فصل 43

Several years ago the Reverend Jesse Jackson spoke at the Democratic National Convention. He delivered a powerful message that set the convention on fire. He used only three words: “Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive! KEEP HOPE ALIVE!” He kept saying these same words over and over and over for what seemed forever. The crowd swelled with applause. You could feel the sincerity in his voice. He inspired everyone. He created hope.

That’s why I wrote this book …to give you hope! Hope that you can change, kick an addiction, improve an important relationship. Hope that you can find answers to your problems and reach your fullest potential. So what if your family life stinks, you’re failing school, and the only good relationship you have is with your cat (and lately she’s been letting you down). Keep hope alive!

If, after reading this book, you feel overwhelmed and don’t have a clue where to start, I’d suggest doing this: Thumb through each chapter quickly for the key ideas, or ask yourself, “Which habit am I having the most difficult time living?” Then choose just two or three things to work on (don’t get overzealous and choose twenty). Write them down and put them in a place where you can review them often. Then let them inspire you each day, not send you on a guilt trip.

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You’ll be amazed at the results a few small changes can bring. Gradually, you’ll increase in confidence, you’ll feel happier, you’ll get high “naturally,” your goals will become realities, your relationships will improve, and you’ll feel at peace. It all begins with a single step.

If there was a habit or idea that really hit home, such as Be Proactive or the Relationship Bank Account, the best way to internalize it is to teach it to someone else while it’s still fresh in your mind. Walk them through it using your own examples and words. Who knows, maybe you’ll get them fired up and they’ll want to work with you.

If you ever find yourself sliding or falling short, don’t get discouraged. Remember the flight of an airplane. When an airplane takes off it has a flight plan. However, during the course of the flight, wind, rain, turbulence, air traffic, human error, and other factors keep knocking the plane off course. In fact, a plane is off course about 90 percent of the time. The key is that the pilots keep making small course corrections by reading their instruments and talking to the control tower. As a result, a plane reaches its destination.

If you keep getting knocked off your flight plan and feel as though you’re off course 90 percent of the time … so what? If you just keep coming back to your plan, keep making small adjustments, and keep hope alive, you’ll eventually reach your destination.

Well, this is the end of the book. Thank you for journeying with me, and congratulations on finishing. I just want you to know that I truly believe in your future. You are destined for great things. Always remember, you were born with everything you need to succeed. You don’t have to look anywhere else. The power and light is in you!

Before signing off, I’d like to leave you with a favorite quote of mine, by Bob Moawad, which sums it all up. I wish you all the best. Sayonara.

You can’t make footprints in the sands of time by sitting on your butt. And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?