Jump starting your day!
Can you visualize starting your day with a plan for developing more enthusiasm? A story is told that author Henry David Thoreau, upon awakening, would lie in his bed for a while and recount to himself all the good news that he could think of. Then, he arose to meet the day in a world filled with good things, wonderful people, and great opportunities! He used this practice of spiritual motivation at the start of each day to infuse himself with new zeal and enthusiasm.

In his book Reach Out for New Life, Dr. Robert Schuller wrote a little story in an effort to capture the meaning of enthusiasm...

The word "enthusiasm," which is derived from the Greek word entheos, means to be inspired, to have zeal or fervour, to be joyful, to be filled with spirit, or "full of God." Doesn't this sound like a recipe for a happy and useful life?

Michelangelo is credited with creating forty-four statues in his lifetime. Most people are familiar with some of the ones he finished - David, the Pieta, and Moses, to name a few. However, he only finished fourteen of his sculptures.

The thirty pieces Michelangelo didn't complete are interesting. For example, in one piece of marble, you may see a sculptured elbow or the beginning of a wrist. The rest of the human form is still locked up in the marble.

One might think, "What a tragedy these pieces were never completed!" But wait a moment! Are we not all unfolding master-pieces? We are "in the process of becoming" in this journey of life. Becoming what? What tremendous, unexplored possibilities are still encased within us?
 

Enthusiasm is at the bottom of all progress. With it there is accomplishment. Without it there are only alibis. -Henry Ford