I’ve read over 1,000 personal development books in the last few years. A few weren’t that interesting, some left me with a new idea I hadn’t thought of before, and a few — the must reads — radically altered my thinking forever.

I recently reviewed a book for my friend Michael Angier before it went to print. Here’s the testimonial I wrote for 101 Best Ways to Be Your Best:

“I’ve always thought Michael Angier was one of the very best web-based personal development authors. His new book proves once again he clearly understands and communicates the keys to maximizing personal performance. Buy it. Use it. Live it.”

The book has just been released and as part of their launch promotion they’ve lined up over $800 worth of real bonuses for all purchases made in the next three days. One of the bonuses includes exclusive interviews with gurus Mark Victor Hansen, Jack Canfield and Robert Allen. Worth checking out now.

My friend Kyle Wilson, who is President of Jim Rohn International, wrote this several years ago for his mother’s 80th birthday. As we prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day, I think it’s a great testimonial to mothers worldwide.

“In honor of Mother’s Day I would like to share with you a letter that I wrote and read to my mother at her 80th birthday celebration (two summers ago). It speaks both of the legacy she has been able to create and provide her family and community as well as the impact her legacy has had on my life and my family.

A Letter to My Mom on Her 80th Birthday

Obviously I could talk today about many different areas that my mom has excelled in over the years and made a positive difference in other people’s lives. Whether it’s been her ministry, her catering business, her creative touch or her friendships, all of which she has exemplified the principle of being faithful over what you have and letting God then promote you. It seems that consistently her gift has always made room for itself and propelled her into a big place.

But more important to me than any of that, is the legacy she has been able to leave me and my family. Almost on a daily basis I’m reminded of how blessed I am and have been. I have a wonderful wife and two wonderful kids. We are all healthy and blessed. I have really never known tragedy in my life. I live in America and am blessed by all the freedom and richness that it represents. I drive on roads I didn’t build, have daily conveniences I never invented and enjoy freedoms I was never asked to fight for. And as incredible as that is to me, equally as important, I was given an upbringing by my parents that has made me very blessed indeed.

First and foremost I was given the gift of faith. I was raised in a house and environment where my parents in both word and deed made sure God was first in our home. I always had an example of my mom giving her time to the church and love towards its people – from the perceived least to the greatest, she always was an example of giving to her faith.

I was given the gift of respecting other people. I don’t recall my parents ever exemplifying or showing prejudice towards others. I know they grew up in a different generation where prejudice was more common, but that was not anything I ever saw.

I was given the gift of a strong work ethic. Laziness was never part of the scenery in my childhood. My mom worked two jobs – her day job at the bank and her night and weekend job – raising 4 kids. Only a parent with kids can fully appreciate the sacrifice and persistence that that required.

I was given the gift of persistence and ingenuity. My mom has always found a way to just get it done, and usually her in way and with her style. She’s never been a clone. Her persistence, creativeness and ingenuity have always been a great example to me of life’s infinite possibilities.

And I was given the gift of love. I’ve met people who have not felt loved by God or loveable by man. I can honestly say that I have always known I’m loved by God and have never once doubted my parents’ love for me. Our home was a safe environment to be who you are and to be accepted as you are.

Mother, beyond just my love and appreciation for you, I want to thank you again today, on your 80th birthday for your gifts and legacy to me.

Your son,
Kyle
7/12/03

Kyle Wilson is co-founder and President of Jim Rohn International. Kyle has promoted hundreds of seminar events over the past 14 years and has worked with many of the world’s top speakers and authors including Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Denis Waitley, Mark Victor Hansen, Og Mandino, Les Brown and Harvey MacKay.

My friend Michael Angier, founder of SuccessNet, has one of the best illustrations I’ve ever seen of our infinite supply of wealth. This is from one of his recent newsletters:

“One of the limiting beliefs held by many–either consciously or unconsciously–is that there is a finite supply of money. In other words, if one person has more, then that means someone else has less. It’s simply not true, and the following story illustrates the point well.

Back in the eighties, Steven Rockefeller built a house in Cornwall, Vermont. It was reported to have cost a million dollars. Back then, a million-dollar home in Vermont was quite rare. It was a beauty, and I’m sure it’s worth much more today.

My friend John Cady was one of the best commercial painters in northern Vermont, and he was fortunate enough to be awarded the painting contract for the Rockefeller mansion. I always thought it was interesting he was paid by checks written on account number ONE of the Chase Manhattan Bank.

Stay with me here, as we see how wealth was not only moved to Vermont but also how it created even MORE wealth.

Before the house was built, Rockefeller had a million dollars in his family’s bank in New York. After the house was built, he still had his million dollars; it’s just that now it’s in the form of a house. He exchanged his interest-earning million dollars for a million-dollar appreciating asset–his home.

Now here’s where it gets interesting. This was not a tit-for-tat exchange. The million dollars was transformed–cash into real estate. But there was ALSO now a million dollars in cash in the hands of contractors and building suppliers. That million was circulating through the Vermont economy and beyond.

A million dollars became two million dollars in the course of only a few months. Wealth was not only transferred–it was CREATED.

That’s the power of the economy. And there’s no limit to the wealth and prosperity that can be created.”