Answer Discouragement with Intelligent Action

I have not read such a powerful message as this one from Bob Proctor as this one about discouragement - the bane of our existence - it's really a feeling of lack of self-worth and that is such a terrible, terrible feeling. I've been there, got nurtured on it on my mother's breast.

When you let it take hold, you sink yourself into a morass of self-pity from which it is often times difficult to extricate yourself.

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That's Good

I often talk about Earl Nightingale and the positive influence he had on my life. The personal association I had with him was a great education but I could never estimate the effect his recorded messages have had on my life.

One of his recorded messages was titled "That's Good". I listened to it so often I could almost repeat it verbatim.

On that record he shared a fable about the devil having a sale that is most interesting and, as Earl mentioned, like most old fables it has a moral that is worth thinking about.

The story goes that Satan was having a sale of his wares. On display, and offered for sale, were the rapier of jealousy, the dagger of fear, and the strangling noose of hatred, each with its own high price.

But standing alone on a purple pedestal was a worn and battered wedge. This was the devil's most prized possession, for with it alone he could stay in business. It was not for sale ... it was the wedge of discouragement.

Why do you suppose the devil valued so highly, and actually would not sell, the worn and battered wedge of discouragement? Makes you think doesn't it?

He prized discouragement because of its enfeebling, demoralizing effect. Hatred, fear or jealousy may lead an immature person to act unwisely, to fight, or to run. But at least they act.

Discouragement on the other hand, hurts the person more than any of these. It causes the person to sit down, pity himself or herself and do nothing.

Now this doesn't have to happen, but unfortunately it all too frequently does. Not until we realize that discouragement is often a form of self pity, do we begin to take stock of ourselves and our predicament and decide to act ... to do something that will take us out of the unpleasant situation.

The answer to discouragement then is intelligent action. Get rid of discouragement before it gets rid of you. The devil might not survive without this priceless wedge ... but we can.

To your success,
Bob Proctor