Opportunities

Edwin c Barnes (L) and Thomas Edison

Edison Dictating Machine that made Barnes rich and fulfill his dream.

It still holds true that man is most uniquely human when he turns obstacles into opportunities. Eric Hoffer

Talking of OPPORTUNITY lets look at one of the man who thought is way from rural setting to go and work “with” and not work “for” world renown  inventor Thomas Edison, this man was Edwin c. Barnes.

Over a hundred years ago, a young man from the Midwest had a dream to become a partner of the greatest inventor on Earth, Thomas A. Edison. So strong was his desire to form this partnership, Barnes made up his mind that he would relentlessly pursue his goal of becoming a business associate of the famed inventor until he met success. There would be no retreat, and nothing was going to stop him from reaching his goal, the young man pledged to himself.

He THOUGHT, then struggled to get his railroad fare to Orange, New Jersey and presented himself to Edison Laboratory and announced that he had come to into business with the inventor.

Many who read this now would think that it was easy thing to do, no, he had many obstacles to overcome before he could pursue with his THOUGHT, before he could change though into things.

Two main difficulties stood in his way; he did not know Mr. Edison and he had no enough fare to take him there, these challenges were sufficient to have discouraged the majority of men from making any attempt to carry out the desire. But his was no ordinary desire.

Barnes did not get his partnership with Edison on his first interview. He did get a chance to work in the Edison offices, at a very nominal wage.

Months and may be years went by. Apparently nothing happened to bring nearer to the coveted goal which Barnes had set up in his mind as his DEFINITE MAJOR PURPOSE. But something important was happening in his MIND. He was constantly intensifying his DESIRE, to become the business associate of Edison.

Barnes was ready for a business association with Edison; moreover he was determined to remain ready until he got that which he was seeking.

   
When opportunities came, it appeared in a different form and from different direction than Barnes had expected. That is the one of the tricks of opportunity. It has a sly habit of slipping in by the back door, and often it comes disguised in the form of misfortune, or temporary defeat. Perhaps this is why so many fail to recognize opportunity.

“Life opens up opportunities to you, and you either take them or you stay afraid of taking them”. Jim Carrey

Mr. Edison had just perfected a new office device, known as Edison Dictating Machine. His salesmen were not very enthusiastic about the machine, they failed to sell it. Barnes saw his opportunity. IT HAD CRAWLED IN QUIETLY, hidden in a queer - looking machine which interested no one but Barnes and the inventor.

“We are continually faced by great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems”. Lee Iacocca

Barnes knew he could sell it. He suggested this to Edison, and promptly got his chance. He did sell the machine. In fact he sold it so successfully that Edison gave him a contract to distribute and market it over the nation. Out of that business association Barnes made himself rich in money, but he did something infinitely greater.

High achievers spot rich opportunities swiftly, make big decisions quickly and move into action immediately. Follow these principles and you can make your dreams come true. Robert H. Schuller

Barnes literally THOUGHT himself into a partnership with the great Edison! He thought himself into a fortune. He had nothing to start with, except the capacity to know what he wanted, and the determination to stand by that desire until he realized it.
 We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations. Charles R. Swindoll
 

 From THINK AND GROW RICH. 

Dear Readers, 

Lets look around us, find opportunity to grab, it may look as misfortune or impossible mission, but that's where opportunity is, lets find any problem within our society that we can solve, lets feed on problems or challenges, for every challenge there is opportunity, lets stop complaining and start acting. 

Good day. Stay Focused, Stay Blessed.

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