Optimism Made Simple

You’ll have heard the story of a taxi driver asking a priest riding in his cab. “Supposing when you die, it turns out you were wrong about the existence of God and Heaven?” The priest responds, “Supposing you die without believing in Him, then find out you’re wrong? I’ll have lived a happy life in the expectation of going to Heaven. And if I’m wrong, it won’t matter—my life will still have had meaning. But if you’re wrong, it will matter—and it’ll be too late.” I’ve used that argument many times when my faith has been put under pressure. But reading Dr. Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking made me realize just believing in God isn’t enough. We’re here on earth to fulfill our potential. That parable about the talents is so potent—how interesting that the coins of the day should be called ‘talents’! Each of us has unique talents, given to us by God who expects us to use them for His glory. Dr. Peale’s book made me understand the importance of setting good goals and going for them. He gives numerous methods for doing this, and for removing obstacles that come our way, using the power God gave us. In addition to perfect charity with our neighbors, we only need faith ‘the size of a mustard seed’ to make good things happen in our lives. I wrote this little book to show what happened when I put Dr. Peale’s principles into practice. I hope they inspire you to get a copy of his book. You’ll be amazed at how your life changes for the better. Hilary C.T. Walker Owings, Maryland, April 2011