Happy holidays funny names fans!
For those last minute shoppers, let’s do a little warm up to inspire your shopping trip. How about a few deep knee bends. 1 . . . 2 . . . 3.
Now that you’re warmed up to shop, let’s warm up to today’s subject: Motivation. We’ve covered some wonderful names in motivation here at the BoFN, Orison Swett Marden, Napoleon Hill, with honorable mention to Zig Zigler.
Earl Nightingale, photo courtesy of earlnightingale.com
So today let’s look at Earl Nightingale, the fifth. He sounds like an English lord, but he’s the inspiration behind the motivational movement in the U.S. All because he had a question when he was 12-years-old and wanted to find an answer. After his father abandoned the family in 1933, young Earl wanted to know why he, his two brothers, and his mom were living in a tent in “Tent City” and why they lived as they did.
Since no one around him could answer the question, he went to the public library in search of the answer. It was the start of a journey that would take him years to discover.
When he turned 17 he joined the Marines in hopes of seeing action in Japan during WWII. He was stationed in Hawaii and was one of 15 Marine survivors from the USS Arizona. After the war ended, but before he mustered out of the Marines, he took a job in radio at WJNC in North Carolina.
When he was released from the military he started his radio career in Phoenix, then moved up to the windy city of Chicago. In addition to his radio commentary, he starred as the voice of Sky King on a nationally syndicated show, becoming a childhood radio hero.
When he was thirty-five, Earl read, Napoleon Hill’s book, “Think and Grow Rich.” Between those pages he first discovered the answer to his question. “We become what we think.”
(When I first read that line I panicked. There was a time in my very young life I wanted to be a blueberry. What’s not to love, they are blue, and burst in your mouth with a sweet/tart tang. Even Pop Tart had an ode to blueberries in their blueberry pop tart. I am grateful I didn’t spend too much time thinking about it—dodged a bullet on that one.)
Shortly after Earl read these words, he decided to take a fishing trip. He wrote an essay to the salesmen in his office wanting to give them inspiration. A friend of his worked at Columbia Records and helped him press a single audio recording of the essay which he called “The Strangest Secret.”
When he returned from his trip, the salesmen were so inspired, they each wanted a copy. Word spread through out the sales community and without any advertising or marketing Earl sold one-million copies earning him a Gold Record. Speaking of Gold Records, it was the only one ever given for a spoken word recording. The great thing is, the recording is still available on vinyl.
So if you need motivation to go shopping, there you go.
Tracy – Fannie Cranium’s Guide to Irreverent Wisdom
* * *
Please consider donating to our founder, Dave, and his fight against a cancerous brain tumor, all while he transitions from medical school to his residency learning to fight the very thing he is battling.
The Blog of Funny Names 
and you, and earl, have inspired me to read this post. i’m a bit worried, as i’ve been thinking about how cool sock monkeys are….)
Oooh Sock Monkeys! Did you ever see the movie Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium? It had the cutest scenes with Jason Bateman and a sock monkey.
Yes!
Reblogged this on Fannie Cranium's and commented:
Earl Nightingale, this month’s contribution to motivation on the Blog of Funny Names. Happy holidays!
Thanks for another informative and inspirational post, T! I was thinking about K’s amazing brown sugar buttercream cookies. Because I ate ’em all. Uh-Oh!
L-now I am hungry just thinking about them. I can taste and smell them. Hmm-hmm-hmmm!
Also, I believe Jimmy Buffett gives a nod to Sky King in his song, “Pencil Thin Moustache”!
I’ll have to give it a listen.
“. . . Fanny busts up the latest BoFN hiatus with an upbeat tribute to the Earl of positive thinking . . .”
“. . . I think I like this post, therefore I like this post! . . .”
“. . . Fanny earns a Gold Record herself for this inspiring thumbnail! . . .”
Awe shucks.
Nice blurb. I’m impressed with your ability to go from the Earl of Positive Thinking to the positive thinking of Descarte to Gold records all in one quick blurb. As a record would go . . . well played. 🙂
You think I put a good spin on that one? You think I hit the groove on it? If I’m on a blurb streak, I sure wouldn’t want to turn the tables on it. Sorry, it probably seems like I’m needling you about this.
LOL. You spun that comment on a solid state player at 78. 🙂
My pop used to play 78s. Jelly Roll Morton, Bessie Smith, Fats Waller, other greats.
My mom did too. She and my dad were into swing and big band. It was a lot of fun to listen to.
Wow, that’s the power words, no? Inspiration to motivate. I think I’d rather visit Loretta Lynn’s Fist City than live in Tent City. BTW, you have reminded me of the 1982 Waffelo’s commercial: “Get along, little blueberry critters; get along.”
I’ve never heard the Waffelo’s commercial. I bet I would have loved it. Blueberries, Mmmm.
Fist City sounds rather dangerous. I’m sure it must be exhilarating for someone in the MMA arena.