The most common weakness of all human beings is the habit of leaving their minds open to the negative influence of other people
Going through a stack of note cards, this one jumped out at me. Turns out this is part of a quote from Napoleon Hill in his book Think and Grow Rich (1937). Here’s the full quote:
Without doubt, the most common weakness of all human beings is the habit of leaving their minds open to the negative influence of other people. This weakness is all the more damaging, because most people do not recognize that they are cursed by it, and many who acknowledge it, neglect or refuse to correct the evil until it becomes an uncontrollable part of their daily habits.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST NEGATIVE INFLUENCES
To protect yourself against negative influences, whether of your own making, or the result of the activities of negative people around you, recognize that you have a WILL-POWER, and put it into constant use, until it builds a wall of immunity against negative influences in your own mind.Recognize the fact that you, and every other human being, are, by nature, lazy, indifferent, and susceptible to all suggestions which harmonize with your weaknesses.
Recognize that you are, by nature, susceptible to all the six basic fears, and set up habits for the purpose of counteracting all these fears.
Recognize that negative influences often work on you through your subconscious mind, therefore they are difficult to detect, and keep your mind closed against all people who depress or discourage you in any way.
Clean out your medicine chest, throw away all pill bottles, and stop pandering to colds, aches, pains and imaginary illness.
Deliberately seek the company of people who influence you to THINK AND ACT FOR YOURSELF.
Do not EXPECT troubles as they have a tendency not to disappoint.
I don’t think that Anita really embraces the power of positive thinking until she read this book. Years ago, I was working in a corporate job (is that hard to imagine? 
and Anita and I started a healthier lifestyle. I was studying a lot of global religious philosophies and one major changes I took from my readings is a positive, optimistic attitude. Some people I worked with spent every day complaining and wallowing in how bad they had it. I simply stopped joining in and tried to avoid that type of conversation with those people. For myself, I looked forward to a better life each day, and I expected it.
Anita was all for the reduction in associating with the “misery loves company” crowd. But my optimism always bugged her (and I laughed about that). She was pragmatic, a realist. But that made us a good match.
I remember she got a hold of this book a couple of years ago (I’m thinking 2006-2007). Although it’s a book about acquiring wealth, a substantial part of this book seems to deal with strengthening your mind. (I have not read it yet but I will now!)
One thing I have realized recently about trying to be a Godly person (and it’s true about blocking out negative influences too) is that it takes a continuous EFFORT. When I let my guard down, when I get lazy, when I am tired and hungry and frustrated and I don’t feel like putting in the effort, I let down my guard and is when I am tempted to make worldly decisions and join in the negative thinking instead of resisting. This is something I have been working on a lot in the last couple of months, constant mindfulness and effort.
