Book of the Week: The Power of Positive Thinking

Published by Smart Office


Author(s): Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
Publisher: Touchstone, 2003 (Reprint)
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Fans of The Secret will find a lot to love in Dr. Norman Vincent Peale’s classic, The Power of Positive Thinking. Though written over half a century before Byrne’s Oprah Book Club Pick, Byrne’s recommendations for living a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life echo Dr. Peale’s groundbreaking 1952 book.

Dr. Peale’s approach is more traditional than Byrne’s New Age approach, and his focus on faith may not appeal to all readers. But over the decades, people of many faiths have found themselves drawn to the techniques put forth in The Power of Positive Thinking. And one of the requirements to apply these techniques is faith – not necessarily in God, but that the advice Dr. Peale gives will work.

Suffering anxiety? Inside, you’ll find advice for developing a peaceful mind through practices like inspirational reading, clearing one’s mind, or visualization. Over and over, Peale asserts that you create both physical health and daily happiness by choice. Thinking positively requires us to believe in and visualize the possibility of success, rather than imagining obstacles, limitations, or defeat. His recommendations approach the meditative – affirmations and clearing the mind.

Peale ends The Power of Positive Thinking by encouraging his readers to follow his techniques and live more fulfilled lives. The book’s continued popularity are testimony to their usefulness.

“We are beginning to comprehend a basic truth hitherto neglected, that our physical condition is determined very largely by our emotional condition, and our emotional life is profoundly regulated by our thought life.” – Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

“Our happiness depends on the habit of mind we cultivate.” – Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

“The way to happiness: keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Fill your life with love. Scatter sunshine. Forget self, think of others. Do as you would be done by. Try this for a week and you will be surprised.” – Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

In this phenomenal bestseller, “written with the sole objective of helping the reader achieve a happy, satisfying, and worthwhile life,” Dr. Peale demonstrates the power of faith in action. With the practical techniques outlined in this book, you can energize your life—and give yourself the initiative needed to carry out your ambitions and hopes. You’ll learn how to:

· Believe in yourself and in everything you do
· Build new power and determination
· Develop the power to reach your goals
· Break the worry habit and achieve a relaxed life
· Improve your personal and professional relationships
· Assume control over your circumstances
· Be kind to yourself