Think and Grow Rich

Imagine standing at the edge of a railroad track, the distant sound of a freight train rumbling nearby, and within you burns a fire so intense that it blinds out all doubts and fears. This is the story of a man who, armed with nothing but a definite, burning desire, dared to dream of partnership with a great inventor. Desire is not a fleeting wish but a consuming obsession that drives every fiber of your being toward a single goal. This man did not arrive with riches or influence; instead, he boarded a freight train in secret, risking everything to reach his dream. His journey was not instant success but a long march of persistence, working menial jobs, unnoticed by others, while in his mind he was already a partner. He burned all bridges behind him, removing any chance of retreat, forcing himself to win or perish.

His story teaches us that the starting point of all achievement is a definite desire, one so strong that it becomes the master of your thoughts and actions. This desire must be specific – not a vague hope for 'plenty of money' but a clear, exact amount or goal. It must be backed by a plan and the willingness to give something in return. Without such definiteness, desire remains a dream, not a reality.

Another lesson is the power of persistence. This man waited years before the opportunity he sought appeared. Many would have quit, but he stood firm. Persistence is the bridge between desire and its manifestation. It is the force that keeps you moving forward when all signs say to stop. Failure is only temporary defeat unless accepted as final.

Consider the story of a prospector who stopped digging three feet short of a rich vein of gold, selling off his equipment and walking away in defeat. A junk man who later investigated found the vein just beyond that point and extracted millions. This teaches that quitting prematurely is the greatest cause of failure. The lesson is clear: when desire burns brightly, and persistence is unwavering, success is inevitable.

As you reflect on this, remember that your mind is a fertile garden. What you plant – desire, faith, persistence – will grow if nurtured. The next chapter will explore how faith acts as the vital catalyst that transforms desire from mere thought into tangible reality. Let us now journey into the realm where belief meets action.