Earl Nightingale, The Magic Word: Earl Nightingale was a famous American motivational speaker and author who rose to prominence in the 1950s and 1960s. His most notable work, "The Magic Word," is a timeless piece of wisdom that continues to inspire and motivate people to this day. In "The Magic Word," Nightingale emphasizes the power of one simple word: "Attitude." He argues that the way we perceive and approach life has a tremendous impact on our happiness, success, and overall well-being. According to Nightingale, having a positive attitude is crucial for achieving personal and professional growth. Nightingale believes that our attitudes are not predetermined or fixed but are something we can consciously choose and develop.
In 1961, Peter, Paul and Mary incorporated the song into their live performances before recording it in 1962. Their 1962 recording of "Puff" reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and spent two weeks atop the Billboard easy listening chart in early 1963. It also reached number ten on Billboard's R&B chart.
The lyrics tell a story of the ageless dragon Puff and his playmate, Jackie Paper, a little boy who grows up and loses interest in the imaginary adventures of childhood and leaves Puff to be with himself. Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail Jackie kept a lookout perched on Puff s gigantic tail Noble kings and princes would bow whene er they came Pirate ships would lower their flags when Puff roared out his name Oh.
Nightingale believes that our attitudes are not predetermined or fixed but are something we can consciously choose and develop. He encourages his readers to cultivate a positive mental outlook by focusing on gratitude and optimism. By shifting our mindset and adopting a can-do attitude, Nightingale suggests that we can overcome obstacles, attract success, and create a better life for ourselves.
Blackdove Nest
"Puff, the Magic Dragon" (or "Puff") is a song written by Leonard Lipton and Peter Yarrow and made popular by the group Peter, Paul and Mary in a 1962 recording. Leonard wrote the complete lyrics, Peter found and used them, and later gave Leonard the credits.
Puff, the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul and Mary Song Trivia
The lyrics for "Puff, the Magic Dragon" were based on a 1959 poem by Leonard Lipton, a 19-year-old Cornell University student. Leonard was inspired by an Ogden Nash poem titled "Custard the Dragon", about a "realio, trulio little pet dragon."
The lyrics tell a story of the ageless dragon Puff and his playmate, Jackie Paper, a little boy who grows up and loses interest in the imaginary adventures of childhood and leaves Puff to be with himself. (The line "A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys" is generally thought to imply only that "little Jackie Paper" grew up.)
The story of the song takes place "by the sea" in the fictional land of "Honalee". Leonard Lipton was friends with Peter Yarrow's housemate when they were all students at Cornell. He used Peter's typewriter to get the poem out of his head.
He then forgot about it until years later, when a friend called and told him Peter was looking for him, to give him credit for the lyrics. On making contact, Peter gave Leonard half the songwriting credit, and he still gets royalties from the song.
In 1961, Peter, Paul and Mary incorporated the song into their live performances before recording it in 1962. Their 1962 recording of "Puff" reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and spent two weeks atop the Billboard easy listening chart in early 1963. It also reached number ten on Billboard's R&B chart.
Puff, the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul and Mary Song Lyrics
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee
Little Jackie Paper loved that rascal Puff
And brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff Oh!
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee
Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail
Jackie kept a lookout perched on Puff's gigantic tail
Noble kings and princes would bow whene'er they came
Pirate ships would lower their flags when Puff roared out his name Oh!
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee
A dragon lives forever but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys
One grey night it happened Jackie Paper came no more
And Puff that mighty dragon he ceased his fearless roar
His head was bent in sorrow green scales fell like rain
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane
Without his lifelong friend Puff could not be brave
So Puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave Oh!
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee
"The Magic Word" also emphasizes the importance of action and taking responsibility for our own lives. Nightingale argues that it is not enough to simply have a positive attitude; we must also actively work towards our goals and take decisive action. He emphasizes the power of persistence, discipline, and continuous learning in achieving success. Nightingale's teachings in "The Magic Word" go beyond personal growth and success; he also emphasizes the importance of kindness and empathy towards others. He suggests that by treating others with respect and compassion, we can create a positive ripple effect and make a difference in the world. In conclusion, "The Magic Word" by Earl Nightingale is a timeless piece of wisdom that teaches us the power of having a positive attitude, taking action, and treating others with kindness. It serves as a reminder that our thoughts and actions have a profound impact on our lives and the lives of those around us. By adopting a positive attitude, taking responsibility for our actions, and cultivating empathy, we can create a life filled with success, happiness, and fulfillment..
Reviews for "Earl Nightingale's Path to Success: Taking Action with "The Magic Word"
1. Lisa - 2 stars
I found "Earl Nightingale: The Magic Word" to be highly repetitive and lacking in substance. The author seemed to go in circles, repeating the same ideas over and over without presenting anything new or insightful. The book felt like it was just trying to sell me the idea that positive thinking is the solution to all problems, without providing any concrete strategies or actionable advice. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. John - 1 star
"Earl Nightingale: The Magic Word" was a huge letdown for me. I expected to discover the secret to success and happiness, but instead, I found myself listening to endless anecdotes and vague concepts that offered no real value. The author's writing style was dry and uninteresting, and I struggled to stay engaged throughout the book. It felt like a waste of time, and I regret spending money on it. I would advise others to look elsewhere for self-help and personal development books.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
As someone who has read various self-help books, I found "Earl Nightingale: The Magic Word" to be highly repetitive and lacking in originality. The content was nothing new or groundbreaking; it felt like a rehash of common concepts already covered in other books. The author's writing style was also bland and uninspiring, failing to capture my attention. I was hoping for something fresh and insightful, but unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a meaningful and impactful read.
4. Mark - 2 stars
While "Earl Nightingale: The Magic Word" had some interesting nuggets of wisdom, overall, I found it to be an underwhelming read. The author seemed to stretch out the content unnecessarily, making the book longer than it needed to be. The anecdotes and examples used were often trivial and didn't contribute to the main message of the book. It felt like a missed opportunity to delve deeper into the subject matter. I would have appreciated a more concise and focused approach, rather than wading through repetitive and irrelevant material.