discovery of the genius which slept within his brain.
Charles Dickens began by pasting labels on blacking pots. The tragedy
of his first love penetrated the depths of his soul, and converted
him into one of the world's truly great authors. That tragedy produced,
first, David Copperfield, then a succession of other works that
made this a richer and better world for all who read his books.
Disappointment over love affairs, generally has the effect of driving
men to drink, and women to ruin; and this, because most people never
learn the art of transmuting their strongest emotions into dreams
of a constructive nature.
Helen Keller became deaf, dumb, and blind shortly after birth. Despite
her greatest misfortune, she has written her name indelibly in the
pages of the history of the great. Her entire life has served as
evidence that no one ever is defeated until defeat has been accepted
as a reality.
Robert Burns was an illiterate country lad, he was cursed by poverty,
and grew up to be a drunkard in the bargain. The world was made
better for his having lived, because he clothed beautiful thoughts
in poetry, and thereby plucked a thorn and planted a rose in its
place.
Booker T. Washington was born in slavery, handicapped by race and
color. Because he was tolerant, had an open mind at all times, on
all subjects, and was a DREAMER, he left his impress for good on
an entire race.
Beethoven was deaf, Milton was blind, but their names will last
as long as time endures, because they dreamed and translated their
dreams into organized thought.
Before passing to the next chapter, kindle anew in your mind the
fire of hope, faith, courage, and tolerance. If you have these states
of mind, and a working knowledge of the principles described, all
else that you need will come to you, when you are READY for it.
Let Emerson state the thought in these words, "Every proverb,
every book, every byword that belongs to thee for aid and comfort
shall surely come home through open or winding passages. Every friend
whom not thy fantastic will, but the great and tender soul in thee
craveth, shall lock thee in his embrace."
There is a difference between WISHING for a thing and being READY
to receive it. No one is ready for a thing, until he believes he
can acquire it. The state of mind must be BELIEF, not mere hope
or wish. Open-mindedness is essential for belief. Closed minds do
not inspire faith, courage, and belief.
Remember, no more effort is required to aim high in life, to demand
abundance and prosperity, than is required to accept misery and
poverty. A great poet has correctly stated this universal truth
through these lines:
"I bargained with Life for a penny,
And Life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store. .
.
"For Life is a.just employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.
.
"I worked for a menial's hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life,
Life would have willingly paid."