How Will Power can give you the Strength of the Incredible Hulk
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Today, I was planning on writing more on Canada’s disgusting “Human Rights Commissions’. However, I was without an internet connection for part of the day (thanks, Telus), so I wasn’t able to do the research I wanted. In lieu of this, here is my summary of another chapter of ‘The Power of Concentration”.
Lesson 6 of “The Power of Concentration” is entitled “The Training of the Will to Do“. Dumont makes the point that the will to do is among the greatest powers that human beings possess. He compares is to electricity, which we don’t fully understand, although we can observe its effects. I found this analogy somewhat quaint, as I believe we do have a pretty good idea today of just what electricity is. However, in the early 1900’s, this just wasn’t the case. I more modern take on this would be to compare human will power to gravity, I guess. I liked his example of the frail woman gaining almost Incredible Hulk like strength when she needed it. As an example of the power of will, it is pretty persuasive. At that moment, she simply has to accomplish this goal, no ifs ands or buts about it. For the briefest instance, she focuses her will and is practically able to move mountains. There is a lesson her for all of us, me thinks. Anyway, here is my summary of Lesson 6 from ‘The Power of Concentration”.
To Dumont, when it comes to human accomplishment, there is no greater power than the will to do. There are literally no limits to it. All things are possible. Despite its great power, however, it is difficult to explain exactly what it is. It is not unlike electricity, in that we can only know it through cause and effect. Anything you do or accomplish, whether conscious or not, are a result of your own will to do. All good and bad habits, as well as the ability to lower or improve your condition in life, are a result of the will to do.
To demonstrate the power of the Will to Do, Dumont tells of the story of a frail old woman who demonstrates incredible strength. First, she experiences something traumatic. For example, her grandchildren are trapped in a burning house. In order to save them, large pieces of furniture must be moved. Although the furniture under normal circumstances is much too heavy for her to move, she does this with ease. She is able to do this because this trying circumstance forces her to concentrate her will to do to an almost laser like intensity. She simply has to move that furniture at that moment to save her grandchildren. Hence, she does.
Used properly, will power is a mighty force. It is greater than physical force, as it also makes use of mental and moral force. Study yourself carefully. Discover your greatest weaknesses and use your will power to overcome them. In this way, you will develop a strong character and personality. If a desire arises within you, use your will power to crush all obstacles until you achieve it. If the desire is negative, use this same power to destroy it.
Slowness in making decisions is an example of weakness in will power. People are often failures for not deciding on things that should be done. Successful people quickly grasp opportunities. This brings them culture, wealth, and health. Lack of initiative is another manifestation of poor will power. He or she imitates others in all they do. As a result, life is one continuous grind. “He seems clever enough, but he lacks initiative” is the common refrain when others refer to this individual. You need to develop the power to think and do for yourself.
You are as good as anyone. If you use your will power, you can lay claim to anything in life. Don’t depend on anyone else, you have to learn to fight your own battles. All the world loves a fighter, while the coward is despised by all. Everyone’s problems are different. Analyze your opportunities and conditions and study your natural abilities. If you are ever in doubt, repeat the following to yourself: “Through my will power I dare do what I do.”
