I often quote the gifted publisher and author, Elbert Hubbard, because he is motivational, inspirational and a visionary. I have, for the most part, become a cheerleader for business and as such I am always seeking comments and wisdom. Hubbard is my current best source. In the preface to his book, The Notebook of Elbert Hubbard, his wife, Alice, describes her husband thusly:
"…Elbert Hubbard is the most positive human force of his time, is a man of genius in business, in art, in literature, in philosophy. He is an idealist, dreamer, orator, scientist.
In his knowledge of the fundamental, practical affairs of living, in business, in human interest, in education, politics and law, he seems without a competitor. He is like Jefferson in his democracy, in teaching a nation to love, to govern itself and simplify all living. He is like Paine in his love for liberty and in his desire that all should be free to act in freedom and to think in freedom."
This is only one part of her description of her husband, but you can see why I have fallen under his spell.
I quoted some inspirational quotes from Hubbard in my last column. I thought another of Elbert's writings titled, "I Believe", might fit in our thoughts. According to Elbert, the title has no standing. "Never a witness gives testimony but that he is cautioned thus, 'Tell us what you know.'
But Elbert and I concur that what we believe is how we run our lives for the most part. Here are his thoughts:
"I Believe I Know:
That I am here. In a world where nothing is permanent but change, and that in degree I, myself, can change the form of things,
And influence a few people;
And that I am influenced by these and other people;
That I am influenced by the example and by the work of men who are no longer alive;
And that the work I now do will, in degree, influence people who may live after my life has changed into other forms;
That a certain attitude of mind and habit of action on my part will add to the peace, happiness and well-being of other people, and that a different thought and action on my part will bring pain and discord to others;
That if I would secure a reasonable happiness for myself, I must give out goodwill to others;
That to better my own condition I must practice mutuality;
That bodily health is necessary to continued and effective work;
That I am largely ruled by habit; that habit is a form of exercise; that up to a certain point exercise means increased strength or ease in effort;
That all life is the expression of spirit; that my spirit influences my body, and my body influences my spirit;
That the universe, to me, is very beautiful and everything and everybody in it good and beautiful when my body and my spirit are in harmonious mood;
That my thoughts are hopeful and helpful unless I am filled with fear, and that to eliminate fear my life must be dedicated to useful work, work in which I forget myself;
That fresh air in abundance and moderate, systematic exercise in the open air are the part of wisdom;
That I can not afford, for my own sake, to be resentful nor quick to take offense;
That happiness is a great power for good, and that happiness is not possible without moderation and equanimity;
And that the reward which life holds out for work is not idleness or rest, nor immunity from work, but increased capacity, GREATER DIFFICULTIES, MORE WORK.
"…Elbert Hubbard is the most positive human force of his time, is a man of genius in business, in art, in literature, in philosophy. He is an idealist, dreamer, orator, scientist.
In his knowledge of the fundamental, practical affairs of living, in business, in human interest, in education, politics and law, he seems without a competitor. He is like Jefferson in his democracy, in teaching a nation to love, to govern itself and simplify all living. He is like Paine in his love for liberty and in his desire that all should be free to act in freedom and to think in freedom."
This is only one part of her description of her husband, but you can see why I have fallen under his spell.
I quoted some inspirational quotes from Hubbard in my last column. I thought another of Elbert's writings titled, "I Believe", might fit in our thoughts. According to Elbert, the title has no standing. "Never a witness gives testimony but that he is cautioned thus, 'Tell us what you know.'
But Elbert and I concur that what we believe is how we run our lives for the most part. Here are his thoughts:
"I Believe I Know:
That I am here. In a world where nothing is permanent but change, and that in degree I, myself, can change the form of things,
And influence a few people;
And that I am influenced by these and other people;
That I am influenced by the example and by the work of men who are no longer alive;
And that the work I now do will, in degree, influence people who may live after my life has changed into other forms;
That a certain attitude of mind and habit of action on my part will add to the peace, happiness and well-being of other people, and that a different thought and action on my part will bring pain and discord to others;
That if I would secure a reasonable happiness for myself, I must give out goodwill to others;
That to better my own condition I must practice mutuality;
That bodily health is necessary to continued and effective work;
That I am largely ruled by habit; that habit is a form of exercise; that up to a certain point exercise means increased strength or ease in effort;
That all life is the expression of spirit; that my spirit influences my body, and my body influences my spirit;
That the universe, to me, is very beautiful and everything and everybody in it good and beautiful when my body and my spirit are in harmonious mood;
That my thoughts are hopeful and helpful unless I am filled with fear, and that to eliminate fear my life must be dedicated to useful work, work in which I forget myself;
That fresh air in abundance and moderate, systematic exercise in the open air are the part of wisdom;
That I can not afford, for my own sake, to be resentful nor quick to take offense;
That happiness is a great power for good, and that happiness is not possible without moderation and equanimity;
And that the reward which life holds out for work is not idleness or rest, nor immunity from work, but increased capacity, GREATER DIFFICULTIES, MORE WORK.