inner determination, once firmly implanted in one’s nature, cannot be destroyed or conquered.  And this element is energy—­energy of mind, which rules the body.  But where does this come from?  How do the great minds generate this glorious means of self-propulsion?  The answer is that in a healthy body it is inherent from birth, and proper care of the body therefore accentuates within their minds the will to do.

If the preceding chapters have been carefully read we may readily believe that the successful youth must start with a wholesome, generous viewpoint, a good constitution, and a clean mind.  We have had an inkling by this time of what one must do to achieve success in a world where competition is keen.  We are beginning to realize that these matters are of vital importance and that we are face to face with a problem.

Energy is the natural outpouring of a healthy body.  It must be directed, it must be controlled, the same as any other living force.  Not only is it a positive necessity to the winner, but it must grow and become a natural quality.  It does not stand after years of abuse.  It does not spring up in the night after a long season of neglect and ill-health.  All of us possess it in varying ways.  That fact ought to convince us that we can get hold of ourselves and build up that which nature has given us, rather than allow it to die away.  We all have a certain amount of energy ... why shouldn’t we all be successes?  We might to a certain extent, but that doesn’t mean that we shall all get rich in the money sense of the world.

When we say:  “Why shouldn’t we all be successes?” we do not mean that everybody in the world must be greedy for money, nor for power and position.  It does not mean that we should be selfish and eager to take everything away from the other fellow.  On the contrary, it means that, with energy, we shall be successful according to our brain tendency.

Going back to our second chapter we find the phrase “taking stock” of ourselves.  Done rightly that alone will inspire success.  Now if we are a little farther along on the way towards sane living and the ability to laugh and we know that after this struggle is over the battle is won we must use the powers that self-analysis gives us—­to fight.  The mere recognition of them is power and we must not let them go to waste.

Energy is like steam—­it cannot be generated under the boiling point.  In other words, half-heartedness never produced it nor made it a practical working tool.  We must be energetic in order to augment energy.  We must have confidence along with it ... the more the merrier.  The greater the confidence in ourselves the greater the energy which brought it about.  Some minds naturally feel confident.  These are the lucky ones, the slender few who have grasped life’s meaning at the start by “taking stock” before they were threatened with defeat.  Success comes to them as easily as rolling off the proverbial log.  They come sweeping along, conquering, sure of themselves, confident, aspiring, true to their inner selves, ready for work, unafraid of experiences, and sure of a smile when the clouds are darkest.