"Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster, and do so with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again." - Og Mandino
I first remember hearing about Og Mandino (Born December 12, 1923 - Died September 3, 1996) in the first Zig Ziglar book that I read. I was about 23 years old, and just realizing that a sales career was in my future. Every word in that book rang true with me, and I've had that experience many times again when reading books by Ziglar and Mandino. 
Og Mandino got the nickname "Og" from his full name Augustine Mandino, a family name... he was named after his grandfather. His family immigrated to the US from Italy. He knew the value of hard work, but more importantly he knew the value of people. He didn't let work or things effect the way he treated people. He learned what he lived by being an avid reader.
These are some of Og Mandino's favorite books:
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, by Benjamin Franklin Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude, by W. Clement Stone and Napoleon Hill The Power of Faith, by Louis Binstock Your Greatest Power, by J. Martin Kohe I Dare You, by William Danforth Acres of Diamonds, by Russell H. Conwell The Ability to Love, by Dr. Allan Fromme How I Raised Myself From Failure to Success In Selling, by Frank Bettger The Magic Power of Emotional Appeal, by Roy Garn As a Man Thinketh, by James E. Allen The Holy Bible When a person becomes an avid reader, something else wonderful can also happen. He can become an avid writer. Not only was Og considered to be "the world's greatest salesman" but he wrote some good books, too.
Books Written By Og Mandino
- U.S.A. in a Nutshell
- Cycles
- The Greatest Salesman In The World
- The Greatest Secret In The World
- The Greatest Miracle In The World
- The Gift Of Acabar (with Buddy Kaye)
- The Choice
- The Christ Commission
- Mission: Success!
- The God Memorandum
- The Greatest Salesman In The World Part II: The End Of The Story
- The Ten Ancient Scrolls For Success: From The Greatest Salesman In The World
- He Is Tough
- University of Success (Compilation from other works)
- A Better Way To Live
- The Return Of The Ragpicker
- The Twelfth Angel
- Spellbinder's Gift
- The Greatest Mystery In The World
- Secrets For Success And Happiness
- The Greatest Success In The World
- A Treasury Of Success Unlimited
Not only does an avid reader become a writer, but usually he becomes a better person. And that better person learns how to treat others around him like they are better people, too.
Og's Words and My Thoughts
"Beginning today..." It's never too late to raise your standards.
"... treat everyone you meet ..." Meet new people.
"... as if they are going to be dead by midnight ..." You never know how long you'll have the people you love.
" ... Extend to them ..." Reach out to others... extend a hand to someone who needs your support.
" ... all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster." Muster means you have to work at it.
" ... and do so with no thought of any reward." That's the hard part, isn't it? Be unselfish, not self-centered.
" ... Your life will never be the same again." Life will have more meaning. You and your life will be better.
One of the great things about loving to read and loving music is when they come together it can be amazing! If you're satisfied with your status quo, then you may not know what I mean. But if you sometimes long to be a better person, more than you already are, then you might really enjoy this song.
I Will Never Be the Same Again!
Australia Hillsongs
I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I've closed the door.
I will walk apart, I'll run the race
And I will never be the same again.
Fall like fire, soak like rain,
Flow like mighty waters, again and again.
Sweep away the darkness, burn away the chaff,
And let a flame burn to glorify Your name.
There are higher heights, there are deeper seas,
Whatever you need to do, Lord do in me.
The Glory of God fills my life,
And I will never be the same again.
Fall like fire, soak like rain,
Flow like mighty waters, again and again.
Sweep aways the darkness, burn away the chaff
And let a flame burn to glorify Your name.
I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I've closed the door.
I will walk the path, I will run the race
And I will never be the same again.
And I will never be the same again.
And I will never be the same again.
;)
;)
Funny how God woprks.... I just read a book from a new friend of mine and in his book he mentioned "The Choice" by Og. I have read some Og`s book and have always been left inspired and wanting to become a better person. Your Post just hit home with me and I can share it with my friends as well. Lately I have been surrounded with people being diagnosed with Cancer and people dying to it. I am so pressed to spread the same message you posted about here. We are not promised tomorrow, so we may as well live for today.
Thansk for sharing your post. It touched my heart.
Susan