Where can you have the greatest conversations in the world?

One the things I am most grateful for in my life is having had the opportunity to listen and learn from some of the most successful people in history. I have had conversations with greats such as Warren Buffet, Ayn Rand, Jim Collins, Steve Jobs, Martin Luther King, Jr, Abraham Lincoln, and many others. I am sure by now you are thinking I have gone off the deep end. I could not possibly have had a conversation with Martin Luther King, right? Wrong! These conversations have not taken place face-to-face or even over the telephone. These conversations that have shaped my life have not been accomplished in the form of the spoken word but have done so in the form of the written word.

As with anything in life, you can choose to be an observing bystander or engage as a player. Many people read a book as if they are a spectator. They observe the stories, lessons, and advice and do not take much more away from the experience than temporary satisfaction. There are no lessons learned or eye opening experiences gained. If this pertains to you then you are missing out on so much more of what books have to offer. They give us the amazing opportunity to learn and converse with some of the most amazing people and ideas known to man. They give us a glimpse into the inner workings, thoughts, and insights of the brightest minds in the world. You have the opportunity to ask questions and get those questions answered in the form of the written word. Have you ever read the “I Have a Dream” speech by MLK? It is absolutely brilliant and nothing short of sensational. Through reading that speech, I was able to connect with a man who inspired a nation to demand a deeper and more profound respect for all of mankind regardless of the color of their skin, beliefs, or background.

Success leaves clues and many of those clues can be found in the written word of the greats that have changed the world. The key is to be engaged. Do not just be a spectator when you are reading. Do not read a book only for pure entertainment. Engage in the ideas and concepts of the author. Ask questions and look for answers. Apply the principles you learn to your own life. How about putting on a pot of tea, having a seat in your favorite chair, and become moved and inspired by a conversation you are privileged to have with Mahatma Ghandi, Mother Theresa, or Napoleon Hill?