This article was originally published on SuccessNet.org in 1999.
One of the least exciting Christmases I can recall was when my parents gave my brothers and me a set of World Book Encyclopedia.
We weren’t to psyched.
It wasn’t that is was bad gift. It simply cost so much that mom and dad couldn’t afford many other gifts that year.
But if I think about all the Christmas presents I’ve received, I remember that one as being the best.
It didn’t break. It didn’t wear out. We never became bored with it. In fact, the more we learned, the more fascinated we became. We were able to explore the world without ever leaving our living room.
We’ve all heard that knowledge is power. I actually think that it’s the USE of knowledge that’s powerful. And knowledge contributes to peace.
I believe that one of the main reasons that the better-educated countries of the world experience more peace is that we know more about one another. It’s hard to hate people we know well because the more we understand them the more we realize that they’re much like us. We have many of the same fears, concerns and problems. We all want the best for our families. We want to be free. We want to live in peace.
As our knowledge expands and our communication improves, so does our potential for real and lasting tranquility. The more we learn about our history, our planet and its people, the more we realize our interconnectedness.
We have much to be thankful for this holiday season and good reason to celebrate. As we begin a new century the world is substantially at peace (as of this writing there is no major war occurring).
Yes, we face many problems. Terrorism is a worldwide threat. The Middle East is volatile. Far too many people suffer from disease and famine.
But let us also acknowledge and celebrate our accomplishments. Forty years ago, hardly anyone expected the world would be able to support over 6 billion people. Most of the earth’s inhabitants live better now than did the royalty of the 18th century.
We truly have much to be grateful for. Not the least of which is the easy access to a vast universe of knowledge and information.
As I reflect back to that Christmas forty years ago when my parents—in all their wisdom—gave us that less-than-exciting gift, I recognize that it contributed to a large degree to my own lifelong quest for knowledge.
Best Life Truth: You Can’t Learn Less.
Recommended Reading
The Achievement Code
The Three-C Formula for Getting What you Truly Want
Without the Three C’s of Clarity, Concentration and Consistency, achieving your goals will always be hit and miss.
The Achievement Code shows you how to live with more purpose, passion and prosperity.
