Dr. Charles Allen mailed the following letter in a fundraising effort, explaining that somebody else had mailed it to him:

"In reply to your request to send a check, I wish to inform you that the present condition of my bank account makes it almost impossible. My shattered financial condition is due to federal laws, state laws, county laws, corporation laws, in-laws and outlaws. Through these taxes, I'm compelled to pay a business tax, amusement tax, head tax, school tax, gas tax, light tax, water tax, sales tax and even my brains are taxed. I'm required to get a business license, dog license and marriage license while contributing to every organization or society which the genius of man is capable of bringing to light: Comic relief, unemployment relief, every hospital and charitable institution in the city including the Red Cross, the Black Cross, the Purple Cross and the double-cross. For my own safety, I'm required to carry life insurance, property insurance, liability insurance, burglary insurance, accident insurance, business insurance, earthquake insurance, tornado insurance, unemployment insurance and fire insurance. I'm inspected, expected, disrespected, rejected, dejected, examined, re-examined, informed, reformed, summoned, fined, commended and compelled until I provide an exhaustible supply of money for every known deed, desire and hope of the human race. And if I refuse to donate something or other, I'm boycotted, talked about, lied about, held up, held down and robbed until I am ruined. I can tell you honestly that until the unexpected happened, I could not enclose this check. The wolf that comes to so many doors nowadays fortunately came to ours and just had pups in the kitchen. I've sold them, and here's the money."

Not so incidentally, this approach was enormously successful. I believe it's absolutely true that all of us need to "lighten up" a bit and have some fun. Lighten up, and I'll see you at the top!

Neither Right nor Wrong

Several years ago, one of our salespeople was told by a teacher a story about a man who committed an act of questionable morality. The teacher would not tell the class whether the act was right or wrong. Our salesman then asked: "What if a person makes a mistake and breaks a law? Do you think we should punish him?" The teacher responded in the affirmative. Our salesman responded, "Well, is it really fair to punish someone for doing wrong and breaking a law if we have never told that person that it is wrong to break a law?" Good point.

Albert Einstein believed that human beings, to realize their potential, must have clear standards of right and wrong. "The most important human endeavor," said Einstein, "is striving for morality in our actions. Morality," said the famed scientist, "is what gives beauty and dignity to life. Following our animal instincts is not enough. Without high standards of right and wrong, men cannot live together in peace and friendship."

Most thinking people would agree with Einstein's approach. Unless there is firm character-based teaching in place, human nature will not lead in the right direction. Most of us are self-serving in our endeavors, and if something is not identified as being wrong, we generally will follow the course of action that brings us the most immediate rewards.

That's important because all relationships are built on trust, and without good relationships, we won't have happy people. Let's start teaching that there are some things that are right and some that are wrong. Then we will trust those who know the difference because they are more likely to do what is right. Take that approach, and I'll see you at the top!

To find out more about Zig Ziglar and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. Subscribe to Zig Ziglar's free e-mail newsletter through info@zigziglar.com.

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