As a family we have been discussing, reading, pondering, and seeing the realities discussed in the newly released book "Outwitting the Devil" by Napoleon Hill. Written back in the mid 1930's this book is controversial, and as such, upon completion, Mr. Hill had his wife read the transcript, and she would not allow him to publish it. Upon both of their deaths, the publishing rights then fell to another in the family, who also refused to allow the book to be published. Recently that individual passed away, and so the book was just published for the first time.
In this interview with the Devil, Mr. Hill learns that there are basically two kinds of people in this world, "Drifters" and "Non-Drifters." Drifters are those who follow the crowd, who go about life, living and breathing, but not accomplishing. The Non-Drifters are those who set a course, and reach and aspire to goals and dreams. The Devil admits that he uses three key people in the lives of humans to help him, teachers, religious leaders, and parents. Those three key roles he uses to discourage, guide, and persuade the human race to just simply drift through, and fall to his traps. Scary, but true, look around! Start watching!
While in CA for Thanksgiving, we decided as a family we weren't going to simply allow the kids to watch videos in the car. We packed up a pile of books, and enjoyed reading together! Novel idea :)! One of the books we read again was "Johnathan Livingston Seagull." A great fast read, we have talked about and pondered the relation of these two books, as we have observed people. Interesting. Good food for thought. So daily I find myself asking, how can I be sure I am NOT simply drifting along today?
Interesting to see how many justify that we don't need to try hard things, or strive to do too much. Yes, we must be sure to prioritize and be sure that the most important things get done, but we live in a world of little expectation! If not much happens, that's ok! Just roll along, and go with the flow. You don't have to accomplish too much! Interesting to see that is a key goal of satan, to discourage us, to hold us captive, to lull us away into believing it doesn't really matter, and even to believe that we can't accomplish much if we tried, so why bother! Opposite that of Johnathan Seagull's goals! The flock mocked and banished him for trying to do more, for believing that he could do more than just what was "needful" - that of fighting for food daily! He knew there must be something more, flying, and soaring, learning and reaching new unexplored heights! That is not a message we hear much today!
Just my ponderings today as I strive to follow the mantra of "Do a little more today than you think you possibly can!" H.J. just called and said that the theme for the BSA Volunteer Banquet in January is "Go and Do." I immediately thought of President Spencer W. Kimball's plaque on his desk that read "Do It!" Not regular advice for our day. I am grateful to be linked with a group of people who strive to soar, and not just drift - Encouraging Eagles in our boys! Thanks BSA. I want to soar! I need heavenly help as I Press On, with my shoulder to the wheel, and Hope's bright Flame Alight (the theme for the Christmas Cards I am assembling by hand for many - clients, friends, family...to which I must quickly return!)
One more note I must add. In the book, the devil admits that the antidote to his plan, the way to succeed and thrive in this world is as simple as a four letter word which he strongly tries to discourage! That word is overlooked, ignored, and justified against so often, satan wins! The four letter word is easily set aside as not possible, not an option, or just barely recognized if absolutely necessary... the key is "GIVE." How simple. How sublime!
The First Presidency Fireside certainly spoke of this simple gift. We have to GIVE. We can't just take. We can't just sit back while others work and do! We must GIVE. I was forwarded a link to this Fox Business report about the First Thanksgiving, it clearly portrays the worldly view of survival in this world - certainly not to GIVE! I am grateful to be a part of the family discussed in the video that knows that the opposite can happen when the law of consecration is lived, it can work, Zion can be a reality, but only when our highest motive, our best efforts are dedicated to GIVE! To GIVE more than we receive, which I testify is impossible as King Benjamin instructed in Mosiah 2:20-22, 34 if we "should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants." I testify that he sends blessings beyond what we can comprehend, especially by way of helping us to accomplish more than humanly possible when we are willing to be the instrument through which His work can be done! He wants us to succeed. He has much work to do here on this earth, and He is not a God of mediocraty!!!! I was touched in the temple some months ago that He didn't stop in the creation process and say, oh, one type of insect is plenty! He didn't stop with a single kind of bird, and say "No more is needful!" NO! He rules over Kingdoms, principalities, powers, dominions! and further so can we, if we don't shirk, if we are willing to accept and try! (See this scripture D&C 132:19) Love that! So Give, oh give, give oh give! I am off to do more than I can humanly do, with heaven's help again today! I know in His Strength I can!
In this interview with the Devil, Mr. Hill learns that there are basically two kinds of people in this world, "Drifters" and "Non-Drifters." Drifters are those who follow the crowd, who go about life, living and breathing, but not accomplishing. The Non-Drifters are those who set a course, and reach and aspire to goals and dreams. The Devil admits that he uses three key people in the lives of humans to help him, teachers, religious leaders, and parents. Those three key roles he uses to discourage, guide, and persuade the human race to just simply drift through, and fall to his traps. Scary, but true, look around! Start watching!
While in CA for Thanksgiving, we decided as a family we weren't going to simply allow the kids to watch videos in the car. We packed up a pile of books, and enjoyed reading together! Novel idea :)! One of the books we read again was "Johnathan Livingston Seagull." A great fast read, we have talked about and pondered the relation of these two books, as we have observed people. Interesting. Good food for thought. So daily I find myself asking, how can I be sure I am NOT simply drifting along today?
Interesting to see how many justify that we don't need to try hard things, or strive to do too much. Yes, we must be sure to prioritize and be sure that the most important things get done, but we live in a world of little expectation! If not much happens, that's ok! Just roll along, and go with the flow. You don't have to accomplish too much! Interesting to see that is a key goal of satan, to discourage us, to hold us captive, to lull us away into believing it doesn't really matter, and even to believe that we can't accomplish much if we tried, so why bother! Opposite that of Johnathan Seagull's goals! The flock mocked and banished him for trying to do more, for believing that he could do more than just what was "needful" - that of fighting for food daily! He knew there must be something more, flying, and soaring, learning and reaching new unexplored heights! That is not a message we hear much today!
Just my ponderings today as I strive to follow the mantra of "Do a little more today than you think you possibly can!" H.J. just called and said that the theme for the BSA Volunteer Banquet in January is "Go and Do." I immediately thought of President Spencer W. Kimball's plaque on his desk that read "Do It!" Not regular advice for our day. I am grateful to be linked with a group of people who strive to soar, and not just drift - Encouraging Eagles in our boys! Thanks BSA. I want to soar! I need heavenly help as I Press On, with my shoulder to the wheel, and Hope's bright Flame Alight (the theme for the Christmas Cards I am assembling by hand for many - clients, friends, family...to which I must quickly return!)
One more note I must add. In the book, the devil admits that the antidote to his plan, the way to succeed and thrive in this world is as simple as a four letter word which he strongly tries to discourage! That word is overlooked, ignored, and justified against so often, satan wins! The four letter word is easily set aside as not possible, not an option, or just barely recognized if absolutely necessary... the key is "GIVE." How simple. How sublime!
The First Presidency Fireside certainly spoke of this simple gift. We have to GIVE. We can't just take. We can't just sit back while others work and do! We must GIVE. I was forwarded a link to this Fox Business report about the First Thanksgiving, it clearly portrays the worldly view of survival in this world - certainly not to GIVE! I am grateful to be a part of the family discussed in the video that knows that the opposite can happen when the law of consecration is lived, it can work, Zion can be a reality, but only when our highest motive, our best efforts are dedicated to GIVE! To GIVE more than we receive, which I testify is impossible as King Benjamin instructed in Mosiah 2:20-22, 34 if we "should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants." I testify that he sends blessings beyond what we can comprehend, especially by way of helping us to accomplish more than humanly possible when we are willing to be the instrument through which His work can be done! He wants us to succeed. He has much work to do here on this earth, and He is not a God of mediocraty!!!! I was touched in the temple some months ago that He didn't stop in the creation process and say, oh, one type of insect is plenty! He didn't stop with a single kind of bird, and say "No more is needful!" NO! He rules over Kingdoms, principalities, powers, dominions! and further so can we, if we don't shirk, if we are willing to accept and try! (See this scripture D&C 132:19) Love that! So Give, oh give, give oh give! I am off to do more than I can humanly do, with heaven's help again today! I know in His Strength I can!