There’s a special joy in reading — that moment when another person’s thoughts become your own.

Time and distance dissolve. You experience the truth, emotion, and reasoning of someone you may never meet, yet somehow know.

As your brain thinks their thoughts, you change. New ideas connect with what’s already inside you — reshaping, refining, and expanding your inner world.

Words have power. Some have started wars. Others have brought peace. Some unlocked new knowledge; others healed doubt.

Every book is an invitation: Join your thoughts to mine. Combine your knowledge with someone else’s and see what new understanding forms.

If you want to add color, depth, and beauty to your thinking, read. Don’t just skim. Engage. Make the words your own.

I’ve been given many books over the years — and maybe you have too. Each one comes for a reason, though we rarely see it until we’ve turned the final page. To read a gift is to honor the giver — to mine their chosen words for what they hoped you’d find.

Recently, someone gave me a book — thoughtfully chosen, hand-delivered.

It was The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino.

The book tells its wisdom through a parable — the story of Hafid, a young man who learns the art of true success from ten ancient scrolls. Those scrolls, written as lessons for life, have stayed with me. Here’s how.

Scroll I: I will form good habits and become their slave.

Without good habits, life will pass you by. Consistently choose comfort, and it will flee from you. Each choice to do the hard thing, to invest in yourself, will yield far more than the easy path.

Choose to till the soil of your mind, test the muscles of your arm, and examine the desires of your heart.

The words of this scroll instill a growth mindset. A person with this mindset believes that with enough action and effort, ”I can change.” Pursuing this change requires delaying gratification.

Scroll II: I will greet this day with love in my heart.

The words of this scroll invite us to see the good in others, in circumstances, and in ourselves.

Real love is sacrificial. Each day, decide to want others' good above your own. This includes the sacrifice of forgiving others for their hurtful words, actions, and moves against you.

Scroll III: I will persist until I succeed.

Go one more. Intentionally push yourself until you succeed. Failure occurs in the decision to stop trying.

Each time you try, you will slowly get better. Pursue excellence.

Scroll IV: I am nature’s greatest miracle.

Recognize the value you bring. You are unique and have innate value as a human being. There is no one like you. This knowledge will free you from trying to be someone you are not. Be you.

Don’t leave your potential lying on the table. In difficulty in life lies opportunity.

Scroll V: I will live this day as if it is my last.

Live your life with intention. What matters to you? Who matters to you? Do not chase the goals of others. Set your own goals that will achieve the outcome you want with your life.

I have heard it said, “A measure of a life is how much of it was given away.”

If you save everything for tomorrow, it never comes. So decide today to destroy procrastination with action.

Scroll VI: Today, I will be the master of my emotions.

Emotions are not final. They do not dictate how my life is spent. Like the tide, they come and go.

Take ownership of your emotions and change them if you like. Remember — what you do, does something to you. If you are sad, think of all the good that has happened to you.

Scroll VII: I will laugh at the world.

Retain the ability to laugh at yourself. Never let your pride prevent you from recognizing the irrational or silly things you do.

Also, laugh at the world. The moment you become too stoic, you forfeit the joy of laughter.

With each laugh comes levity. Sorrow fades away. Remember, laughter is good medicine.

Scroll VIII: Today, I will multiply my value a hundredfold.

Show up in a big way. Make those around you better through your pursuit of excellence.

Seek ways to add value. Steward the great resources at your disposal to solve problems, connect people, and create change.

Know two people who need to meet each other? Connect them. Become a hub of value.

Know exactly what is holding someone back? Give them kind (not nice) feedback.

Remember that your perspective is unique. You notice things that others don’t. That is valuable. Get that perspective into the world. Share what you know.

Mentor others and be mentored. Who do you see potential in? Who is curious and eager to learn? Who is teachable?

One of my mentors recommends doing a quarterly skill audit. Write on a piece of paper the things you are good at. What skills do you want to learn? How can you grow? To multiply your value, develop your skill stack. What complementary skills could you add to your tool belt?

The market rewards generalists. People who are in the top quartile in two or more skills are often more valuable than someone who is in the top 1% of one skill. Read Marc Andreesen’s career advice.

Scroll IX: I will act now.

Seize the moment. Whenever fear begins to claw at your mind, act now. Move before fear can dissuade you from becoming the truest version of you. How often does fear hold us back from our potential? Never turn down a learning experience because of the fear of failure.

Say to yourself, “I will act now.” Take the chance. Start the business. Move to the new city. Ask that person out. Move before fear can take root. Act before doubt can speak.

Scroll X: I will pray for guidance.

As a Christian, my help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He guides me, comforts me, and challenges me. Life is not about me. Live for yourself and you will never be satisfied. You were made for more.

Books are gifts twice over — once from the giver’s hand, and again from the wisdom that lingers.

Give more books. Read more books. Thank your mentors. And above all, pursue excellence.