A teen boy who was poor and shy,
Though in life, determined to try!
No success in sports, fame or girl,
I added activities, living in a whirl!
Mom gave me a nice new book,
Norman Vincent Peale’s ideas I took.
Bible verses and fun stories he told,
As I was learning in life to be bold.
“Change your thoughts – you change your world.”
As my petulant young life unfurled!
“This is the day the Lord hath made . . .”
A simple thought I carefully weighed.
God’s in charge, not me I learned;
That’s the secret I discerned.
Live simple and give much,
Scatter sunshine, love and such.
Words learned when I was young,
For a lifetime on my tongue!
Let go! Let God have His way!
This attitude must not sway!
Happened in 1957 – Written May 10, 2013 by the adult Charlie Doggett for the McKendree Writer’s Guild, Hermitage, Tennessee.
The book I read that changed my life as a shy 16 year old was The Power of Positive Thinking for Young People, by Norman Vincent Peale. I think Mom had read the adult version and got this youth version for me for either Christmas or birthday gift.
¡Pura Vida!