You often have heard the word “Enthusiasm” used- have used it often? But have you ever thought of what the word really means – from what source it originated, what is its essential spirit? Few have. The word enthusiasm is derived from
Greek term meaning “to be inspired; to be possessed by the gods, etc.”
the term having been originally used to designate the mental state of an inspired person who seems to be under the influence of a higher power. The term originally meant,
“inspired by superhuman or divine power; ecstasy; etc.”
It is now used, according to Webster, in the sense of: enkindled kindling fervor of soul, ardent and imaginative zeal or interest, lively manifestation of joy or zeal etc. This word a secondary and unfavorable meaning in the sense of visionary zeal, imaginative fervor, but its real primary meaning is that ardent, lively zeal and interest in a inner forces of one’s nature. Real Enthusiasm means a powerful mental state exerted in favour of, or against, some idea.
A person fill with Enthusiasm seems indeed to be inspired by some power or being higher than himself, he taps on to a source of power of which he is not ordinarily conscious. The result here that he becomes as a great magnet radiating attractive force in all directions and influencing those within his field of influence. Enthusiasm is contagious and when really experience by the individual renders him a source of inductive power, and a center of mental influence. But the power with he filled does not come from an outside source, it comes from certain inner regions of his mind or soul, from his inner consciousness.
Without a certain amount of Enthusiasm no one ever has attained success, and never will do so. There is no power in personal intercourse that can be compared to Enthusiasm of right sort. It comprises Earnestness, Concentration, and Power, and there are a very few people that cannot be influenced in some degree by its manifestation by another. Few people realize the actual value Enthusiasm. Many have succeeded by reason of its possession, and many have failed by reason of its lack.
Enthusiasm is the steam that drives our mental machinery and which indirectly thus accomplishes the great things in life. You cannot accomplish tasks properly yourself unless you manifest a degree of interest in them. And what is Enthusiasm but INTEREST PLUS INSPIRATION – Inspires Interest, that’s what Enthusiasm is. By the power of Enthusiasm the great things of life are brought to expression and accomplishment. Enthusiasm is not a thing, which some can possess and others lack. All persons have it potentially, but only a few are able to express it.
The majority is afraid to themselves FEEL a thing and then to let the feeling express itself in powerful action like the steam in an engine. The majority of persons do not know how to get up the steam of Enthusiasm. The fail to keep the fires of interest and desire kindled under their mental boiler and the consequence is they fail to get up steam of Enthusiasm. Enthusiasm may be developed by cultivating interest and love of your task. Interest, confidence, and desire arouse Enthusiasm and it remains for you to either concentrate it so that its effect will be directed strait toward the object, person or thing that you wish to move, or else allow it to dissipate itself in the air without results.
The more interest you take in a thing the greater does your confidence and desire grow, and from these arise the steam of Enthusiasm. So then remember always that Interest is the mother of Enthusiasm. Now the Enthusiastic man naturally tends toward the optimistic frame of mind, and by doing so he diffuses an atmosphere of confident, cheerful expectation around him which tends to inspire confidence in others and which aids in his endeavors. He surrounds himself with mental aura of success, he vibrates success and those into whose presence he comes, unconsciously take on his vibrations.
Enthusiasm is very contagious and one filled with the right quality, kind and degree of it unconsciously communicate his interest, earnestness and expectations to others. Enthusiasm is being robbed by lacks of it more than half his force of personal influence, no matter how good his argument may be, no matter how meritorious his proposition may be, unless he possess the warm vital of Enthusiasm, his efforts are largely wasted and his result impaired.
Think over the sales person who have approached you and remember how some of them produced the chilling effect of a damp cellar upon you, while others caused you to sit up and take notice in spite of yourself by reason of their earnest interest and Enthusiasm. Analyze the impression produce upon you by the different people with whom you have come in contact, and then see how great an influence Enthusiasm exerts, and then remember the effect it produces upon yourself when you feel it. Enthusiasm is Mental steam…remember that.
Be inspired!