Author Richard Webster uses the interesting literary device of cogent, timely
correspondence received by a fictional character. These brief letters from
his former high school history teacher contain advice appropriate to each
particular crisis, and arrive just at the moment of decision. Every missive
is preceded by a question or statement encapsulating the high school
teacher's guidance. While these snatches of wisdom may seem self-evident,
their appearance within the context of individual situations and crises
causes them to stand out in bolder relief.
Eight such pieces of amiable instruction seemed particularly appropriate to
my own life. They are: "What's your passion?", "Be kind to
yourself", "Follow your dream", "Enjoy the journey",
"Focus on the positive", "Find something to believe in",
"What is your purpose?", and "Choose your thoughts."
Webster defines "passion" as one's own inner truth --- that which
moves or inspires you. Existence without joy is the end of living and the
beginning of survival. In our success-oriented society, we are too much
caught up in the scramble for survival (i.e., security), although we will
never have enough material wealth to feel impenetrably secure. I sometimes
feel I'm wasting my life on the merry-go-round working and bill-paying. By
remembering that my passion is the real meaning of my life, I can free myself
from the less significant mundane aspect of mere survival, and get on with
the high purpose of fulfilling my abilities, as mediocre as they may be.
"Be kind to yourself" is probably the most difficult of Webster's
commands to follow. He does not, of course, tempt us with self-indulgence.
The kindness of which he speaks is compassion for our flaws and sins, which
we know all too well. It is easy to judge and condemn myself, keenly aware as
I am of a lifetime of error and inappropriate behavior. Objectively regarding
ourselves is difficult, but it can and should be done. Think of yourself as
the child you once were. Do you despise that boy or girl? Of course not. That
may be the first step toward being kind to oneself; to achieve a balanced
appreciation for who and what we are. Too harsh a self-judgment erodes our
will to make something of ourselves in this life.
"Follow your dream" is an admonition to exercise one's passion. It
is easier said than done. If your dream is to someday own a fancy car with
which to impress your friends and enemies, then such a goal may be achieved
through a little hard work and an untouchable savings account. On the other
hand, if your ideal is world peace and your passion is to strive against war,
then your dream will probably be fulfilled, not, unfortunately, by achieving
such an impossibility in this harsh world, but through the fight for its
realization.
It is in following one's dream that at least something of its fulfillment
comes about. Such an assurance is comforting to someone like myself, who,
after long years of trying to make a better society (at least from my point
of view), eventually concluded that changing one's life was more effective
(and more possible) than changing the world. This is apparently what Webster
means when he instructs us to "Enjoy the journey". Like most of my
fellow human beings, I am too focused on hoped-for end results, desire
outcomes, and bottom lines. Things do not always turn out the way we
anticipate, and rarely in the manner we precisely envisioned, resulting in
disappointment. With our eyes on the prize we are too often led to agree with
Arthur Schopenhauer, the so-called "Philosopher of Pessimism", that
our individual existence is nothing more than a life-long process of
disillusionment. Webster's antidote to such dead-end thinking is a kind of
yogic indifference to ultimate success or the lack thereof by making the most
of our passage into the future.
I find that thus relinquishing worry for a future that can be, at most,
anticipated but never clearly foreseen, a calm settles over my heart, as
stress and blood pressure are lowered. Moreover, I am better able to achieve
my task in a calm state of mind, than distracted by fears, most of which turn
out to be baseless. An up-beat assessment of one's situation is the
significance of Webster's "Focus on the positive." Its opposite,
negativity, is the pitfall threatening everyone in modern America's fiercely
competitive society. I find that if I dwell too long and deeply on the
negative qualities in myself or around me, I want to just give up. There is
no hope in capitulation, but a positive attitude at least keeps us going.
Where we can still fight there is at least hope.
Webster tells us to "Find something to believe in." Faith is
everywhere being undermined today, both in established leaders and
institutions, from priests and politicians, to churches and corporations. I
believe in none of these discredited and yet-to-be-discredited persons or
systems. I believe in the eternal truths of nature and the human soul. That,
I find the older I become, is the faith which sustains me.
Just asking, "What is your purpose?", must give us pause to
consider the core meaning of our existence. After some reflection, I believe
I know the answer; namely, to find out what talents or abilities one has,
however humble they may be, and apply them. In so doing, I have found an
inner sense of fulfillment unattainable by any other means.
Best of all perhaps, "Choose your thoughts" means that we are
masters of our own mind. Under psychic attack as we all our during waking
hours by skillful advertising and propaganda, it is important to know that we
are sovereign at least over those things we may choose to embrace or
disregard. Change the channel! Better yet, turn off the box! In a culture
where individual human beings are feeling increasingly powerless, they still
have final rights over their own thought processes. Like them, I cannot
escape a growing feeling of being imposed upon by officials of various
hierarchies who presume to tell me how I should think. The simple realization
that at least in the realm of thought we are still masters is a dimension of
liberty in a world of shrinking freedoms.
Webster's Success Secrets are the simple but eternally powerful truths which
must remain secrets no longer.
RECOMMENDED TITLES BY RICHARD WEBSTER:
SUCCESS SECRETS:
Matthew's marriage is on the rocks and he's in trouble with his boss. Feeling at an all-time low, he goes to his mailbox and finds an envelope addressed to him, with no return address and no stamp. He recognizes the handwriting as that of his old history teacher from high school. Why is he writing after thirty years? The letter and the others that follow are the back-bone of this little book about following your dreams and overcoming obstacles.
SPIRIT GUIDES & ANGEL GUARDIANS:
This book teaches you how to communicate freely with your guardian angels and spirit guides.
SOUL MATES:
After learning of examples of soul mates from the author's own practice, and famous soul mates from history, readers will learn how to recall their past lives and strengthen their relationship so it grows stronger and better as time goes by.
PRACTICAL GUIDE TO PAST-LIFE MEMORIES:
Past life memories can shed light on our purpose in life and help us heal our current wounds.
MIRACLES:
Learn what miracles really are and how to manifest them in your life.
OMENS, OGHAMS & ORACLES:
Gain accurate insights into your life through the use of druid sticks, Oghams, bodhran drums, Saxon wands, touchstones, and sky stones you can make yourself.
These title and others can be found at Isis Books & Gifts! With over
500 Wicca and Witchcraft book titles in stock, your sure to find one right
for you!
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