The Carpenter: A Story About the Greatest Success Strategies of All

Chapter 22The Heart of Success

For the next few days Michael loved, served, and cared at home and at his daughter’s basketball practices. He had a few more days until he returned to work but at least he was able to put the strategies to the test with his family and nine-year-old girls playing basketball. Each morning he talked to himself instead of listened to himself, and while taking a slow walk in the park, he recited the phrases the carpenter had taught him. His wife commented on how much more calm he seemed while getting the kids ready for school. She also loved the fact that he was helping out by doing laundry and vacuuming the house.

The kids loved that he started writing positive messages on their brown lunch bags and on whiteboards in their rooms. He took the carpenter’s words to heart and decided that, for good or for bad, we all share and reinforce beliefs and messages that become part of how our children think and what they believe. Instead of giving them the curse of pessimism, cynicism, and negativity, he decided he would give them the gift of encouragement, optimism, and belief. He wanted to create the pathway to their future accomplishments, victories, and triumphs with the right belief system and so he wrote a positive message each day.

His doctor noticed a difference in him, too. Michael’s medical tests and blood work showed no concerns whatsoever and he was given a clean bill of health. In fact, his blood pressure was lower and all his numbers were better ...