There are multiple authors who have impressed me with their wisdom over the years.

I often go back and refer to these great books that contain such profound advice for all of us. I continue to marvel at the fact that they were truly, in my judgment, way ahead of their time when they wrote these classic books that give us such great ways to think, and to assess our own personal way of thinking.

Of course, our thoughts are our personal choice, and to quote the words of the great motivational author and speaker, Earl Nightingale, “We become what we think about.” This quote is from his classic motivational book, “The Strangest Secret,” originally written by Mr. Nightingale in 1956. This book has sold millions of copies.

Another one of my favorite motivational authors is Florence Scovel Shinn, who wrote the classic motivational book, “The Game of Life, And How To Play It.” She wrote this profound book in 1925, and subsequently wrote several additional inspirational books, including “Your Word Is Your Wand,” “The Secret Door To Success” and “The Power Of The Spoken Word.”

Here are two more of my favorite motivational books that I continue to review periodically. I highly recommend Dr. Murphy’s book that contains significant knowledge and wisdom about the power of our subconscious mind. His book is entitled, “The Power Of Your Subconscious Mind,” originally written in 1963, by Dr. Joseph Murphy.

In 1948, Mr. Claude Bristol wrote his classic motivational book, “The Magic Of Believing” that went on to offer great motivational insights for so many people.

Following are some significant quotes from these great authors that can offer wisdom to all of us.

Earl Nightingale quotes — “You are now, and you do become, what you think about.”  “Our attitude toward life determines life’s attitude towards us.”  “Every one of us is the sum total of our own thoughts.” “When you judge others, you do not define them, you define yourself.” “Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become reality.” 

Florence Scovel Shinn quotes — “There is an old saying; no man is your enemy, no man is your friend, every man is your teacher.” “You can control any situation if you first control yourself.” “Man can only receive what he sees himself receiving.” “Whatever a person feels deeply or images clearly, is impressed upon the subconscious mind, and will be carried out in minutest detail.” 

Dr. Joseph Murphy quotes — “Busy your mind with the concepts of harmony, health, peace, and good will, and wonders will happen in your life.” “The only path by which another person can upset you is through your own thought.” “You must make certain to give your subconscious only suggestions which heal, bless, elevate, and inspire you in all your ways. Remember that your subconscious mind will always take you at your word.” “Remember, you are spiritually recharged during sleep, and adequate sleep is essential to produce joy and vitality in life.”

Claude Bristol quotes — “Thought is the original source of all wealth, all success, all material gain, all great discoveries and inventions, and all achievement.” “What you exhibit outwardly, you are inwardly. You are the product of your own thought. What you believe yourself to be, you are.” “Your very life is your thinking and the result of your thinking processes. It is your mind and what you think about that makes you what you are. The secret of success lies not without, but within, the thoughts of man.” 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Jim Surrell is the author of “The ABC’s For Success In All We Do” and the “SOS (Stop Only Sugar) Diet” books. Requests for health topics for this column are encouraged. Contact Dr. Surrell by email at sosdietdoc@gmail.com.