We may be at a loss for rain here in California right now — a problem we hope to see end this winter — but something we’ve NEVER lacked is whack-a-doodles.
Nutcases are a part of California history.
One of the first and biggest was Joshua Abraham Norton, a San Francisco resident who declared himself “Norton I, Emperor of the United States” way back in 1859.
Emperor Norton didn’t have a shred of political power, of course. But that didn’t stop him from “ruling,” or stop fellow San Franciscans from playing along with his delusions.
Wearing a beaver hat (with peacock feather) and a blue uniform provided by U.S. Army officers posted at the Presidio, Norton toured the city on foot every day, inspecting the condition of sidewalks and public properties. He’d stop occasionally to lecture passersby about philosophical issues.
Shortly after he appointed himself emperor, Norton issued a decree abolishing the U.S. Congress. He said that “fraud and corruption prevent a fair and proper expression of the public voice; that open violation of the laws are constantly occurring, caused by mobs, parties, factions and undue influence of political sects; that the citizen has not that protection of person and property which he is entitled.”
When Congress didn’t disperse voluntarily, Norton summoned the Army to “proceed with suitable force and clear the Halls of Congress.” That summons was, naturally, ignored. (Which isn’t to say that the idea of dissolving Congress wasn’t a good one.)
Norton even issued his own currency, backed by nothing, and his money was recognized astonishingly by many businesses he frequented.
Earl Nightingale used to teach that “you become what you think about.”
Napoleon Hill explained in his books that wealth always begins inside your own noggin.
In other words, if you’re convinced of a thing, it can often come true for you.
Before Nightingale and Hill, Emperor Norton put that idea into practice, and he successfully played the role of national leader to himself and some others for more than 20 years.
What if you could change your thinking, realign your attitude, and move yourself more easily down the path to success both personally and professionally — just like Emperor Norton?
Fact is, you can, and I have just the strategy for you.
Check this out…
