a month ago, a guy named Charlie Smith (not his real name) contacted me and asked that his name be added to our Something to Think About subscription list. I immediately sent back a will-do-welcome-aboard reply.

A day or so later, Charlie contacted me again to tell me that (1) he had gone through our archive of previously-published Something to Think About issues and was in awe of my "wisdom and understanding" (please keep in mid that those are Charlie’s words, not mine, and that I’m not sure that I would agree with him) and (2) he wanted very much to reach the same level of wisdom and understanding that I’ve reached (again, please remember that those are Charlie’s words, not mine). He then went on to ask me how I had done it so that he could do the same.

My reply was that I’m not sure how I had done it (if it’s true that I have done it), but after some thought, I decided that it was the result of two major factors: (1) I’ve lived a long time, made a lot of mistakes, learned from my mistakes, etc. etc. etc. and (2) what I had learned — and continue to learn — from thinking through all the stuff that I later wrote about in a book called You Must Not Let Them Con You! There’s Too Much at Stake.

I then went on to assure him that the first part was universal — everybody lives a long time, more or less, everybody makes mistakes from which he or she can learn, if he or she chooses to, etc. etc. etc. So there he was covered.

I then went on to urge that he obtain a copy of You Must Not Let Them Con You! There’s Too Much at Stake and chew on the "wisdom and understanding" that he would find in it. To date, Charlie hasn’t done it — gotten a copy of the book, that is. And you know what? I don’t think Charlie is ever going to do it.

Now the only reason I’m telling you the story of Charlie Smith (very common, by the way) is to impress upon you the truth of that old adage — God helps those who help themselves.

Unhappy? Do something about it. Got a problem? Do something about it. Want something? Go get it. Don’t just talk about it!

By the way, once you decide to do something about whatever it is in your life that you need to address at the moment, just get started. That’s all you need to do. You won't be alone.

As Goethe put it: "Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic and power in it. Begin it now."

And then there's the  credo of the Scottish Himalayan Expedition (paraphrased to make it shorter and more personal): The moment you definitely commit yourself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help you that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in your favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man or woman could have dreamed would have come his or her way.

Yes indeed. So is it any wonder why Nike advises, "Just do it" instead of, "Just talk it to death"? 

Think about it.

PS: Charlie, just in case I’m wrong in my assessment of your intentions, here’s a link to the book:  http://www.menssana.org/books

PPS: Charlie, the reason I’m writing this instead of stroking you like everybody else apparently does is that I learned a long time ago that I can never help an alcoholic by drinking with him. Or her.