Enough suspense. Let’s find out what Napoleon Hill’s unlikely source of hope was.
Music Makes Miracles
“We bought a victrola. When the child heard the music for the first time, he went into ecstasies, and promptly appropriated the machine. He soon showed a preference for certain records, among them, “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.” On one occasion, he played that piece over and over, for almost two hours, standing in front of the victrola, with his teeth clamped on the edge of the case. The significance of this self-formed habit of his did not become clear to us until years afterward, for we had never heard of the principle of “bone conduction” of sound at that time.
“Shortly after he appropriated the victrola, I discovered that he could hear me quite clearly when I spoke with my lips touching his mastoid bone, or at the base of the brain. These discoveries placed in my possession the necessary media by which I began to translate into reality my burning desire to help my son develop hearing and speech. By that time he was making stabs at speaking certain words. The outlook was far from encouraging, but desire backed by faith knows no such word as impossible.
Transferred Desire
“Having determined that he could hear the sound of my voice plainly, I began, immediately, to transfer to his mind the desire to hear and speak. I soon discovered that the child enjoyed bedtime stories, so I went to work, creating stories designed to develop in him self-reliance, imagination, and a keen desire to hear and to be normal.
“There was one story in particular, which I emphasized by giving it some new and dramatic coloring each time it was told. It was designed to plant in his mind the thought that his affliction was not a liability, but an asset of great value. Despite the fact that all the philosophy I had examined clearly indicated that every adversity brings with it the seed of an equivalent advantage, I must confess that I had not the slightest idea how this affliction could ever become an asset. However, I continued my practice of wrapping that philosophy in bedtime stories, hoping the time would come when he would find some plan by which his handicap could be made to serve some useful purpose.
“Reason told me plainly, that there was no adequate compensation for the lack of ears and natural hearing equipment. Desire backed by faith, pushed reason aside, and inspired me to carry on.
Unlikely Odds
Everyone will at one time face a situation in which the odds seem unlikely. Hill and his son are just one example of how unlikely odds can be overcome. As he said before, though, the only limit to achievement and success is your own mindset. Set your mindset to success, back it with a burning desire and the faith that it can happen, and success will follow.
Sean Rasmussen
Success Communicator
SeanRasmussen.com © 2004 – 2008
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What a reassuring and confirming story. Thank you so much for blogging it. It has given me some inspiration to assist my visualisations: to dress them as a story to tell and retell to the kids. What a magic way to help them to see themselves running around and playing in their new environment.
great post yaar. I writer the same ascent.
jakys last blog post..Think and Grow Rich with Faith
GOLD!! Sean
This is gold!
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Great story, his father never gave up the chance of giving his son the chance to hear.
That’s what creates miracles , never accept the word impossible or can’t. To me personally they are swear words and children should never hear them, in fact some folks say they should be taken from the dictionary.
There is nothing as strong as the power of belief .
FISHERMAN
Allen Sentance (FISHERMAN)s last blog post..NEWS FLASH !!!!!! From Jared Akama Ondieki
I have a philosophy, that the greater the impact a person will have in this world to that degree he/she will be challenged by the forces of this life. When I coach with someone who is facing insurmountable challenge and chaos, I help them to feel the anticipation of what it will be like to tell the story of where they have come from as they begin to enjoy success.
Unfortunately there are so many that fall by the way side not cultivating the power of their thoughts to deliver the success they were designed for.
Great comment Janie. Great challenges create a more fabulous life story. I will need to remember that.
Hi Sean,
This story really reflects for me how amazing Napoleon Hill was. He never gave up on his desire to have his son hear and speak. His faith never seemed to waiver.
Not so long ago, I’m pretty sure that I would have done whatever the Doctors suggested. I would have wanted my son to be able to hear and speak normally, but if the Doctors told me it wasn’t possible, I would have believed them.
Now I think I would politely listen to the Doctors and then decide for myself how to create the best possible outcome. I would no longer blindly follow their advice.
What I love most about this part of Napoleon Hill’s story?
“I must confess that I had not the slightest idea how this affliction could ever become an asset. However, I continued my practice of wrapping that philosophy in bedtime stories”
That is a brilliant example that you don’t have to know the “how” but the “what” (you want) and “why”. Just because I can’t see the way at the moment doesn’t mean that there is none, otherwise I would have to know everything – which I don’t.
But I think this is also the hard part, trusting your desire that the “how” will revile itself. That’s what we need to give our kids – that unwaivering trust in themselves.
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Planting the seed of a burning desire is a strategy I’ve seen “wealth creation” companies use in unethical ways.
They get people in a frenzy, in highly emotional states and juiced up – with seed and desire planting – to the point that their audience hand over large sums of money on credit cards without batting an eyelid. Actions that otherwise fairly intelligent, reasonable people wouldn’t normally take.
My tip – especially if you’re new on your wealth creation journey – is to be careful of companies that spend days making suggestions to your unconscious mind, to put you in a state where you can’t make proper decisions. Then bombard you with sales presentations! This is not the ethical way to sell to people, especially not big ticket financial investment items.
Because later, when you realise you made quick, impulse decisions in your atypical heightened state, they will put the responsibility back on you. Which, they could reasonably argue. If you weren’t lucky enough to check if any cooling-off periods were included in your contract – or if they’ve expired by the time you realise you’ve made a mistake – then good luck trying to get your money back if you change your mind.
Hill used this strategy out of love and for good. It can also be used in the reverse.
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