Austin Lewter/Jefferson Jimplecute
Robert Collier was an American author who lived from 1885-1950.
He wrote self-help and New Thought metaphysical books. He was a pioneer in the genre.
His book “The Secret of the Ages” has become one of the standards in the self-help world.
Collier wrote about the practical psychology of abundance, desire, faith, visualization, confident action and personal development; all before many other people were tackling these topics.
I regularly share quotes on my personal Facebook page. Many of them coming from my daily reading.
Some of them jump out at me in a news story. Nonetheless, I am quote collector and I try to share a new one every morning.
Most often, they are inspiration or practical. Sometimes they are funny, but I try to stay as non-political as possible.
Nowadays, though, it seems that is becoming harder to do.
One such quote I shared recently came from Collier.
“See things as you would have them be instead of how they are,” were the 12 words I pasted into my newsfeed, and I attributed Collier.
Sometimes these quotes will draw comments. Sometimes likes. Sometimes, it’s as if no one sees them — and all of that is okay, but this drew some varying sentiments worth discussing.
Both comments came from ladies I’ve known my entire life.
The first said. “Maybe in your personal life, but the political situation in America merits clean, clear glasses. Put the rose-colored ones away for the moment!”
“That’s interesting,” I thought. Granted, I have been buried in work the past few days and hadn’t been glued to the TV news about the infantile arguing in Washington. Her comment seemed off to me, but I left it at that.
Later that day, another one (from the other lady) read, “That could be very dangerous this day and time. That is sad to say. In the world we live in now, we need to be fully aware of what is going on around us. It seems like not long ago, living in the country we never locked our doors; but we do now. I never thought much about guns, but I do now. I know where they are and even have one of my own. When home alone, my pistol is never far from me and that’s a shame!”
I was taken aback and not because I necessarily agreed (or disagreed) with either one. I was just fascinated where a 12-word quote about the benefits personal visualization can take a conversation.
Collier wrote this quote in reference to the power of visualization. For example, you can’t lose the weight until you can visualize yourself healthier and thinner.
You won’t get out of debt until you can imagine it is possible.
You must visualize your success before you can attain your success.
Muhammad Ali called himself ‘The Greatest’ — but, he really was.
Ali was the Greatest boxer of all time.
The first step in him becoming The Greatest was visualizing it was actually possible, and then verbalizing it. He envisioned it then he told everyone, “I am the greatest.” Later, over time, he became The Greatest.
Both are powerful motivators to do better. Think it possible, say it’s possible, make it possible… That’s all Collier was saying in his quote.
I hadn’t intended the rehashing of his quote in a political or pop culture sense. But it went there— as it seems everything does nowadays.
I think we should all take a break from taking things there. That is one of my visualizations for the new year.