I will greet this day with love in my heart.

 

For this is the greatest secret of success in all ventures. Muscle can split a shield and even destroy life but only the unseen power of love can open the hearts of men and until I master this art I will remain no more than a peddler in the market place. I will make love my greatest weapon and none on whom I call can defend against its force.

 

My reasoning they may counter; my speech they may distrust; my apparel they may disapprove¹; my face they may reject; and even my bargains may cause them suspicion; yet my love will melt all hearts liken to the sun whose rays soften² the coldest clay.

 

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

 

And how will I do this? Henceforth will I look on all things with love and I will be born again. I will love the sun for it warms my bones; yet I will love the rain for it cleanses³ my spirit. I will love the light for it shows me the way; yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars. I will welcome happiness for it enlarges my heart; yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul. I will acknowledge rewards for they are my due; yet I will welcome obstacles for they are my challenge.

 

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

 

And how will I speak? I will laud⁴ mine enemies and they will become friends; I will encourage my friends and they will become brothers. Always will I dig for reasons to applaud; never will I scratch for excuses to gossip. When I am tempted⁵ to criticize I will bite on my tongue; when I am moved to praise I will shout from the roofs.

 

Is it not so that birds, the wind, the sea and all nature speaks with the music of praise for their creator? Cannot I speak with the same music to his children? Henceforth will I remember this secret and it will change my life.

 

And how will I act?  I will love all manner of men for each has qualities to be admired even though they be hidden. With love I will tear down the wall of suspicion and hate which they have built round their hearts and in its place will I build bridges so that my love may enter their souls.

 

I will love the ambitious for they can inspire me! I will love the failures for they can teach me. I will love the kings for they are but human; I will love the meek⁶ for they are divine. I will love the rich for they are yet lonely.

 

I will love the poor for they are so many. I will love the young for the faith they hold; I will love the old for the wisdom they share. I will love the beautiful for their eyes of sadness; I will love the ugly for their souls of peace.

 

But how will I react to the actions of others? With love. For just as love is my weapon to open the hearts of men, love is also my shield to repulse⁷ the arrows of hate and the spears of anger. Adversity and discouragement will beat against my new shield and become as the softest of rains.

 

And how will I confront each whom I meet? In only one way. In silence and myself I will address him and say "I love you". Though spoken in silence these words will shine in my eyes, unwrinkled my brow, bring a smile to my lips, and echo in my voice; and his heart will be opened.

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