Salesman's Prayer

Image by Xerones via Flickr

What are we here for in life? We are not here just to live but to be a blessing to others. When we say salesman, what comes into your mind? A persistent man selling his wares and doing non-stop talk? We all are salesperson. We may not know it but its true. How do you gain acquaintances? By introducing yourself of course. By giving a short description of what you do which basically makes up the introductory phase of getting to know and beyond the ice breaker stage. By getting someones attention is a way of selling yourself. Are you someone easily liked? Are you sell-able as an acquaintance? Do people like talking to you or are they repelled by you? No man is an isalnd and by reaching out, we are opening ourselves.

Here is a special prayer I once read way back 2004. I retyped it on a green paper and hang it on m wall near my office table. I read this every morning before. More like my mantra. It helps me touch ground. Breathe in my friend and enjoy Og Mandino's The Salesman's Prayer.

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The Salesman’s Prayer 

I will pray, but my cries for help will only be cries for guidance.  Never will I pray 

for the material things of the world.  I will pray as a salesman, in this manner –  

Oh creator of all things, help me.  For this day I go out into the world naked and 

alone, and without your hand to guide me I will wander far from the path which 

leads to success and happiness. 

I ask not for gold or garments or even opportunities equal to my ability; instead, 

guide me so that I may acquire ability equal to my opportunities.  Help me to 

remain humble through obstacles and failures; yet hide not from mine eyes the 

prize that will come with victory. 

Spare me sufficient days to reach my goals; yet help me to live this day as 

though it be my last.  Guide me in my words that they may bear fruit; yet silence 

me from gossip that none be aligned. 

Discipline me in the habit of trying and trying again; yet show me the way to 

make use of the law of averages.  Favor me with alertness to recognize 

opportunity.  Bathe me in good habits that the bad ones may drown.  Suffer me 

to know that all things shall pass; yet help me to count my blessings of today. 

But all these things be only if thy will.  I am a small and lonely grape clutching 

the vine yet thou hast made me different from all others.  Guide me.  Help me.  

Show me the way.  Let me become all you planned for me when my seed was 

planted and selected by you to sprout in the vineyard of the world. 

Help this humble salesman.  Guide me, God.