“Knowledge is power but enthusiasm pulls the switch.” Ivern Ball. Over the years there have been numerous quotes on the concept of enthusiasm. Here’s my favorite – it means – God within. Does this mean that if you are an atheist you can’t be filled with enthusiasm? No. But – why not take a more detailed look at this emotion. It’s not necessarily the fact that you have it or you don’t, but how you choose to use it, apply it, or live by it. For example can a convict or someone who breaks the law be enthusiastic about their goals, actions, or behavior, well, yes. Can a missionary be optimistic about saving lives in remote parts of the world? Well, yes. So, what is the relationship between – knowledge and/or wisdom and enthusiasm? From my perspective, we have to look at a person’s motives, intentions, or life purpose. If it is driven with ethical, moral, or legal benchmarks then enthusiasm will add to the value of your outcomes in positive ways for those you interact with or have a commonality in some way. If these are driven by evil, negative or selfish motives you are more likely to experience negative outcomes. So, is enthusiasm a good or a bad thing?
“Refusal to hope is nothing more than a decision to die.” Bernie Siegel M.D. Hope – ‘”The meaning of HOPE is to want something to happen or be true and think that it could happen or be true.” Definitions can be helpful but they can also sometimes be misleading which is why whenever I share one I always throw in my interpretation. I am not disputing this definition just want to add a more focused thought-based opinion on Siegel’s quote. “Hope does not always yield what we hope for but if you have a choice to have hope or not have it – what do you have to lose if you have it?” I won’t dig into the weeds but almost every book I have read on the relationship between illness and whether it creates negative or positive consequences – the single biggest emotion between those who have negative responses and positive ones is their degree of hope and/or a positive outlook to what they are going through. My recommended book list includes 100 of my favorite books. Several of them discuss the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and health or the lack of it. To summarize all of them in a sentence – you give yourself an ulcer by what you think not what you eat so why not cure your ulcer by thinking differently?
“One never learns by success. Success is the plateau that one rests upon to take a breath and look down from upon the straight and difficult path, but one does not climb upon a plateau.” Josephine Preston. Many successful people I have met over the years acted like they were on this special platform or stage where they would perform their skills and tout their achievements to the world around them. And I have also met thousands of successful people who always demonstrated their success or achievements with humility, gratitude, and often even meekness. Success is not a destination or defined by limited profiles. A mother who raises successful children in my opinion is just if not more successful than the president of a major corporation. A successful teacher, volunteer worker, or caregiver has more success in their bones – again in my opinion than a millionaire entrepreneur or successful politician. So what is success? Is it influence, power, fame, wealth, or what you own, where you live, what you drive, or where you vacation? OR is it the path you take that leads to the service, respect, support, and compassion for others and the legacy you will leave of giving not taking?