by Napoleon Hill
Available in 122 free installments
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Charles worked hard, long and earnestly. During Ms lifetime he patented more than 200 electrical inventions and wrote many books and papers on problems of electrical theory and
engineering. He knew the satisfaction of a job well done. And he also knew the satisfaction of making contributions which went far to make this world a better place to live in. He accumulated wealth and acquired a lovely home which he shared with a young couple he knew. Thus, Steinmetz experienced the happiness of a full and useful life.
Happiness begins at home. The greater part of the life of each of us is spent in our homes, with our families. And unfortunately that dwelling which should be a haven of love, happiness, and security too often turns into an antagonistic place where the members do not enjoy happy and harmonious relationships. Problems in the home can arise for many reasons.
In one of our PMA Science of Success classes a very gifted, aggressive young man of about twenty-four was asked, "Have you a problem?"
"Yes!" he replied, "My mother. In fact, I have decided to leave home this weekend."
When the student was asked to discuss his problem, it became evident that the relationship between him and his mother was not harmonious. It was apparent to the instructor that her aggressive, dominant personality was similar to his.
The class was informed that the personality of an individual can be compared to the powers of a magnet. When two like powers are in line and push or pull in the same direction, they are drawn to each other by attraction. When the powers are opposed to each other, they resist and repel one another.
When they are placed side by side and both confront the same outside forces, the individuals like the magnets remain separate
entities. Yet their strength to attract and repel these forces is increased even though between themselves they are opposed.
The instructor continued by saying, "It appears that your behavior and that of your mother are so similar that you can determine how she reacts to you by the way you react to her. You can probably evaluate her feelings by analyzing your own. Therefore, you can solve your problem easily!
"When two forceful personalities are opposed and it is desirable that they live together in harmony, at least one must use the power ofPMA.
"Here's your specific assignment for this week: When your mother asks you to do something, do it cheerfully. When she expresses an opinion, agree with her in a pleasant, sincere manner, or don't say anything. When you are tempted to find fault with her, find something good to say. You will have a most pleasant experience. She will probably follow your example."
"It won't work!" responded the student. "She is just too hard to get along with!"
"You're absolutely right," responded the instructor. "It won't work unless ? you try to work it with a positive mental attitude."
A week later the young man was asked how he was coming along with his problem. His response was: "I am happy to say that there hasn't been one unpleasant word between us all week. You might be interested in knowing that I have decided to stay at home."
When parents don't understand their children. There is a tendency for a person to assume that everyone always likes what he likes and always thinks the way he thinks. For people have a tendency to judge the reactions of others by their own reactions.
Now, like the young man who had a problem with his mother, such a conclusion would at times be correct. But many parents often have problems with their children because they fail to realize that the personality of the child is different from theirs. It is a mistake for parents not to realize that time changes both the child and them. For they don't adjust their mental attitudes to compensate for the changes within the child and themselves.
"I don't understand her!" the father said. A lawyer and his wife had five wonderful children. The parents were unhappy because their oldest daughter, who was a freshman at high school, didn't respond to her parents the way they expected. The daughter was unhappy, too.
"She's a good girl, but I don't understand her," the house; yet she'll toil for hours at the piano. In the summer I got her a job at the department store, but she didn't want to work. She just wants to play the piano all day!"
