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According to the dictionary, enthusiasm means 1. great excitement for or interest in a subject or cause. 2. a source or cause of great excitement or interest. 3. ecstasy arising from supposed possession by a god. The word actually comes from the Greek 'entheos' meaning "the God within."

When you find a subject or cause that produces that kind of excitement, it makes you feel empowered, and able to do just about anything you can imagine. In fact, the enthusiasm itself can enable you to do it exceedingly well, whatever the subject may be.

While enthusiasm begins in the mind, it can have a profound effect on the physical body as well. The pitch of your voice, your heart rate, even your posture, not to mention your energy level changes when you are filled with enthusiasm. In addition, people around you can detect it and will be affected too, because enthusiasm is contagious. An enthusiastic person is just more enjoyable to be around. Norman Vincent Peale said, "If you have zest and enthusiasm you attract zest and enthusiasm. Life does give back in kind."

Teachers often have a powerful affect on their students if they are, themselves, filled with enthusiasm in their subject matter. Some only teach; others inspire. Passion for a subject often awakens the minds of the students.

For those people who are in sales, enthusiasm for their product or service means the difference between a few sales and a phenomenal success rate. According to Walter Chrysler, "The real secret to success is enthusiasm."

How did they become so enthusiastic about what they do? It must come from a passion for a particular subject, a real desire to master it. Dr. Wayne Dyer says, "Love what you do. Do what you love." That's the real secret right there. When you work at something you love, you can't help but be enthusiastic about it, and odds are, you'll be very good at that particular kind of work, or sport, or hobby. When you're that passionate about what you do, it almost ceases to be work and becomes more like fun.

Enthusiastic people are often more successful at what they do, mostly because they become so adept. They also find it a bit easier surviving hard times. It's hard to break a person who is fortified with enthusiasm. "The real secret to success is enthusiasm" according to Walter Chrysler.

Keep in mind that enthusiasm is not the same thing as just being excited. You can get excited about a new house. However, you would be enthusiastic about helping to construct that new house yourself. Every new invention and creation is due to enthusiasm on the part of the inventor or creator.

Age, experience and traumatic events can sometimes take the edge off your enthusiasm, your thrill of life. How can you get it back, you ask? Think back to a time in your past, when you were very enthusiastic about some subject or cause and try to remember how it made you feel, how excited you were at the mere thought of it. Try to regain the passion and desire you felt back then. Remind yourself why it was thrilling to you. Everyone changes and your enthusiasm may be for a very different subject now.

Let your passions take over and enthusiasm become a part of your life. As Mark Twain once said, "Let us endeavor to live so that when we come to die, even the undertaker will be sorry."

To be enthusiastic-Act enthusiastically!