Image generated by AI
There are several ingredients we attribute to success: talent; education; inspiration; association; wealth; even desperation. There are 3 others I believe are not only valid, but when applied are hard to beat. They’re listed in the above title. Since I like success stories, here are 3 of my favorites to illustrate the P.E.A. formula
Do you remember a popular singer named Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr.? Maybe you knew him after his name changed. Over his career, known simply as John Denver, he sold 36M albums. In the 1970’s, only Elvis and Frank Sinatra sold more. It’s worth noting, those were all vinyl album sales. Digitally, CSPC reports over 82M units and SPOTIFY reports over 1B streams, plus 165K video sales. I mention his success because he once auditioned at Disneyland and was told he didn’t have enough talent. John Denver persevered when it would have been easy to give up. The millions of us who continue to enjoy his music are thankful he didn’t accept criticism from experts as the final word.
Issac Newton’s First Law of Motion states, “Everything continues in a state of rest unless it is compelled to change by forces impressed upon it.” During General Stonewall Jackson’s famous valley campaign, his army came to a standstill at a river with no way to cross. Jackson told his engineers to plan and build a bridge. He then told his wagon master it was urgent that the wagon train cross over as soon as the bridge was completed. The wagon master began gathering logs, large rocks, fence rails, and other materials. Before daylight, Jackson was told by the wagon master that all the wagons and artillery had crossed the river. Jackson asked, “Where are the engineers?” The wagon master said, “They’re in their tents drawing up plans for a bridge.” There is time to talk and plan; there is also time to act. Without effort, the best-made plans may never leave the drawing board.
Jennifer Hudson was a contestant on American Idol and was voted off by the judges. She could have accepted the verdict, gone home, and settled back into life, but she didn’t. She had the desire to move forward. She signed a contract to star in a major motion picture. A lady who was not good enough to win on American Idol would win an Academy Award for Dream Girls as best supporting actress because of her attitude – she simply refused to quit.
The Bible addresses these 3 qualities. James says the testing of your faith produces perseverance which leads to maturity. Proverbs says hard effort brings profit, mere talk leads to poverty. Philippians says to have the same attitude as Christ Jesus.
Just as there are various ingredients that can lead to success, there are various standards that can measure success: money; prestige; position; assets. However, true success is found in contentment and that is measured only by each person. The most or biggest or newest doesn’t guarantee contentment. If we don’t give up and we put forth effort and we maintain a healthy attitude, it doesn’t matter if we own a store or work for a store, contentment and success can be ours. And, through it all, remember, you are greatly loved!
–Jackie Chesnutt, Chaplain and Emotional Support Coach for Myers-Davis (11/9/2026)
