Chapter 11-13

Chapter 11

How To Get People To Like you

            We might as well admit it. We want people to like us. If someone says, “I don’t care whether people like me or not,” he is not telling the truth.

            A poll was taken among some high school students on the question, “What do you most desire?” By overwhelming majority the students voted that they wanted to be popular. The same urge is in older people.

            Even if you are a “difficult” person or by nature shy and retiring, even unsocial, you can attain popularity by practicing a few simple, natural and easily mastered techniques.

            First, become a comfortable person, one who is easygoing and pleasant. If you are a comfortable person, do not assume that the reason other people do not like you is because of something wrong with them. Assume, instead, that the trouble is within yourself  and determine to find and eliminate it.

            Another factor in getting people to like you is to practice building up the ego of other persons. Whomever you help to build up and become a better, stronger, finer person will give you his undying devotion. Build up as many people as you can. Do it unselfishly. Do it because you like them and because you see possibilities in them. Do this and you will never lack for friends. You will always be well thought of. Build people up and love them genuinely. Do them good and their esteem and affection will flow back toward you.

Chapter 12

Prescription For Heartache

            There is indeed a “prescription” for heartache. One element in the prescription is physical activity. The sufferer must avoid the temptation to sit and brood. A sensible program which substitutes physical activity for such fruitless brooding reduces the strain on the area of the mind where we reflect, philosophize and suffer mental pain. Muscular activity utilizes another part of the brain and therefore shifts the strain and gives relief.

            Whatever the character of your heartache, one of the first steps is to resolve to get back into the mainstream of life’s activities. Take up your old associations. Form new ones. Get busy walking, riding, swimming, playing get the blood to coursing through your system. Lose yourself in some worthwhile project. Fill your days with creative activity and emphasize the physical aspect of activity.

            Hallucination, a dream, a vision- I do not believe so. I have spent too many years talking to people who have come to the edge of  “something” and had a look across, who unanimously have reported beauty, light and peace, to have any doubt in my own mind.

Chapter 13

How To Draw Upon That Higher Power

A method for drawing upon that Higher Power is to learn to take a positive, optimistic attitude toward every problem. In direct proportion to the intensity of the faith which you muster will you receive power to meet your situation.

There is a Higher Power, and the Power can do everything for you. Draw upon it and experience its great helpfulness. This Higher Power is constantly available. If you are open to it, it will rush in like a mighty tide. It is there for anybody under any circumstances or in any condition. This tremendous inflow of power is of such force that in its inrush it drives everything before it, casting out fear, hate, sickness, weakness, moral defeat, scattering them as though they had never touched you, refreshing and re-strengthening your life with health, happiness and goodness.

Source : Norman Vincent Peale, 1987. The Power of  Positive Thinking. Ballantine Books.