A few weeks ago I bought a copy of How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie for my 17-year old daughter, who will be heading to college–and adulthood–next year.

I remember reading it when I was in my 20s and just starting out in the “real world.” It was recommended to me by a professor who believed that this book should be required reading for every college student. He was right.

Before giving the 75th Anniversary copy to my daughter, I re-read it, and once again recognized the simple wisdom on each and every page.

There’s no question that one of my “life creeds” which I shared with my two daughters’ continuously as they were growing up is a loose variation of something I read in the book.

My creed is:  An interesting person is an interested person.

Dale Carnegie actually wrote:

I know and you know people who blunder through life trying to wigwag other people into becoming interested in them. Of course, it doesn’t work. People are not interested in you. They are not interested in me. They are interested in themselves–morning, noon and after dinner.

Another “life creed” that I’ve taught my daughters over the years is . . . smile.

Dale Carnegie devoted an entire chapter–A Simple Way to Make a Good First Impression– to why smiling is essential to success in life.  He wrote:

The expression one wears on one’s face is far more important than the clothes one wears on one’s back.

and . . .

That’s why dogs make such a hit. They are so glad to see us that they almost jump out of their skins. So, naturally, we are glad to see them. A baby’s smile has the same effect.

There are gurus galore telling us how to achieve success in our lives. We’re certainly not wanting for self-help books or television programs.

But, why not try the original?

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