We had a great discussion on "The Power of Enthusiasm" at the Men's Brunch last Sunday. Drawing on the writings of Dr. Peale, it is clear that enthusiasm is one of the most powerful dynamics in life.

Dr. Peale said, "I rate enthusiasm above professional skill." Charles Schwab said "a man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm." Emerson said, "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." Jesus said, "I came that they might have life and have it abundantly."  I think this means to be fully alive, to be enthusiastic.

Enthusiasm does not mean being a bubbly cheer leader. Literally the word mean "en"... in,  "thusiasm".... theos, or God within. It is to know the empowering presence of God.

In our discussion we noted four things:

1. It is important to start and end the day with a sense of God. Never start or end the day with the news. It contaminates the thought process and drags us down.  In the morning, note the sunrise, the beauty around us, the persons who love and care about you. And end the day with the 23rd Psalm read out loud. It is important to hear it and internalize it as we fall asleep.
    
2. Stay open to change and keep growing. I once had a friend whose wife died early in the marriage and their only son committed suicide. Enough to make you want to stop living. Not him. He was driving a car and playing golf until he was 103. When he was in his 80's and 90's, he volunteered to entertain kids at the local barbershop waiting for their Saturday hair cut. He loved kids and he was great with hand puppets. He stayed fully alive until he died.
    
3. Believe in what you are doing and do that which is genuinely you. We all know people who what they do is an extension of themselves and it is a joy to be with them. We also know people who are not comfortable in their own skins and try too hard.
    
4. See success in the future. We need goals, a sense of direction, to know where we are going. With no goals, life is deadly. I worked with a man sometime ago who, when he caught a vision of where he wanted to be one to two years in the future, he came alive.

God has created us to live... to be fully alive... to experience  en  theos... God within.