Sunday, February 17, 2008

Acres of Diamonds - by Will Edwards

Have you ever heard of the classic self help book Acres of Diamonds? It was written by Russell H Conwell (1843 - 1925) who was an American Baptist minister and founder of Temple University in Philadelphia.

Acres of Diamonds was originally a speech which it is estimated he delivered over 6,000 times to various audiences throughout the world. It was later published as a book; and remains a classic Self Improvement text.

Looking for Diamonds

Albert Einstein said, "In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity." Once discovered, such opportunities are like valuable diamonds hidden in the sand.

Several years ago I spoke at church about how we are surrounded by "diamonds," if we could only recognize them. A man stopped by to see me. I remembered him as somebody who had suffered through a painful divorce and was examining his life's priorities. His outstretched hand contained a small, plastic gem stone.

"I stepped on this gem stone when I was leaving church last Sunday," he explained. "It became lodged in the sole of my shoe. You had spoken about recognizing opportunities - diamonds. I put the plastic stone in my pocket to remind me to look for those diamonds that I need.

"I have been trying to sell my business," he continued. On Monday morning, a man stopped by who seemed interested in purchasing some of my stock. I thought, 'Here's my diamond - don't let it get away!' I sold the entire stock to him by noon.

"Now," he said through a broad smile, "my next diamond is to find a new job!"

Not long afterward, he did find a new - and better - job. He resolved to keep his gem stone with him from then on as a reminder to look for diamonds as he digs through the difficulties of life.

Richard DeVos is accurate when he points out, "This is an exciting world. It is cram-packed with opportunity. Great moments wait around every corner." Those moments are diamonds that, if left unrecognized, will be forever lost.

Are you looking for diamonds every day? If not, you may easily pass them by! Perhaps there is a diamond of opportunity hidden in that difficulty you're experiencing now.

__________

Steve Goodier's books & Newsletter: http://LifeSupportSystem.com.

Insurmountable Opportunity
Diamonds in Disguise

It's an interesting message isn't it? We truly are surrounded by opportunity - the problem is that many of us fail to recognise it when it is staring us in the face! The truth is that many of us don't really know what a diamond actually looks like in its raw state!

Remember - diamonds do not come all nicely cut and polished, the way we usually imagine them, when taken directly from the Earth!

That is, of course, why it is important to get those goals clearly quantified and written down somewhere you can regularly see them. It will keep your subconscious mind working on the most important things.

That's it for this week. I do hope you have enjoyed the Newsletter.

With every good wish,



Will Edwards.
The White Dove Partnership

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