Enthusiastically yours

Do you have enthusiasm? Did you know the word itself comes from a Greek word that means “having a god within?” So what do you have enthusiasm for? If nothing comes to mind, see if these synonyms for enthusiasm help.

 

They include eagerness, warmth, fervor, zeal, ardor, passion, and devotion. All are nouns that serve as a springboard into action. Enthusiasm’s opposite is indifference. A noun that immobilizes us from acting.

 

Enthusiasm comes naturally to some; others have to work diligently to cultivate it. One of the enthusiasm’s earmarks is unwavering optimism. It’s driven by idealism and hope. And its energy can be contagious.

 

With enthusiasm, you cause a chain reaction of good in the world. It brings out the best in you and others you meet. 

 

To jumpstart your enthusiasm, and connect with the god within, when you get up in the morning, look into the mirror and instead of saying, “Good God, it’s morning,” say, “Good morning, God, it’s me.”

 

Then go into your day and give a genuine smile to the first few people you meet in the morning and wish them a great day. They almost always smile back and keep their smile even after you have left. You have just made their day a little brighter. 

 

Enthusiasm has many more benefits. 

           • It helps battle fear and worry 

           • It helps overcome stress 

           • It helps you persuade others

           • It helps you be more successful

           • It encourages you to action 

 

Do you want to be more enthusiastic? Besides smiling and enthusiastically greeting the people you meet throughout the day, find something that you are not as passionate as you’d like to be. Then act as if you are passionate about it until the real passion emerges.

As you think about enthusiasm and its role in your life, consider these quotes from two wisdom keepers.

 

Anthony de Mello wrote: “To the woman who complained that riches hadn’t made her happy, the Master said, “You speak as if luxury and comfort were ingredients of happiness; whereas all you need to be really happy, my dear, is something to be enthusiastic about.” 

 

And Samuel Ullman, who must have known the origin of the word enthusiasm, said, “Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.”