It’s a Wonderful Persistent Life

In November of 1939, American author Philip Van Doren Stern spent every day in front of his 1930 Royal Typewriter, working on an idea for a short story. The story came from a dream Stern had one night. For the next four years, he wrote every single day trying to craft the perfect short story. Once completed, his 4,000-word manuscript titled The Greatest Gift was made available to publishers. Unable to gain any interest in his work, Van Doren Stern decided to print out two hundred copies and send as Christmas presents to all his friends. By some miracle, Charles Koerner, the head of RKO pictures, read Stern’s short story and saw its potential. Koerner then made sure film director Frank Capra read the story. Capra’s production company would go on to purchase the rights to Stern’s short story for $10,000. Many writers joined the group to help polish the story, and before long, it was retitled and produced for the silver screen as It’s a Wonderful Life.

As we know, It’s a Wonderful Life became a cinema classic. As we celebrate Christmas today, the movie will be playing on many networks. As we open presents and spend time with loved ones, may Stern’s grit inspire us to keep chasing our dreams and nurturing our growth mindset. The best gift you will open today is your mind—you can accomplish all your aspirations with the right mindset.

Enjoy the family, the friends, the love, and the joy of the day. Tomorrow we all should remind ourselves about Philip Van Doren Stern four year journey to his published work. He struggled, he overcame, and never gave up. The virtue of persistence might be the greatest gift ever. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

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