Napoleon Hill published Think and Grow Rich. He had studied the
success habits and patterns of men such as Henry Ford, Thomas
Edison, John D. Rockefeller, and Alexander Graham Bell. Having interviewed them personally, Mr. Hill developed a
success system based on his findings that was intended to change the way people think. The book was a smashing success and sold over 10 million copies world wide.
World wide, that is, except in large part within the Black community. Black America does not typically reach for success related books at the bookstore, especially ones written by white people for white people. The disparity exists in the thought process.
Mankind’s mind has the potential to create the greatest good, the most horrific evil, or nothing at all. Through Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice, Dr. Dennis Kimbro hopes to engage the reader’s mind, eliminate all the excuses, and challenge all to become what the Creator intended. He says, “There are riches for anyone who recognizes the power of the mind.”
In reality, it does boil down to a choice. Dr. Kimbro states, “The mind is never idle. The source of man’s wealth is the power of his own
thoughts.”
The disparity of thinking is evident by the choices people make. Dr. Kimbro states it so succinctly, “The bigger the house, the more personal volumes you’ll find in the library. The smaller the house, the bigger the television set.”
“You’re living in a free society. If you’re broke, you’re broke by choice!” It is Dr. Kimbro’s assertion that we should be compassionate for the underprivileged, the poor, and the needy, but he won’t accept any excuses. Individuals who have succeeded thus far have done so by relying upon themselves.
“The question is not, ‘Can you succeed?’ but ‘Will you?’”
That is the key. In order to unlock the door to success, black Americans must change how they think. The New Testament calls it renewing the mind. Understanding that principle is the key to achieving the American dream. The mind has the ability to give us whatever we think. Jabez asked God to increase his ability or capacity to think so he could achieve more. If, however, a person uses her mind to think negative thoughts, the mind also has the ability to give her the negative results of her thoughts.
Dr. Kimbro outlines several mental “laws” that operate much like the law of gravity. The law of gravity is true whether you believe it or not. If you decide to jump off of a seven-story building because you disagree with the law, you’ll soon discover that the law doesn’t change to accommodate your belief. These mental laws, also called spiritual principles, exist, and, if understood well, can produce massive success.
While Dr. Kimbro’s list is not by any means exhaustive, these principles can help you reach your goals.
· What you think upon grows. By focusing on prosperity, abundance, and success, you will enable these riches to appear in your life.
· Thoughts are causes, and conditions are effects. You are the sum total of your thoughts and actions.
· If you don’t use it, you will lose it. Practice makes perfect.
· First within, then without. Everything that happens to you in your external world happens because of what is going on in your internal world. What you want to happen in your life, begin to have that attitude or consciousness.
· The only way to get rid of a negative thought is to substitute a positive one.
· Anything you believe with feeling will become real in your life.
· Success attracts more success while failure attracts more failure.
· Never seek a trade-off. Be a joyful giver. Give freely with joy and have no thought of a return.
Says Dr. Kimbro, “All high achievers make choices, not excuses.”