| has been so much written on the subject of | | | | your enthusiasm, it’s not |
| enthusiasm that it could probably fit a volume of | | | | “your” enthusiasm they are |
| an encyclopedia. Every great man or woman that | | | | catching; it is the power of God that is within the |
| has spoken on the subject has recognized the | | | | both of you. When two people are enthused |
| magical power of enthusiasm. Ralph Waldo | | | | about the same thing at the same time they are |
| Emerson wrote, “Enthusiasm is the | | | | in God, or God is in them. This is no mystery to |
| mother of effort, and without it nothing great | | | | me and it shouldn’t shock anyone who is |
| was ever achieved." That is a pretty powerful | | | | reading this unless you are touchy about religious |
| statement! Kahlil Gibran wrote, | | | | overtones. I think there is a world of difference |
| “Enthusiasm is a volcano on whose top | | | | between religion and spirituality and what I am |
| never grows the grass of hesitation.” | | | | talking about here is pure spirituality not religion. In |
| Denis Waitley said, “Get excited and | | | | fact, I personally can vouch for the fact that I |
| enthusiastic about your own dream. This | | | | have never heard a discussion about enthusiasm |
| excitement is like a forest fire - you can smell it, | | | | like this in a church. The sooner you can get over |
| taste it, and see it from a mile away.” | | | | the prejudice you may have about religious |
| Norman Vincent Peale wrote, “Enthusiasm | | | | overtones the sooner you can begin accepting |
| … spells the difference between mediocrity | | | | what true enthusiasm is. |
| and accomplishment.” The list goes on and | | | | Once we cross that bridge many things become |
| on. | | | | possible. For example, we can answer such |
| What is this magical power that everyone talks | | | | questions as were posed at the beginning of this |
| about? Where does it come from? How can you | | | | article. The first was, “What is this magical |
| get it if you don’t have it? Those are | | | | power that everyone talks about?” It is |
| important questions. What I find interesting is that | | | | now obvious that it is the spark of life within us |
| out of all that has been written about enthusiasm, | | | | all, the burning fire of God’s power within |
| very little attention is given to these questions. | | | | us. The second question was, “Where |
| Let’s look at the word a bit closer. The | | | | does it come from?” The power comes |
| English word “enthusiasm” comes | | | | from within but it originates from God. The third |
| from two Greek terms, “En” and | | | | question was,” How do you get it if you |
| “Theos”. Most of our English | | | | don’t have it?” The simple answer |
| language is taken from both Greek and Latin since | | | | is you already have it inside you; we all do! If you |
| these languages existed before English. The Greek | | | | feel you don’t have it, it’d |
| word “En” means | | | | because something is preventing that power from |
| “in”, and the Greek word | | | | coming out. Shyness can stop it. Insecurity or low |
| “Theos” means | | | | self-esteem can stop it. Fear can stop it. Your |
| “God”. So the translation literally | | | | belief system can stop it. |
| means “In God”. I have always | | | | If you want to get it back, there is no mystery |
| found that interesting. Yet very little is said about | | | | about that. We can all get our enthusiasm going |
| this in the literature I have read on the subject of | | | | by getting in touch with ourselves. That of course |
| enthusiasm. Everyone that has written anything | | | | is the simple answer because time does not allow |
| on enthusiasm will tell you it is something that | | | | us to elaborate here. However, I would |
| comes from deep inside us. When we are | | | | recommend attending a self-empowerment |
| enthusiastic, we are at our very best. We are the | | | | seminar, or read a good book that moves you. |
| most sincere when we are enthused. We can win | | | | Everyone is different and you need to find what |
| arguments, we can sell anything to anybody, and | | | | moves you. When you do you will have |
| we can win at a job interview and get that job | | | | accomplished much. Most people don’t |
| we have always wanted. We can achieve | | | | know what motivates them. I could find that out |
| fantastic things when we are enthusiastic. We feel | | | | about you in a one hour workshop. |
| great when we are enthusiastic don’t we? | | | | As you go out into the world today feel that |
| I am convinced that enthusiasm is the power of | | | | power that is within you. Understand that you |
| God within us. En-Theos means in God. When we | | | | have it just as much as everyone else does. God |
| are enthused we exhibit that power; people can | | | | was not exclusive when he handed out |
| see it and feel it; but few are willing to admit | | | | enthusiasm. In fact it may surprise you to learn |
| what it really is because of the religious overtones | | | | that your enthusiasm existed right along with His |
| that are associated with this line of thought. | | | | from a long time ago. Remember you have the |
| I am sure you heard it said that enthusiasm is | | | | spark of life within you. You can do anything you |
| catchy. There is no secret there. If you are in | | | | put your mind to. That is self-empowerment! |
| God when you are enthusiastic, and people catch | | | | |