The Power Of Positive Thinking : A Practical Guide To Mastering The Problems Of Everyday Living

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Summary: "Nothing on earth is greater..."
Review: "than the human mind in potential power." NVP

A Peale classic!!! Another spring cleaning survivor! My copy has been rained on etc. but not ruined! I'm not throwing this one out.

I first read this many, many moons ago in college. My father had passed away during that time and I was unsure I would be able to complete my studies. My mind was flooded with so many worries. My sister gave me this book to read and whenever I would regress to my woe is me mode of thinking, she would snap, "Go read your positive thinking book."!

I've since read other Norman Vincent Peale books and they're all written on the same lines. I would classify them as self-help books but upon a christian foundation; Norman Vincent Peale was a protestant pastor of Marble Collegiate Church in New York City. The power of positive thinking was published in 1952.

My only criticism, and the reason NVP fell from a 5 star grace to 4 is that his ideas fit too much into the traditional American idea of working your way to success and not into the biblical one. The goal of the christian is to become more christ-like in character, not to become a financial success in the American marketplace. But surely there are some people who are genuine christians and are successful that way. But the main thing is the inner character which should reflect Christ's.

The sixth chapter on "fuming and fretting" contains my personal favorite verse to meditate on when my mental balance is being tipped: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee"-Isaiah 26:3. Obviously, I accepted and applied Norman Vincent Peale's practical advice to meditate on and repeat that verse as an antidote to such a mental state. It works for me but might not work for others, if you do not fully comprehend what that 'Thee' (God) is all about. If you don't know who the biblical God is, grab a Bible and read! It's the only book I've read ten times from cover to cover.

Rating:
Summary: The Practical Benefits of Belief..
Review: are what you will find in the pages of this book. One afternoon when I was cleaning out my storeroom, I came across a copy of "The Power Of Positive Thinking" in paperback. The edition was from 1956 and had been my father's. I opened the old, yellowed, dog-eared copy and began reading and found that Peale had taken the concepts of an earlier work by Dale Carnegie and elaborated on them with a spiritual twist.

This book can be life-changing, period. If you read it with an open mind and heart and follow the simple and very practical exercises in its pages, you will be changed forever in a very special way. It has stood the test of time and critics, both from the "anything goes, new age" people who say it is too conservative to the "Bible-pounding fundamentalists" who decry its message as heretical. Peale shows us a God who loves us, who is more than ready to give us "every good thing." Yet, if you are not religious in the conventional sense, you will find a new way of thought that will bring peace and harmony to your life through your greatest gift: the power of your mind.

More than just a book, it is a guide to living your life with a maximum of joy. I thank Dr. Peale for his wonderful gift to all of us, "The Power Of Positive Thinking." (P.S. If you find this book a little too heavy in religious emphasis, try reading Dale Carnegie's "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living" which does a great job in a more expanded fashion and is full of examples and practical steps).

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Summary: --->*mysterious TRANSITION*<---
Review: I'm one of the ordinary teens that go out & live life in a typical teen perception (e.g. parties, friends, listenining to music, enjoying youth as it is, etc.) I used to be the type of person who typically never found interests with the ''positive thinking'' category (i was cynical at the time). I read this book one day cause it was lying on top my dad's desk, i was hoping to ''kill time'' by glancing at a few pages. Suddenly, i became attached towards Peale's theories and i began reading from page to page and started applying positive concepts into daily situations (even when ''obstacles'' were bound to hold me back) and mysteriously enough my attitude towards life transformed me into an optimist and a devoted believer in God which in turn, gave me successfull results (especially in my academics!). Hey, you have no need to believe me if you choose too, but I strongly affirm this book WILL alter your mind into becoming a believer with ''The Power of Positive Thinking''. If you're a parent with a stressful life style, THEN THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. If you're the hard worker feeling as if you're not getting anywhere, THEN THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. If you're a student feeling ''tripped & zoned out'', THEN THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. All the people i've mentioned illustrates the average person bombarded with everyday problems (trust me, i literally live with them), yet the solution lies in front of your eyes because this book draws out supplies of confidence, faith in your own abilities, positive affirmations, and spiritual guidance in YOUR life...hey, i wouldn't just waste time to make this book review and neither would the rest of these people who placed an entry analysis for this book. "Faith power brings miracles.."

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Summary: Christian 'Think & Grow Rich'
Review: In the words of the author, this book teaches positive thinking "not as a means to fame, riches or power, but...to overcome defeat and accomplish worthwhile creative values in life."

Where Napoleon Hill's Think & Grow Rich encourages the reader to get in touch with a generic 'Infinite Intelligence', The Power of Positive Thinking is openly and unapologetically Christian. If you aren't open to evangelical Christianity, this book is not for you. If you are open, this book will help set you free.

Based primarily on Biblical affirmation statements, prayer and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, it will help you to choose the right attitude, energize yourself, increase your expectations (and reach them), avoid worry and defeat, and focus on the truly important things in life.

Humble and not at all preachy, Norman Vincent Peale openly shares his own struggles with negative thinking, and tells how others have helped him overcome it. He rightly lets us know that positive thinking does not guarantee our success, but it does bring it much closer to the realm of possibility.

The language is somewhat dated, but the principles are timeless. As Peale says, "The way of life to which this book is a witness is very wonderful. It is not easy. Indeed, it often is hard, but it is full of joy and hope and victory." If you are ready to experience joy, hope and victory, this is the place to start.

Larry Hehn, Author of Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory

Rating:
Summary: The Power of 'Believe in Yourself'
Review: Opening words of Norman Vincent Peale in this book says all "Believe in Yourself & Have faith in your Abilities." Millions of people read the book and its a master piece through ages. The Book reflects the positive power of wisdom that defeat is not a root cause for a down trend. It suggests techniques and gives examples which demonstrate that one can have peace of mind, better health and never ceasing flow of energy to face the hardships and tragedies in life with the power of Positive thinking. A mental diet for every human with creative living based on spiritual techniques, Peale's system outlines perfect and amazing method of successful living. Thoughts inflow remake 'You', the very person who is responsible to create his own happiness and this is what Peale explains through various topics. Its time to stop fuming and fretting when things go wrong and break the worry habits. Faith is healing and a the best prescription for heartache is the Physical activity, says Norman. He elaborates the power technique that there is no point to sit and brood instead Get Set Right with action and be constructive. Norman shows the power to solve personal problems with a belief that there is a solution for every problem, keep calm instead of tension blocking the flow of thought power, trust in the faculty of insight and intuition, seek god's guidance and he would flash illumination into the problem mind. It's expecting the Best to Get Best as Positive Thinking is the road to happiness. Norman's book is simly a practical, direct-action, personal improvement manual and written with sole objective to help readers achieve a happy, satisfying and worthwhile life. A must Pick and a must Read Book.

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Summary: Four Reasons to Buy "The Power of Positive Thinking"
Review: The book: Intrinsically inspiring. Timeless and powerful. The Power of Positive Thinking shines light on the shadows of despair and heightens one's sensibilities to God-given potential. This is the original. It is the mother of all motivational books.

The author: The cornerstone of Peale's "appeal" is his ability to transcend mere psychological and touch the human soul. In doing so, he reaps the reward of the senior statesman of encouragement.

The reason: I recommend this books for the following four reasons:

1. To help others. As only the wise can lead the foolish, so only the motivated can encourage the fainthearted. Read this book-not for yourself alone-but for the lives of those you will touch.

2. To encourage your family. Empower your loved ones by being the leader you were meant to be. Don't tell them how to live, show them.

3. To stimulate your co-workers. It's called synergy. Yawn and the world yawns with you. Invest in a smile, and that smile is reflected in the hearts, minds and faces of those you've inspired. Enlarge your personality with the dynamic of positive thinking, and watch the world follow.

4. To inspire your friends. You are a leader. The question is: what direction are you leading your friends? The Power of Positive Thinking will put you on the right track.

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Summary: VERY motivating FANTASTIC book!
Review: This book will change your life! You will never go through any situation the same way again! Your thinking will change, your actions will change and all for the better! This book contains the solution to every problem there is and ever will be. If you are seeking to build your faith to overcome obstacles in your life this book will do it. This book reminds me of the fact that anything is possible with God! I almost didn't buy this book because of some comments I'd read on certain Christian websites about the author. But I had the condensed version at home and loved it, so after reading all 45 reviews on this book with 99.9% of them being in favor of the book I went ahead and bought it and I'm VERY glad I did! I am over halfway through with this book and I count it 2nd in importance only to the Bible! Do yourself a favor that will last a lifetime and buy this book NOW!