“Remember, happiness doesn’t depend upon who you are or what you have; it depends solely upon what you think. So, start each day by thinking of all the things you have to be thankful for. Your future will depend very largely on the thoughts you think today. So, think thoughts of hope and confidence and love and success.” Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie is the author of the book “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” It was published in 1936, but it remains one of the most read books in business, sales, and leadership. I have read it myself. His thoughts and philosophies written in 1936 are relevant today in 2025. This post isn’t a critique of his book. I wanted to address the quote above. It seems such an easy thing to do to “Start each day by thinking of all the things you have to be thankful for.”, especially when things are going right. How do you do that in those moments of tragedy like the loss of a loved one. How do you do that when you see the struggles and suffering of people. How do you do that when you are experiencing life-changing events like becoming homeless or how you are going to make that next payment or how am I going to feed my family. These are challenges people face every day.
In the work that many of us do in serving the community we love, it is challenging sometimes to hold on to your faith in humankind. We give so much of ourselves and sometimes the outcomes do not turn out the way we would like them to. Even in moments and acts of kindness tragedy can happen, and you will ask yourself why, but often there is no logical answer. You continue to move forward because you made a commitment to help those in need, but the “failures” can sometimes outweigh the successes until you decide you have had enough. I have been there many times and if you are reading this, I would guess you have been there as well. What is it that keeps us going and helps us to move forward when the universe is telling us to surrender. I know for me it is my faith because I know that I have been put in a position to make a difference. I will continue to move forward and help those who need help.
The other thing that gives me strength is the people I work with in the community. They give me the strength to move forward. We are partners on the same journey and we lean on each other and borrow strenght to move forward.
I often ask my partners how do you keep the strength to continue your work. I have gotten many different responses but what it all comes down to in what Carnegie said, “Your future will depend very largely on the thoughts you think today. So, think thoughts of hope and confidence and love and success.” I guarantee that if you sat with some of the great community advocated here in Berkshire County, you will hear about the struggles and the challenges. They may be frustrated and look like they are about to give up, but if you come back the next day, they will be there ready to speak for those who need to be heard. I know because it is what keeps me coming back every day.
This post is for all my community partners. Stay strong because together we will be the difference for those who need us.
“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” Dale Carnegie
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 