A short YouTube motivational talk by Dr. Arthur Brooks that recounts an anecdote about magician Howard Thurston and Dale Carnegie. Thurston reportedly said a nightly prayer expressing gratitude for his audience and repeated 'I love my audience' before performances; the speaker uses this to argue that practicing gratitude changes you, improves happiness, and increases your persuasive power.
This magician, Howard Thurston, the world's greatest performer, he was called. Why is it because he could make the audience feel like it was the first night because he was so full of happiness. He was laughing along with the audience and he was interested. He made it look like it was new and good. And so Dale Carnegie, he went backstage to Howard Thurston's last performance, said, how did you do it? He said, it's very simple. Before I go out on stage each night, I say a little prayer. I am truly grateful for the people in those seats who make it possible for me to make my living doing something that I love. And then before he went up on stage, before he hit the footlights, he said under his breath, I love my audience. I love my audience. My friends, gratitude changes you. Gratitude changes the situation. You have an opportunity to persuade you will be happier. Show more gratitude.
