer back in the early days in such an atrocious manner, Vicki is like a bird who instinctively flies south during winter.
Her grandmother had to be helped to an ambulance that wouldn’t come up her lane due to racism; she left a trail of blood on the path. What a story! Genes do play a major role.
Russell-Walton knows firsthand the challenges to make ends meet while enduring chemotherapy and radiation. Job cuts caused her to be laid off for a year with no pay, so figuring out how to afford the medications wasn’t easy. Doctor visits were a challenge, with little gas in her tank and no money to make the co-payment. It was agonizing, yet she went anyway.
All of these trials and tribulations caused Vicki and her husband to respond with a positive mental attitude. They were led by God to create It’s In the Genes LLC, an organization that fights against breast cancer. She rose above her pain to think of others.
She fought back, got up and got herself going again; and today, before the pandemic, she was a speaker all across America.
Russell-Walton’s faith in God and her positive mental attitude, along with major lifestyle changes, helped keep her alive, seen especially well in her willingness to help others.
Vicki hosts Pink Parties, a fun event she hosts to get women in the door to get a mammogram. She actually has someone attend her parties to administer free mammograms, the main point of the parties.
Vicki entices folk to come out, especially women, by using entertainment, DJs, prizes, free gifts, pampering ideas for the women, shopping opportunities — just a host of exciting and festive things women enjoy.
“Am I tricking them into coming? Yes, but as long as they get a mammogram, I’m delighted,” she said.
That’s a positive mental attitude at its best! Imagine what would have happened if she decided to have a pity party instead of her famous Pink Party. She would likely have been gone by now.
We salute you, Vicki Russell-Walton. Keep up the good work!
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.