P R I N T ED I N U .

S A
. .

Corne ll Un i ve rsi t Li b ra r
y y
B F63 9 . M 32
racle
Mi of
rison Swet

3 1 924 0 2 9 1 2 5 4 95
THE MIRAC L E O F RI GHT T H OU GHT
B Y ORI SON SWETT MARD EN
 B e Good t o Y our self
Ch oosi n g a Ca r ee r
C on q u est of Worry
Every M a n a Ki n g
Ex cep t i on a l Emp l oyee
G et t i n g O n
H e Ca n Wh o T hi n ks H e Can
'

H ow t o G et Wha t Y ou Wa n t
Joys of Li vi n g
K eep i n g F i t
L ove ’s Wa y
M a ki n g F ri en ds Wi t h O ur N erves
M a ki n g Li fe a M a st e rp i e ce
M a ki n g Y ou r se lf
M a st e rful P e rson a li t y
M i ra cl e of Ri ght T h ought
O p t i mi st i c Li f e
P ea ce, Powe r, a n d P l en t y
P rogressi ve B usi n ess M a n
Push i n g t o t h e Fron t
Ri si n g i n t h e Worl d
R oun d P egs i n S q ua r e H ol es
S ecret of Achi eve men t
S elf I n vest m e n t
-

S elli n g T hi n gs
S uccess F un da m en t a l s
T ra i n i n g f or Effi ci en cy
V i ct ori ous At t i t ude
Woma n a n d t h e H om e
Y ou Ca n , B ut W i ll Y ou ?
Y oun g M a n En t eri n g B usi n ess
S UCC ES S B OO KLET S
An I ron Wi ll Amb i t i on Che e rful n e ss
Good M a n n e rs D o i t t o a Fi n i sh Ch a ra ct e r
Econ omy O pp ort un i t y T h r i ft
P ower of P e rson a l i t y S elf - Di scove ry
S P ECI AL B OOK S A ND B OOK LET S
H in t s f or Y oun g Wri t e rs I H a d a Fri e n d
Success Nugget s Why G row O ld ?
N ot t h e S a la ry b u t the O pp ort un i t y
S en d for Pu bl i sher s“ S peci a l Ci r cu la r of t hese Gr ea t B ook:
(the mi racl e of lRi gbt
(thought

O R I SO N S WE T T M A R D EN
Au thor of

P e ace , Pow er , an d Pl enty ”, H e C an Wh o Thi nk s H e

Can , ” “
tt n On
Ge i g e t c.

n d ty i
A l l hu ma u s boi l e d dow n t t hi
o s

L n wh t t
ear a o thi nk an d t hi nk i t .
’

N EW YO R K

T H OM A S Y . C R O WEL L C O M PAN Y

PU B LI S H ER S
 MY F R IEND

ED WI N
 P R EFA CE

d ema n d duri n g i t s first two

HE
yea rs for n ea rly a n edi t i on a
m on t h of Pea c e Pow e r a n d
“
, .

Plen ty t he a ut hor s la st book

" ’
.
,

a n d i t s re pub l i ca t i on i n En gl a n d ,

G erm a n y a n d F ra n c e t oge t he r
, ,

wi th t he hun dreds of l etters t e

cei ved fr om rea d ers m a n y of wh om sa y t h a t i t ha s
,

Op en ed up a n ew world of possi bi li t i es t o t h em by en

a b li n g t h em t o di scover a n d m a ke use of forc es w i t hi n

t h emselves w h i ch t he y n ever b efore k n ew t h ey pos

s esse d a ll s eem t o b e i n di c a t i on s of a gr ea t hun ger of
,

hum a n i ty for kn ow l edge of wha t w e ma y c a ll t he

n ew gospe l of opt i m i sm a n d l ove t he phi l osophy of .

sweet n ess a n d l i ght whi ch ai ms t o show how on e

,

ca n put hi m self b eyon d t h e poss i b i l i t y of se l f w recka e -

g
from i gn ora n c e defici en ci es weakn esses a n d even
, , ,

vi c i ous t en den ci e s a n d whic h promi ses lon g l ooked

,
-

for rel i ef from t he sl a very of pove rt y l i m i t a t i on i ll , ,

hea l t h a n d a ll ki n ds of succ e ss a n d ha ppi n ess en e m i es

, .

T he a ut h or s e xcuse for put t i n g out t hi s c om pa n i on

'

volum e T he M i ra cl e of R ight T hought i s t he hope

, ,
"

of a rou si n g t he rea d er t o di sc over t he w on d erful forc e s

i n t h e G re a t W i t hi n of hi m self w hi ch i f h e could u n ,

l ock a n d ut i l i ze would l ift hi m out of t he regi on of

,

a n xi e t y a n d worry e l i m i n a t e m ost i f n ot a ll of t he
, , ,

d i scord s a n d fri ct i on s of l i fe a n d en a b l e hi m t o m a ke
,

of hi m self eve ryt hi n g he eve r i ma gi n e d he could a n d

l on ged t o b ecom e .

T he b ook t ea ches t he d i vi n i ty of ri ght d esi re ; it

vi i
 P R E FA C E
r
t i es t o show tha t th e C ea to r
r n ever mocked us w i th
yea rn i n gs for tha t whi ch w e h a ve n o a b i li ty or p ossi
bili ty of a tta i n i ng; th a t our h eart longi ngs an d as pi
ra ti ons ar e propheci es forerunn ers i ndi cati ons of the
, ,

exi st en ce of t h e obt ai n a ble real i ty th a t th ere i s a n ,

a ct ual powerful cre at i ve force i n our l egi ti ma t e d e

s i re s i n b eli evi ng wi th a l l our h ea rt s th at n o ma tt er

, ,

w ha t t he seemi ng obst a cl es w e shall be wha t we w ere

,

i n t en ded t o be a nd do wh a t w e were ma de t o do ; i n
vi sual i z i ng afii r mi ng t hi n gs a s w e would l i ke t o h ave
,

th em as they ought t o b e ; i n h ol di ng t h e i dea l of

,

t h a t wh i ch we wi sh t o com e true a n d on ly t ha t t h e , ,

i dea l of th e man or w om a n w e would l i k e t o be com e ,

i n t hi nki n g of ourselves as a bsolut ely perfect be i n gs

possessi n g superb heal th a magn i ficen t b ody a vi gor
, ,

ous con st i t uti on an d a subli m e m i n d

, I t t ea ches t h a t .

w e s houl d strangl e every i dea of d efici en cy i mp erfe c ,

t i on or i nferi ori ty a nd how eve r much our a pp a ren t

, ,

con di ti ons of di scord weak n esses poverty a n d i l l

, , ,

h eal th m ay s eem t o con tr adi ct cl i n g te n a ci ously t o

,

o ur v i si on of p erfect i on , t o th e di vi n e i mage of o ur

sel ves th e i dea l wh i ch t h e C re at or i n ten ded for H i s

,

chi ldren ; should affirm vi gorously tha t t here can b e

n o i n feri ori ty or depravi ty a bout t he ma n G od m a de ,

for i n t he truth of our b ei n g we ar e perfect an d i m

m ort a l ; b ec ause our men t al a t ti t ude wh at we h a b i t u ,

a lly t h i n k fur n i sh es a patt ern w hi ch th e l i fe processes

,

ar e const an tly we avi n g outp i ct uri n

, g i n the li fe .

T he b ook t ea c hes th at fear i s the great huma n curse ,

th a t i t bli ghts more l i ves m ak es more p eopl e un h appy

,

an d unsucc essful th an a n y ot her on e t hi n g ; t h a t

worry thoughts feamhoughts ar e so many mali gnant

-
, ,
 P REF A C E
forces w i thi n us poi son i n g the very sourc es of l i fe ,

destroyi n g h armon y rui n i n g e ffic i en cy whi le the op

, ,

posi t e th ough t s h e a l s oot h e i n st e a d of i r ri t a t e a n d

-

, ,

i n cre a se efii ci en cy a n d m ul t i ply m e n t al powe r ; t h a t

every c ell i n t h e b ody suff ers or i s a
ga i n er get s a l i fe ,

i m pul se or a de a t h i mpulse fr om every t h ought t h a t

,

en t ers t h e m i n d for w e t e n d t o
, grow i n t o t h e i m a ge
of t h a t w hi c h w e t hi n k a b out most love t he b est ; t h a t ,

th e ody i s rea lly our th ough t s m oods c on vi c ti on s , ,

obj ect i fied ; ou tpi ct ur ed m a de vi si bl e t o t h e eye

, .

T h e G ods we w orsh i p w ri t e t h ei r n a m es o n our

”
fa ces . T h e f a c e i s c a rv e d from w i t hi n by i n vi si bl e
t ool s ; our t h ough t s our m oods our e m ot i on s a r e t h e
, ,

C hi se ls . I t i s t h e t a ble of con t e n t s of our l i fe hi st ory ;

a b ull et i n b oa rd upon w hi ch i s a dvert i sed wha t h as

b een goi n g on i n si de of u s .

T h e a ut h or b el i eve s t h a t t h ere i s n o h a bi t wh i ch
w i l l bri n g s o much of v al u e to t h e li fe a s t h a t of a lw a ys
c a rryi n g a n opt i mi sti c hop eful a t ti t ude of rea lly ex
,

pect i ng t h a t th i n gs a r e goi n g t o turn o ut w ell w i t h u s

a n d n ot ill t h a t w e a r e goi n g t o s ucc e ed a n d n ot fa i l
, ,

a r e goi n g t o b e h a ppy a n d n ot m i s era ble .

H e p oi n t s out t h a t m ost p e0 p1e n eu tra l i z e a la rge

p art of t hei r efforts bec a us e th ei r me n t a l a t ti t ud e does
n ot c orrespon d w i t h t h e i r en de a vor so t h a t a lt hough ,

w orki n g for on e t hi n g t h ey a r e r ea l éy expect i ng s om e

,

t hi n g el se a n d wh a t w e e xp ect w e t en d t o ge t ; t h a t
, ,

th ere is n o phi l osophy or sci en ce by whi c h a m a n ca n

a rri ve a t t h e s ucc ess goa l w h e n h e i s fa c i n g t he ot h er

w a y w h en every st ep h e t ak es i s on t h e roa d t o fa i l ure

, ,

w h e n h e t a lks l i k e a fa i l ure a c ts l i k e a fa i lure for

, ,

p ro s p eri t y b e g i n s i n t h e mi n d a n d i s i mpossi bl e whi le

th e men t a l a tt i t ude i s hosti l e t o i t .

 P R E F AC E
N0 on e ca n become prosperous w hi l e he re a lly ex
p eet s or h a lf e xpec t s t o b e a lw a ys poor for h oldi n g ,

t h e poverty t hough t k e eps hi m i n t ouch w i t h poverty

-

produci n g con di t i on s .

T h e aut h or t ri es t o s how t h e ma n w ho h a s b een

gr op i ng b li n dly a ft er a m yst eri ou s mi sun d erst ood G od, ,

t h ought t o dw ell i n s om e fa r off re a l m t h a t G od i s

-
,

right i n si de of hi m n ea rer t o hi m t h a n h a n ds a n d feet

, ,

cl oser t h a n h i s h e a rt b ea t or brea t h a n d t h a t h e l i t er
-
,

a lly l i ves m oves a n d h a s h i s b ei n g i n H i m ; t h a t m a n

, ,

i s mi gh ty or w ea k succ essful or un succ essfu l h a r

, ,

m on i ous or di scorda n t i n prop orti on t o t h e comp l et e

,

n ess of hi s c on sci ous on en ess w i t h t h e P ow er t h a t

m a de hi m hea l s hi s w oun ds a n d h urts a n d su st a i n s

, ,

h i m every mi n u t e of h i s exi st en c e ; t h a t t h ere i s b ut on e

creat i ve pri n c i pl e run n i n g t hrough t he un i verse on e ,

l i fe on e trut h on e rea l i ty ; t ha t t hi s pow er i s di vi n ely

, ,

b en efice n t t ha t w e a r e a n ecess a ry i n sep a ra b l e p art

, ,

of t hi s gre a t pri n ci pl e curre n t w h i ch i s run n i n g G od

—

w a rd .

T h e b ook t ea ch es th a t ev erybody o ught t o b e h a ppi e r

t h a n t h e h a ppi est of u s a r e n ow ; t h a t our l i v e s w ere
i n t en de d t o b e i n fin i t ely ri ch er a n d m or e a b un da n t
t h a n a t presen t ; t h a t we shoul d h a v e p l e n t y of every
t hi n g w hi ch i s good for us ; t h a t t h e l a ck of a n ythi n g
w hi ch i s re ally n ec essa ry a n d desi ra b l e does n ot fit t h e
c onst i t uti on of a n y ri ght li vi ng h uma n bei n g a n d t ha t
-
,

w e s h ort en our l i ves v ery m at eri a lly t hrough our ow n

fa lse t hi n ki n g our b a d li vi n g a n d our ol d a ge con
, ,
-

v i ct i on s a n d t ha t t o b e h a ppy a n d a tt a i n t he h i gh est
,

efli ci en cy on e m ust ha rmon i z e wi t h t he b est t he

, ,

t hi n g i n h i m
hi ghest .

D ecem ber , 1 91 0 . 0 . S M
. .
C H AP T ER I
T H E D I V I N I T Y OF DESI RE

C H AP T ER I I
SU CC ES S A N D H A PPI N ESS A RE F OR
.

C H AP T ER I I I
W O RK I N G F OR ON E TH I NG A ND EX P ECTI NG
S O M ETH I NG E L S E

C H AP T ER I V
EX PE C T G REAT T H I N G S O F Y OUR SELI»

C H AP T ER V
SE L F-E N C OU RA G EM E N T B Y S EL F-SU GG ES T I O N

C H AP T ER V I
C RI M E LU ES
“
THE OF T H E B

C H AP T ER V I I
CH A N G E T H E TH O UG H T , C H A NGE T H E M AN

C H AP T ER V I I I
T HE P A RA LYSIs —
OF F EA R

C H AP T ER I X
ON E WI TH T H E D IVI NE
 CO NTENTS

C H AP T ER X
G ETTI NG IN TU NE

C H AP T ER X I

TH E G REAT WI TH IN

C H APT ER X I I
A N EW WA Y OF B R I NG ING UP CH IL D REN

C H AP T ER X II I
T R AI N I N G F OR LO NG EVITY

C H AP T ER X I V

As A M AN TH I N K ETH

C H APT ER X V
M EN TA L SE L F -TH OUGH T P OIS ON IN G
I . THE D IV INITY DESIRE
I . TH E D I V INIT Y OF DESIRE

A nd l on gi n g mold s i n cl ay w hat Li fe ca rve s in

”
t he m a rbl e r ea l LOWELL.
—
.

Your a mb i t i on , n ot yo ur worded p raye r , i s your

r ea l r
c eed .

N o j oy for w hi ch t hy h un ge ri n g soul ha s pa n t ed,

No hope i t che ri sh es t hrough w a i t i n g yea rs,
B ut i f t hou dost dese rve i t sh a ll be gr a n t ed ;
, ,

F or w i t h e ach p assi on ate w i sh t he blessi n g

r
n ea s .

T he t hi n g t ho u cr a vcst so wai t s i n th e di stan ce ,

Wrapt i n t he si le ce u seen a n d d umb n n

Essen t i a l t o t h y so ul a n d t h y ex i st e ce n ,

Li ve w or thy f it
o ,
ca ll, an d it s ha ll com e .

—
ELLA WH EELER WILCOX .

H A T EVER t he soul is
t a ught to exp ec t , tha t i t will
”
build .

O ur h ea rt l on gi n gs, our
soul a sp i r a t i on s a r e some ,

th i n g mor e tha n me re v a p or
i n gs of t he i magi n a t i on
or idl e dr ea m s They a r e prophe c i es predi c
.
,

t i on s c ouri e r s f or eru n n er s of th i n gs w h ich

, ,

b c r li i ” They ar e i n di cator s of
can e om e ea t es
Th ey m
.

our p ossi b i lit i es easur e th e height

.

O f ou r a i m the ra n ge of our effic i en cy

,
.

3
4 M IRACL E OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

What we yea r n for ea r n estly d esire an d

,

st riv e to br i n g a b ou t t en d s t o b ec om e a r ea li t y
,
.

O ur id ea l s a r e th e f oresha dowi n g ou t l i n es O f
r ea l i t i es behi n d them the sub st an ce of t he
—

thi n g s h op e d for .

T he sculp tor kn ow s that hi s id ea l i s n ot a

m er e f a n t asy of hi s i ma gin a tion but tha t i t i s a ,

pr op hecy a for esha dowi n g of that wh i ch will

,

”
c a rv e i t self i n m a rbl e rea l
“
.

When w e b egin to desire a thi n g to yea rn ,

for i t wi th a l l our h ea rts w e b egi n t o e st a b ,

l i sh rel a tion sh i p wi th i t i n pr op ortion t o the

st r en gth a n d p e r si st en c y o f ou r l ongi n g a n d ih
'

t el li gen t e ff or t t o r ea l i z e i t .

T he t r oubl e wi th u s i s tha t w e liv e too m uch

i n th e m a t e r i a l si d e of l i fe a n d n ot en ough i n ,

th e id ea l . We should l ea rn to l i ve men t a lly i n

th e i d ea ! w h i ch w e wi sh to m ak e rea l If we .

w a n t for exa mpl e to keep youn g w e sh ould

, ,
‘

live i n t h e m en ta l sta te of youth ; t o be b ea ut i

ful w e should l i ve mor e i n the m en ta l state O f
,

b ea ut y .

T he a dva n t age of livi n g i n t he id ea l i s that

a l l i mp erfec t i on s ph y sic a l m en t a l
, a n d m ora l
, , ,

a r e e l i m i n a t ed . We ca n n ot see ol d age be
c a u se O ld a ge i s i n c ompl eten ess d e cr epi t ude , ,

a n d t hese qu a l i t i e s ca n n ot ex i st i n t h e id ea ! .

In the id ea l ever y th i n g i s you th ful an d

,
 TH E D I V INITY O F D ES IR E 5

bea u t iful ; ther e i s n o suggesti on of d ec a y of ,

ugli n ess T he ha b i t of livin g i n the id ea l

.
,

t h er e for e h elp s us w on d e rfully b e c a u se i t g i v es

,

a p e rp et u a l p a tte r n of t he p erfec t i on for w hic h

We a r e st rivi n g I t i n cr ea ses hop e an d fa i th

.

i n our ul t i ma te p erfec ti on a n d divi n i t y be ,

c a u se l n our vi si on w e see gli mp ses of the r eal

i ty w h ich w e i n sti n c t iv ely f eel m u st som eti me ,

som ew h e r e be our s , .

T he ha bi t of t h i n ki n g a n d a ssert i n g thi n gs
a s w e w ould lik e t o h a v e t hem or a s t h ey
,

ough t t o be an d of stou t ly cl a i mi n g ou r w hol e

,

n ess or c ompl et en ess bel i evi n g that w e ca n

—

n ot l a c k a n y good t hi n g b ec a u se w e a r e on e

with t he A ll Good suppli es the p a ttern ,

-

w hi ch the life pr oc esses wi thi n us will r epr o

-

du c e Keep con st a n tly i n your m i n d the id ea l

.

O f the m a n or w oma n you w ould li ke t o be

c ome H old the id ea l of your effic i en cy a n d
.

whol en ess a n d i n sta n tly st ran gl e every d i sea se

,

i ma ge or s uggest i on of i n fer i ori ty N ev er

.

a ll ow y our self t o dw ell up on your w ea kn esses ,

d efi c i en c i es or fa ilures H oldi n g fir mly the

,
.

i dea l an d st rugglin g vigor ou sly t o a tta i n i t

will help you t o r ea l i z e i t .

T here i s a t r emw dous p owe r i n the habi t of

exp ec ta n c y of b eli evin g t ha t w e sha ll r ea l i ze
,

our a mbi tion ; that our d re ams will c om e t rue .

6 MI RA CLE OF RIGH T TH O UGHT

There i s n o mor e upl i ft i n g habi t th an that Oi -

b ea r i n g a hop eful a tti tud e of b el i evin g that,

thi n gs a r e g oi n g t o t ur n bu t w ell a n d n ot ill ;

tha t w e a r e goi n g t o succ eed a n d n ot fa i l
t ha t n o ma t ter w ha t m ay or m ay n ot ha pp en ,

w e a r e goi n g t o be happy .

T her e i s n othi n g el se so help ful a s th e c a rry

i n g of thi s op t i m i st i c expe ct a n t a tt i t ud e
,
t he —

a t t i t ud e whi c h a lwa y s l ook s for a n d e xp e ct s t h e

b est the h i ghest the ha pp i est a n d n ever a l

, ,

l owi n g on e self to get i n to a p essi m i st i c di s ,

cou r a ge d m ood .

B el i ev e w i th a llyour hear t tha t you w i l l do

w ha t you w er e m a de t o d o N ev er for a n i n
.

st a n t h a rb or a d oub t of i t D r i ve i t out of .

your m i n d i f i t se ek s en t ra n c e En te rt a i n on ly .

th e fr i en d though t s or i d ea l s of the thi n g you

a r e d et er m i n e d t o a chi e v e R ej ect a l l t hought
.

en em i es a ll di sc oura gi n g mood s
,
ev e ry th i n g —

w hich w ould ev en sugg est fa i lur e or u n happi

n ess .

It does n ot ma tt er wh a t you ar e t ryi n g t o do

or t o be lw a ys a ssu m e an exp ec ta n t hopeful

,
a , ,

op t i m i st i c a t t i t ud e r eg a rd i n g i t Y ou will be .

surpr i sed t o see h ow you w i ll gr ow i n a l l you r

fa cul t i es a n d h ow y ou w i ll i m prove gen e ra lly

,
.

When the m i n d h a s on c e forme d th e habit of

holdi n g cheerful ha ppy prosp erous pict ures
, , ,
 THE D IV I N ITY OF D ESI RE 7

it will n ot y t o for m th e opp osi te habit

be ea s .

I f our chi ldr en c ould on ly a cqu i r e thi s on e

ha bi t i t w ould r e volu t i on iz e our civiliz a t i on
,

v e ry quickly a n d a dva n ce our life stan d a rd s

i mmea sur a bly A m i n d so t ra i n e d would a l
.

w a ys b e i n a c on d i ti on t o ex erc i se i t s ma xi
mum p ow e r an d ov erc om e i n ha r m on y un k i n d ,

n ess a n d t h e h u n dre d a n d on e en em i es of our

p ea c e c om for t effici en cy a n d succ ess

, , ,
.

The v ery h a b i t of exp ec t i n g tha t the fu ture

i s full of good thi n gs for you tha t you ar e ,

goi n g t o be pr osp e ro u s a n d happy tha t you ,

a r e g oi n g t o ha v e a fin e f a m i ly a b ea u t i ful ,

home a n d a re goi n g t o sta n d for som et hi n g

, ,

i s the b est ki n d of c a pi ta l wi th w h ich to st a rt

life .

What w e t r y p e r si st en tl y to expr ess w e t end

t o a ch i ev e e v en thou gh i t ma y n ot seem l i k ely
,

or e v en p ossi bl e I f w e alw ay s try to express

.

t he id ea l th e th i n g w e w ould l i k e to c om e t ru e
,

i n ou r li ves wheth er i t be robu st hea l th a n obl e

, ,

cha r a c te r or a sup erb c a r eer i f w e v i zu a li z e i t

, ,

a s vi vidly a s p ossi bl e a n d t r y wi th a l l our m ight

t o r ea liz e i t i t i s m uch m or e likely t o c om e to

,

u s t han if w e do n ot .

Ma n y p eopl e a ll ow their d esir es an d l on gi n gs

t o fa d e out They do n ot rea liz e th a t the ve ry
.

in ten sit y a n d per sisten cy O f desire i n cr eases

8 M I RA CL E OF RIG H T TH O UGH T

th e p ow e r t o r ea l i ze their drea ms T he con .

st an t e ffor t t o k e ep t he d esire a liv e i n cr ea ses

t he c a p a c i t y t o r ea liz e t h e v i si on .

I t does n ot m a tter how i mprob a bl e or how

;

fa r a w a y t hi s r ea l i z a ti on m a y seem or how ,

da r k the prosp ec t s m a y be if w e vi su a liz e ,

t h em a s b est w e ca n a s vi v i dly a s p ossi bl e hold

, ,

t en a ci ou sly t o them a n d v i gor ou sly st ruggl e to

a t ta i n the m they w i ll gr a du a lly b ec ome a c
,

t ua l i z ed r ea l i z ed i n the lif e
,
B ut a d esire a
. ,

l on gi n g wi thout en d ea vor a yea rn i n g a ba n

,

d on ed or held i n diffe ren tly w i ll va n i sh wi thout

r ea liza t i on .

I t i s on ly when desi r e cr ysta l li z es i n to r e

s ol v e how ev er t ha t i t i s eff ec t iv e
, ,
I t i s the .

d esi re c oupl ed w i th the vigorou s d ete rmi n a

t i on t o r ea liz e i t that pr oduc es t he cr ea t iv e
p ow er I t i s the yea rn in g the l on gi n g an d
.
,

st rivi n g togethe r th a t pr odu c e resul t s

,
.

We a r e c on stan tly i n crea si n g or decrea sin g

ou r effi ci en cy by t he qu a li ty a n d c ha r a c te r of

ou r t houghts emot i on s
,
a n d i d ea l s
, If we .

c ould a lwa ys hold the i dea l of whol en ess an d

t h i n k O f our selv es a s p e rfec t b ei n g s e v en a s ,

H e i s p erfe ct a n y t en d en cy t o di sea se a n y
,

w her e w ould be n eut r a liz ed by thi s restor at ive

hea li n g forc e .

Thi n k a n d say on ly tha t whi ch you wi sh to

 TH E D IV INIT Y OF D ESIR E 9

become tr ue X Peopl e who . c u si n g

are a lwa y s ex

t hemselv es ; c on st a n tly sa yi n g t hat th ey ar e

t ir e d u se d up pl a y e d out
, ,al l i n that t hey
, ,

a r e a ll out of k i l t e r som ewhe r e ; t h a t th ey a r e *

a lw a y s u n for t u n a t e u n lu c ky ; t hat f a t e seem s

,

t o be a ga i n st them ; tha t t h ey a r e p oor an d

a lw a y s exp ec t t o be ; t h a t t he y h a v e w ork ed

h a rd a n d t ri ed t o get a h ea d but c ould n ot l i t tl e

, ,

rea l i z e tha t they a r e et c hi n g these bl a c k pic

t ure s en emi es of t heir p ea c e ha pp i n ess a n d , ,

succ ess a n d t h e v e ry t hi n g s w h ic h th ey ought

,

t o wip e out of th e i r mi n d s for eve r d eep er a n d

d eep e r i n to t heir c on sci ou sn ess a n d a r e ma k i n g ,

i t a l l the m or e c e rt a i n th a t th ey w i ll b e r ea l i ze d
i n t hei r liv es N ev er for a n i n st a n t a d mi t t ha t
.

you a r e si ck w ea k or ill un l ess you w i sh to ex

, ,

per i en ce th ese con di ti on s for t he v ery t hi n k

,

i n g of th em h elp s t hem t o get a st ron ger h old

up on you We a r e all the produc ts of ou r ow n
.

t h ought s Wha tev er w e con c en t ra te up on t hat

. ,

w e are T he d a ily h a bi t of pic t ur i n g on esel f

.

a s a sup erb m a n sen t t o ea rth wi th a d i vi n e

m i ssi on a n d w i th t he a bili t y a n d t he oppor

,

t un i t y t o d eliv e r i t gr a n dly gives a m a rvel ou s ,

c on fiden c e uplift in g p ow er a n d p erpetua l eu

,

cou ra gemen t .

If you wi sh to i mpr ove your self i n any pa r

t i cul a r , vi su a liz e the qu ali ty a s vividly a n d as
 Io MIRACL E OF RIGH T TH O UGHT

t en a ciou sly p ossi bl e a n d hold a sup erior

as

idea l a l on g the l i n e of your a mb i t i on K eep .

th i s pe r si sten tly i n t he m i n d u n ti l you f eel i t s

upl i ft a n d r ea l i z a ti on i n y our l i fe G ra dua lly .

the w eak i m p erf ec t m a n w hi ch m i st ak es si n s

, , ,

a n d v i c i ou s liv i n g ha v e m a d e w i ll be r epl a c e d
,

by the i d ea l m a n ; your other b ett er G od self ,

-
.

Ev e ry l i f e foll ow s i t s id ea l ; i s c ol ore d by i t ;
t a k es on i ts ch a ra c t er ; b ec om es l i k e i t Y ou .

ca n r ea d a m a n s Cha ra c t e r i f you k n ow hi s
’

id ea l for thi s a lway s d om i n a t e s h i s l i fe

, .

O ur idea l s a r e grea t cha ra c t e r m old er s a n d -

,

h a v e a t rem en d ou s l i fe sha pi n g i n fl u en c e O ur
-
.

hea r t s ha b i t u a l d esi r e soon show s i t self i n th e

’

f a ce ; out pi ct ur es i t self i n the l i f e We can n ot .

l on g k eep fr om the fa c e that whi c h habit u a lly

li ves i n our mi n d s .

We d evel op t he qu a l i ty of the t hought em o ,

t i on i d ea ! or a mbi t i on w hi c h t a k es th e st r on g
, ,

est hol d up on u s Ther efor e you should l et

.
,

e v e ryt hi n g i n yo u p oi n t t ow a rd su per i ori t y ,

n ob i li t y Let th er e be a n up wa rd t r en d i n your
.

t
h i n k in g Resolve t ha t you w i ll n ever ha v e
.

a n y th i n g to do wi th i n f e r i ori t y i n your
th ough ts or y our a c t i on s ; tha t wh a t e ve r you do
sh a ll b ea r t he sta m p of exc ell en c e .

Thi s uprea chi n g of the m i n d thi s st r etch i n g ,

O f t he men t al i ty t ow a rd highe r i d ea l s a n d
 THE D I V INITY OF D ESIRE II

gr a n d e r t hi n gs has a n el eva ti n g t ra n sformi n g

, ,

i n flu en c e whic h ten d s to l i ft the whol e life t o

h ighe r l ev el s .

H um an life i s so c on st ruc t ed tha t w e live

l a rgely up on hop e ; the fa i th tha t run s ahea d
a n d sees w ha t the p h y si c a l eye ca n n ot see .

Fa i th i s th e sub sta n c e of th i n g s h oped for ,

t he ou tl i ne of the i ma ge i tsel f; the r ea l su b

s ta n ce n ot m er ely a m en ta l i ma ge
,
T he re i s .

som eth i n g b a ck o f the fa i t h b a ck of t he hope

, ,

b a ck of the h ea r t yea rn i n g s ; ther e i s a r ea l i ty

t o m a t ch our l eg i ti m a te l on g i n g .

Wh a t w e b eli ev e i s com i n g t o us i s a tre

m en dou s cr ea t iv e mot i v e T h e dr ea m o f home
.
,

of pr osp e r i t y t he exp ec t an cy of b e i n g a p e r son

,

o f i n flu en c e of stan di n g for somethi n g of ca r

, ,
. .

t yi n g w e ight i n ou r c ommu n i t y a l l these —

,

th i n gs a r e p ow e rful cr ea t ive mot iv es .

Your w h ol e though t cur r en t must be set i n

the di r ecti on of you r l i fe pur pose The gr ea t .

m ir a cl es of civ i l i z at i on wrought by thought

are

c on c en t ra ti on L ive i n t he v ery soul of expec

.

t a t i on of b ette r th i n gs i n the con vic t i on th at

,

someth i n g l a rge gr a n d an d b ea u t iful w i ll

, ,

a w a i t you if y our effor ts a r e i n t elligen t if ,

y our mi n d i s kep t i n a cr ea t i ve con di tion an d

o u st ruggl e upw a rd t o y ou r goa l L iv e in
y
.

t he c on vic ti on that you a r e etern a lly progr ess

 12 M I RACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

i n g, a dvan ci n g t ow a rd i
so n ethi n g higher ,
b ette r ,
in ever y a t om o
f your bei n g .

M a n y p eopl e ha v e a n idea t ha t i t i s d an ger

ou s t o i n dulge th eir dr ea m i n g fa cul t i es th ei r ,

i ma gi n a t i on ver y much for fea r tha t i n doi n g

, ,

so t hey w ould b e c om e i mpra c t ic a bl e ; but t h ese

fa cul t i es a r e j u st a s sa cred a s a n y oth er s w e

p ossess They w ere gi ven us for a di v i n e pur
.

p ose ; so that w e c ould get gl i mp ses of i n ta n

gibl e rea li ti es T hey en a bl e u s t o l i v e i n t he
.

i d ea l e v en w hen w e a r e comp ell ed t o w or k i n

,

t he m i d st of a d i sa gr eea bl e or i n hospi ta bl e
en v i r on m en t .

Our drea min g c ap a cit y gives u s a p eep i n to

t he gl or i ou s r ea li t i es t ha t a w a i t u s fur ther on .

I t i s t he ev i d en c e of thi n gs p ossibl e t o us .

Buildi n g a i r c a st l es s hould n o l on ger be

l ooked up on a s a n idl e m ea n i n gl ess p asti m e
, .

We fir st build our ca stl es i n our con sc i ou sn ess

i ,

pic t ur e them i n deta il i n our a mbi t i on b e for e ,

w e put f ou n dat ion s u n d e r them a n d rea li ty i n to

them .

Dr ea min g i s n ot a lwa ys ca stl e buildi n g -

.

Ev ery real ca stle e ve ry home e v ery buildi n g

, ,

w as a n a i r c a st l e fir st L egi t i ma te drea m i n g
.

i s cr ea t iv e ; i t i s bri n gi n g i n t o r ea l i ty our
desir es ; the th i n gs for which w e l on g an d
hop e A bu i ldi n g would be i mp ossible withou t
.
 TH E D I V I N ITY OF D ESIRE . 1 3

t he pl an s of a n a rch i t ec t ; i t m u st be c r ea ted
m en ta lly T he a rch i t e c t sees b eh i n d t he pl an s
.

t he buildi n g i n a l l i t s p e rf ec t i on a n d b ea u t y .

Wha teve r c omes t o us i n life w e crea t e first

i n our m en t a li ty . A s th e build i n g i s a r ea lit y
i n a l l i t s d eta il s i n th e a rch i tect s m i n d b e fore
’

a ston e or brick i s l a id so w e crea t e men ta lly

,

e v e ry t h i n g wh ich l a te r b ecomes a r ea li t y i n

ou r a c h i ev em en t .

Our vi si on s a r e the pl an s of the p ossibl e life

st ru c t ur e ; bu t t hey will en d i n pl a n s if w e do

n ot foll ow t he m up wi th a vigorou s effor t t o

’
m a k e t hem r ea l ; j u st a s the a rchi tect s pl a n s
will en d i n hi s dra wi n gs if they a re n ot fol
l ow ed up a n d m a de rea l by t he build e r .

A ll m en w ho ha ve a chi e v ed grea t thi n gs

ha v e b een dr ea mers a n d wh a t t hey ha v e a c
,

com pli shed ha s b een j u st i n prop ort ion t o th e

vivid n ess t he en ergy a n d p er si sten cy w i th

,

w hich they vi sua liz ed t heir i d ea l s ; h eld t o thei r

dr ea m s a n d st ruggl ed to mak e them c ome t ru e .

D o n ot giv e up your drea m b eca u se i t i s a p

a r e n t l n ot b e i n g r ea l i z ed ; b ec a u se you ca n
p y
n ot se e i t c om i n g t ru e . C l i n g to your vi sion
with a l l the t en a ci ty you ca n must er Keep i t .

bright ; do n ot l et the brea d a n d bu tt e r sid e of

- -

l ife c l oud your idea l or di m i t . Keep i n a n

a mbi t i on a r ou si ng a t mosp her e
- . Rea d the book s
I4 M IRAC L E OF RIGH T T H OUGH T

which w i ll st i mul a te you r a mb i ti on G et cl ose

.

t o p eopl e w ho ha ve don e wh a t you a r e t ryi n g

to do an d t ry to absorb the sec r et of t hei r
,

succ ess .

T hi s m en t a l vi su a lizin g of t he id ea l a s
vividly an d a s sha rply a s p ossible i s th e m en t a l
m oldi n g of the t h i n g tha t w i ll fina lly m a tch
your vi si on wi th i t s r eal i ty ; tha t will ma ke
you r drea m come t rue .

Ta ke a l i ttl e t i me b e fore ret iri ng a t n ight

a n d get by y our sel f . Si t qui etly a n d t hi n k
an d drea m t o your hea rt s c on ten t D o n ot be
’
.

a fr a id of y our vi si on or of y our p ow e r t o
,
”
drea m for wi th out a vi si on the p eopl e p er i sh
, .

T he fa cul t y t o drea m w as n ot gi ven t o mock

you . Ther e i s a r ea l i ty ba ck of i t I t i s a
.

d i v i n e gi ft i n ten de d t o give you a glimp se of

the gr a n d th i n gs i n st or e for you an d t o l i ft you
out of th e c omm on i n t o t he un c ommon ; out of

h a mp e r i n g iron c on d i ti on s i n t o id ea l on es a n d
, ,

t o sh ow you tha t th ese thi n gs ca n b e c ome r ea l

i t i es i n your lif e . Thes e gli mpses i n to par a
di s e ar e i n ten ded to keep us fr om get ti n g di s
cou r a ged by our fai l ur es a n d di sappoi n tm en ts .

I do n ot m ea n fan ciful eph eme ra l pip e

,

dreami n g but r ea l l egi t i mate d esire a n d the

, ,

sa cr e d l on gi n gs of th e soul wh i ch ar e gi v en
,

us a s c on stan t r em in d e r s that w e can mak e our

 T H E D I V INITY OF DESIRE 15

i th
'

l ives subl i me matter how di sagreea bl e

‘
at no

or un frien dly our surrou n din g s may be w e ca n ,

lift our selves i n to the id ea l con dit ion s whi ch

w e see i n our vi sion .

There i s a divi n i ty b ehi n d our l egi t i mate

d esir es .

By the d esires that ha ve divi n ity i n them I ,

do n ot r e fer t o th e thi n gs tha t w e Wa n t but do

n ot n ee d ; I do n ot r e fe r to the d es ir es tha t t ur n

t o d ea d sea frui t on our l i p s or to a sh es wh en

-

ea t en but t o the l eg i t i ma t e desir es of t he soul

,

for the r ea l i za t i on of those idea l s th e l on gi n g ,

for full c ompl et e se lf expression for th e t i m e

,
—
,

an d opp or t u n i t y for th e w ea vi n g of t he p a tt e rn

show n u s i n th e momen t of our h igh est t r a n s ~

figur a ti on .

A m a n will r em a i n a ra gpi ck er a s lon g a s

” ’
he ha s on ly a ra gp i ck er s vi si on .

Our m en ta l a tti t ud e ou r h ea rt s desire i s

,
’
,

ou r p erp et u a l pra ye r w h ich N a t ure a n sw er s .

She t a kes i t for gra n t ed t ha t w e d esi re wha t

our hea rt a sk s for th a t w h a t w e w a n t w e
—

a r e h ea d e d t ow a rd a n d she help s u s to i t
,
.

P eopl e li ttl e r ea l i z e tha t their d esi r es a r e thei r

p erp et ua l pra y er s n ot hea d pra ye rs but
—
,

hea r t pra y er s an d th a t they a r e gr a n t e d .

We a r e a ll c on sci ou s t ha t there a ccompa n i es

“

us th rough l i fe a divi n e me ssen ge r g i v en to ,

I6 MIRACLE O E RIGH T TH O UGHT:
prot ec t an d direc t us ; a messen ge r who wil l
a n sw e r a l l our i n terroga t i on s No on e i s
.

m oc ke d w i th the yea rn i n g for tha t wh ich h e

ha s n o a b i l i t y t o a t ta i n
. I f he hold s the r i ght
m en t a l a tt i t ude an d st ruggl es ea r n est ly hon ,

est l y tow a rd hi s goal , he will r ea ch i t or a t ,

l ea st a pproxi ma te t o i t .

Ther e i s a t rem en dou s c r eat i ve producin g ,

p ow er i n the p erp et u a l focu si n g of the m i n d

a lon g t he l i n e of th e d esire th e a mb i t i on
,
It .

d evel op s a m a rvel ou s p ow er to a tt ra c t t o ,

c rea te the thi n g w e l on g for .

T he t hi n g w e lon g for , th at w e a re

F or on e t ra n scen den t mom en t "

.

Our hea r t y ea rn i n gs i n spir e ou r creat ive

en ergi es t o do the t h i n gs w e l on g f or T h ey .

a r e a c on st an t t on i c t o our fa cul t i e s an d i n

crea se ou r ab i li ty t en di n g to ma ke ou r drea m s
,

c om e t rue N a t ure i s a grea t on e pric e stor e

.
-

ke epe r w ho ha n d s u s out what w e a sk for if w e

pay t he pri c e . Our thoughts a r e l i k e r oot s
wh ich r ea ch out i n ev er y d i re c ti on i n t o the
cosmic oc ean of forml ess en ergy a n d th ese ,

t hought r oots set i n mot i on v i br a t i on s lik e

-

th em se lves a n d a tt ra c t the afli n i t i es of our

tl esi r es a n d a m bi t i on s
.

T he bird d oes n ot ha ve an i n st i n ct to fly
 TH E D I V INITY OF D ESIR E 17

S ou th in win t er wi thou t a r ea l S ou th to mat ch

it ; n or h a s t he C r ea t or giv en t o us these hea r t
yea r n i n g s soul l on gi n g s for a l a rg e r com
, ,

pl et er lif e for a n opp or tu n i ty for a full expr es

,

si on of our p ossi b i li t i es,

n or the l on gi n g for

i mmor ta li ty wi thout a r ea lity to match them

, .

Ev e ry thi n g i n the v egeta bl e w orld ou r ,

fl ow er s our frui ts c om e to the ir n atur a l

, , ,

fl ow e ri n g frui ta ge a n d rip en ess a t the a p

,

poi n t e d t i me ; t he wi n ter does n ot surpri se the

bud s b e fore they ha ve ha d a n oppor tun i t y t o
op en up ; th e frui t i s r ea dy t o drop off th e

t r ees b e f or e the sn ow c om es ; the gr ow th i s n ot

st u n t e d
.

B ut if w e should fin d when the wi n t e r

c a m e tha t a l l ou r frui t w as sti ll gr een that th e
,

fl ow ers w e r e sti ll i n bud an d tha t i n stea d of

,

ha vi n g d ev elop ed they w e r e cut off by the c old ,

w e w ould r ea lize that there w a s someth in g

a t fa ul t som ewher e . A n d when w e fin d tha t
n ot on e out of th e h u n dr ed s of m i lli on s o f

h uma n b ei n gs e v er rip en s i n to c ompl eten ess ,

i s n ev e r ev en ha lf d ev el op e d b e fore cut off by

d ea th w e k n ow h ere a l so som eth i n g i s wron g
,
.

V T he win df a ll s which w e see on eve ry han d

u n d er the life t r ee a r e n ot n or ma l There i s
.

som eth i n g wron g w hen m en a n d w omen i n

bet i t i n g G od lik e q u a li t i es an d c ap abl e of

-
18 M IRACL E OF RIG H T TH O UGHT

i n fin i te p ossibi li ti es fa ll off the l i f e tr ee befor e

they a r e ha lf ma t ur ed .

We feel the sa m e pr otest that the w i n dfa ll

a ppl e f eel s a ga i n st ha vi n g i t s l i fe bl i gh t ed a n d

cu t off b e f o re i t ha s h a d t i me t o r i p en to ,

d evel op i t s possib i l i t i es the same protest t ha t

—

the sta lw a r t oa k still sl eepi n g i n p ossi b i l i t y i n

,

the a c or n w hi ch i s ju st b egi n n i n g to spr ou t ,

feel s when i t i s ruthl essly torn from t he soi l .

Ev en the m en m ost r i chly en dow e d w i th

a b i li t y ,e duc a t i on a n d opp or t u n i t y
, e ven t he ,

gi a n ts of the ra c e a fter th e c ompl et est l i fe

,

p ossi bl e f eel a s they sta n d on the edge of the

, ,

gr a ve th a t they a r e but h um a n a c orn s with a ll

,

t heir p ossibil i t i es st ill i n them j u st b e gi n n i n g,

t o spr ou t .

B u t i t will n ot a lw a y s be thu s A ll a n a l ogy .

t ea ch es tha t hu m an life w i ll ev en t ua lly h a v e a n

opp or t u n i ty for i t s c om pl et e blossom i n g full ,

fru i ta ge un tr a mm el ed self-expr essi on Th er e

, .

will i f w e foll ow ou r v i si on be a t ime a n d a n

, ,

opp or tu n i ty for th e bl ossomi n g of ou r d esir es ,

the fulfil m en t of ou r a mbi t i on th e rip en i n g of ,

ou r i d ea l s for th ey a r e the p et al s i n th e cl os e d
,

bud wh ich will fin d a n opp or tu n i t y som et i m e , ,

som e whe r e t o op en up a n d fli n g out th eir fr a

,

gr an ee a n d b ea u t y wi thou t blight or brui se to

st r a n gl e
gr ow th .
 TH E D I V IN IT Y or D ESIRE 19

Our i n sti n ct ive yea rn i n g for the tim e a n d

opp or tu n i t y for t he c om pl et e u n t r a mmel ed uh
,

f ol dmen t of our p ow er s ; our sen se of th e un

fa ir n ess th e un fitn ess of b ein g cut off b e for e
,

w e ha ve ha d ha lf en ough t i m e i n wh ich t o
m a ture t o rip en
,
—
a l l these a r e gr ea te r ev i

d eu c es tha t th e re a r e r ea l i t i es to ma t ch these
h ea r t l on gi n gs an d soul y ea r n i n gs than ha ve
ev e r b e en pr i n t e d i n a n y book .

We a r e b egin n i n g t o see that there i s

m at eri a l i n e v ery norma l b ei n g t o ma k e t he
id ea l p erf ec t ma n t he p erfect w om a n I f w e
, .

could on ly m en t a lly hold the p erfec t p a tt er n ,

t he p e rfe c t id ea l per si st en t ly so th a t i t w ould

,

b ec om e the d om i n a n t m en ta l att i t ud e i t would

,

soon be w ov en i n t o t he l i fe an d w e sh ould be

com e p erf ec t h um a n b ei n gs .

T he div i n e i n j u n c t i on t o b e p erfec t ev en as
,

H e i s p erf ec t w a s n ot g i v en m a n t o m oc k hi m
,
.

Th e p ossi b i l i t y o f our w a k i n g i n H i s l i k en ess

i s li te ra lly t rue.
SUCCES S HA PPI N ESS
YO U
 r
I I SUCCES S A ND HA PP IN ES S A RE
.

FO R YO U

If a man t hi n ks poverty, a n d mi s
k
si c ness,

fort un e he , wi ll m e et t he m a n d cl a i m t hem a l l even

t ua ll y as hi s ow n . B ut he w i ll n ot a ckn ow l edge t he
l
c ose rel at i on shi p —
he w i ll d en y h i s ow n chi l dren
”
an d decla re t hey we re sen t t o h i m by an vi l f a t e
e .

Poverty i s the hell of w h i ch m o st modern En g

l i shm en are m ost a fra i d
.
—
CARLYLE .

Pove rty i s the op en - m out he d he ll whi ch yawn s

ben e a th ci vi l i z a t i on .
—
H EN RY G EORGE .

Wea lth is r
c ea t e d m en t a lly first .

T he r
st ea m o f pl en t y w i ll n ot flow t ow a d t he r
st i n gy, p a rsi mon i ous doubt i n g t hought
, .

H ol di n g t he poverty t hought keeps on e i n t ouch

wi th poverty p roduci n g con di t i on s
—
.

0 m a n ha s
right un l ess he a ,

ca n n ot help h i m se lf t o r e ,

m a i n wh ere h e w i ll be con
st an tl y s ubj ec te d to the
cra mpin g a mbi t i on bl i ghti n g ,
-

i n flu en c es a n d gr ea t t empt a
t i on s of pove r t y H i s self .

r espe ct d ema n d s tha t he sh ould get out of

Eii m n v i r on m en t I t i s h i s du t y t o put

m
.

hi msel f i n a p osi t i on of an d i n nd e
24 M IRACL E OF RI GHT TH O UGHT
en ce whe re he will n ot be li abl e a t a n y m o
,

m en t t o be a burd en t o hi s fr i en ds i n c a se of
si ckn ess or othe r e m e rgen c i es or wh e r e th ose
,

d ep en d i n g on h i m ma y suff e r .

A lmost every w ea l thy ma n i n thi s c oun t ry

w i l l t el l you t ha t hi s grea test sa t i sfa c t ion a n d
'

h a pp i est d a y s w ere wh en h e w a s eme rgi n g

from p overty i n to a c omp eten cy ; wh en h e fir st
fel t the ton ic from the swell i n g of hi s sm a ll
sa vi n gs t ow a rd s th e st r ea m o f for t u n e an d ,

kn ew that wa n t would n o l on ge r dog hi s step s .

I t w a s then he b egan to see a h ea d of hi m

l ei sure self d e vel op m en t self cul t ure or per
,
-
,
-
,

ha ps study a n d t r a v el a n d t o f eel th a t th ose

,

w hom he l ove d w ould be lift ed fr om the

clut ches of p over ty Com for ts w er e ta ki n g
.

t he pl a c e of st em n ec essi t i es a n d blun t in g
d rudgery a n d h e r ealiz e d t ha t he ha d th e
,

p ow er to lift h i mself a b ov e h i m self that hen c e ,

forth he w ould be of c on sequ en c e i n the w orld ;

t ha t he m ight ha v e pic t ur es a n d m u sic a n d
book s luxuri es for h i s h om e a n d tha t hi s
, ,

chi ldr en m ight n ot ha ve to st ruggl e qui te a s

ha rd for a n edu ca t i on a s he ha d T hen he fir st.

f elt the p ow er t o giv e th em an d other s a li ttl e

sta rt i n th e w orld ; f el t th e t on ic of gr ow th ,

th e li ttl e circl e a b ou t hi m exp an di n g i n t o a

l a rger spher e broa den i n g i n to a wid er horiz on
, .
 SUCCESS A ND H A PPI N E S S 25

Ther e a r e pl en t y of evid en c es tha t w e wer e

m a de for gran d thi n gs sublim e th in gs ; fo , r

a bu n d an c e a n d n ot for p ov ert y L ock a n d w on t

.

do n ot fit ma n s di vi n e n a tu
’
T he t roubl e
wi th us i s tha t w e do n ot ha ve en ough fa i th

i n t he good th a t i s i n stor e for us We do .

n ot d a r e fli n g out our wh ol e soul s d esire t o

’
,

follow th e l ea di n g of our divi n e h un ge r a n d

a sk wi t hou t st i n t for t h e a bu n d a n c e tha t i s

our bir th right . We ask littl e thi n gs an d ,

w e exp ec t li tt l e t h i n s pi n chi n g ou r d esires

g ,

a n d li m i t i n g ou r supply Not d a ri n g t o ask

.

t o the full of our soul s d esir e w e do n ot op en

’

ou r m i n d s su ffi ci en t ly t o a llow a grea t i n flow

o f good th i n g s . Our m en ta l i t y i s so r est ric te d ,

our self e xpr e ssi on so repr esse d t ha t we t h i n k

—
,

i n ter m s of st i n gi n ess a n d l i m i t ati on We do .

n ot flin g out ou r soul s d esir e wi th tha t a bu n

’

da n t f a ith wh ich t ru st s i mpl i ci tly a n d w hi ch

,
— 4

r e c eiv es a c cordi n gly .

T he P owe r that m a d e an d su sta i n s us giv es

l ib era lly a bu nd an t ly n ot st i n gily t o eve ry
, , ,

body a n d e v eryt hin g There i s n o r est ric t i on

.
,

n o li m i ta t ion,
n o l oss t o an yb ody fr om H i s

a bu n d an t givi n g .

We a r e n ot dealin g with a C r eator w ho i s .

i mp ove ri shed by gran t i n g our requ est s It i s .

’
H i s n a t ur e to giv e to fl o d
,
o u s wi o
th u r h ea rt s
26 MIRACL E OF RIGHT TH OUGHT

d esi r es H e d oes n ot ha ve l ess be c a u se w e ask

.

m uch Th e r ose d oes n ot a sk the sun for on ly

.

’
a t i n y bi t of i ts li ght a n d h ea t for i t i s t h e su n s
,

n a t ure t o th r ow i t out to ev e ryth i n g whi ch w i ll

a b sorb i t a n d dri n k i t i n Th e c an dl e l ose s

.

n ot h i n g of i t s l i gh t by li hti n g a n ot he r ca n dl e
g .

We do n ot lose but i n crea se ou r capa city for

fri en d shi p by be i n g fri en dly by gi vin g a bun ,

da n tl y of ou r l ov e .

O n e of th e gr eat se c rets of l i fe i s t o l ea r n
how t o t r a n sfer the full curr en t o f d i v i ne
forc e t o our selves an d how to use th i s force
,

e ff ect i v ely . I f ma n can fin d th i s l a w o f d i vi n e

t r a n s fe ren c e h e w i ll m ul t i ply h i s effi ci en cy a
,

m i ll i on fold be ca u s
, e h e w i ll th en be a co ope ra f -

t or co cr ea tor w i th divi n i t y on a sc a l e of
,
-
,

w hi c h he ha s n ever be fore dr ea m ed .

When w e recogn i z e tha t ever ythi n g comes

fr om t he gr ea t I n fin i te S upply an d tha t i t fl ow s ,

to us nf r eel y w hen w e get i n t o p e rfe ct t un e

,

w i th t he In fin it e when the brute has b ee n

,

e duc a t e d ou t of u s an d the d ross of di sh on est y ,

sel fish n ess ,

i m puri t y burn e d out of us we
, ,

sha ll see G od w i t hou t th ese sca l es w h ic h m a k e ,

u s bli n d t o good ; w e sha ll see God (good ) , ,

a n d w e sha ll kn ow good for on ly the p u r e i n,

hea rt can see God .

When un fa i r n ess , a desir e to t a k e a dv an

 SUCC ESS A ND HA PP IN ES S 27

t a ge of our brothers an d r
si st e s, is r emo ve d
f rom lives w e sha ll get so cl ose to God
our ,

tha t a l l of the goo d thi n g s i n the un ive r se w i ll

fl ow t o us spon t an eou sly T he t r oubl e i s tha t .

w e r est ric t the i n fl ow by wron g a c ts wron g

—
,

though ts .

Ev e ry vi c i ou s d eed i s a n opa qu e v eil a n other ,

fil m ov er ou r ey es so tha t w e ca n n ot see G od
good ) Every w ron g step sep a r a tes u s fr om
.

H im .

Wh en l ea rn the a rt of seei n g opul en tly

we ,

i n stea d of st i n gily wh en w e l ea r n to th i n k
,

withou t l i mi ts how n ot to cra mp ou rselves by

,

ou r lim i t i n g thought w e sha ll fin d t ha t th e ,

th i n g w e a r e seek i n g i s seeki n g us an d t ha t i t ,

will meet us ha lf w a y .

J ohn Burr oughs b ea ut ifully expr esses th i s i n

h i s p oem Wa i t i n g

r a ve m ore ga i n st T i me or Fa te,
’
I no

F or l o, m y ow n sha ll com e t o me ‘ .

A sl eep , aw a ke
, by n i ght or day,
T he fri en ds I see k ar e seeki n g me .

“
What m at t er i f I st a n d a l on e ?
I w a i t w i t h j oy t he com i n g yea r s ;
M y hea rt sha ll rea p where i t ha t h sow n,
What i s m i n e sha ll kn ow my face .

it
28 MIRACL E OF RIGHT TH O UGH T
N or t i m e, n or sp a ce , n or deep, n or hi gh
Ca n keep my ow n a w ay from me .

Do n ot befor eve r ap ologi z i n g for your l a ck

of t h i s or tha t Every t ime you sa y t ha t you
.

ha ve n ot hi n g fit to w ea r tha t you n eve r ha v e ,

t hi n g s t h a t oth er p eopl e h a v e t h at you n eve r ,

go an ywher e or do thi n gs tha t other p eopl e do ,

you are si mply et ch i n g t he bl a ck pi ctu r e d eep er

a n d d eep er . A s l on g r ecite th ese un
for tuna t e deta i l s a n d dw ell upbii your di sagr ee
'

bii i m eri tal i tyW

w
il t n ot att ra c t
f
“
a bl e exp eri en ces y
'
'

,
“

t he thin g you a r e a ft er w ill no t bri ng that ,

f

wh i ch will r emedyyou r hard condi ti o ns .

T he men t al a t ti tude th e m ental pic tur i n g

'

, ,

m u st correspon d w i th the r ea li ty w e seek .

Prosp er i t y b egi n s i n the min d a n d i s impos ,

sibl e w i th a m en t a l a t t i tud e w hi ch i s host il e

to i t . We ca n n ot a ttra ct opulen ce ment al ly

by a p over ty str i cken a tti tude which i s drivi n g
-

awa wha t yyj; l pngw fggm l t i s fa ta l to w or k

y p

On e t h i n g a n d t o exp ect somethi n g el se .

N o m a tt er how m u ch on e may l on g for pros

pe r i ty a mi sera bl e p ov er ty st rick en men ta l
-
, ,

a t t i t ude will cl ose a ll t he a v en u e s t o i t T he .

wea v i ng of the w eb i s b ou n d to follow the

pa tte r n . Opul en c e a n d p rosp erit y ca n n ot
come i n thr ough p overty thought an d fa il ur e -
 SUCC ES S AN D HA PP I NES S 29

t hought chan n e l sThey mu st be c r eated men

.

t a lly first . We mu st thin k prosp eri ty b efore

w e ca n c ome t o i t .

H ow man y t a k e i t for gra n ted tha t ther e a r e

plen t y of good t hi ngs i n t h i s w orld for oth ers ,

com fo r t s lu x uri es fin e h ou ses good c l ot hes

, , , ,

O pp ort u n i ty for t ra v el l ei sure but n ot for

, ,

t h em ! T hey settl e d ow n i n t o the c on vic ti on

t ha t the se t hi n g s do n ot b el on g t o them but ,

a r e for th ose i n a v e ry d i ff e r en t cl a ss .

'

B ut w hy a r e you i n a di ff eren t c l ass ?

S i mply b eca use yo r sel f i n t o a n oth er
c l a ss ; th i n k your self use

W
' ’ ”
é u pl a c e li m i t s for y our self Y ou put up
.

ba r s b et w een yoursel 9 12911 You cut 4

of supply i n opera

t i v e f or you by sh utt i n g your m i n d t o i t

,
.

A n d by w ha t l a w ca n you expect to get w ha t

you beli ev e you can n ot get ? B y w ha t phi l os
ophy can you obta i n the good t hi n gs of the

w or l d w hen you are t hor oughly convi n ced tha t

ou ?
I
y
isi iij our sel vesI an d n ot i n the
C r eat or H e
. wants H i s ch ild ren t o ha ve a l l
of th e good thin gs of th e u n iver se b ec a u se H e ,

h a s fa sh i on e d th em for H i s ow n I f w e do .

n ot t a k e t h em i t i s b ec a u se w e li m i t our se lv es
,
.

On e of the gr ea test cur ses of the w or l d i s the

 30 MIRACLE OF RI GHT T H O UGH T

beli ef i n t he n ecessi ty o f pover ty . M ost peo

pl e h a v e r g con v i c t ion tha t som e must
a st on

n e c e ssa rily be p oor ; th at t h ey w er e ma d e to be

p oor B ut there w a s n o p ove rt y n o w a n t n o

.
, ,

’
l a c k i n the C r ea tor s pl a n for m an T here
, .

n ee d n ot be a p oo r p e r son on the pl a n et T h e
,
"
ea r th i s full which w e ha ve
sc a rc e ly or i n

th e si mply b eca u se

of on bl l
'

We a r e di scov er i n g tha t thought s a r e thi n gs,

t h a t t he y i n c orp or ated i n to the l i fe a n d
a re

form p a r t of the cha ra cter a n d tha t if w e ,

ha rb or th e fea r t hought the l ack th ought if, ,

w e a r e a fr a id of pove r t y of com i n g to w an t
, ,

t h i s p ove r t y thought fea r thought i n cor po

,

r a tes i tself i n the very l i fe t ext ur e a n d m akes

u s t h e ma gn et t o at t ra c t mor e p ov e rt y lik e i t se lf .

I t w as n ot i n ten d ed tha t w e should h a ve such

a ha rd t ime gett i n g a livin g th a t w e should ,

j u st ma n a ge to squ eez e a l on g to get t ogeth er a ,

few com for ts t o sp en d about all of ou r t i me

,

ma ki n g a livi n g i n st ea d of ma kin g a life T he .

li fe abun d an t full free beaut iful was i n

, , , ,

ten d ed far us .

w
“

I f dive w ere absolutely n or mal ,l our livin g

gettin g w ould be a mere i n cid en t to our l ife
ma ki n g Th e gr eat a mbit i on of the r ace
.
 SUCC E SS A ND H A PP IN ES S 31

w oul d be to devel op a
ggpgr b t ype m ano
“
!g

i n g, a s n ow .

R esolve that you will turn your ba ck on the

p over t y idea an d th a t you will vigorou sly ex
,

pe et pr osp er i ty ; tha t you w i ll hold ten a ci ously

the thought of a bun d a n c e the opul en t id e a l , ,

whi ch i s b efi tti n g your n a tur e ; that you w i ll

t r y t o l i ve i n t he r ea liz a t i on of pl en t y to a c t u
-

a lly f eel r i ch opul en t ,

Thi s will help you t o
.

a tta i n W hat you lon g for There i s a c rea t ive

.

for ce i n i n tense d esi re,

,
H

T he fa c t i s w e l i ve i n our ow n world s w e
, ,

a r e c r ea t i on s of ou r o w n th ought Ea ch build s .

hi s ow n world by hi s though t ha bi t H e ca n .

su rrou n d h im self w i th a n a t m osp he r e O f a bu n

da n c e Or of la c k ; of pl en ty or o f wa n t
, , .

God s childr en we re n ot m a d e t o gr ovel but

’

to aspire ; to look up n ot d ow n , They w ere .

n ot ma de to pin ch a lon g i n p over t y but for ,

l a rge r gra n der th in gs N othi n g i s too good

,
.

for the chi l dr en of the Pr i n ce of Pea ce ; n oth

i n g t oo bea uti ful for huma n bei n gs ; n othi n g
too gr an d too su bli me too ma gn i ficen t for us to
, ,

en j oy .I t i s the p ov e r t y a tti t ud e th e n ar row ,

n ess of ou r thought t ha t h as li m i t ed us I f we .

ha d la r ger an d gr a n d er con cepti ons of life of ,

 32 M I RA CLE OF RIGHT TH O UGH T
. . .

our bi rth right ; if i n stea d of whi n i n g c ra wlin g

, , ,

grumbl i n g sn eaki n g an d a p ol ogiz in g w e w er e

, ,

t o st a n d er ect a n d cl a i m our ki n g ship d ema n d ,

ou r r ich i n he r i ta n c e t he i nh eri tan c e wh ich i s

,

a n a bun da n c e of a l l t ha t i s good a n d b ea ut i ful

a n d t r u e w e sh ould liv e fa r c ompl eter full e r

, ,

l i ves We should n ot be so poverty st r i ck en

.
-

but for the na rrow n ess of th m ea n

“ e
ness of our g
w
dflfipi dh of our bi rthri ght Th ere
“

a r e pl e n t y of evd e nc i
es i n man s c on st ruc t i on ’

a n d en v i ron men t tha t he w a s ma d e for i n fi n i t ely

gran der an d sup e rber th in gs than e ven the

most for tu n ate of men n ow p ossess an d en j oy .

Why shOuld w e n ot exp ect gr ea t gr a n d ,

th i n gs if w e a r e ma d e i n God s i ma ge a n d a re
’
,

H i s childr en ? We a r e heir s of a ll tha t i s

‘
Hi s all that S h auti ful an d opul en t i n the
‘
,

un iverse The ver y holdin g of the mi n d op en

.

t owa rd a l l the good th i n gs of the w orld e x ,

pect in g an d app reci a t

thi n g to dowi th
W ”
Ther e i s som et w hen mul ti tudes
f
o the son s a nd da ughters of the K i n g of
K i n gs, w ho have i n her i ted a ll the good thi n gs

f th e un i ver se, star ve on the v er y shor es o f

‘

t he str ea m of pl en ty of opul en ce un spea ka bl e

, ,

w hi ch flows past thei r v ery door s an d whi ch

cam es i n fini te supply
’

.
 SUC CES S A ND HA PP I N ES S
"

33

O ur circu msta n ces i n l i fe our fin an ci al con ,

d i t i on ou r pove r ty or our w ealth our fri en d s

, ,

or l a ck of t hem our con di ti on of ha rmon y or

,

d i s cord a r e a l l ver y l a rgely the Off spri n g o f

,

o u r thought I f our m en t a l a tt i tude ha s b een

.

on e of w a n t i f w e ha v e dw el t much up on l a ck
, ,

our en viron m en t will c orr esp on d I f our .

th i n kin g h a s b een op en g en e rou s a n d br oa d

, , ,

if w e ha ve though t i n ter ms of a bun d an c e ,

prosp erit y a n d ha ve ma de a r el at ive eff or t to

,

r ea liz e th ese c on d i t i on s our en vir on men t w i ll

,

t e n d to c orre sp on d Every thi n g w e get i n life

.

c om es t hr ough th e gatewa y of O ur fi w

an d r e sembl es i ts q ual i ty I f t ha t 1 5.

st i n gy m ea n
,
wha t fl ow s to u s will be like i t
,
.

When w e see p eopl e w ho ha ve been for

'

yea r s i n a p overt y st r i ck en con di t ion u n l e ss

-
,
'

t h e re ha s b een m uc h ill h ea l th or v ery u n u sua l

m i sfor t u n e w e kn ow tha t somebody ha s b ee n
,

si n n i n g ha s b een i n a wr on g vic i ou s men t a l

, , ,

a tt i t ud e We should v ery lik ely find the hmea d- m

W
.
“ m f

of the h ou se a c omp lain e r agaigst fa t e i ll ? ,

heSS of his W
“

Sp a r se th e l i tt l eness of hi s
V
l M f al -

I f you !a r e di s sa t i sfi ed wi th y our con di t i on ,

if you feel that life has b een ha rd a n d the fate s

cru el if you a r e a compl a in e r of you r l ot you
,
,

w ill prob a bly fin d tha t, whatever your con di

34 M IRACL E OF RI GHT TH O UGHT

t i on ma y be, i n y our h ome or bu si n ess or soci a l

l i fe, i t i s the l a a te 0

you
“m

fifgfit khi n ki n g will pr oduce right liv i n g ;

cl ea n thi n ki n g a cl ea n l i f e ; a n d a pr osp erou s
, ,

gen erou s thought follow ed up by i n t elligen t

en d ea v or t o ma k e y our thought s a n d you r

i d ea l s r ea l wi ll pr oduc e corresp on di n g r esul t s .

I f w e l ea r n t o t ru st i mplicit ly the G rea t Di s

p ense r of A ll Good th e source of I n fi n i te
,

S upply ,
—
the Pow e r wh i ch bri n gs see d t im e
a n d ha rv est th e P ow e r which fe e d s wh ic h su p
, ,

pl i es th e Pow e r wh ich bid s us ta ke n o thou ght

,

for the m orrow but con sid er the lili es h ow

t hey gr ow , an d do our l ev el b est t o i m prov e

ou r c on di t ion w e sha ll n ev er kn ow wha t

,

wa n t i s .

Ther e i s n othin g whi ch the huma n ra c e l a cks

so m u ch a s u n qu est i on ed impli c i t con fid ence
,

i n t he divi n e sourc e of a ll supply We ought .

t o sta n d i n the sa me r el a ti on t o the I n fin i te

S ourc e as the child does to i t s p a ren t s T he .

child does n ot say I do n ot d a re eat th i s

,

food for f ea r tha t I m a y n ot get a n y mor e .

"

I t ta kes everyth i n g wi th a bsolu te c on fiden ce

an d a ssura n c e tha t a l l i t s n eed s will be suppli e d ,

th a t the r e i s pl en ty more wher e these thi n gs

ca me from .
 succe ss A ND H A PPI N E S S 35

We do n ot h a ve ha lf
good en ough op i n i ons
of our p ossibi li t i es ; do n ot e xp ec t ha lf en ough
o f our selv es ; w e do n ot d em an d ha lf enough ,

hen c e t he m ea gern ess the st i n gi n ess of wha t,

w e a c t u a lly get We do n ot d em a n d th e
.

a bu n d a n c e w h ic h b el on g s t o us hen ce the l ea n ,

n ess t he l a ck of ful n ess the i n compl et en ess of

, ,

ou r l i v es We do n ot dema n d r oya lly en ough

. .

We a r e con ten t wi th too li ttle of the th i n gs

w orth wh i l e I t w as i n ten ded tha t w e shou l d
.

l i v e the a bun da n t li fe th a t w e sh ould ha v e ,

pl en ty of e verythi n g tha t i s good for us No .

on e w a s m ea n t to l i v e i n p ove rt y a n d wr e t ch e d

n ess . T he la ck of a n ythi n g t ha t i s desi r a bl e i s

n ot na tur a l to t he con s ti tu ti on of a n y hu ma n

bei n g .

H old the t hought t ha t you a r e on e wi th wh a t

you wa n t tha t you a r e i n t u n e wit h i t , so
, as to
r ct
a tt a k eep your m i n d vigorou sly con een
it ;
t r a t e d up on i t ; n ev er doubt y our a b i l ity to get
’

w ha t you a r e a fter an d you w i ll ten d t o get i t

, .

Pove r t y i s oft en a m en ta l d i sease I f you .

a r e su fferi n g fr om i t i f you a r e a v i ct i m o f i t
, ,

you w i ll be su r pri sed to see h ow quickly your

c on d i t i on wi ll i mprove when you c han ge your
m en ta l a tt i t ud e a n d in stea d of h old i n g t ha t
, ,

m i se ra ble shriv el e d li m i t e d p ov er t y i m a ge
, , ,

t ur n abou t a n d f a c e tow a rd s a bun da n c e an d

plen ty towa r ds free dom a n d ha ppi ness

,
.
36 MIRA C LE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

S u ccess c omes th rough a p erfectly sc i en t ific

men t a l process T he ma n who becomes p r os
.

p er ous beli eves t hat h e i s goin g t o be prosp er

ou s . H e ha s f a i th i n hi s a b i li t y to make m on ey .

H e does n ot sta r t out wi th h i s min d fill ed w i th

d oubts a n d fea r s an d a l l the t i me ta lk p ove rt y
,

a n d thi n k p overty w a l k l i k e a p a up er a n d dr e ss
,

l i ke a p a up er H e t urn s h i s fa c e t ow a rd s the
.

t hi n g he i s t ryi n g for a n d i s d eter mi n ed t o get ,

a n d will n ot a dmit i t s opp osi te pi ct ur e i n h i s

mi n d .

There ar e mul t itud es of p oor p eopl e i n thi s

c oun t ry who a r e ha l f sa ti sfied to r emai n i n
pover ty an d who h a ve c ea sed t o mak e a
,

d esp er ate st ruggl e to ri se out of i t . They m a y

w ork ha rd but they h a ve l ost the hop e the
, ,

e xp e ct a t i on of g et t i n g a n i n d ep en d en c e .

M an y p eopl e keep th emselv es p oor by f ear

of p overt y a ll owi n g themselves t o dw ell upon
,

t he possibilit y of c om i n g to w an t of n ot ha v
,

i n g en ough t o live up on by a ll owi n g th em

,

selv es t o dw ell up on con d i t i on s of p ov e r t y .

T he mi n d s of th e ch i ldren i n man y fa mi li es
a r e sat ur ated wi th the p ov er t y thought ; th e y

h ear i t from morn i n g t ill n ight . T hey see

pove rt y st ri ck en con di t i on s everywh er e They
- .

hea r ev erybody ta lki n g l i m i ta t i on l a ck Every

, .

th in g about them suggests p overt y .

 SU C CE S S A ND HA PP I NESS 37

Is it w on d e r tha t childr en br ough t up i n

an y

su c h a n a t mosph e r e rep ea t the p over t y st rick en -

c on di t ion s of thei r p a r en t s an d en vir on men t ?

Did you ev er thi n k tha t your t error of
p over ty your c on stan t w orry a bout ma ki n g
,

en d s m eet your fea r of tha t a wful r a i n y “

,
”
day n ot on ly m a k e you u n ha ppy but a c tu a lly
, ,

di squ a lify you from put t i n g your self i n a b ett er

fin a n cia l c on di t i on ? Y ou a r e thu s si mply
a ddi n g t o a loa d whi ch i s a lrea dy t oo hea vy

for you .

No m a tt e r how bl a ck th e ou t l ook or how iron

your en v i r cin men t p osi tively r efuse t o see a n y
,

t h i n g t ha t i s
u n fa vora bl e t o you a n y con d i ti on
,

w h ich t en d s t o en sl a v e you a n d t o keep you

,

fr om e xpr essin g the bes t that i s i n you .

By wha t p hi losoph y can you exp ect pov

e t t y t hough t s t hought s of l a ck an d w an t to
, ,

r duc pr p e ri t y ? Y our c on di ti on will cor

‘

p o e o s

r esp on d to y our a tti t ud e a n d id ea l s These .

form the p a ttern s whi ch ar e w ov en i n to the

l i fe web I f they a re sl oven ly p ove rty st ri cken
.
,
-
,

your l i fe c on di t i on will corr esp on d .

S upp ose a boy shoul d t r y to b ecome a la w

yer wi th ou t exp e c t i n g to be a d mi tt ed t o t h e
bar or wh il e b eli evi n g th a t h e w ould n e ver
,

a mou n t to a n yth i n g a s a l a wye r H e would

.

fa i l
. We ten d to get wha t w e expect an d i f
'

,
38 M IR A CL E O F RIGHT TH O UGHT

we e xp ec t n oth n
i g w e get n othi n g T he .

st r ea m ca n n ot r i se h ighe r t ha n i t s fou n ta i n

hea d ; n o on e ca n b ecome pr osp e r ou s wh en he

e xp ec t s or ha lf e xp e c t s to r e ma i n poor .

T he m an wh o i s b ou n d t o w i n b el i eves h e i s
goi n g t o be prosp e r ou s ; he st a r ts out w i t h t he
u n d erst an d i n g w i th hi mself tha t he i s goi n g t o
be a su c c essful ma n a w i n n er a n d n ot a l oser
, .

H e d oes n ot sa y to hi ms elf a l l t h e t i me .

Wha t s the use ? T he grea t bu si n ess com

’

hi ma t i on s a r e swa ll owi n g up t he c ha n c es Be .

fore l on g the m ul ti tud e w i ll ha v e t o w ork for

t h e few . I do n ot b eli ev e I shall ev er do
a n yt hi n g mor e than ma k e ju st a pl a i n livi n g

i n a v ery h u mbl e w a y I sha ll n eve r ha v e a

.

h ome a n d the thi n gs tha t ot her p eopl e h a ve .

I a m d est i n ed to be p oor a n d a n ob ody A .

m a n w i ll n ev er get a n ywh ere wi th such idea l s .

Ev erybody ought to st a n d er e ct wi th f a c e
t owa rd s t he sun of hop e a n d prosp eri t y .

S uccess an d ha ppi n ess ar e t he i n a li en a ble

r i ghts o f ev er y huma n bei ng .

Ev ery a chi ev em en t ha s i t s origi n i n the mi n d ,

e v e ry st ruc t ure i s fir st a m en t a l st ru ct ur e T he .

buildin g i s fir st c ompl eted i n a ll i ts d eta il s i n

the a rch i te c t s m i n d T he c on t r a c tor m erely
’
.

put s t he ston es the bri ck a n d other material

,

a r oun d the id ea We a re a ll a r chi tects

. .
 SUCCES S A ND HA PPI N E S S 39

Everythi n g w e do i n lif e i s preceded by some

so r t of a pl an .

S ome p eople would like t o ma ke mon ey, but

t hey k eep the ir mi n d s so pi n ched , so c l osed ,
t hat they a r e n ot i n a con di ti on , to r eceive an
a bu n da n ce
.

T he m a n who exp ec t s prosp e rity i s con

stou tly cr ea ti n
g mon ey i n hi s mi n d bui ldi ng ,

his fin a n ci a l s tructur e m en tal ly The re must .

be a men ta l pi ct ur e of the prospe ri t y first ;

t he buildi n g r u d i t i s compa rat ively easy
a o n .

I t d oes n ot t a ke a s gr ea t a man t o pl a ce the

materi a l a rou n d the id ea a s to c rea t e the i dea .

t he men ta l pi c t ure Thi s i s n ot idl e dreamin g

.
,

i t i s br a i n buildi n g m en ta l pl an n i n g men ta l
, ,

con st r u ct on D ogged i m a gi n ati on i s often on e

.

of t he m ost pra ct ic a l of fa c ul ti e s ; the t rue

d rea mer i s the b eli eve r the a ch i ever , .

Let us put up a n ew i ma ge a n ew id eal of ,

plen t y of a bu n dan c e
,
H a ve we n ot wor
.

shi ped the God of p ov e r ty of l a ck of w a n t , , ,

a bou t l on g e n ough ? Let us hold t he thought

th at God i s our grea t supply that if w e ca n ,

k eep i n t un e i n c l ose t ou ch wi th H i m so that

, ,

w e can f eel our at on e ness wi th H i m the

— -
,

great S our c e of a l l supply abun da n ce will fl ow ,

t o us a n d w e sha l l n eve r a ga i n kn ow w an t .

The p oor man i s n ot always the on e w ho ha s

40 M IRA C LE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

litt l e or n o prop erty but the on e w ho i s

,

p overt y st ric k en i n hi s id ea s i n hi s sympa th i es

-
, ,

i n h i s p ow e r of a pprec i a t i on i n sen t i m en t ;
,

p ove r ty st r i ck en i n hi s opi n i on of hi m self of

-
,

hi s ow n d est i n y a n d h i s a b i l i t y t o r ea c h up ;
,

w ho comm i t s th e cr i m e of sel f depr eci a ti on -

.

I t i s men ta l p en ury t hat ma k e s us p oor .

H ow f ew p eopl e r ea liz e the p ossi b i l i t y of

‘

men t a l a ch i ev emen t t he fa ct t hat e veryth i n g

,

i s cr ea te d by t he m i n d fir st b e fo re i t b ec om es
,

a ma t e ri a l r ea l i t y ! I f w e w e re b ett er m en ta l
build e rs w e should be i n fin itely b et ter ma teri al
build er s
x
.

A M or ga n or Rock efell er men ta lly c r eates

c on di t i on s w hich ma ke prosp e ri ty fl ow to hi m '
.

T he gr ea t a c hi ev ers do c omp a r at ively li tt l e

with their ha n ds ; they bu i ld wi th their thought ,

they a r e pra c t ic a l dr ea m er s ; the i r m i n d s rea ch

out i n to the i n fi n i t e en e rgy oc ean a n d cr ea t e

a n d produ c e wha t th e id ea l the a mbi t i on ca ll s

, ,

for j u st a s th e i n telligen c e i n the see d repro

,

duces the t r ee pl an c oil ed up withi n i t self .

T o be prosp erou s w e m u st put ourselv es i n

the pr osp er ou s a t t i tud e We must th i n k
.

Opul en tly w e m u st f eel opul en t i n thought ; w e

,

mu st exha l e c on fid en c e a n d a ssuran ce i n our

very bea ri n g a n d man n er Our men tal attit ude
.

t owa rd s th e thi n g w e a r e st rivin g for an d th e

 SUCC ES S AN D HA PP IN ES S '

41

i n t elligen t eff or t w e put for th t o r ea li z e it ,

will m easur e our a tt a i n m en t.

Pa r si mon i ou s sa vi n g by ch eese p a ri n g eff or ts

-

does n ot c omp a re i n e ff ec tiven ess with the

results of ob eyi n g the l a w s of opul en c e NVe .

go i n the dir ec ti on of our c on c en t ra t i on If .

w e c on c en t r a te up on p ove r t y if w a n t a n d l a ck
,

p re domi n a te i n ou r thought pover ty st r i c k en

,
-

con dit i on s mu st r esul t .

We mu st c on quer i n wa rd men ta l p overty

b e for e w e ca n con qu e r ou twa rd p over t y .

Opul en c e i n the l a rge r sen se i n wh ich w e

u se i t i s ever yth i n g t h a t i s g oo d for u s a bu n ,

d a n c e of a l l th a t i s b ea ut i ful i n l i fe upl i ft i n g
,

a n d i n spiri n g ; a bu n d a n c e of a ll t h a t i s sub

lim e an d m a gn i fic en t O pul en c e i s ev e ryth i n g

.

tha t will en rich t he p er son a li ty the l i fe th e , ,

exp e ri en c e .

T ru e pr osp eri ty i s th e i n w a rd c on sci ou sn ess

of spiri t u a l opul en c e w h ol en ess c ompl et en ess ;
, ,

t he con sci ou sn ess of on en ess wi th t he v e ry

S ourc e of a bu n d a n c e I n fi n i t e S upply ; the
,

c on sci ou sn ess of p osse ssi n g a n a bun da n c e

of a l l t ha t i s good for u s a w ea l th of p er son
,

a l i t y of c ha ra c t er t hat n o di sa st er on l a n d or

se a c ould dest r oy .
 W O R K I NG FO R O NE THING
EX P ECTI NG S O METHING ELS E
 '

I I I W O R KI N G FO R O NE THI N G A ND
.

EX PECT I N G S O METHING ELS E

P rosperi ty begi n s i n the mi n d i s i mpossi ble

an d
w hi le t he men t a l a tt i t ude i s h ost i l e t o i t I t i s fa t a l
.

t o w ork f or on e t hi n g a n d t o ex pe ct somethi n g el se ,

becau se everyt hi n g m ust be crea ted men ta lly first

a n d i s boun d t o f oll ow i t s m en t a l pattern .

N o on e ca n becom e p rosp e rous whi l e he r ea lly

e xp ect s o r h a lf ex pect s t o r ema i n p oor We t en d
.

t o get wha t w e expect , a n d t o exp ect n othi ng i s t o

get n othi ng .

When every st ep you t ake i s on the road to fa i l _

ur e, how ca n you hope t o a rri ve a t the success

goa ? l
It i s faci ng r
the w on g w ay, t o ward t he black de ,

r
p e ssi n g, hope ess l out l ook
, even t hough w e m a y be

r
w o k i ng i n the opp osi te di rect i on t hat ki ll s the r e
,

sul t s of our e ffo rt .

O ST p eopl e do n ot fa ce lif e
i n t he right w a y T h ey .

n eu t ra l i z e a la rge p a rt of
their e ffort beca u se t hei r
m en ta l a t ti tud e d oes n ot cor
r espon d with the ir en dea vor ,

so t ha t w h il e w orki n g for

on e t hi n g they a r e r ea lly exp ec t i n g somethi n g

el se They di sc our a ge drive a w a y the v ery

. , .

thi n g they a r e pur sui n g by holdi n g the wr on g

45
46 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

men ta l i tud e tow ard s i t Th ey do n ot ap

a tt .

pr oa ch thei r work wi th that a ssuran c e of vic

tory whi ch a ttra cts which for c es r esul ts t ha t
, ,

d eterm in a t ion an d con fiden c e wh i ch kn ow s n o

d efeat .

T o be ambi t i ou s for w ea l th an d yet a l wa ys

e xp ec t i n g to be p oor t o be a lwa ys d oubt i n g
,

your a b i li ty to get what you lon g for i s l i k e ,

t ry i n g t o r ea ch Ea st by t ra veli n g West There .

i s n o p hil osoph y wh ich wi ll h elp a m a n t o sue

ceed wh en h e i s a lw a y s d oubti n g h i s a bili t y t o

do so a n d thu s a tt ra c t i n g f a ilur e
, .

T he m a n w ho w ould succ eed mu st t h in k

su c c ess m u st t h i n k upw a rd
,
H e mu st th i n k .

progressively cr ea tively con st ructively i n ven

, , ,

t i v e l y a n d a b ov e a ll op ti m i sti c a lly
, , , .

You w ill go i n the dir ect i on i n wh ich you

fa c e. I f you l ook towa rds poverty tow a rd s ,

l a ck you w i ll go tha t w ay I f on the other

, .
,

ha n d you t ur n squ a rely a r ou n d a n d refu se t o

,

h a v e a n y th i n g t o do w i th p ov erty to th i n k ,
—

it, live i t or r ecogn iz e i t you will the n be

,

gi n to m a ke progr ess t owa rd s the goa l of pl en t y .

M an y of u s w ork a t cross purp oses b e c a u se , ,

whi l e we would l i ke t o be ri ch w e b eli eve in ,

ou r hea r t s tha t w e sha ll n ot b ec om e so an d our ,

men t a l a t ti t ude the p atter n whi ch th e life proc

,

e sses foll ow ma k es i mpossibl e the v er y thi n g

,
 WO R KI N G A ND EX P ECTING
‘

47

we are worki n g for I t i s our p en ury a tti t ude

.
,

ou r d oub t a n d fea r our l a c k of self fa i th a n d

,
-

of fa i th i n the a l l a b un d ant i n fin i te supply t hat

-
, ,

ma k es us p oor .

Y ou m u st n ot pl a y the par t of a p oor ma n

wh il e you a r e ex er ti n g al l you r en er gy t o
ma ke mon ey .Y ou m u st get i n to a prosperou s
m en tal a t ti t ud e A s l on g a s you c a rry a bout
.

a p oorhou se a tmosph e r e wi th you you w i ll

ma k e a p oorh ou se i m
,

pressi on ; an d that will

n ev e r a t t r a c t m on ey .

T here i s a sa yi n g th a t every t ime the sheep

b l ea t s i t l oses a mou th ful of hay Ever y ti m e.

you a ll ow yourself to compl a i n of your l ot t o ,

sa y ,
I am p oor ; I ca n n ever do what othe rs
do ; I sha ll n e ver be rich ; I ha ve n ot the a bili ty
t ha t oth e r s ha ve ; I am a f a i lure ; luck i s a ga i n st
”
me , you a r e l a yi n g up so mu ch t roubl e for
yoursel f ma ki n g i t a ll th e more difficul t to get
,

r i d o f t hese en em i es o f y our p ea c e a n d ha pp i

n ess ,
for e ve ry t i me you t hin k of them the y
w i l l go a li t tl e d eep e r a n d d eep er i n to y our
con sci ou sn ess .

Thought s a r e ma gn et s which a tt ra c t thi n gs

l i k e them selves I f your mi n d d w el l s upon
.

p overt y a n d di sea se i t w i ll brin g you p ove rt y

,

a n d d i se a se . T he re i s n o p ossibil i ty of your
r od uci n g j ust the opp osi t e of w ha t you a r e
p
48 MI RAC L E or RIGHT T H OUGH T

h oldi n g i n your b ec a u se your m en tal

m i n d,
a tt i t ud e i s the p at te rn whi ch i s built i n to
t h e l i fe . Your a cc ompl i shmen ts a r e a chi eved
m en ta lly first .

I f you a r e a lw a ys t h i n ki n g of p oor bu si n ess ,

pr ep a ri n g for i t exp e ct i n g i t a r e a lw a y s com

, ,

pl a i n i n g a b ou t the t imes an d c on d i t i on s a n d
fea r i n g tha t bu si n ess i s goi n g to b e ba d i t wi ll ,

be b a d for you .N o m a t ter how h a rd you

m a y w ork for succ ess if your thought i s ,

sa t ur a t e d wi th t he f ea r of fa i lure i t w i ll k i ll ,

your e ff ort s n eut ra lize your en dea vor s a n d

, ,

m a k e succe ss i m p ossibl e .

T he t e rror of fa ilu r e a n d th e f ea r of c om in g
t o w an t a n d of p ossi bl e h u m il i a t ion k ee p
m ul t i t ud es of p eopl e from ob ta i n i n g t he ve ry
t hi n g s t h ey d esir e by sa ppi n g t he i r v i ta li t y
,

a n d i n c a p a ci t a t i n g them th r ough w orry a n d

,

a n xi et y for th e eff e c t i v e c r ea t iv e w o rk n eces

, ,

sa ry t o giv e th em succ ess .

T he ha b i t of l ook i n g at e v erythi n g can

str u cti v ely ,
fr om the bright h op e ful si d e , ,

th e sid e of fa i th a n d assur an c e i n st ea d of from ,

t he si d e of doub t a n d u n c e r ta i n t y ; a n d t h e
ha bi t of b el i ev i n g t ha t the best i s goi n g t o
h a pp en tha t the right m ust t riu mph ; t he fa i th
,

tha t t ru th i s b ou n d fin a lly t o c on qu e r e rr or ,

t ha t h a rm on y a n d hea l th a r e the r ea li t y a n d
 WO RKI N G A ND EX PE C TI NG 49

d i sc ord a n d di sease the tempor a ry a b sen c e of

i t thi s i s the a tti tu de of the opti mi st w hi ch
—
,

w i ll u l ti ma t ely r e or m
f the w or ld .

O p ti m i sm i s a bu i lde r I t i s to t he i n dividu a l
.

w ha t the sun i s to vegeta t i on I t i s the sun .

sh i n e of th e m i n d ,
whi c h c on struc ts lif e ,

b ea ut y a n d gr ow th i n ev erythi n g w i th in i t s
,

r ea ch O ur men t a l fa cul t i es gr ow a n d th riv e

.

i n i t j u st a s the pl a n t s an d t r ees grow a n d

t h r i v e i n t he p hy si c a l sun sh i n e .

Pessi m i sm i s n ega t i ve i t i s the d a rken ed

,

dun geon w hi c h d est r oy s vi ta li ty an d st ra n gl es

gr ow th .

A fa t a l p en al ty a w a i ts t hose w ho a lwa ys l ook

on the d a rk si d e o f ev e ryth in g w ho a r e a lw a y s ,

predi c tin g evil a n d f a i lur e w ho see on ly t he

,

sea m y di sa greea bl e si d e of l i fe T hey dra w

,
.

up on themselves what they see wha t they l ook ,

for .

N oth i n g ha s p owe r to a tt ra ct t hi n gs un lik e

i tself Everyth in g ra di ates i ts ow n qua li t y a n d
.
,

a tt ra ct s t h i n gs wh ich a r e aki n I f a m an w a n t s
.

to be ha ppy a n d w ea l thy h e mu st thi n k t he

,

ha ppy thought h old t he a bu n d a n c e t hought

, ,

a n d n ot li m i t h i m self H e w ho ha s a mor ta l
.

drea d of p overty gen era lly gets i t .

S top thin ki n g t roubl e i f you w an t to a tt r a ct

i t s opp osi t e S top thi n ki n g p ov erty if you
.
50 MIRACLE OF RI GHT T H O U G HT

w an t to r c t w ea l th D o n ot ha ve a n ythi n g
a tt a .

t o do wi th the thi n gs you ha v e b een fea ri n g .

They a r e f a t a l en em i es t o your a dva n c emen t .

Cut them off Exp el t hem fr om y our m i n d

. .

Forget them T hi n k t he opp osi te thoughts ju st

.

a s p e r si st en t ly a s you ca n a n d you w i ll be
,

su r pr i sed t o se e how soon you will b e gi n t o

a t t ra c t the v e ry th i n gs for w h ich you l on g .

T he men tal a tt i t ud e wh ic h w e hold t owa rd

ou r w ork or ou r a i m ha s e ve ryth i n g t o do

w i th wha t w e a c compl i sh I f you go to you r

.

w ork with the a tt i t ud e of a sl a ve l ashed to h i s

t a sk a n d see i n i t on ly drudg er y ; if you w ork
,

wi thou t h op e see n o fut ur e i n wha t you a r e

,

d oi n g b eyon d getti n g a ba re livi n g ; if you

see n o l i ght a h ea d not h i n g but p ov e r ty d ep
, ,

r i v a t i on
,
a n d h a rd w o rk a l l yo ur lif e ; if you

th i n k tha t you w e r e d est i n e d t o such a ha rd

life you ca n n ot exp ec t t o get a n yt h i n g el se
,

tha n tha t for wh ich you look .

I f on th e oth er han d n o ma tter how p oor

, ,

you ma y be t o da y you ca n see a b ett er fut ur e ;

-
,

if you bel i ev e that some da y you a r e goi n g to

ri se ou t of h um drum w ork tha t you a r e goin g
,

to get up out of th e b a semen t of life i n t o t he

dra wi n g room wh er e b ea u t y c om fort a n d j oy
-
, , ,

a wa i t you ; if your a mbi t i on i s cl ean c ut a n d -

,

o u k eep your eye stea dily up on t he goal wh i ch

y
 WO RKI N G A ND EX P ECTI NG 51

you hop e t o r ea c h feel c on fiden t that you

an d

ha v e the a bil i t y to a tt a i n you w i ll a c compli sh

,

som eth i n g w or th wh il e .

Keep i n g th e f a i th tha t w e sha ll some t i me do

t he t hi n g w hic h w e ca n n ot n ow see a n y
p ossi bl e w a y of a cc om pl i shi n g j u st holdi n g ,

st ea dily t he m en t a l a tt i t ud e t he b el i e f tha t w e
,

w i ll a cc ompli sh i t th a t som eh ow some w ay i t

,
~

, ,

w ill c om e to u s the cl i n gi n g t o our v i si on get s

, ,

t he m in d i n to suc h a cr ea ti v e c on di ti on t ha t i t
b ec omes a ma gn et to dra w the th i n g de si r ed .

I ha ve n eve r kn ow n a m a n wh o b el i eve d i n
h i mself an d c on sta n t ly a ffirmed h i s a b i l i t y t o do
w ha t he u n d e rtook w ho a lw a y s k ept h i s eye
,

c on stan tly on hi s goa l a n d st ruggl ed m a n fully

t ow ar d i t w h o did n ot m a k e a success of life
,
.

A spirat i on b ecom es i n spira t i on a n d th en realiz a

t i on .

T ry t o keep your mi n d i n a n upl i ftin g up ,

build i n g a tt i tud e N e ve r a llow your self for an

.

i n sta n t t o h a rb or a d oubt tha t you a r e fina lly

goi n g t o a ccom pl i sh wha t you u n d e rt a k e .

These d oubt s a r e tr ea ch erou s t hey d estr oy ,

y ou r creat ive a bili t y n eu t ra l i z e a m b i t ion

,
.

Con stan tly sa y to your self I mu s t h a ve wha t ,

I n eed ; i t i s my right an d I am goi n g t o ha ve

”
it .

Ther e is a great cumul at ive , m agn et i c e ff e ct

52 MIRAC L E OF RI GHT TH O UGH T

i n hol di n g i n your m i n d c on ti n ua lly the thought

t ha t you w e re m a d e for succ ess for hea l th for
, ,

ha pp i n ess for u se fuln ess a n d tha t n oth i n g i n

, ,

the w orld but your self can k eep you from i t .

For m a hab i t of r ep ea tin g t hi s a ffirm a t i on ,

t hi s fa i th i n your ul t i mat e t r i u mph ; hold i t

ten a ci ously vi gor ou sly an d a f te r a wh i l e you
, ,

w i ll be surpr i sed to fin d how the thi n gs c om e

t o you w hich you ha ve so l on ge d for y ea r n e d ,

for a n d st ruggl ed towa rd s

, .

I h av e seen a m an when a ll the resul t s of

,

ha l f a lifet i me of st ruggl e a n d sa cri fic e h a d

b een sw ep t a w a y by fi n an c i al di sa st e r when h e
,

ha d n oth i n g l eft but h i s gr i t an d d et e r m i n a t i on ,

a n d a grea t fa m ily of h u n gry m ou th s t o f eed ,

w ho w ould n ot ev en for a n i n st an t a d mi t that

he would n ot get on hi s feet a ga i n Ther e w a s
.

n o u se t a lk i n g di sc our a gem en t t o tha t m a n ! .

Y ou mi ght a s w ell ha v e t ri e d t o di scoura ge a

Na p ol eon . With cl en ched fi sts an d a d eter
,

m i n at i on wh i ch did n ot r ecogn iz e d e feat h e ,

k ep t hi s eye r esolut ely on h i s goal a n d pu shed

on . In a few yea r s h e w a s on hi s f eet a ga i n .

A man was n ot i n t en d ed t o be a pupp et of

cir c u mstan c es a sl a ve to hi s en viron men t he
, ,

w as i n t en d e d t o ma ke h i s en vir on men t t o ,

cr ea te h i s c on di t i on
.

N othi n g comes t o u s wi thou t ca u se a n d that ,

 WO RKI N G A ND EX P E C TI NG 53

u
ca se i s m en ta l . O ur men ta l
i tud e c reates
a tt

our c on di t ion of suc c ess or f a i lur e T he r esul t.

of ou r w ork will c orresp on d wi th th e na tur e

o f our t houghts ou r ha bitu a l men ta l a tt i tu de

,
.

T o produ ce the m in d mu st be kep t i n a posi t ive

, ,

c rea t ive con di tion A d i sc ordan t w orryin g

.
‘

, ,

d esp on d en t p overt y fa c in g men ta l a tti t ude will

,
-

qui c kly r en de r th e m in d n ega t ive an d will pr o ,

du ce a t roop of m en ta l en em i es th a t will cif ec

tual l y bar our w a y t o su cc ess an d happi n ess
'

Our m en tal fa cul ti es a r e l i k e serva n ts Th ey .

gi v e us exa ct ly wha t w e exp ect of t hem If .

w e t ru st th em i f w e d epen d up on them they

, ,

will give us the ir best I f we a r e a fra id they. ,

will be a fr a id .

N egative cha ra cters w a it for thin gs to

ha pp en . They h a v e a feeli n g that somehow
thin g s a r e g oin g t o h a pp en an ywa y a n d that ,

th ey ca n n ot d o m uch t o ch a n ge th em .

i s th e p osit ive c on st ru ct ive m ent a l att itude

that ha s a cc omplish e d al l of the gr eat thi n gs
i n t he worl d I t i s the c reat ive a ggr essive
. , ,

pu sh in g sti mula tin g power tha t i s ba ck of al l

,

a ch i e vem en t A st rong vigorous cha racter

.
‘
,

c rea tes a con diti on th a t w ill for ce thin gs to

ha ppen . Kn owi n g that n othin g wil l mov e of
i tsel f he i s a lwa ys puttin g i nto operat ion
,

forces tha t do t hi ngs .

54 MI RA C LE O F RI G H T T H OU G H T

M an y posi t i ve mi n ds b ecom e n ega tive by

i n flu en c es whi ch d est roy their self con fiden ce -
.

T hey gr a du a lly 1d? be f a i th i n them selv es Per .

ha p s t hi s b egi n s through th e suggest ion of

i n comp et en c e from othe r s the suggest i on tha t
“

the y do n ot kn ow the ir bu si n ess or a r e n ot

e qu a l t o the p os i t i on t hey h old A ft er a whi l e
.
,

t h r ough th i s sub tl e suggest i on i n i t i a t ive i s

,

w ea k en ed ; the vi c t im s do n ot un d ert ak e th i n gs
wi th qui te the sam e vigor a s for m erly ; t hey
gr a dua lly l ose t he p ow er of qu i c k de c i si on a n d ,

soon f ea r t o d ec i d e a n y th i n g o f i m p or t a n c e .

T hei r m i n d s b ec om e vac i llat in g T hu s i n .

,

st e a d of th e l ea d er s th ey on c e w er e th ey ,

bec ome f oll ow e r s .

=
Wh a t w e vigorously resolv e t o do believe i n ,

w i th a l l our hea r t c on fiden tly exp ec t the m en

, ,

t a l f orc es t en d to r ea l i z e . The v ery i n ten si t y

o f exp ect a t i on en li st s t he v i gor of a ll t he m en

t a l pr oc esses i n t ry i n g t o a cc ompl i sh th i n gs .

I n other w ord s all the forc es of th e m i n d fa ll

,

i n to li n e w i th our exp ec ta ti on a n d resolut i on .

Our expe ct an cy our d eterm i n at i on to a ch i eve

,

t h e t hi n g on whic h w e h a v e set our hea r t ,

form s a p attern a w ork i n g m odel which th e

, ,

m i n d en d ea v or s t o r epr oduc e i n rea lit y It i s .

t h e men ta l p i c t ur e w h i ch i s u sed a s the mod el

for the c r eat ive for ces .
 W O R K I NG A N D EX PECTI N G 55

The m a n w ho i s dow ed wi th gr ea t ex
en ~

pect a n cy a n d i s det e rm i n ed to r ea ch hi s goa l ,

l et wha t will st a n d i n hi s w a y by hi s ver y ,

r esolu t ion get s r i d of a l ot of succ ess en em i es

whi ch t r i p up the w ea k a n d the i rresolu te .

T her e i s a m y ster i ou s pow er i n the Great

Wi thin of us which w e ca n n ot expla i n but ,

whic h w e a l l f eel t o be the r e which ten d s t o ,

Ca rry out ou r c om m a n d s ou r r esolv es w hat , ,

ev e r t h ey m a y be .

F or ex a mpl e if I p e r si st i n th i n ki n g an d
,

a ffirm i n g tha t I a m a n ob ody th a t I a m

“
a ,
”
p oor w orm of th e du st t ha t I a m n ot a s ,

good a s o the r p eopl e I S hall a ft er a w hil e,

b egi n r ea lly t o b el i ev e t hi s a n d then a fa ta l ,

a c c ep ta n c e will be r e gi st er ed i n my subcon

sci ousn ess a n d th e m en t a l m a ch i n e ry w i ll b egi n

,

”
t o reproduc e t he n ob ody p at t e r n I f I
“
.

ra di a te th e thought of l a ck a n d of w ea k ness of ,

i n effic i en cy the p a tt ern w i ll Of c our se be w oven

, , ,

in to my l i f e a n d I sha ll expr ess w eak n ess

, ,

fa i lur e p ov ert y
,
.

B ut on the other h a n d if I stou t ly a ffirm

’

, ,

t ha t I am h e i r to a l l th e good t hi n gs i n the
u n i ver se an d that t hey b el on g to m e a s my
birth ri ght if I fir mly d ecl a r e my fa i th i n
,

m y k i n gship a n d c on st an t ly a sse rt that I a m

'

abl e to c a rry out sup erbly the gr ea t lif e purp ose

56 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

w hic h i s i n dic a ted i n m y b en t a ssert t ha t p ow er ,

i s m i n e t ha t hea l th i s m i n e t ha t I w i ll ha v e
, ,

n othi n g t o do w i th sic k n e ss w i th wea kn ess

w i th i d i scor d I th en m
, ,

,
a k e m y m i n d so p osi t i v e ,

so cr ea t i v e i n i t s a sse r t i v e a tt i t ud e t ha t i n st ea d ,

of d est roy i n g i t produc es i n st ea d of t ea r

, ,

i n g d own i t i s b uildi n g up for me th e v er y

,

t hi n g for wh ich I l on g .

Con struc t ive thin k i n g m ea n s h ea l th a n d pros

per i ty O u r fa cul t i es w er e i n ten d ed t o be pr o
.

d ucer s N ega t i v e thi n k i n g m ea n s wr et c he d

.

n ess ,
di sea se su ff erin g of a l l k i n d s Con
, .

st ruc t iv e thought i s m a n s prote c tor h i s sa vi ou r

’

from a ll d i scord p ove rt y d i sea se T he p eopl e

, , .

i n t he gr ea t f a ilur e a r m y a r e n egat ive thi n k er s ,

w hil e those i n t he suc c essful ra pk s a r e p osit ive ,

c on struc t i v e th i n k er s .

A vigorou s p osi t ive m en ta l a ttitu de i s the

,

best possi bl e self prot ect i on -

.

I t i s wh en w e a r e n ega t iv e that w e say yes

w hen i f w e h a d b een p osi t i v e n or m a l we — —

”
sh ould ha ve sa id I t i s when w e a r e
“
no .

n e ga t iv e b ec a u se ou r j udgmen t i s t hen d e fee

,

t i ve t ha t w e m ak e b ad b a rg a i n s p oor i n v est
, ,

men t s a n d do a l l sor t s of f ooli sh th i n gs A

, .

n e ga t iv e m in d i s n ot i n a p osit i on t o t a k e i m

p or ta n t step s Wh en w e m a k e our slip s out

.
, .

ba d break s an d our un fort u nat e ven tures an d

 WORKI N G A ND EX PECTIN G 57

ba d d ec i si on s we a r e i n a mor e or l ess di s
,

cour aged d espon d en t un bal an ce d state an d

, ,

a r e willin g t o do a l most a n y thi n g to

get i n t o
a c om fort a bl e p osi t i on an a tt i t ude of a ssur
,

a n ce a n yth in g t o get rid of ou r fea rs an d

,

a n xi et i es for the momen t for w hen our mi n ds ,

a r e n ega ti v e we ar e a l w ays cow ar ds .

While we are holdi n g the posi t ive thou ght s

an d c reat in g som ethi n g, th e n ega t ive, disa
cour a gi n g sickly ha p h a z a rd thought s do n ot
, ,
-

get a chan c e t o act up on us I t i s i n our n on .

pr odu c in g m omen ts tha t n egat ives su ch a s ,

fea r w orry a nx i ety ha t re d an d j ea l ou sly get

, , , ,

i n t h eir d est ruct iv e w ork Wh i l e p osit ive .

en ergy i s bu sy c r ea t in g somethi n g w e a re n ot ,

t r oubl e d wi th the destr u c t iv e n ega t i ve thought s .

I t i s n ega t ive p eople w ho a r e vict i ms of the

”
blues ext rem e m en ta l d epressi on
,
.

T he n o r m a l m i n d a c t s u n d er l a w T he .

m en ta l fa cul t ies will n ot giv e up their b est

u n l ess the y ar e ma r sha l ed by ord e r They .

r esp on d cordi a lly to syst em bu t they reb el ,

a ga i n st sl i p shod meth od s They a r e lik e .

soldi er s They mu st ha ve a l ea der a genera l

. , ,

who en forc es ord e r m ethod ,

.

T he st rengt h a n d p e rsi sten c y of our habit u al

thought forc e measur e our effici en c y
- T he .

habi t ua l thou ght force i n many p eopl e i s so

-
58 M IR AC LE O F RI G H T TH O UGH T

feebl e a n d sp a smodic tha t they can n ot focu s

thei r m i n d s wi th su ffi c i en t vigor t o a cc ompl i sh
much .

We ca n quickly tell the fir st t i me w e meet a

p er son wh ethe r hi s thought forc e i s con st r uc
-

t i v e or w eak for every sen ten c e he u tte r s will

,

pa rtak e of i ts qua li ty .

I t i s the p osi t iv e m an w ho c a rri es forc e .

S ome men a r e so posi ti ve so c on struc t ive i n

,

th e i r m en ta li t y a n d c a rry suc h a p ow e r of con

,

qu est i n th eir very presen c e tha t the o rd i n a ry

,

p e r son i n sti n c tiv ely f oll ow s T he w orld m a k es

.

w a y for th e r obu st c h a r a ct er H e r a di a t es
.

p ow e r H i s pr esen c e c omm a n d s m en H i s
. .

v ery w ord s c a rry th e for ce of c on v i c ti on .

Peopl e do n ot stop to a n a lyz e th e r ea son for

foll ow i n g a st r on g cha ra c ter T hey i n sti n c .

t i v el y ob ey sup eri or m en ta li t y .

S ome st ra n ge r s w e m eet a t on c e i mpr ess us

a s pr oduc e r s . They m a k e a p osit ive a ggres ,

siv e i mpr e ssi on ; w e i n st an t ly f eel th ei r qu a l i

t i es of l ea d e r sh ip f eel tha t such p e r son s w i ll

,

c e r ta i n ly succ eed i n their u n d ertak i n gs tha t ,

t h i n g s m u st go their w ay O the r p eopl e ma k e

.

a w ea k n ega t i v e i n d i ff er en t i m pr essi on up on
, ,

u s a n d w e sa y th ey a r e f a i lur es ; th e y d o n ot

bl a z e thei r ow n p a th To mak e p eopl e feel you r

.

power the p osi t ive fa c ul t i es mu st d om i n ate

, .
 WO R KI N G A ND EX P ECTI N G 59

The art of al l a ts
r i s t o ma ke on e s
’
life a
perp et u a l vic tory , a n d th i s w ould not be difficult
if we we re prop e rly t ra in ed A s i t i s, the .

m i n d i s m uch of the t i me i n a n ega t i ve, n on

c r ea tive con di tion ; i n stea d of c a usi n g thi n gs ,

a ct i n g i t i s a ct ed up on
, .

The gra dua te who goes i n to the w orld with

out t r a i n i n g i n wha t c onst i t u t es a posi t ive a n d

a n ega t i v e m en t a l a t t i t ud e i s li abl e to be rui n ed

i n a v e ry short ti me . H i s d oub ts f ea r s an d
, ,

l a c k of c on fiden c e h i s t i mid a n d n egat ive

,

men ta l pict ure the eff e ct of hi s di scoura ged

,

e mot i on s m a y u tte rly rui n hi s n a tu ra l posit iv e

, , ,

p r oduc t i ve mi n d by ma ki n g i t n ega ti ve a n d ,

thi s cha n g e may be a cc ompli shed wholly nu

con sciou sly .

I t i s of i n fin i t ely more va lu e for a stud ent

or y ou th t o k n ow how t o k eep hi s m i n d up

to i t s m a xi mu m c reat i v e p ow e r by k eepi n g
,

i t p osi t i v e a n d a voidi n g every thi n g wh i ch

w ould m ak e i t n egat ive a n d un pr oduc ti ve than ,

t o l ea r n a l l the L at i n an d G reek an d p hil os

oph i es i n th e w orld .

We often see coll ege gra du ates fa il b ecau se

th eir mi n d s hav e b ec om e n egat ive a n d i n
c apabl e of produ cin g cr ea t i n g A few mon ths
, .

of t ra in i n g th e m en t a l fa cul ti es a n d bu i ldin g up

the weak d efi c i ent on es by sc i enti fic ri ght

,
60 MIRACLE OF RIGH T T H O UG H T

th i n kin g would be w or th m or e to them than a

whol e coll ege c our se wi thout i t .

A p osi ti v e t hought de velop s c on st r uct ive

n ess , a n d t hi s i s t he m ost i mp or ta n t of a l l

m en ta l qu a l i t i es I f your mi n d i s i n cl i n ed to
.

be n ega t ive if you l a c k i n i ti at ive you ca n

, ,

soon i n crea se y ou r c on st ruc t iv en ess w ond er

fully by form in g a h ab i t of holdi n g t he p osi ti ve ,

crea t i ve m en ta l a tt it ud e t owa rd s ever ythi n g .

T hi s i s t ru e even when you a r e en j oy i n g

r ecr ea ti on I t i s a lwa y s wea k en i n g t o h old
.

t h e n ega t ive thought I t i s i n fi n i t ely b et t e r i n

.
,

f a ct t o hold the mi n d a bsolutely p assi ve for

, ,

t he r e i s a gr ea t di fferen c e b et w een t he p assive

m i n d t he m i n d a t rest an d the n ega t i ve m i n d
, , .

T he men t a l l oom w ea ves wha t ev er pa tt er n

w e gi ve i t I t r eproduc es the i d ea l wh ether
.
,

o f d i sc ord or ha r m ony e rror or t rut h c oura ge

, ,

or c ow a rd i c e T h e ch a ra ct eri st ic s of th e m odel
.

a r e v e ry qui ckly t ra n sfe rr ed t o the subj e c t .

Y ou will fin d a t r emen dou s h elp i n con stan t ly

a ffirmi n g t hat you a r e th e p erson you wi sh t o

be ; n ot t hat you hop e t o be but t ha t you ,

a c t u a lly a r e n ow Y ou will be surpri sed t o see

.

how qui ckly t he p a r t wh ich you a ssu me w il l b e

r ea lized i n your life will be outpi ctur ed i n your
,

cha ra c ter .

tWhat ma gn ifi c en t chara cter s w e c ould buil d

'
 WO R KIN G A ND EX PECTING 61

up by holdin g p er si st en tly i n the mi n d that

p a tte rn w hi ch w e wi sh w ov en i n to th e life
w eb for m i n g t he h ea l th p a tt ern t he p a t te r n of
, ,

w hol en ess c ompl et en ess t he p a ttern of th e

, ,

p er fect man t h e m an G od i n t en ded th e id ea l

, ,

m a n wi thou t spot or bl emi sh !

What w e n eed do i s to keep the dom in an t
qualit i es a lw a ys i n th e a sc en den c y to di s ,

c oura ge an d kill th e opp osi t es the e n emi es of ,

a l l c on st ruc t i v en ess .

T h e m omen t th e bu i ldi n g up pr oc ess -

the —

ch em ica l f orc e i n t he so i l i n t he a tmosphere

, ,

i n the su n sh in e i n th e r a i n
,
c ea ses t o op erat e
up on t he pl a n t up on t he frui t up on th e t r ee
, , ,

t he i n j uri ou s el em en t s set i n a n d d e c a y a n d
,

d est ruc t i on a r e c er ta i n So t he momen t the

.
,

bu i ld i n g up a n d cr ea t ive p ri n ci pl es i n ma n
-

c ea se t o d om i n a t e th e m om en t h e l oses con
,

fiden ce i n t hem t he t ea ri n g d own a n d destr uc

,

t iv e el em en ts b eg i n th ei r w ork .

T he right men t a l a t t i t ude ha s a p ow erf ul

i n flu en c e i n pr ote ct i n g the m i n d from t he
i n flu en c e of ba d suggest i on s F or i n stan ce i f
.
,

o u c on sta n t ly d en y t h e p ow er o f th e evil
y
w h i ch you a r e c omp ell e d t o hea r a n d see i n a
vici ou s en vi r on men t th i s d en i al will hav e a
gr eat c oun t er a c t i v e i n flu en ce upon i t .

O n the othe r h an d if you r a tt it ud e of mi n d

,
62 MI RACLE OF RIG H T T H O UGHT

i s tha t resp on siveness r e c ept iven ess t o the

of ,

ev i l if you en c our a ge i t w elc om e i t en j oy i t

, , , ,

i t w i ll ha ve a v ery st ron g i n fl u en c e over you .

T h er e i s ev e ryt hi n g i n k eepi n g t h e m i n d
sa t ur a t ed w i th on e s a i m u n t i l i t b e c omes a l i f e
’

ha b i t i n sett i n g t h e lif e curr en t s a n d a l l of

,

th e forc e s wit h i n u s t ow a rd s t he goa l of ou r

a mbi t i on Thi s w i ll a ft er a whi l e cr ea te a so r t
.

of t i d e wh i ch w il l t en d t o fl oa t t hi n g s ou r w a y .

We m u st l ook out for the cross curr en t s

wh ich brin g d i sco rd the thou gh t cu r ren t s
—

o f h a t r ed j eal ou sy en vy or u n ki n d f ee l i n gs
, , ,

t ow a rd s othe r s the t hought c urr en ts of r e

,

v en ge of ma l i c e
,
for a l l these a r e en emi es
—

wh i ch sap our e n ergi es a n d han di ca p ou r

progress .

An y thi n g whi ch produc es di scord c r ippl es

our eff or t We m ust ha ve ha rm on y p ea ce
.
,

of mi n d free d om of th ought to get efli ci en cy

, , .

I n other w ord s a l l t he t h ought curr en t s m u st

,

be c rea t iv e i n stea d of d est ruc t ive C urr en t s .

of c our a g e c on fid en c e a n d determ i n a t i on
,

t hese a r e t he el e c t rica l men ta l f or c es wh ich

'

bri n g suc cess .

A gr ea t man y p eopl e who a r e c omp arat ive

fa ilur es w ould succ eed if th ey c ould on ly k eep
t h e fa il u re thought cu r r en ts out of their mi n d .

It i s a grea t art to l ea rn to cl ea r the min d of

 WO RKIN G A ND EX PECTIN G 63

ru bbi sh of fea r anx i et y a n d all of the thi n gs

, , ,

t ha t h i n d er a n d to fill i t wi t h vigorou s hopefu l

, , ,

uplifti n g thoughts Th i s i s w hat puts the

.

mi n d i nto the pro duc i n g cr ea tiv e att i t ude

, .

We ra di a te our men ta l a tt i tude our hop es ,

or our f ea r s ; an d our r ep ut at i on a n d othe r s

’

est i ma t e of us ha ve a gr eat d ea l t o do wi th our

succ ess . I f other s do n ot beli eve in us if they ,

th i n k w e a re w ea k a n d t im id b ec a u se our men tal

r a d i a t i on i s n ega t ive wea k a n d t i m id w e sh a l l
, , ,

n ot be put forw a rd for posi t ion s of i mp or ta n ce

or resp on sibili ty .

Ther e i s ev er ythin g i n ra di at i n g a con fiden t ,

c ourageou s fea rl ess i mpressi on ; in c a r r yin g

,

t he c on fid en t a i r wh i ch a c c omp an i es the con

qu e ri n g ha bit .

Peopl e will thi n k tha t i f we a r e i n the habit

of c on qu eri n g w e a r e m uc h mor e lik ely t o w i n

i n th e fu t ure tha n th ose w ho a r e i n the h a bi t of

l osi n g or who ra diate an i mpression of w eak
n ess o r i n f eri orit y .

I n ot her w ord s i t i s n ea rly a s i mp orta n t t o

,

m a k e other s b eli ev e i n us a s to b eli eve i n our

se lv es ; a n d to do t h i s w e m u st ca r ry a con

fiden t vi ct ori ou s a i r
,
.

The re i s a gr eat d iffe ren c e betw een a ma n

who lives like a victo r w ho goes a b out th e ,

world a s a con q u e ror an d on e who c a rri es a

,
64 MIRACL E OF RIGH T TH O UGH T

s ub mi ssive v an qui sh ed a i r w ho a lwa ys a cts

, ,

a s though h e h a d b een d efea t ed i n the great life

ra c e .

Comp a re the i n fluen ce of a man l i ke Theo

d ore Roose vel t w ho ra d i a tes f or c e from every
,

p ore a n d gives a n i mpression of gr ea t vigor

a n d sup e rb p owe r wi th tha t of a t i mid r et i r
, ,

i n g sel f eff a c in g a p ol ogiz i n g m an w h o ra di

,
-
, ,

a tes w eakn ess a n d sh ows i n effic i en cy a n d th e

l a c k of a bold vigorou s n a t ur e The world

, .

lik es a m an who h a s th e b ea r i n g of a con

quer or w ho giv es the i m pr essi on tha t h e i s i n
,

t he ha bi t of win n i n g an d a lw a y s e xp ec t s t o
su cc eed .

It i s the affirmat i on of for ce that c a rri es th e

c on vi ct i on tha t gi ves the i mpressi on of p ow er
, .

I f your at ti tu d e does n ot suggest p ow er you ,

will n eve r ga in the reputa ti on of bei n g a

posi ti ve forc e i n t he world .

S ome p eopl e won d er that t hey am ou n t t o so

littl e tha t th ey cu t so l i t tl e figu re an d ca r ry
,

so li t tl e we igh t i n t h ei r c ommun i t y It i s.

beca u se they do n ot thi n k a n d a ct like con

q uer or s They do n ot hol d th e con st ru ct ive
.
,

vi ctori ou s a tt i tud e ; t hey gi ve t he imp ression

of w eakli n gs No pe rson can be ma gnet i c
.

un t il he l ear n s th e se cr et of r a di a t i n g for c e .

The p osit ive cha ra ct er i s m a gn eti c ; th e n ega

 WO R K I NG A ND EX PECTI N G 65

t ive rep ell a n t Vic tor s a r e a lw a y s vic tori ou s

.

m en t a lly fir st .

Th e re a r e p eopl e w ho giv e us the i rnpr ession

th at they n e v e r exp ec t t o w i n out ; a l l th ey
d esir e i s a cha n c e to m a ke a f a irly com for tabl e
liv i n g They n eve r exp e c t a n yth in g but ha rd
.

w ork T hey sta r t out wi th th e i dea th at lif e

.

a t best i s goi n g t o be a gri n d wh en i t should ,

be a p e rp etu a l d elight a glory , T he life .

pr op e rly l i v ed i s a c on t i n u a l grow th a n d the ,

v ery k n owl edge of c on st an t en l a rgemen t the ,

kn owl e dge tha t w e a r e pu sh in g fa rther out

on ou r m en t a l horiz on should give a sen se o f
,

sa t i sfa c t i on th a t n ot h i n g e l se ca n b estow .

Th er e i s n oth i n g tha t w i ll t a k e t he pl a c e of
a sen se of vi ct or iou sn ess a con sci ou sn ess o f
,

p e rp et u a l win n i n g .

O n e t hi n g tha t should be i n st il l ed i n t o a
c hil d s v e ry b ei n g i s that he w a s born for
’

vic t or y born t o c on qu er ; tha t h e i s vic tory

,

o rgan iz e d a n d n ot fa i lur e orga n ized a s m an y

-
, ,

p eopl e seem t o thi n k t hey a r e Nob ody i s .

o rga n iz e d for f a i lure .

I f chi ldren w e r e t ra i n ed a lwa ys to Hol d

t he vi c t ori ou s a tt i t ude t o ha v e gr eat resp ect
,

for t h em se lves an d u n li m i ted fa i th i n t heir

possi bili t i es fa ilure w ould be a v e ry ra re th i n g
,
.

I he ti me w ill c ome w hen childr en will be

66 M I RAC LE OF R IGH T T H O UG H T

t a u ght t o r a d i at e forc e t o express vi gor a n d

,

h old the v i ctori ou s a t ti t ude an d wh en t hi s will

,

be c on sid e r e d a most i mp or ta n t p a rt of their

e duca t i on a n d upbri n gi n g .

T he men t a l life m u st be right b e for e the

p hysica l ca n b e ha rmon i ous You m ust b ea r
.

a hea l t hy r e l at ion t o your fell ow m en ; you

m u st sta n d right wi th your broth ers b e fore you

can st a n d right wi th yourself or be t ruly
h ea l thy or h a ppy .

I f w e w ould ha v e th e vi ctori ou s a tt itude ,

w e m u st el i m i n a t e a l l th ought s of j e a l ou sy ,

h a t re d a n d rev en ge that ma y r a n k l e i n us
, ,

a n d c ul t iv a t e t ha t p ea c e o f m i n d a n d ser en i t y

of soul w h ich i s cha r a c teri stic of th e r ea lly

grea t .

T he whol e ph il osophy of effic i en cy a n d ha p

p i n ess c on si st s i n th e vigorou s c on si st en t a ffir
,

ma t i on of the t hi ng w e a r e t ryi n g t o be a n d ,

t ryi n g t o do .

A youn g m an st art i n g out i n life an xiou s ,

t o su cc eed m u st n ot say t o h i msel f

,
I w ou ld
,

l ik e to su cceed but I do n ot b eli ev e I a m r ea lly

,
'
fitt ed for the p a rt I ha v e a ssum ed M y pr o
.

fessi on or my vocat i on i s so cr owd e d th ere ,

a r e so man y who ca n n ot get a d e c en t livi n g i n

t h i s fi eld so ma n y p eopl e out of empl oymen t

, ,

tha t I b eli eve I ha v e ma de a mi st a k e ; but I

 WORKI NG A N D EX PECTING
\ 67

w ill w ork a w a y the be st I ca n Pe rha p s I .

w ill c ome out som ewhe r e T h e y ou n g man .

w ho t a lk s so thi n k s so d oes so w i ll come ou t

, , ,

I t will be at t he litt l e en d of t he
“
s otn ew her e .

”
b orn , out of p ock et out a t the elbow a n d out
, ,

of a j ob .

T he f a c t i s othe r s est i mat e us by what w e

,
.

a r e n ot by wh at w e sa y
, We mu st r a di a t e our .

rea l i t i es We ca n 5 007 al m ost a n yth i n g w e

.

wi sh but p eopl e judge u s by tha t i n ta n g i bl e

,

im pr essi on wh i ch our r a di a ti on m ak es up on
t hem b eca u se t ha t i s t he r ea li t y of u s
,
Y ou .

ca n n ot k e ep y our r ea l t hough t y our r ea l ,

est i ma t e of a n ot h e r fr om h i m n o ma tt e r how ,

h on ey e d or fl a tt er i n g your w ord s I f you .

ha v e a grudge i n y our h ea rt i f you a r e en v i ous ,

or j ea l ou s i f you a r e u n cha rit a bl e or a n t a go

,

n i st i c h e will fe el i t
,
We ma y de c ei ve an other
.

wi th our w ord s but w e ca n n ot chan ge ou r,

r a di a t i on u n l ess w e ch an ge our whol e m en tal

a t t i t ude tow a rd s h i m .

Th i n k of a m an t ryi n g t o c reat e wea l th when

hi s whol e m en t al a tt i tud e when hi s v er y fa ce ,
'

s eem s t o sa y Keep a wa y from me Prosp erit y

, , .

Do n ot com e n ea r me
'
I w ould like t o have .

you but you w er e e vi d en t ly n ot i n ten d ed for

,

me . M y m i ssi on i n life i s a hu mbl e on e a n d , ,

wh il e I wi sh I could ha v e the good thi ngs

68 M IRA C L E OF RIGH T T H O UGHT

which t he mor e fort un a te en oj y I rea lly do

,

n ot e xp e c t t h em .

A bu n da n c e ca n n ot get n ea r a p er son h old

i n g such a m en tal a t ti t ud e T he mi n d tha t .

fea r s a n d d oubts r ep el s prosp eri t y .

O f c our se m en do n ot m ea n t o drive oppor

,

t un i ty pr osp e r i t y a bu n d an c e a w a y fr om th em ;
, ,

but the y hold t h e men t a l a t t i t ude fill e d w i th

d oub t s a n d fea rs a n d l a cki n g fa i th an d self
, ,

con fiden ce th ey r ep el wi thou t kn ow i n g i t

, .

M an y p eopl e go th r ough life n ei t he r suc

c esses n or fa i lu r es n ei the r ri ch n or p oor
,
.

T hey l i ve most of th ei r l i v es b a l an c e d b et w een

l a ck a n d a l i ttl e b ec a u se p a rt of the t i me th e ir
,

m i n d s a r e produc t i v e cr eat i v e a n d p a rt of th e
, ,

t i me n e ga t iv e h en c e u n pro duct iv e So these .

peopl e oscill a te l i k e a p en dulum .

When the y get a li ttl e c ourage hOpe , ,

e n th u si a sm t h ey pro duc e a li ttl e b ec a u se t h ei r

, ,

m i n d s a r e c r eat iv e Wh en t hey lose hea rt

. ,

bec om e di scs ur a ged a r e fill e d with d oubts an d

,

f ea r s t hei r m i n d s bec ome n egat ive u n cr eat i v e

, , ,

n on pr oduci n g
-
a n d th ey slid e b ack a ga i n t o
,

want .

The t i m e will come wh en w e sh all b e able

to k eep ou r m i n d s i n a produc ti ve c r ea t ive ,

a tt i tud e al l t h e t i me T hen ou r l i v es w i ll be
.

fill ed wi th an abu n d an ce of al l that i s good .

I V EX PECT THIN GS
.

YO URS ELF
.
I V EX PECT GREAT THIN G S OEYO UR
. .

S EL F

Fa i t h i s an opt im i st beca use i t sees the way out .

D oubt i s a pessi mi st , ca n n ot see the w ay ahea d a n d

fe a rs becau se n ot con s i o sc u o f bei n g ab e to copel
wit h the uncerta i n .

Fa i th open s the door o f abi li ty an d develops su

p er i or i ty
.

Th e habi t o f e xpecti n g gre at thi ngs of o urse lves

ca ll s out t he best t h at i s i n u s .

F a i th i s t he di vi n e m essen ge r sen t to gui de man ,

bli n ded by doubt a n d si n .

HAT w ould be the probabl e

succ ess of a n a n i ma l ta mer

w ho w en t i n to a ca ge wi th
fe roc ious wild beasts for the
fir st t i m e full of fea r doubt , ,

un c e r ta in t y ? What if he
sa id t o h i mself I will ,

tr y to c on qu e r t hese wild an i ma l s but I r ea lly ,

do n ot b eli eve I can do i t It i s a prett y t ough

.

pr op osi t i on for a hum a n b e in g to t ry t o c on qu er

a wild t iger from the ju n gl es of A fri c a There .

m a y be men who can do i t but I doubt v er y ,

”
much whether I can .
72 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

I f he should fa c e wild b east s wi th su ch an

a tt i t ud e of w ea k n ess d oub t a n d f ea r he w ould
, , ,

ve ry soon be tor n to piec es B old c oura ge

.

i s a l l tha t w ould sa ve hi m H e mu st con qu e r

.

with hi s eye first a n d ther e must be a lot of

,

win n i n g gritty stu ff ba c k of the eye for the

, ,

slight est show of f ea r w ould proba bly be f a t a l ,

th e l ea st i n di cat i on of c owa rdi c e m ight cost

hi m hi s life .

I n f a ct a man can n ot tr y wi th that d et er

,

m i n at i on which a ch i eves u n l ess h e a ct u a lly be

li eves h e i s goi n g to get what he i s worki n g for ,

or appr oxi m a t e to i t .

H ow l on g w i ll i t t a k e a y ou th to b ec ome a
m erchan t who i s a lwa ys i n d oubt wheth e r he
will ma k e m uch of a merch an t a n yw a y a n d ,

when he d oes n ot b elieve i n hi s hea r t of hea rts

tha t he eve r will be on e ? Thi s i s n ot the k i n d
of m en ta l a tt i t ud e wh ich mak es a n yth i n g w or th

T he m i n d l ea d ; the p at te rn pr e
ce d es the w ea v m id ea l m u st
go a hea d . We a l ways fa ce i n the di r ecti on of
our fa i th . I t i s wha t w e bel i eve w e can do
th a t sh or ten d to .

H ow lon g will i t ta ke a y oun g m an to mak e

a fort u n e if he ha s n ot the slight est c on fid en c e

tha t he w ill ev e r ma k e mon ey if he st a rt s out

,

wi th the con vi cti on that on ly a few can be ri ch ,

 EX PECT GREAT T H ING S 73
tha t most p eopl e p oor a n d tha t he is
a re ,

proba bly on e o f the m ul t i tu de-2

H ow l on g w ould i t t ak e a boy to go thr ough
c ol lege who was a l way s ta lkin g a bout the i m
possibili t y of hi s d oi n g so who w as for ever
,

c ompl a i n in g that he ha d n o chan c e n o mon ey , ,

n ob ody t o h elp hi m an d t ha t he n ever c ould

,

do i t wi thout assi st an c e ?
H ow lon g w ould i t ta k e a youth out of wo rk
t o get a good p osit i on if he should d en y h i s
a bili t y t o get on e a n d k eep sa yi n
, g What i s ,
”
the use ?
M "

I ha ve k nown boy s to resolb ecomeve to

l a wyers physi c i an s or mer cha n ts wi th such a
, ,

flimsy will such a w ea k resolve that they w e re

, ,

d a u n ted a t the fir st d iffi c ul t y They w ere .

sep a r a t e d from t hei r w ea k r esolv e b e for e t hey

w e re fa irly sta r ted It w as the ea si est th in g i n

.

the w orld t o t urn them .

I ha ve kn ow n other b oy s to d ec ide up on thei r

voca t ion wi th such vigor a n d virilit y tha t
n oth i n g c ould sh a k e their d eci si on b ec ause i t
.
,

w a s a p a r t of their v ery c on st i t ut ion .

I f we a n a lyz e grea t a chi e vemen ts a n d the

men who a cc ompli sh them th e most pr omi n ent
,

qual i ty i n eviden c e i s s elf con fiden ce T he—

.

m a n w i th a b solu t e fa i th i n hi s a bili ty t o do
what h e un der takes i s the most li kely to
74 M I RACLE O F RIGHT TH O UGHT

s u ccee d even when su ch c on fid en c e seems t o

,

out sid e rs a ud a ciou s i f n ot fool ha rdy I t i s n ot

, .

a l on e the s ubj ec t iv e effe c t of thi s be l i ef i n

t hemse lv es tha t en abl es such m en to get r esul ts ;

of r i sen to hi s d omin i on he t a lk s con

ha v i n g ,

fiden ce ra d i a t es vic tory an d overc om es doub ts

, ,

i n othe r s Ev e ryb ody b eli eves he ca n do th e

.

I ev es In

er or , the man w ho ca rri es v i ct ory i n

hi s very a pp ea ra n c e .

We b eli eve i n p eople w ho i mpress us wit h

t heir p owe r an d they ca n n ot do th i s w i thout
,

a st ron g sel f fa i th They can n ot do i t when

-
.

t heir mi n d s a r e full of d oubt s a n d f ea r s S om e .

m en c a rry c on qu est i n thei r v e ry pr esen c e ;

they w i n our c on fid en c e the fir st t i m e w e see
t hem . We b eli eve i n their p owe r b ec ause they
ra d i a t e i t .

I n every ki n d of w ork an d bu sin ess w e a r e .

dep en d en t on the b eli ef of oth er s th a t w e ca n

m a k e or c a rry out pl a n s can produc e sup er i or ,

good s can ma n a ge empl oyees can do an y of

, ,

the thou san d th i n gs d ema n d e d by em pl oy e r s

or by the public L ife i s too shor t t her e i s
. ,

n ot t i me en ough t o a ll ow m i n ut e i n vest igat i on

,

of a n oth er s a bilit y t o a c h i ev e the th i n g he

’
 EX P ECT GREAT THI N GS 75

a ssumes t o be ble to do ; therefore the w orl d

a ,

a cc ep t s v ery l a rgely a ma n s ow n est i ma t e of

’

h i mself u n t il he forfei ts i ts c on fiden ce

'
A .

p hysi c i a n does n ot ha ve to prove to ea ch pa

t i en t t h a t he ha s foll ow ed c ert a i n c our ses a n d
p a sse d c e r ta i n exa mi n a t ion s I f a youn g man
.

h an gs out h i s l a w sh in gl e t he w orld will t ake

,

i t for gr an te d t hat he i s fitte d for h i s proi es

si on u n t il he pr oves othe rwi se .

Y ou will n ot ic e i n a gr oup of b oy s or y oun g

m en w h o a r e fri en d s or schoolma tes wi th ,

si m i l a r a bili t y a n d educ a t i on tha t on e wil l

,

st ep out b oldly a n d a dv an c e r a pidly w h ile t he ,

othe r s a r e w a i ti n g for s omebody to di scov er

t hem . T he w orld i s too bu sy t o hun t for meri t .

I t t a k es i t for gr an t ed th a t you ca n do what

you cl a i m you can u n t il you show our i n y
,

a bili t y .

T o a ck nowl edge l a ck of a bility t o giv e w ay ,

t o a t e mp ora ry d oub t i s t o give fa ilure so much

,

a dv a nt a ge We should n ever a llow self fa ith

.
-

to w a v e r for a mom en t n o matt e r how d a rk the

,

w a y may seem Noth i n g will dest roy the

.

c on fid en c e of other s so quickly a s a doubt i n

our ow n m i n d s M an y p eopl e fa i l b eca use
.

t h e y r a d i a te their di sc our ag e d mood s a n d pr o

j cet t hem i n to the m i n d s of those a bout them .

I f you are a lway s putti n g a l ow r atin g on

;76 MIRACLE O F RIGHT TH O UGHT

your sel f ma rki n g your self down

, , you m ay be
s ur e tha t other s w i ll n ot ta ke the t r oubl e to
ma rk you up They will not t ake p a i n s t o see
.

if you ha v e n ot ra ted you rself t oo low .

I n ever kn ew a ma n who ha d a sma ll ,

b eli ttli n g esti ma te of himsel f to do a gr eat

thi n g. We ca n n ever get mor e out of our
selv es tha n w e exp ec t If you exp ec t l a rge
-
.

t h i n gs fr om y our self an d d eman d th em if you

, ,

h old th e l a rge men ta l a tt i t ud e towa rd you r

wo rk you will get much bigger r esul ts th an if
,

you d epreci a te your self an d l ook on ly for l i tt l e

resul ts .

I f you thi nk you a r e p ec uli a r that you a r e ,

n ot l i k e oth e r p eopl e t ha t you a r e di ff e r en t a n d

f

can n ot a ch i e ve wha t they do if you ha rb or

,

these i mpr essi on s you a r e n ot i n a p osi t i on t o

,

ove rcome wh a t you r ega rd a s a ha n dic a p .

T he c on sciou sn ess of p ossessi n g such qu a lit i es

k eep s you fr om b ei n g yourself .

Peopl e w ho ar e con sta n t ly d epreci at i n g them

selv es , eff a c i n g t hemselves w ho b eli ev e tha t
,

they a r e mi se ra bl e w orm s of th e du st an d tha t

t hey n ever will a mou n t t o an yth i n g of con se

quen ce m a k e a c orr esp on d i n g i mpr essi on up on

,

othe r s for they l ook a s they f eel

,
.

Your own est i mate of your self of you r ,

a bili ty our standi n g the weight ou c a rr

,
y ,
y y ,
 EX PECT GREAT TH IN GS 77
a n d of the
figure you cut i n the w orld will be ,

out- pi ctu r ed i n your app ea ra n c e i n y ou r ma n

,

n er .

If you feel v ery rdi n a ry

o will a pp ea r
you
v ery ordi n a ry I f you do n ot r esp ect your self
.

you will show i t i n y our f a ce I f you feel .

p oor if you ha ve a ski m m ilk Opi n i on of your

,
-

self you ma y be sur e t ha t n othi n g v ery rich

,

will m an if est i tself i n you Whatever qua l i t i es

.

you a tt ribute to your self you will man ifest i n

,

t he i mpr ession you mak e up on othe r s .

O n the othe r h an d i f you a lwa y s con

‘

t empl a te the ve ry qu a li t i es w hich you l on g t o

p ossess they w i ll gra dua lly b ecome yours a n d
, ,

you will expr ess t hem i n your fa ce a n d

ma n n e r Y ou m u st f eel gra n d t o l ook gr an d
. .

Th e re mu st be sup e ri ori ty i n you r thought be

fore i t can be expressed i n your face an d you r
b ea ri n g .

Con fid en c e i s the very b asi s of a ll a ch ieve

men t Ther e i s a t r emen dou s p ow er i n the
.

con vi c ti on t ha t w e can do a thi n g .

Th e man w h o has great fa i th i n hi mself i s

r eli eve d from a gre at ma n y u n c erta i n t i es a s to
w hethe r h e i s i n hi s righ t pl a ce from doub ts a s
,

t o hi s abili t y an d from f ea r s regar di ng hi s

,

fu ture .

In others words th e ma n who i s fa i th

,
78 MIRACLE OF RIGH T TH O UGHT

protected i s r el ea se d from a great ma n j

w or ri es a n d a n xi et i es wh ich han dica p those
w ho ar e n ot H e ha s freed om of f a cul t y an d
.

fr eed om of a c t i on b oth of which a r e n ecessa ry

,

fo r the grea t est efli ci en cy .

Fr eedom i s essen t ia l to a chi evemen t No .

on e can do hi s great est w ork wh en hi s m i n d

i s cra mp e d wi th worry an xi ety f ea r or un

, , ,

c ertai nt y an y more than he ca n do hi s best

,

p hysic a l work with hi s b ody i n a c r a mp e d

posi t i on A bsolut e fr eed om i s imp e ra t ive for
.

t he b est bra i n w ork Un c e rta i n t y an d doub t

.

a r e g rea t en em i es o f tha t c on c en t r a t i on wh i ch

i s th e secret of a l l effect i ven ess .

Con fid en ce ha s ev er b een th e great foun da

t i on ston e It has p erforme d mira cl es i n ev er y
.

lin e of en dea vor .

Wh o ca n ever est i mate the ma rvel ous l n

fl uen ce of fa i th i n t he gr eat a ch i e v em en t s of
men t ha t ki n d of fa i th which a n n i h il a tes
,

ob st a c l es whi ch r emoves mounta in s of dif

,
'

ficul t i es ?
We ar e con stantly rem in d ed i n the Bibl e .

t ha t i t w a s th rough fa i th th a t Abraha m M ose s

, ,

a n d a l l th e grea t ch a r a c t e r s we r e abl e to pe r

form mira cl es a n d do such ma rvel ou s th i n gs .

Th ere i s n o other on e th i n g that i s empha siz ed

so mu ch t h roughou t the Bibl e a s the i mp ort an ce
 EX P EC T GREA T T H I N G S 79
of fa ith . Accordin g to thy fa i th be i t un to
th ee i s re i t er at e d thr oughou t the Sc rip tur es .

We a r e told that i t i s fa i th that doubl es on e s ’

p ow e r a n d m ul t i pli es on e s abilit y an d that

’

wi thou t i t w e can do n othi n g H ow qui ckly .

a st r on g m an i s st ripp ed of h i s p ow e r th e

m om en t h e loses con fidence i n h im self or h i s

a b i li t y !

Fa i th i s the gr eat con n ect in g li n k b etw een

t h e obj e c t iv e an d th e subj ect iv e st at e s It i s .

ou r fa i th th a t en te r s the G rea t With i n of u s ,

t h e holy of holy of ou r lives an d touch es the

,

divi n e Fa ith op en s the d oor of the t rue sourc e

.

o f lif e a n d i t i s th r ough fa i th th at we t ou ch
,

I n fin i te Powe r .

O ur life i s gra n d or o rdi n a ry l a rge or ,

sm a ll i n prop or ti on t o th e i n sight a n d st r en gth

,

o f ou r fa i th .

M a n y p eopl e do n ot t ru st their f a i th b eca u se

,

t h e y do n ot k n ow wha t i t i s . They c on fu se i t
wi th fa n cy or i ma gi n at ion but i t i s the voic e
,

o f a P ow e r Wi th i n i n t ou ch w i th O mn i p ot en ce .

I t i s a spiri t u a l f a cul t y wh ich does n ot gu ess

or t h i n k or d oubt but wh i ch kn ow s for i t
, ,

sees t he w a y out w hi ch the othe r f a cult i es ca n

,

n ot se e . I t i s kn owl edge j u st a s r ea l a s t he
k n owl e dge wh ic h w e ga in th rough the sen se s .

Fa ith i s a great el evator of cha ra ct er a n d ,

80 MIRACL E OF RIGHT T H O UGHT

ha s a w on de rful i n flu en c e on the id ea l s It .

lifts us t o the hei ghts a n d giv es us gl i mp ses of

the pr om i se d l an d
“
It i s
. the light of t ruth
an d w i sd om .

I t i s cri m i n a l to d est roy a ch ild s fa i th i n

’

h im self by t ell i n g hi m th at he will n e ver

a moun t t o a n ythi n g tha t he i s a nob ody tha t
, ,

he ca n n ot d o wha t other s do .

Pa ren ts a n d t ea cher s lit tl e r ea liz e how ex

t r em el y sen si t iv e y ou n g mi n ds a r e an d how ,

p ow erfully i n flu en ced they a r e by a n ythi n g

whi ch suggests thei r in feri ori ty or thei r i n com
peten ce .

T he uggesti on of i n feri orit y h a s c aused

s

more i n di vidu a l wr etche dn ess t ra gedi es a n d , ,

fa ilur es i n l i fe than an yth i n g el se .

D r Lu the r H G ul i ck th e ph ysi c a l direc tor

. .
,

of th e school s of N ew Yor k C i ty sa y s t ha t ,

t her e i s a grea t a r my of boy s a n d girl s w ho

dr op out of ou r publ i c school s b ec a u se of thei r
fa i lure to p a ss ex am i n a t i on the r ea son for,

whi ch ha s often b een tra c ed to i mp a ir ed eye

si ght , d efecti ve hea ri n g ba d teeth or to the ,
,

l a ck of prop er n ou ri shmen t B ut the chi ldren

.

do n ot a ppr eci a t e these thi ngs an d oft en

do n ot kn ow w hy th ey a r e i n effici en t an d th ey ,

become morose d epresse d an d hu m ili at ed be

, ,

ca u se oi their fa i lur e an d somet imes thei r

,
.

mi n d s b ecome compl etely u n ba l an ced .

 EX PECT GREAT THINGS 81
.

Every y ea r a n umb e r of them a ctua l ly com

mi t sui c id e .

Even the b est r a c e horse could n ot w i n a

p r iz e if i ts c on fid en c e w e r e dest royed Thi s .

i s one of the thi n gs th e t ra i n ers a r e alw ay s

c a r e ful to r eta i n for t he a n i m al s con fidence
,
’

t ha t he can wi n i s a v ery gr ea t f a ctor in

vi ctory .

It i s fa i th tha t u n l ock s our p owe r an d

en abl es u s t o use ou r a b i l i t y It ha s b een the
.

grea t mira cl e worke r of th e a ges

-
Wh atever
.

will i n c r ea se you r c on fiden ce i n your sel f

i n crea ses your p ow e r .

M en w ho do grea t t hi n gs i n th i s w orld a r e
a lwa y s cha r a c t erize d by l a rge fa i th i n t hem

selves fa i th i n th ei r p ow e r fa i th i n t he fu tur e
, ,

of the r a c e w hil e t he m en w ho do li ttl e thi n gs

,

ar e chara ct e riz e d by their la ck of f a i th wh i ch ,

ma k es th em t im id .

That on e qual i t y of holdi n g p ersi sten tl y th e

fa i th i n themselves a n d n ever a llowi n g an y
,

th i n g to w eak en the be li e f t hat somehow the y

w oul d a ccompli sh wha t th ey u n d er took has ,

b een the u n d erlyin g pri n ciple of al l gr ea t

a chi eve r s . T he grea t ma j ori ty of men an d
w om en who ha ve gi ven civili z at ion a gr eat up
lift sta rted poor a n d for man y da rk y ea r s saw
,

n o hop e of a ccompli sh i n g their a mbi t ion ; but

82 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UG H T

they k ep t worki n g a n d bel i evi n g tha t som e

on

how a w ay would be op en ed Thi n k of wha t

.

th i s a tt i t ud e of hop eful n ess a n d fa i th h as don e

’
for the w orld s grea t i n ven tor s ! H ow m ost of
them pl odd e d on t h r ough ma n y yea r s of dry ,

dr ea ry drudgery b efore the light ca me ! A n d

the l i ght pr ob a bly w ould n eve r ha v e c om e b ut
for th eir f a i th hop e an d p er si sten t en dea v or
, , .

We a r e en j oyi n g to day thou sa n ds of bl ess

-

i n gs c om fort s an d c on ven i en c es wh ich h a ve

, ,

b een b equ ea thed us by those r esolut e soul s w ho

w e re obliged often to t urn a d ea f ea r to the
pl ea di n gs of those they l oved b est a s th ey ,

st ruggl ed on a m id w a n t a n d w oe for m a n y

y ea r s wi thout the symp athy or c on fid en c e of

t hose n ea r est t hem .

Fa i th i s the best sub sti t ute for gen i us ; i n

f a ct i t i s c losely a lli e d to gen ius
,
.

Fa i th i s the grea t l ea d er i n every a ch i eve

men t It show s the p a th wh ich l ea d s the w ay
.

t o our p ossib i li t i es Fai th i s the f a cul ty or l n

.

sti n ct wh ich k n ow s b ec a u se i t sees th e p ossi

,

bi l i ti es wi thi n ; i t does n ot hesi t at e to urge u s

t o u n d er ta k e gr ea t t hi n gs b ec a u se i t sees r e
,

se rv es i n us c ap able of a cc ompl i sh i n g the m .

N o on e has ev er yet b een abl e t o m a k e a

sa t i sfa c tor y e xpl a n a t i on of t he p h il osoph y of

fa i th . Wha t i s that whi ch will hold a man to

 EX PECT G REAT T HI N GS
. 83

h i s t ask , k eep up hi s c oura ge an d hop e u n d er

t he most t ryi n g , hea rt ren di n g con di ti on s, wh i ch
w ill enabl e hi m t o en dure wi th f ort i tude, ev en
cheerful n ess, a l l sor t s of su ff eri n g, the p an g s

of poverty an d whi ch will s u sta in an d t e

,

a ssur e him ,a fter hi s l ast d olla r has gon e ,

when fri en ds an d even hi s family a nd those

he l oves best mi sun der sta n d hi m or do n ot,

b elieve i n h i m ? Wh a t i s i t that su sta in s an d

enh ea r ten s hi m so th a t h e en dures w hat woul d

kill hi m a hun dred t imes if he w er e w i thou t

i t ? T he w orld st a n ds i n w on d er be for e the
h eroes who appa r en t ly lose everythin g i n th e
w orld but thei r fa i th i n what they had set t heir
hea rt s up on .

Fa ith alwa y s t ak es t he fir st step forw ar d .

I t i s a soul sen se a spiri tua l foresigh t whi ch

, ,
’
p eer s fa r beyon d the physi ca l ey e s vi sion a ,

c ourier wh i ch lea ds the way op en s the cl osed

,

door sees b eyon d the ob sta cl es an d poi n ts to

, ,

th e p ath wh i ch the l ess spi ri tual fa cul ti es c ould

n ot see.

I t i s a sup erb f a i th gr eat er than a ny oh

sta cl e that h a s ma d e th e gr eat di scov eri es ,

that has been the gr ea t i n v en tor , the great en

gi n eer , the gr eat a chi ever i n ever y l i n e of

hu man endea vor .

(I here i s li ttl e fea r for the future of the

84 M I RAC LE OF RI GHT TH O UGHT

youn g m a n w ho has a d eep sea ted fai th i n hi m -

sel f. S elf fa i th ha s ever b een more t han a

-

m a t ch for d i fficul t i es I t ha s b een the p oo r

.

m a n s fri en d hi s best ca p i t a l M en wi th n o
’
.
,

a sset s but c olossa l f a i th i n t hem selv es h a v e

a cc ompl i sh ed won d ers when capi tal wi thout
,

self fa i th h a s f a il e d
-
.

I f you bel i eve i n your sel f you w i ll be mu ch , ‘

m ore likely to do th e l a rger t hi n gs you a r e

c a p abl e of tha n i f you w ere to hol d the self
d epreci a tory l a ck of con fiden ce a t t i tude
,
- -
.

I f w e c ould put a m ea suri n g l i n e a roun d a

m a n s fa i th i t would give a pret t y good
’
,

est i ma t e of hi s possi b i li ti es No man ev er does

.

a gr ea t t h i n g wi th l i tt l e fa i th I f hi s fa i th .

i s wea k hi s eff or t s will be w ea k

, .

I f you a dmi t that you a r e full of fl a w s that ,

you a r e a blu n d er er a lw a ys u n lucky th at you

, ,

can n ev e r do thi n gs a s other p eopl e do ,

how can you p ossibly exp ect other tha n tha t

you r a ct s will foll ow the con vi ction s wh i ch
you a r e c on stan t ly empha sizi n g ?
I f you go about w i th a n a p ol ogeti c a i r as
though you w ould pi ck up a n ythi n g tha t an y
body els e dr opped an dbe gl a d to get i t, but
th at you do n ot exp ect m uch of your sel f ; a s

th ough you do n ot b el i eve t h at th e gr a n d

t hi n gs, t he good thi n gs of the world a re
 EX P E C T GREAT T H I N G S 85

i n ten ded for you you will p a ss for a very

,

sma ll m a n A n d i t i s a f a ct tha t other s

’
.

e st i ma t e of u s ha s a gr ea t d ea l t o d o w i th our

pl a c e i n life a n d wha t w e ach i eve We can n ot

.

get a w a y fr om i t .

I kn ow a m an who creep s i n to a b oa rd meet

i n g wh e re h e i s a d i re c tor a s th ough h e w ere a
n obo dy en t i r ely u n w or th y of hi s p osi t ion a n d
, ,

h e won d ers w hy he i s a m ere c i p he r on the

boa rd w hy h e c a rri es so l i tt l e w eight w i th
,

othe r memb er s w hy h e i s ha rdly e ve r d e fe rr ed

,

to .

H e does n ot rea liz e t hat he ha s live d wi th

h i m se lf a good w hi l e a n d by thi s t i m e ought t o
k n ow hi m self b ette r than ot he r s w ho see hi m
on ly o cc a si ona lly a n d n a t ur a lly t a k e h i m a t h i s

ow n r a t i n g . I f h e l ab el s h i m self a l l ove r wi th
the ta g s of i n fe ri ori t y i f h e wa lk s a n d t a l k s
,

a n d a c t s l i k e a n ob ody a n d gives the i mpr essi on

t ha t he d oes n ot t h i n k m uch of hi mself an y

w a y how can he exp ect oth er s t o do for h i m
,

wha t h e will n ot do for h imself ?

I f w e ha d a l a rger con c ep ti on of our
p ossi bili t i es a l a rge r f a i th i n our selves w e
, ,

should a cc om pl i sh i n fi n i t ely m or e . A n d if on ly
w e bett e r u n d e rst ood ou r divi n i t y w e sh ould
h a v e thi s l a rge r fa i th We a r e cri ppl e d by th e
.

old d oc t ri n e that man i s by n at ure d epra v ed .

86 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

Ther e i s no i n fer i or i ty or depr avi ty a bou t t he

m a n t ha t G od ma de ly i n feri orit y i n
. The on

u s i s w ha t w e put i n t o our selv es Wh a t God .

m a d e i s p e rf ec t T he t roubl e i s that most of

.

u s a r e but a burl esque of the man God

p a tter n e d i n t en d ed We thi n k our selves i n to
,
.

sm a ll n ess , i n to i n feri or i ty by t hi n ki n g down

w a rd We ought to th i n k upw a rd i f w e w ould
.
,

r ea c h th e hei ghts wher e supe rior i ty dw ell s .

O n e of the m ost u n fort un a t e pha ses of

a n c i en t t h eol ogy i s i n t h e id e a o f the d eb a se

men t of ma n tha t he ha s fa ll en from hi s gran d

,

origi n a l est a t e T he t ru th i s that h e ha s a lwa ys

.

b een a dva n ci n g a s a r a c e alwa ys i m provin g , ,

but hi s progr ess h a s b een grea tly ha m p ered by

t h i s b el i t tl i n g id ea The man G od m a de n ev er
.

fell I t i s on ly the si n ma de ma n that ha s

.
-

fa ll en It i s on ly h i s i n f er i or w ay of l ook i n g
.

a t h i m self h i s cr i m i n a l self depr e ci a t i on t ha t

,
-
,

h a s crippl ed a n d d et eri or a t ed hi m .

T he ol d theol ogy t a ught u s t o b el i t tl e our

selv es . There w a s a b eggin g el em en t i n i t .

T h ere i s n oth i n g i n t he Bibl e to i n dic a t e that

m an w a s to prost r a te h i m self b efore hi s M a k e r
l i k e a sn eak or a sl a ve Th ere i s n othi n g i n
.

such se l f d epr eci a t i on

-
but d em ora l i za t ion .

The re i s too much o f the cri n gi n g c ra wli n g

?
,

sp iri t i n our a t ti t ud e ; th e r e i s too m u ch of the

 EX PE C T GREA T THI NG S ez

prostra ti on too mu ch of the k n ee i d ea i n our

,
-
,

theol ogy M an w a s n ot ma d e to bow i n h um i l i

'

a ti on a n d sh a me but to a sser t hi s d i v i n i t y
, .

H e w a s ma d e e rec t so tha t h e could st an d up

a n d look an y th i n g a n d ev ery th i n g i n the f a c e ,

ev en h i s M a k er for he w a s ma d e i n H i s
,

i m a ge .

I f m an i s a pri n c e if he ha s roya l bl ood ,

i n hi s v ei n s i f he ha s i n her i t ed th e d i v i n e
,

m ora l a tt ribu tes he should cl a i m h i s b i r th

,

r i ght b oldly ma n fully wi th d i gn i ty a n d a ssur

, ,

a n ce .

The t r oubl e wi th us i s tha t w e do n ot keep

our good qu a l i t i es su ffici en tly i n sight ; w e do

n ot th i n k ha lf w ell en ough o f our selv e s If we .

di d w e w oul d ha v e a m uch b et ter expressi on

, ,

w ould pr esen t a d i vi n e a pp ea ra n c e .

I t m a k es a l l the d i ff e ren c e i n th e w orld t o us

w hether w e go t h r ough life as c on qu eror s ,

w hethe r w e go ab out a m on g men a s t hough

w e b eli e v e d w e a m ou n t e d t o somethin g wi th ,

a st r on g v i gorou s self con fiden t v i ctoriou s

, ,
-
,

ai r
, or wh eth e r w e go a bou t w i th an a p ol o

get ic self e ff a c i n g get out of other p eopl e s

,
-
,
- - — —
’

w a y att i tud e .

I s th er e a n y r ea son why w e should go

‘

th r ough th e w orld w h i n i n g ta ggi n g a t som e ,

o

body el se s heel s t ra ili n g, i mi tati n g copyi ng

’
,
88 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

some o b dy el se a fra id to c a ll our soul s ou r ow n ?

,

H old up your h ea d a n d l ea r n to thi n k w ell

,

of your self ; ha ve a good op i n i on of y our self ,

a n d your a b i l i t y to do w ha t you u n d e rta k e .

I f you do n ot n ob ody el se w i ll
, .

M uch of th e p overt y a n d l a ck of soci al p osi

t ion a m on g p eopl e of the w orki n g cl ass i n thi s
cou n t ry t o da y a r e du e t o thei r ow n sen se of
-

i n feri ori ty In stea d of s tan din g up i n a n

.

a tt i t ud e o f m a n l i n ess a n d i n d ep en d en c e th ey

t a k e i t for gr an te d tha t they a re i n fe r i or If .

t her e i s a n ythi n g a l ev el hea d ed spiri t e d e m

-
,

pl oy e r despi ses i t i s a t ruc kli n g p an deri n g , ,

a p ol ogiz i n g a t t i t ud e i n hi s empl oy ees He .

li kes to ha ve those a b ou t h i m a pproa ch h i m on

the equ a li ty of ma n hood H e i n st i n c t ively
.

d espi ses th ose w ho bow a n d scra p e H e ca n .

n ev er r esp ec t t h e l ea v e i t a l l t o you em pl oy ee
- - - -
.

H e likes the on e w ho sta n d s up for hi s right s ,

a n d w ho ma k e s h i m f eel tha t he i s a man a n d

e xp ec t s to be t rea te d a s a man .

Whether w e rea liz e i t or n ot we a r e n ev er ,

st ron ge r th a n our fa i th w e n eve r u n d e rt a k e

,

a n y thi n g gr eater than our self con fiden ce -

dictat es .

The habi t of exer c i sin g self fa i th of feeli n g

-
,

c on sc ious of p ossessi n g grea ter a bili ty a n d

pow er than we a r e u si n g has a tr emen dous ex
,
 EX P ECT GREAT THI N G S 89
ten di n g , l rgi n g un fold i n g i n fluen c e up on
en a ,

our m en ta l fa cul t i es So u n d ev elop ed a r e our

.

l a ten t sourc es of p ow e r tha t our sel f fa i th i s -

ra r ely so gr eat a s the abil i ty bac k of i t would

w a rran t .

A s a rul e a man s greatest defi c i ency is that

’

of sel f fa i th
-
.

The maj ori ty of p eopl e a re ma n y t i mes

w ea k er i n c on fid en c e tha n a n y other fa cul ty .

A l a rge p erc en ta ge o f those who a r e fa ilures

c ould ha ve succ ee ded if thi s on e qua li ty ha d
b een prop erly t ra i n ed a n d st ren gthen ed i n thei r
you th .

T ak e a ti m id shy sen si t ive sh ri n ki n g

, , ,

i n di v i dua l a n d t ea ch h i m to b el i eve i n hi mself

, ,

t ea ch h i m tha t he ha s gr ea t p ossib i l i t i es tha t he ,

ca n ma k e h i m self a m a n w h o w i ll sta n d for

someth i n g i n hi s comm u n i t y T ra i n h i m i n
.

self fa i th u n t i l th i s qu a l i t y b ec omes st r on g a n d
-

robu st a n d i t w i ll n ot on ly i n c r ea se hi s cour
,

a ge b ut st ren g then a l l h i s other men ta l qu a li

,

t i es a s w ell .

T he l i f e pr oc esses a r e a l l t he time r epr oduc

i n g the m en t a l pic t ur e th e Opi n ion w e ha ve
,

of our selv e s N o m a n can be great e r tha n h i s

.

e st im a t e of h i m self a t t h e m omen t I f a gen i u s

.

w e re con vin ce d tha t h e w ere a pygmy h e woul d ,

on ly produ ce the r esul ts of a pygmy u n t il he

90 M IRA CL E OF RIGHT T H O UGHT

en a l rge d hi s est i mat e of hi mself It does n ot “

ma tte r how gr ea t or gra n d on e s gen e ra l a bili t y

’

m a y be hi s self est i m ate will d et er mi n e th e

,
-

resul ts of hi s eff or ts A on e ta l en t ma n with

.
-

an ov e rm ast eri n g self fa i th often a ccompli she s

-

i n fin i t ely m ore than a ten ta l en t ma n who does -

n ot b eli eve i n h i mself .

I kn ow of n o gr ea te r self pr otecti on from a l l -

t ha t i s l ow ordi n a ry a n d i n f eri or tha n th e

, ,

cul t iva t i on of a l oft y gran d estimate of on e

,

self a n d on e s p ossib i l i t i es A ll the for ces

’
.

w i th i n you will then work togethe r to h elp

you rea liz e y our id ea l s for the l i fe a lw a y s
,

foll ow s the a i m ; w e a lwa ys take the dir ec tion

of t he life purpose .

Hold up bu i ld i n g en n obli n g subli m e p i c

-
, ,

t ur es of your self a n d your divi n e p ossi b i l i

t i es
. I f you p er si st i n thi s c on st a n t st ruggl e
t o m ea sur e up t o highe r a n d h i gh er ideal s ,

lof t i e r a n d l oft i er st an da rd s the l i f e proc esses

,

wi thi n you will h elp you t o rea liz e them .

It does n ot mat t e r h ow st r on g m ost of our

men t a l fa cul t i es ar e if they a r e n ot l ed by a
,

vigor ou s fa i th F a i th puts a l l the other

.

fa cul ti es t o w or k I ts i n fl u en c e up on th e m en
.

t a l fa cul t i es i s v ery br a cin g wh i l e t ha t of ,

doub t a n d fea r i s d em or a lizi n g d eteri or a t i n g , .

T her e i s n othi n g tha t w i ll so bra c e a m an up ,

 EX P ECT GREAT THI NGS 91

w il l so bu tt ress r ein forc e hi s wea ker facul

and

t ies a s a r obu st self f a i th f a i th i n h i m self

,
-
, ,

fa i th i n everybody a n d i n everythi n g fa i th t ha t ,

t h e re i s a gr eat m a gn ifi c en t f or c e i n civiliz a
,

t i on i n the a ffa i r s of m an a curr en t wh ic h

, ,

ru n s Godwa rd ; tha t there i s a divi n ely ben efi

c en t purp ose ru n n i n g th r ough the u n iv er se .

Fa i th p ow e rfully en c oura ges all t he oth e r

fa cul t ies a n d c oura ge i s a t remen dou s forc e
,

i n on e s life The grea te r ou r fa i th th e cl oser

’
.
, ,

t he n ea r e r b ec omes our on en ess wi th t he

,

un ive r sa l life u n i ve r sa l p ow er
, .

D oubt i s a gr ea t p a r a lyz er of effici en cy A .

man m u st b eli e v e t ha t he ca n do a th i n g b e fore

h e ca n do i t H e ca n do l i tt l e wh il e he d oub ts
. .

A ma n wh ose purp ose i s b a c ke d up by a

sup e rb fa i th a n d a l o f ty a m b i t i on so t ha t h e ,

fi n d s n ei th e r c om for t rest n or sa t i sf a c t i on
, ,

u n t il h e i s successful will p erform m i ra cl es

, ,

n o ma tte r w ha t cir c u msta n c es may c on spir e

t o hi n d e r hi m .

The very i n t en si ty of y our l on gi n g to do a

ce rta i n thi n g i s a n a dd i t i on a l proof th at you
h a v e t he a bili t y t o do i t an d the con sta n t ,

a ffirm a t i on t ha t you ca n an d w i ll do i t ma k es

t h e a ch i ev em en t a ll the m or e c e r ta i n What .

o u dr ea m y ou ca n do th i n k you can d o or
y ,

be li ev e you ca n do you will do , .

92 MI RA CLE O F RIGHT TH O UGHT

Fa i th i s t he bed rock up on which all other

fou n da t i on ston es i n e ve ry gr eat cha ra cter
rest Thu s th e m an w ho ha s an i n vin cible
.

fa it h i n hi s mi ssion a n un c on quera bl e fa i th i n
,

hi mself a n d i n h i s God ha s p ower i n the

,

world .

We believe in a man with great fa i th no ,

mat ter whether he a gree s with us or n ot be ,

c a u se fa i th represen ts forc e sta bili ty cha r

, ,

a c t er . We b eli eve i n a man i n prop ort i on t o

hi s i mm ov abl en ess fr om pri n cipl e the fix i ty of
,

hi s f a i th i n h i s m i ssi on The man w ho i s

.

l oosely atta ch ed to hi s l i fe work who can be

,

easily t ur n ed a sid e fr om hi s lif e pu rp ose i s n ot ,

mu ch of a ma n .

M ost su ccessful m en I ha ve k n ow n ha d the

habi t of exp ect i n g th i n gs t o t urn out right No .

matter how bl a ck or di scouragi n g the ou tl ook ,

they hel d t en aci ou sly t o their f a i th i n the fin a l

ou t come Thi s habi t of holdin g an exp ectan t
.

a t t i t ud e i n som e m yst e ri ou s w a y u n k now n t o

us a tt r a ct s the th in g w e lon g for j ust a s

,

t hough our ow n w e re a lw a y s seeki n g us w hen

w e were seeki n g i t .

Our fa cu l t i es work under orders an d they ,

t en d t o do or pr odu c e what i s exp ected of them .

I f we exp ect a gr ea t dea l mak e a gr eat d eman d

,

of them a n d in si st on th eir helpi n g us to c a r r y

,
 EX P E C T GREAT TH INGS 93

out our a m bi ti on they fa ll i n to li n e an d proceed

,

t o h elp us I f on the other ha n d w e do n ot

. , ,

h a v e c on fid en c e en ough t o m a k e a vigorou s
dem an d a st r en u ou s e ff or t if w e w a ver or a r e
, ,

i n d oub t our fa cul ti es will l ose their coura ge

, ,

a n d the ir eff or t will be p erfu n c t ory w i ll l a c k ,

effic i en cy .

T he m en ta l fa cul ti es a r e ve ry d ep en den t up on
t he c our a ge a n d c on fid en c e of t h eir l ea d er .

They will give up a l l t hey ha ve to the dom in a t

i n g will w hi ch gov ern s t h em B u t i f th e i r
.

l ea d er w a ve rs hesi ta tes they w a ver a n d

, ,

h esi ta t e a l so S elf con fiden ce i s n ot a sep a rat e

.
-

qu a li ty a n y m or e than c oura ge i s I t i s a pa r t .

of a ll t he m en t a l fa cul t i es a n d when i t i s w ea k
,

t he r e i s a c orr esp on di n g l a ck of thei r effi c ien cy ,

an d v i ce v er sa .

I kn ow of n o othe r habi t whi ch w ould bri n g

so m uch o f v a lu e t o ou r live s a s t ha t of a lwa ys

ex p e c t i n g t ha t the b est will ha pp en to us i n

st ea d of t he w or st of t a ki n g i t for gran t ed tha t

,

w e a r e goi n g to w i n out i n whatev er we un d er

t a ke.

M a n y p eopl e qu eer their su cc ess a t t he v ery

ou t set by exp ec ti n g t ha t t hey a r e goi n g t o f a i l ,

t hi n ki n g th a t the chan c es a r e a ga i n st th em In .

oth er w ord s th eir m en t a l at t i tude i s n ot f a vor

,

a bl e to the su cc ess whi ch th ey a re a ft er It .

94 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

som et i m es even a tt ra c ts fa i lure S ucc ess i s

.

a ch i ev e d men ta lly fir st I f the men ta l a tt i t ud e

.

i s on e of d oub t t he r esul t s will c orr esp on d

,
.

Ther e m u st be p ersi sten t fa i th c on t i n uou s con

,

fiden ce i n ord e r to w i n
, A w a v eri n g d oub t i n g
.
,

m i n d bri n gs w a v e rin g d oubt i n g resul t s

, .

There a r e m a n y p eopl e w ho a r e hab i tua lly

succ essful Everyt h i n g they t ouch seems to
.

t ur n out w ell T hey sta rt out w i th the exp ec ta

.

t i on of succ ee d i n g wi th full c ompl et e con fi

, ,

d en ce tha t they a r e goi n g t o w i n a n d th ey do

,
.

On e rea son w hy so ma n y fa i l or a t b est pl od

a l on g i n me di ocr i t y i s b ec a u se t hey see so

m a n y ob sta cl es a n d di ffi cul ti es l oom i n g up

so th r eat en i n gly t h at they l ose h ea r t an d
a r e i n a d i sc our a ge d con di t i on m uch of th e

ti me T hi s m en ta l a tt it ud e i s fa ta l to a chi ev e
m en t for i t ma kes the m i n d n ega ti ve n on ,

crea t i ve I t i s c on fid en c e an d hop e tha t c a ll

.

out th e fa cul t i es a n d m ul t iply the ir c r ea t ive ,

prod uci n g p ow er .

T he h a b i t of dwelli n g on di ffi c ul ti es a n d
ma gn ify i n g th em w eak en s t he cha ra c ter a n d
p a ra lyz es t he i n i t i a ti ve i n such a w a y a s t o
hi n d er on e from ever d a ri n g t o u n d er ta k e gr ea t
th i n g s
. T he m a n wh o sees t he ob sta cl es mor e
cl ea rly tha n a n ythi n g el se i s n ot the man to a t
t emp t or do a ny gr eat thi n g T he man w ho
.
 EX PEC T G R EA T TH ING S 95
d oes thi n gs i s th e ma n w ho sees the en d a n d
d efi es the ob st a cl es .

I f the A lp s ha d l ooked so for m id abl e to N a

pol eon a s they did t o h i s a dvi ser s a n d oth er
p eopl e he w ould n ever ha ve c rosse d them i n
,

m i dw i n t e r .

I t i s the m an w ho p er si sts i n seein g h i s

idea l w ho ign or es ob sta cl es absolu tely r e
, ,

fuses to see fa ilure ; w ho cl i n gs t o hi s con fi

d en c e i n v i c tory succ ess th a t w i n s out
, , .

G rea t th i n gs ar e d on e u n d er the str ess of a n

ov er p ow e ri n g c on v i c t i on of on e s a b i li t y t o
’
-

do wha t he u n de rt a kes .Ther e i s irresi st ibl e

forc e i n a p ow erful a ffirm a t ive expr essed wi th
u n fl i n ch i n g d et er m i n a t i on O n e m i ght a s w ell
.

ha v e t ri ed to m ov e G i br a l ta r i t self as to ha v e
a t t em p t ed t o t ur n N a p ol eon from h i s cour se or

c han ge hi s d ec i si on wh en he ha d gi ven hi s
ul t i ma t u m .

F a i th w as given to supp ort u s t o rea ssure

,

u s wh en w e ca n n ot see light a he a d or solve ,

ou r p r obl em s . It i s to th e i n dividu a l wha t the

c omp a ss i s t o t h e ma ri n er i n the st orm s H e .

feel s th e sa m e a ssur a n c e wh en he ca n n ot see

a n y th i n g a hea d ,
b ec a u se hi s c omp ass poi n ts
t ru e t o h i s d e st i n a t i on .

I t i s i n fi n i t ely ea si er to f orc e a huge sh ell

t h r ough th e steel pl a t es of a sh ip when p r o
96 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

j ected wi th lightn i n g sp ee d from the c an n on

tha n to pu sh i t thr ough sl owly So t he w orld
.

ma kes w a y for forc e an d p ersi st en c y for th e ,

man w ho k n ow s w hi ch w a y he i s goi n g a n d
w ho pr oj ect s hi mself wi th vi gor T he thi n g s
.

whic h a r e a lw a ys t rippi n g t he hesita ti n g the ,

d oubt ful the w ea k m an get out of the w ay of

, ,

t he vigorou s p osi t iv e d ecid ed man

, ,
D iffi .

cul t i es a re gr ea t or sma ll i n prop ort i on a s you

a r e gr ea t or sm a ll They loom up like moun

.

t a i n s to on e m a n an d dwi n dl e t o mol e h ill s t o

an ot he r. I t i s on ly t he li t t l e ma n t he w ea k,

m a n w ho i s a fra id of ha rd thi n gs who sh ri n k s

,

b efore ob st a cl es b ec a u se he l a ck s the momen

,

tum t o for c e t hem out of hi s w a y .

D o n ot be a fra id of t a ki n g r esp on sibil i ti es .

M a k e up your m i n d tha t you will a ssu m e a n y

resp on si bi l i t y which c omes to you a lon g t he
li n e of your l egi t i mate ca ree r a n d tha t you
w i ll b ea r i t a l i ttl e b etter than a n ybody el se
ev e r b e for e h a s. Ther e i s n o gr ea te r m i sta k e
i n the w orld than th a t of p ostpon i n g presen t
r espon sib i lit y th i n kin g that w e will be bett e r
prep a re d to a ssu me i t l ate r It i s a cc ept i n g
.

t hese p osi t i on s a s they c ome t o u s that giv es

us t he pr ep a ra t i on ; for w e ca n do n oth i n g of

i mportan ce ea sily eff ec t i vely u n til w e h a ve

, ,

don e i t so man y t i mes that i t b ecomes a

 EX P ECT GREAT THIN GS
ha bi t . O n t he very r esolu t i on t o do the thi n g
which i s b est for you n o ma tter how di s —

a g r eea bl e n o ma tter how h u m ili a t i n g n o ma t

, ,

t e r how m u ch you m ay su ff e r fr om sen si t iv e

n ess or a feeli n g of u n pr ep a r ed n ess d ep en d s
the d ev el op m en t of y our ma n hood .

Do n ot be a fra id t o d eman d gr eat thi n gs of

yourself Pow er s wh i ch you n ever dr eam ed
.

you p ossessed w i ll l ea p t o y ou r a ssi sta n ce .

T rust thy self Every hea r t vibrates to that

.

”
iron st ri n g .

T he habi t of exp ec ti n g great thi n gs of our

selves ca ll s out th e b est i n u s I t ten ds t o
.

a w a k en for c es wh ich but for t h e gr ea te r de

man d the higher c all w ould rema in l a tent

, , .

Y ou will fin d a st i mul at i n g e ff ec t i n a lwa y s

c on sid eri n g your self as lucky or fortunate .

I t i s a gr ea t t hi n g to for m a ha bi t of exp ec t
i n g good from ev e ry exp eri en c e i n life Ju st .

th i n k w ha t i t mean s to ha v e everyb ody t h i n k

you a r e lu c ky an d exp ect that w hat you nu

der ta k e will t urn out w ell !
T he r eput at ion of a lw ay s b ei n g succ essful
i n u n d ertaki n gs ha s b een of grea t a dva n ta ge
t o T heod or e Roosevel t H e ha s the r eputat i on
.

of b ei n g a su cc ess organ iz er a n d gr ea t th i n gs
,

a r e e xp ec ted of h i m No ma t te r what he goes

.

i n to or what he tak es up he seems to expec t

, ,
 98 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

tha t he i s goi n g to w i n out Thu s i n st ea d of

.
,

gett i n g a pulli n g ba ck hi n d eri n g effe c t fr om

,
’
p eopl e s d oub ts a n d f ea rs, he ha s the ton i c
eff ect of th eir op t i m i st ic exp ec tan c y H e in.

spir es goo d will wh ich i s con t a gi ou s be ,

c a use he ca rri es such a posi ti ve vigo rou s as

,

s ur a n c e
. H e b eli eves tha t he w as ma d e t o do
th i n gs to a ch i eve a n d th i s sel f fa i th h as i n
, ,
~

spired the con fid en c e of a whol e na t i on a n d

ea rn ed for h i m a spl en did r epu t a t i on wh ich

wi n s ha lf hi s ba tt l es an d pra c t i c a lly i n sures

a t the v e ry ou tset the su ccess of wha t ev er

he u n d ertak es .

M a n y p eopl e n eve r seem to c ome t o them

selv es u n t il they h a ve rec eiv ed a gr ea t hu m il

i a t i n g d ef eat . Thi s seem s t o t ouch a Spri n g

d eep i n the ir n at ur e setti n g fr ee dyn am i c
,

for c es whi ch en abl e them t o do ma rvel s When .

a ma n w ho has got the right st u ff i n hi m ha s

,
m a d e a slip an d f eel s that h e i s d ow n a n d out ,

when he sees those tha t k n ow hi m r ega rd i n g

8 3 .

There i s someth ing

i n the man whose v er y b ea ri n g a n d r epu t a ti on
seem to say When I meet my n ext Waterl oo
,
-

I sha ll be a Wellin gton n ot a N apol eon , .

"
 E X P ECT GREAT THI NG S 99
CO N F E SSI O N S O F A LUNK H EA D

Im
'
a lun khe a d a n I kn ow i t ; t ai n t n o u se to
,
' ' '

sq ui rm a n t a lk
’
,

Im a gump a n I m a lun khe a d I m a l um mux I m

' ’ ’ ’ ’
, ,

a ga w k .

I m ake t h i s i n t er duct i on so t het a ll you folks

'
An
ca n see

A n
'
u r
n de st a n
’
t he n at ur ’
o f t he c ri tter t het I be .

Wa ll , thet
'
s t he ki n d er t hi n g I be ; but i n our
n e i ghbo rhood
L i ved youn g oe Cr a i g, J an
’
un g J
yo i m S t um p , an
’

H i r a m Un de rw ood .

We r
g ow e d r i n t he sa meli ke co n h i ll , j est l i ke
four sep r i t st a lk s ;
'

t hey w uz lun kh ea d s j e st l i ke me l umm uxe s

'
F or , , an

ga w ks
’
an .

Now , I kn ew I w uz a l un khea d ; b ut them felle rs

di dn t kn ow
’
,

T hought t h ey w uz bi gge s p unki n s a n t he purt i est

' ’

i n t he r ow .

A n I I u st e r l a ff a n sa y T hem l un kh ea d chap s
’ ’

W i ll see
W en they go out i n t o t he w orl w a t gawky thi n gs
’ ' ’

"
t hey be .

Joe C ra i g he w uz a lun khea d but i t di dn t get

’
, ,

t hrough hi s p a t e ;
I gue ss yOu ve a l l he e rd t e ll oi hi m
’ '
’ - — v
he s gov n or

o f t he St a te !
J
i m S tump he blun de red ,
o ff t o w ar —
a m ost un

comm on gum p
Di dn t k n ow en ough k home
’
'
to n ow it
—
ah he come

Gen era l S tump .

t oo MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT
T hen H i ra m Un de rw ood we n t of , t he bi gges ga w k
’ '

of a l l ,

We thought hi m ha rdly bright en ough t o sha re i n

Adam s f a ll ; ’

B ut he t ri e d t he r a i lroa d bi z n ess, a n he a llu a

’ ’

gra bbe d h i s sha re ,

Now t s g h t kn ow i t i s a fifty
’
h i a w k w o d i dn

mi ll i on a i re .

An
'
f
o t en out here hoei n
’
I set down at ween t he
st a lks ,

T hi n ki n
’
how w e four t oget he r a ll were l umm ux e s
an
'
ga w ks.

All r
w e e gum p s, an
’
al l we re l un kheads , l they
on y

di dn t
'
kn ow , ye r se e ;
a sk, I f I h a dn t kn ow n i t , w h er e i n
’
An I
’ “
n a t urf
”
would I be ?

F or I st aye d t o home an
’
ra stl ed i n t he cor n fie l
'
,

l i ke a Chum p ,
Coz I k n ew I w uz a l unkhea d a n a l umm ux ,
' '
a , an

sump ;
B ut i f on ly I ha dn t k n own i t l i ke them ot he r
’
,

fell ers the re,

T o d ay I mi ght be sett i n i n t he presi den t i a l chai r
’
-
.

We all are lun kheads —

don t gi t m a d
’ —
an
'
l um ~

m uxes
'
ah ga w k s ;
B ut us p oo r ch a p s w h o kn ow w e be —
we walk in
humble w a lks .

So, I say t o al l good lun khea ds K eep yer ow n ,

sel v e s i n t he da rk ;

Don t ow n or r eck er n i z e t he f a ct a n you wi ll make

’ '
,

yer ma rks SA M WA L TER Foss

—
.
V. S EL F EN C O URA G EM ENT BY SEL F
-

S UGGESTI O N
V SEL F EN C O URA GEMENT BY SEL F
.
-

SUGGESTI O N

I n p rop ort i on as r
yo u i n c ea se yo ur
con fid en ce i n

your se l f by t he r
a ffi m a t i on of w h a t you w i sh t o be ,

your abi li ty wi ll i n cre a se .

He on ly i s bea t en w ho a dm i t s it .

H ol d t he t hought u ri or i ty
of s p e and you w i ll be ~

com e s upe ri or .

p eopl e of r ea l ab i lity do
A NY
l i ttl e t hi n gs a ll the i r liv es be
c a u se they a r e the vic t i m s of
di sc ou ra gi n g s elf sugges -

t i on s When ever they a t

.

t em p t t o do a n y th i n g the y ,

a ll ow their m i n d s t o dw ell

on the p ossi bili t y of f a i lure an d t hey pic t ur e ,

the con seque n t hu m ili a t i on of i t a l l u n t il they

crippl e their p ow e r s of i n i tia t iv e .

O n e of t he wor st thi n gs t ha t can ev er hap

pen to a p e rson i s t o get i t i n to hi s h ea d t ha t
he w a s bo rn u n lucky a n d tha t the Fa t es a r e
a ga i n st hi m Ther e a r e n o Fa tes out si d e of
.
,

our ow n men t a l i t y We are our ow n Fa tes

. .

We con t rol our ow n destin y .

I n e very t ow n wher e p eopl e a r e com pl a i n i n g

that the ir en v i r on men t i s a ga i n st them an d
103
1 04 MIRACLE O F RIGHT TH O UGHT
t hat ther e a re n o opp or tun i t i es other s u n de r
,

t he sa m e c on d i t i on s m a n a ge to succ ee d a n d
m ak e t hem selves f el t i n t he world .

What ca n you do for a ma n who thi n k s

h e w as bor n for fa ilur e ? I t i s a s i m p ossi bl e for
succ ess t o c om e from the fa ilur e t h ough t a s

for roses t o c om e from thi stl e seed s

. When .

on e i s gr ea t ly w orr i ed a b ou t fa ilur e or p ove rt y ,

w hen he thi n ks m uch a bou t i t he i mpr es ses ,

h i s sub c on sciou sn ess w i th the v ery i d ea of

-

fa ilur e a n d d evel op s u n fa vorabl e c on d i ti on s

,
.

I n other w ord s hi s thought hi s m en ta l a tt i

, ,

t ud e i s ma ki n g i mp ossibl e the v e ry t h i n g he i s
,

t ryi n g t o a cc ompli sh .

We a t t ri bute m uch t o luck or a cru el fa te

whi ch b el on gs t o our thought We see p eopl e .
.

right a l on gside of u s app a ren t ly wi th n o

.

grea ter a b i l i ty w on d erfully prosp e r ou s wh i l e ,

w e a r e v e ry i n di ff e ren tly so or p erha p s t ota l

fa ilur es a n d w e a r e a pt to thi n k th a t ther e i s
,

a m y st eri ou s d esti n y wh i ch he lp s t h em and ,

t ha t the re i s som eth i n g ou tside O f our selve s

w h ich k eep s u s ba c k B ut the prob abili t i es
.

a r e t ha t the fa ul t i s i n our thought i n our ,

a t t i t ud e of m i n d .

T he t roubl e w i th u s i s that w e do n ot ha l f
kn ow how to j a ck our selves up so t o sp ea k , .

We a r e n ot severe en ough wi th ourselves n ot ,

 SEL F ENC O URAGEMENT
-
105

e xa cti n g en ough ; do n ot d ema n d en ough of

our selv es We should see ourselves i n a mu ch
.

gran d er light ; should thi n k of ourselves a s

supe rb b ei n gs wit h i n fi n i t e divi n e p ossib i li t i es
, .

D on t be a fra id of thi n ki n g t oo hi gh ly of your

’

self ,
for i f the C r ea tor ma d e you you m u st ,

ha ve i nheri t e d divi n e omn i p ot en t p ossibili t i es

, ,

you m u st p a r ta k e of H i s qu a li t i es .

T her e i s a p ow erful ma gi c a rea l c r ea t ive ,

force i n t ryin g to b ecom e t ha t w hi c h you wi sh

,

to be i n a ssu m i n g the c ha ra cter you w ould be

,

lik e a ssum i n g the qua li ti es you w ould a tta i n

,
.

Y ou w a n t hea l th N ev er a ll ow y our self to

.

thi n k t hat an yth i n g el se will come t o you .

A ssume the h ea lth a tti t ud e thin k heal th ta lk ,

it . Say t o your self th a t i t 1 8 your bir thri ght .

T he sa me i s t ru e i n r ega rd t o pr ospe ri t y .

D o n ot a ll ow yoursel f to t hi n k tha t a n ythi n g

e l se ca n c om e t o you but prosp e ri t y A ssume .

t he prosp eri t y a tt i t ud e thought ma n n er

, A ct , .

like a prosp erou s progressive ma n dr ess l i ke

, ,

on e thi n k l ik e on e
,
B e sure that y our men t a l
.

pi ct ure your men ta l att i tud e i s the pa tt ern of

, ,

tha t wh ich you would lik e t o be a r ea li ty .

I f you wi sh to be bra ve coura geous hold , ,

p e r si sten t ly the fea rl ess thought the thought ,

t hat you a r e a fr a id of n othi n g that n othi n g ,

can ma k e you a cowar d .

1 06 MI RACLE OF RIGHT TH O U GH T

If you a r e t i m id , if you su ff er from sh yn ess,

j u st a ffirm t hat you will n ever a ga i n be a fra i d
of a n ybody or a n ythi n g tha t you a re goin g t o
,

h old your h ea d up ; a sser t y our ma n hood or

w oman hood R esolve tha t you will st r en gthen
.

thi s w ea k li n k i n your cha r a ct e r .

A ssu m i n g a n in di ff e ren t a i r often h elp s di tfi

d en t shy p eopl e Ju st say t o your self :
, .

O ther p eople a r e too bu sy to b othe r ab out m e

or to l ook a t m e an d w a t c h me a n d ev en if , ,

t hey do i t m a k e s n o di ff er en c e t o m e
, I am .

”
goi n g to liv e i n my ow n w ay .

I f on e i s i n cli n e d to b e r etiri n g sh ri n ki n g , ,

”
shy t h e c on st an t a ffir ma t i on O f th e
, I am
p hil osophy the c on t i n u al a sser t ion
,
I am a ,

m a n m a d e to do t hi n gs a n d I a m goi n g t o do
,

”
them , a l i tt l e d a ily pr a c t i se i n cul t i va t i n g
—

c oura ge a n d self con fiden ce a ggr essiven ess i n

-
,

pu shi n g on eself i n to r esp on sibili t y will do ,

w on d e r s i n bu i ld i n g up fr om a t i m id on e a
, ,

b ol d st ron g cha r a c ter

, .

I f y our p a ren t s a n d t ea cher s tell you that you

a r e dull a n d st upid j u st d en y i t v i gor ou sly
,

e v ery t i m e th e suggest ion c om e s t o you Con .

st a n t l y a ffir m th a t you a r e n ot st up i d t h at you ,

ha ve a b i l i t y a n d tha t you ar e goi n g to show t he

p eopl e who ha ve di sa ppr ov ed of you tha t you

can do what other s do .

 SEL F -
ENC O URAGEMENT m7
You will fin d tha t j u st i n prop orti on a s you
in crease your con fid en c e i n your self by t he
a ffi r ma ti on of w ha t
you wi sh t o be y our abil ,

i ty will i n c r ea se .

No matt er wha t othe r p eopl e may thi n k

a bou t y our a bili ty n e v e r a ll ow y our self t o

doub t that you can do or b ecome what you l on g

t o do or b ec ome In crea se your self con fi
.
-

d en ce i n eve ry p ossi bl e w a y an d you ca n do

,

t h i s to a r ema rk a bl e d egr ee by the pow er of

self suggest i on
-
.

The r e i s a great a sset a spl en did capi tal i n

, ,

the p er sonal suggest i on A lw a ys tr y to ca rry

.

yourself i n such a w a y a n d con duc t y our self

i n su ch a man n er a s t o suggest succ ess ,

grow th Improvemen t sup e riori ty T he v ery

, .

r epu ta ti on O f gr owi n g of b ei n g vigor ou sly

,

progr essive of b ei n g a ma n wh o does thi n gs

, ,

a man w ho c a rri es w eight a n d w ho sta n ds for

someth in g i n h i s c omm u n i t y i s worth ev ery

,

thin g .

Ev e ry t i me you m eet an a cqu a i n tan c e ,

whether c onsc i ou s of i t or n ot you step upon ,

the sc a l es of hi s j udgmen t an d he n otes

,

w hether you w eigh more or l ess than at the

l a st meet i n g Everyb ody you meet puts h i s
.

measuri n g li n e ab ou t you an d n otes your gi rth .

I f when they m eet you peopl e see that you

1 08 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

are l ook i n g upwa rd a n d tha t you a r e a l i tt le

,

furth er on a l i ttl e higher up that you a r e

, ,

a l i tt l e b i gg e r m a n sta n d for a li t tl e more t h an

,

a t the l a st m ee ti n g you w i ll e st a bl i sh y our self

,

i n thei r est i m a t i on a s a c omi n g man .

N ev e r a ll ow y our self t o th i n k mean ly n a r ,

r ow ly p oorly O f y our self

, Never r ega rd your .

self a s w ea k i n effi c i en t d i sea sed but a s per

, , ,

fect c om pl et e whol e
, ,
N ev er ev en th i n k of
.

t he p ossi bili ty of goi n g through life a f a ilure

or a pa r t i a l fa ilure .

Fa i lure a n d m i sery a r e n ot for the ma n w ho

ha s seen the G od sid e of h i m self w ho h a s b een
-
,

i n touc h wi th divi n i ty T hey a r e for those .

w ho ha v e n e ve r di sc over ed themselves a n d
the i r G od li k e qu a l i t i es
-
.

S tou tly a sser t tha t the re i s a pl a c e for you

i n t he w orld a n d tha t you a r e goi n g to fill i t
,

l i k e a man T ra i n your self to exp ect gr eat

.

th i n gs of y our self N ever a d mi t ev en by you r

.

ma n n er tha t you thi n k you a r e d est i n ed to do

littl e thi n gs all your life I f you pr a ct i se a n d .

p ersi sten t ly hold the p osi tive pr oduci n h Opu

l en t thought th i s m en ta l a t tit ude will some da y
g ,

m a ke a pl a c e for you a n d create tha t whi ch ,

you d esi r e . B ea r i n m i n d tha t n oth i n g w i ll

c om e to you wi thou t a sufficien t c a u se a n d ,

tha t c a u se i s men ta l .
 SEL F EN C O URAGEMENT
-
1 09

Though ts a r e for c es a n d by them w e c reate ,

ou r selv es a n d our c on di t i on s T hese li t tl e .

for ce poi n ts a r e c on sta n t ly chi selin g moldin g ,

the ch a ra c t e r fa shi on i n g t he life

, We can not .

get a w ay fr om our t hought We m u st be like .

it .

S ome on e ha s sa id A ll huma n duty i s

,

boil ed d own i n to th i s l ea rn wha t t o th in k a n d

,
”
t hi n k i t St Pa ul u n de r stood the ph il osoph y
. .

of right t hi n ki n g an d h e k n ew tha t t hese id ea l s

held con stan tly i n t he mi n d will l ea v en the

whol e cha ra cter a n d reshape the life We a r e .

begi nn i n g to l ea rn t he profoun d ph ilosophy i n

Wh at soever thi n gs a r e t ru e
.

h i s a dvic e ,

wh atsoeve r thi n g s a r e hon est wh at soever ,

t hi n g s a re j u st wha t soe v er th i n g s a r e pur e

, ,

w ha tsoev er thi n g s a r e l ovely whatsoeve r ,

th i n gs a r e of good rep ort ; i f th e r e be a n y

virtue a n d if there b e any pr a i se thin k on
, ,

”
t hese thi n g s .

T hi n k on these t h i n gs H e did n ot mea n.

ju st to r un them thr ough the min d like w at e r

t h roug
h a si eve t o m e rely p a ss them ove r
,

lightly but to dw el l up on con templ a te them

, , ,

hold them i n the m i n d un t il they p e rm eate th e

life an d become a p e rman en t habit a pa rt of
, ,

’
on e s v er y b e i n g .

J u st t h i n k of w hat th e opp osi t e a dvi c e w ould

n o MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

mean to dw ell up on a n d ha rbor i n the mi n d

,

t hi n gs f oul d emora lizi n g an d d eba uchi n g :

, ,

i mpuri t y ha t re d , reven ge, di scord j ea l ou sy

, , ,

a n d a l l t h e hu ma n p a ssi on s to w hi ch St Pa ul .

r e fe r s !
Dw elli n g up on the cri minal thought pr o
duc es the cri mi n a l Dw elli n g up on the i mpu
.

r i ty suggesti on ma k es the deba uch ee St Pa ul . .

k new that i t w a s the thi n gs tha t w e dw el l

up on con templa te thi n k a bou t ha bi tua l ly con
, , ,

cen tr a te the mi n d u on
p that d et erm i n e th e
,

qua li ty of the lif e Ther e n ever w a s b et te r

.

a dvic e given by a n y h u ma n b ei n g than th i s of

St Pa ul s
’
. .

I can n ot get a w a y from mysel f n o mat ter ,

wher e I go I a m a lwa y s en viron ed by m yself

.
,

hor i z on ed by my m en ta li t y en circl ed by my ,

idea l c on sta n tly i n flu en ced by my self sugges

,
-

t i on .

I f my thought i s n a rrow I mu st live i n a ,

n a rr ow w orld I f my th in ki n g ha s b een sor

.

did c old a n d u n sympa theti c I ca n n ot en j oy

, , ,

the broa d e r a n d l a rge r w orld oth e r s li ve i n , ,

for I ha v e i n ca p a c i ta t ed my self to see i t or to

a pprec i a t e i t I f I am mean c on temp t ibl e a n d
.
, ,

despic abl e i n my c on duc t t hen I a m sh u t i n ,

by a n eve r na rrowi n g horiz on lim i ted by the

-
,

smal ln ess an d meann ess of my thoughts .

 S EL F -
ENC O URAGEM ENT an

I f I a m a p er son o f mean vi c iou s habit s , ,

c omp ell ed to l ook t hrough the ba rs b ehi n d

whi c h my vil e or vi c i ou s thoughts an d sug
g est i on s ha v e i mpri son ed me I can n ot com ,

pl a i n of the l on en ess the wretchedn ess of my

,

c on dit i on T he c ell which c onfines me i s op en e d

.

a n d shu t by my will l ocked by my volition .

Y et w h il e w e ca n n ot get out of our atmos

,

pher e w e can ch an ge i t by chan gi n g our

,

thought our a t t i t ude towa rd s life

, T he q u a l .

i ty of the thought d et erm i n es the qu a li t y of

t he a tmospher e We h a v e i t i n our p ower t o
.

liv e i n 3 Pa ra d i se or a H a des The thought .

d eterm i n es i t a l l .

It i s n ow a w ell est a bl i she d fa ct that vi ct i m s

-

o f ba d habi t s can be w on d erfully b enefit e d

by r esolvin g upon r etirin g an d droppi n g i n to

,

un c on sc i ou sn ess tha t t he y will ha v e n othi n g

,

more t o do wi th dr i n k drugs or the vi c iou s , ,

habi t wh i ch ha s b een en sl a vi n g them .

H ow can you e xp ect t o get the max i mum of

effi c i en c y w h en w orry f ea r a n xi ety di sc our
, , ,

a gemen t or mel a n ch oly a r e sa ppin g t wen t y

,

five fif ty or sev en ty fiv e per cen t of y our

, ,
-
.

men ta l en ergy ? Y ou m u st cl ea r the min d o f

i t s en emi es ; otherw i se you pa y t he p en a l ty i n
exha u st ed vi ta li t y i n w a st e d en e rgy
, .

The a u to j ea l ou s suggest ion has shattere d

-
1 12 MIRA C LE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT
n umb erl ess l i ves even when ther e wa s n o
,

foun da ti on wha t ever i n fa c t There i s n oth

.

i n g shor t of cri m e that will c rea te such a

fr i ght ful ha voc i n the human mi n d as j eal
on sy . What a wful wr ecks h ave b een c a u sed
by th i s t err i bl e fi en d ! B ea ut iful cha ra c ters
ha v e b een tor n a l l t o pi ec es a n d rui n e d
i n a few m on ths by i t H ow ma n y p eopl e
.

ha v e l i v ed for y ea r s i n p erfect tort ur e wh en

t he r e w a s a b solut ely n o c a u se or rea l r ea son
f or i t ' Wha t n a me l ess c ri m es a r e comm i t te d
by p eopl e wh o w er e ki n dly d i sp osed p eopl e ,

n a t ur a lly h on est but w hose m i n d s ha v e b e en

,

p erv e rted wr eck ed by the ha rbor i n g of th i s

, ,

fr i ght ful en em y of pea c e a n d h appin ess !

T he j ea l ou s m a n w h o thi n k s h e ha s b een se ri
ou sl y wr on ged ha rbor s t he thought of r e v en ge
, ,

a n d t h i n k s O f w a y s a n d m ean s of gett i n g

squ a r e with hi s enemy un ti l he fin a lly ta k es

h i s life H e ma y n ot ha v e i n ten d ed i t a t fir st
. ,

or ev en though t i t p ossibl e but hi s m i n d

'

b ec a m e a b n orm a l by ha rbor i n g th e j ea lou s

thought .H i s d esir e for re v en ge gre w u n t il
fin a lly hi s m i n d w a s u n b a l an ced a n d he com
m i tt ed t he te rr i bl e deed .

Whatever w ei ghs up on th e mi n d th e a ux,

i ou s t hought w orry th ought fea r thought

, , ,

pa ra lyz es i t s pr odu c i n g p ower .

 SEL F EN C O URAGEMENT
-

It i s ma r v elou s what men ta l st r en gth ca n

be de velop ed by the p e rp etu a l affirm at i on of
vigorou s fitn ess st r en gth p ow er effic i en c y
, , , ,

th ese a r e thoughts a n d id ea l s tha t ma ke a

st r on g man .

Y ou ca n c erta i n ly use your bra i n p owe r t o

bett e r a dvan ta ge tha n i n dw elli n g upon a n d
r ehea rsi n g un pl ea san t exp eri en c es N o m a t .

t e r i f p eopl e do n ot u se you right j u st sa y to ,

your sel f : I a m t oo big to put m yself up on the

l evel of those w ho stoop to l ow down m ea n -
,

method s . Wha tev er othe r p eopl e do I m u st ,

a ct the p a rt of a man L ife m ea n s too m uch

.

t o a ll ow n on essen ti a l s t o d est roy my p ea c e of

-

m i n d or rui n my effi ci en cy I ha ve t o ma k e
.

good by d eliveri n g t o the world i n a l l i ts i n

t egr i ty the messa g e wh ich w a s gi ven m e a t
birth wh ich w a s ma rke d out for m e i n m y
,

ve ry c on sti tuti on a n d i n dic a te d i n e very fib e r

,

of my b e i n g . B ec au se othe r p eopl e re fuse t o

d e liv er their m essage or diver t i t b eca u se t hey
,

squ a n d e r th eir t i m e i n th a t wh ich imp a ir s the ir

a b i li t y a n d d est roy s t h e ir efli ci en cy i s n o reason

,

”
w hy I should fa i l to d eliver mi ne .

T he n ext ti me you ar e i n a di scord an t mood ,

when you feel cross an d crabbed an d out O f

'

so rt s wi th e v e ryb ody wh en li ttl e t hi n gs n e t t l e

,

o u a n d ou ca n n ot get al on g wi th your office

y , y
1 14 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

boy or gra ph er wh en you seem to a n ta g

st en o ,

on i z e th ose a b ou t you w h en your br a i n i s con ,

fu sed a n d you feel tha t you can n ot con

t rol y our self j u st tr y thi s exp e ri m en t :
,
S top
w ork Jump right up from your d esk ; l ea v e
.

wha tever you a r e d oi n g a n d go out of door s , .

Wa lk a few bl ock s or i f p ossible sl i p out i n to

, , ,

the c ou n t ry a n d d ete r m i n e t ha t you will dr i ve

out of y our m i n d e v ery thi n g tha t fight s a ga in st

ha rmon y an d men ta l ba l a n c e T hi n k of b ea u .

t i ful ha rm on i ou s t hi n g s pl ea san t thi n gs

,
Re , .

solv e t ha t w ha t ev er c om es you w i ll be c h eerful

a n d p oi se d t ha t you w i ll n ot l et l i tt l e n a ggi n g
,

th i n gs ma k e a fool of you that you w i ll k eep ,

y our men ta l i n st ru men t i n t un e .

In othe r word s r esolv e to be a ma n t o ri se

, ,

a b ov e the pett y thi n gs of lif e Ju st sa y t o

'

y our self What a ridicul ou s thi n g for a gr ea t

, ,

st r on g m a n m a d e t o d om i n a t e t h e forces of
,

the un iv er se to be c ompl etely up set t h r ow n

, ,

off hi s b a se by t rivi a l fooli sh i n si gn i fic a n t , ,

”
th i n g s ! Resolve that you will go ba c k to
your w ork p oi sed self p ossessed self r esp ec t
,
-
,
~ ~

i n g a n d tha t you will put i t th rough w i th

,

p ow er R eason thi s w a y far a few m i n u tes i n

.
,

the Op en a i r i f p ossibl e ; ta k e i n full d eep ,

br ea ths of fre sh a i r an d you will return t o ,

your ta sk a n ew man .
 SE LF -
E NC O URAGEMENT 1 1 5

Y ou will be urpri sed to fi n d how w ell i t

s

w ill pa y you t o t a k e t i m e to put y our self i n

t un e. NO m a tte r w hen you get out of t u n e ,

stop worki n g r e use to d o a n ot her thi n

, f g un ti l
you ar e your self u n t i l you a r e b a ck on the
,

t h ron e of y ou r m en ta l ki n gd om .

T he w a y t o get t he b est out of yourself i s

t o put t hi n gs right up t o your s lf han dl e your
e
,

se lf wi t h ou t gl ov es a n d t a l k t o your self a s
,

you w ould t o a son of y our s of wh om you

e xp ec t e d gr ea t t h i n gs .

When you go i n to an u n dertaki n g j u st say

t o y our self ,
Now th i s thi n g i s right up to m e .

I ve got t o m a ke good t o show the m a n i n m e

’
,

”
or the c ow a rd . T her e i s n o b a cki n g out .

R ep ea t to yourself som e st erl i n g i n spiri n g,

gri tt y bi ts O f p oet ry or sa yi n g s su ch a s G ive ,

”
me t he m a n w ho fa c es wh a t he m u st .

Y ou w il l be surpr i se d t o see h ow quickly

t h i s sor t of self suggesti on w i ll bra c e you up
-

a n d put n ew spir i t i n y ou .

I ha ve a fri en d wh o h a s h elp ed him self w on

der ful l y by ta lkin g t o h i m self a b ou t hi s con
d u ct. When he feel s tha t he i s n ot doi n g a ll
t ha t he ought to tha t he ha s m a d e som e fooli sh
,

mi stak e or has f a il ed to u se good sen se a n d

good jud gmen t i n an y t ran sa cti on wh en h e ,

feel s tha t hi s stam in a a n d hi s a mbi t ion a re

1 16 M I RA C LE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

det eriorat in g h e goes OE al on e to the cou nt ry

, ,

t o the w ood s if p ossi bl e an d ha s a good hea r t ,

t o hea r t ta lk with hi mself somethi n g a fter thi s

— —

fa shi on :
Now you n g m an you n eed a good t alk
, ,

i n g to a bra c in g up al l a l on g the li n e
-
,
-
Y ou .

a r e goi n g sta l e y our sta n d a rd s a r e droppin g

, ,

your ideal s a r e gett in g dull a n d the worst of ,

i t a l l i s t hat wh en you do a p oor j ob or a re ,

ca rel ess a bout your dress a n d i n di ff e ren t i n

you r m an n e r you do n ot feel as t roubl ed a s
,

you u sed to Y ou a r e n ot ma ki n g good

. .

T h i s l etha rgy t hi s i n er t ia thi s i n diff e ren ce

, , ,

i f y ou re n ot v ery c a re ful w i ll se ri ou sly c rippl e

’
,

your c a reer You a r e l ett i n g a l ot of good

.

c han c es slip by you b ec a u se you a r e n ot a s ,

i

progr essive a n d up to d a te a s you ought t o be - - .

“
Your id eal s n eed rubbi n g up They a r e .
'

gett in g di m I n short you a r e becomi n g l az y

. , .

Y ou like t o ta ke th i n gs ea sy N obody ev er .

e t a m o u n t ed t o m uch w ho l et hi s en ergi es
y
fl ag hi s st an da rd s drop an d hi s ambi t ion ooze
, ,

out . Now I am goi n g to k eep right a fter

,

y o u ,
y o u n g m a n u n t il you a r e doi n g your self
,

j u sti c e Thi s sort of t ake i t ea sy p oli c y w il l

.
- -

n ever l a n d you a t t he goa l you st a rted for .

Y ou will ha ve to w at ch your sel f very c l osely ,

or you w il l be l e f t behin d .
 SEL F ENCO URA GEM ENT
-
I17

Y ou c a p a bl e O f d oi n g somethi n g m uch
a re

b ette r than what you a r e doi n g Y ou mu st .

st a r t out to d a y wi th a fir m r esolu t i on to ma k e

the r et ur n s to n ight from y our w ork grea t e r

-

tha n e v e r b efor e Y ou m u st be a c on qu eror

.
,

a n d m a k e t hi s a r ed l e tter day -
B est i r your .

self get the c obw eb s ou t of y ou r h ea d bru sh

, ,

off th e bra i n a sh Thi n k t hi n k thi n k t o som e

.
, , ,

purp ose ! D o n ot m ull a n d m op e l i ke thi s .

Y ou a r e on ly ha l f a l i v e ; get a m ov e on you !
-

Thi s you n g m a n sa y s h e h a ul s hi mself ove r

”
t he c oa l s a s h e c a ll s i t ev e ry morn i n g when
, ,

he fin d s th at hi s stan da rd s a r e d own a n d he
feel s l az y a n d i n di ff eren t i n ord er to forc e ,

h i m se lf up to a h i gh er stan da rd a n d put h im
self i h t u n e for t he da y I t i s the v ery first
.

t hi n g to w hi ch h e a t ten d s .

H e con st a n tly c hi d es h i m self for i na c t i on ,

i n di ff er en c e l a zi n ess l a ck of en ergy
, , N ow .
,
”
J ohn h e sa y s t o hi m self Bra c e up M a ke
, , .
'

th i s day c oun t Don t l et a n y opp ortun ity slip

’
. .

S eiz e i t w ri n g every possibil i t y out of i t

,
'

D on t sh ri n k from r esp on sibil i ty n o ma t ter

’
,

how ha rd or di sagr eea bl e if ther e i s va lu a bl e ,

di sciplin e i n i t if i t w i ll help to m ak e you more

,

effi c i en t mo re self con fiden t D on t tr y t o get ’

-
.
,

out of a n yth i n g wh ich w i ll help you w h i ch ,

”
will make you a st r on ge r a n d l a rge r man .
1 18 MIRACL E OF RIGH T TH O UGHT

He forc es hi mself to do the most d i sa gr ee

a bl e t ask s fir st a n d d oe s n ot a ll ow hi m self t o
,

sk i p ha rd pr obl em s N ow don t be a cow

’
.
,
”
ard ,
h e sa y s t o h i m self I f others ha v e don e
,
”
thi s, you ca n do i t .

By yea rs of st e rn di scipli n e of thi s k i n d he

ha s d on e w on de r s w i th h i m self H e b ega n a s .

a p oor boy l i v i n g i n th e slu m s of N ew Yor k

w i th n o on e t o ta k e a n i n ter est i n hi m eu ,

c oura ge or pu sh h i m Though h e ha d li ttl e

,
.

O pp ort u n i t y for sc hoo l n wh en h e w a s a sma ll

b oy h e ha s gi v en hi m self a splen did educ a t i on
, ,

m a i n ly si n c e h e w as t w en ty on e F or m a n y -
.

y ea r s h e t ook up on e study a ft e r a n oth e r dur

i n g hi s sp a r e ev en i n gs h ol i d a y s a n d O dd m o
, ,

m en t s con qu e ri n g a n d b ec om i n g pr ofic i en t
,

i n ea ch i n i t s t ur n u n t i l h e ha s ma d e h i m se lf
,

a w e ll e duc a t ed a n d br oa dly r ea d m a n
-
He -
.

exc el s a s a con v e r sa t i on a l i st a n d i s a m ost

i n t e r est i n g cha r a c t e r I ha ve n ev er kn ow n
.

a n y on e el se w h o c a rr i e d on such a v i gor ou s

ca m p a i gn i n self v i c tory self d ev el op men t

-
,
-
,

self t ra i n i n g
-
self cul t ur e a s thi s you n g m a n
,
-

ha s.

Y ou h ab i tu a l w orr i ers you p eopl e w ho h a ve

,

su ff e r e d th e t or t ur es O f t h e d a m n e d for m a n y

y ea r s from d i shea r t en i n g exp e r i en c es th e blue ,

d evil s supp ose you c a ll a ha lt an d say t o

,
 SEL F ENC O URAGEMENT
-
I I9

y ur lf N ow ha ven t I given ab ou t en ough

o se , ,
’

of the y ea r s O f m y lif e t o w orry a n d an xi et y ?

F or y ea rs I ha v e b een robb ed of my sleep ,

_

ha ve b een m a d e m i se r a bl e a l a rge p a r t of m
y
t i m e by these d et est a bl e en em i es O f m
y com
fort my w elfa r e my pr osp er i ty my hea lth a n d
, , ,

my ha ppi n ess .

N ow J ohn i sn t i t a b ou t t i me you c a ll ed a
’
, ,

ha l t on a l l thi s m i sera bl e bu si n ess ? F or a

qua r te r of a c en tury or m ore you ha ve b een
a sl a v e of w orry a m i se r a bl e v i c t i m of a n x
,

i ety Y ou ha v e l i v ed i n c on sta n t t e rror o f t he

.

e xp ec t a n cy of ba d bu si n ess ha rd t i m es pr ob , ,

a bl e p a n i c s T he r e h a s n ev er b een a yea r si n c e
.

your you n g ma n hood that you ha v e en j oyed

th e p ea c e of m i n d the sa t i sf a c t i on a n d t he
, ,

c on t en t men t tha t i s the bir th r i ght of every

h u m a n b ei n g b ea ri n g the st amp of d i vi n i ty .

T o pull i n t he brea th a n d bl ow i t out a ga i n i n

c on sta n t fea r a n d terror tha t som eth in g i s go
i n g t o h app en i s m i se ra bl e exi st en ce n ot l i vi n g , .

Ev ery t i m e you fee l fea r com i n g i n to y our

m i n d sh u t i t out a s quickly a s p ossi bl e a n d
,

a pply the an t idot e fea rl essn ess a ssura n c e

—
, .

Pic t ur e you rself a s ab solu tely fea rl ess Sa y t o .

your self I a m n o c ow a rd Cow a rds fea r a n d

,
.

cr i n ge a n d cr a wl but I a m a man Fea r i s a .

child s frail ty It i s n ot for grown ups I pos

’
.
-
.
1 20 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

i ti vely r efuse to stoop to suc h a d egra di n g

thi n g . Fea r i s a n a b n orma l men ta l proc ess an d
I a m n or ma l F ea r ca n n ot i n fluen c e m e for
.
,

I will n ot ha rb or i t I w i ll n ot a ll ow i t to
.

”
cri ppl e m y c a reer .

T her e i s n o f a t e or d est i n y wh ich pu t s on e

ma n down a n d a n othe r up .I t i s n ot i n our
”
sta r s but i n our selv es tha t w e a r e u n d erli n gs
, ,
.

H e on ly i s b ea ten w ho a d mi ts i t . The m a n i s
i n fe r i o r w ho a d m i t s tha t h e i s i n f e r i or w ho
,

v olu n t a r i ly ta kes a n i n feri or p osi t i on b eca u se

he t hi n k s t he b est thi n g s w er e i n t en d ed for
so m eb ody el se .This i s a ll n on sen se T he
.

w orld b el on gs t o h i m w ho ca n c on qu er i t .

Good thi n gs b el on g to those w ho ca n ta k e

t hem by forc e of purpose a n d t en a ci t y of de
t e rm i n a t i on
. Ther e i s n o p ow er wh ich pa rc el s
ou t good t hi n gs to a f a vor e d few a n d giv es
,

you a n d me i n f e ri or th i n g s .

T he m a n w ho ha s a cquir ed the p ow e r of
k eepin g hi s m i n d fill e d wi th the th oughts whi ch
uplift a n d en coura ge th e op ti m i st i c t hought
, ,

th e c heerful hop eful thought, has solv ed on e

,

of the gr eat riddl es of lif e .

V I T H E C RI ME OF
. TH E B LUES

Fai th i s t he g reat a n t i dot e for worry . We fear

because w e can n ot see th e w a y . Fa i th sees t he way.

Tis ea sy en o ugh to be p lea sa nt

When li fe flows
li ke a son g
on ,

B ut the m a n wo rt h wh i l e i s t he man
Wi th a smi le when everyt hi n g goes
D ea d wron g
"
.

A t roubled bra in ca n n ot t hi n k cl ea rly vi gorously, ,

logi cally Worry clogs the brai n an d pa ra lyzes the

.

t hought

T a lk hea l t h
. T he drea ry, n e v er en di n g t al e -

O f mort a l m a l a di es i s w or n a n d st a l e ;
You can n ot ch a r m or i n t e re st or pl ea se
By ha rp i n g on t ha t m i n or chord, di se ase .

T a lk happ i n ess T he
. worl d is sad en o ugh
Wi thout your w oe ”
.

H E m an w ho can sm il e when
t h i n gs go wron g h a s a
t re m en d ou s a dvan t a ge ove r

p e rson
t he whose courage
c oll a p ses j ust a s soon a s he
i s i n a ha rd pl a ce T he man .

w ho ca n sm i l e when e very
thi n g seems t o go a ga i n st h i m show s that he i s
ma d e of win n i n g mate ri a l for n o ordina ry man
,

can do thi s .
 1 24 MI RACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

Ca rlyl e sa ys tha t some p eopl e a re ri ch i n

t he p ow e r t o be m i ser a bl e S uc h p eopl e seem
.

t o h a ve a g en iu s for ra di at i n g m en t a l p oi son .

T h ey proj ec t th ei r gl oom i n to y our m i n d i n

sp i te of y our e ff or t s t o prot ec t y our self T he y .

i n si st t ha t th ey w er e b orn so t ha t they can ,

n ot h elp ha vi n g t he blu es an d bei n g des

p on d en t .

B ut th i s i s a l l n on sen se No on e w a s born .

to be mi se ra bl e to br i n g gl oom i n to t he w orld
, ,

or t o ma k e ot he r s u n ha ppy I t w a s i n t en ded
.

t ha t w e should a ll be j oyou sly ha ppy .

Y ou ha ve n o m ore right to go a b out a mon g

your fell ow s wi th a vi n ega ry expr essi on on
your fa c e r a di a t i n g men ta l p oi son sprea di n g
, ,

t h e ger m s of d oub t f ea r di scoura gem en t a n d

, , ,

d esp on den cy up on t hem tha n you ha ve to i n ,

fl i ct b od i ly i n j uri es Y ou ha ve n o more righ t

.

t o p oi son other p eopl e s happi ness t han thei r

’

bodi es .

I t i s a str an ge fa ct tha t man y p eopl e a r e a l

w a ys a t home t o the blues ”
Wh en ever a
“
.

fit vi si t s t hem i t seems to be w el come

, T hey .

reta i l thei r m i ser i es go ov er a n d ove r t heir

,

m i sfor t u n es d escrib e t he sympt oms of th ei r

,

su ff e ri n g th ei r p ov e r t y dw ell up on a ll th e hi d
, ,

eon s d et a il s a n d tell ev eryb ody how cru el f a t e

,

ha s b een to t hem T hey a pp ea r to h a v e a mor

.
 CRI ME OF THE B LUES 1 25

bid l ove for con t empl a ti n g what ha s embi ttered

t heir liv es a n d hamp er e d their pr ogress Thu s .

th ey a r e a lw a ys u n con sciou sly etch i n g th ese

pi ctur es of their thought en emies d eep er a n d
d eep er i n to their cha r a cter .

I k n ow on e of these vi cti ms of the blu es ,

a ma n w ho h a s su ch a g en iu s for ma ki n g othe r

p eopl e mi se ra bl e tha t i t m a kes on e blue to l ook

a t hi m . Y ou w ould thi n k by hi s expr essi on
that he w e r e b ea ri n g on h i s should e r s a l l the
t r oubl es o f m a n ki n d. I t i s difficul t t o smil e or
feel seren e i n hi s pr esen ce No mat te r how
.

en thu si a st i c or j oyful you may be hi s i cy

,

expr essi on an d disc our a gi n g c on v e r sa t i on hi s ,

d oubt s a n d p essimi sm ch ill you Every t i me

, .

I go n ea r h i m I f eel a s though I w e r e runn i n g

out of th e su n sh i n e i n to a d un geon .

T he C r ea t o r pl a c e d us on th i s b ea u tiful
ea r th to be gl a d n ot sa d n ot t o go mop i n g
, , ,

whin i n g compl a i n i n g sprea di n g p essimi sm

, , ,

a n d p eddl i n g m i se ry a mon g our fe ll ow s .

”
A chee rful i n telligen t f a ce Emerson tell s
, ,
”
us ,
“
i s t he en d of cul tur e Eve ry n ow an d
.

then w e c a t ch a gli mp se of su ch a f a c e a fa c e ,

wh i ch has a light tha t w a s n ever on sea or

lan d wh i ch con vi n ces us that t h e p ossessor
,

h as been i n c ommu n i on with someth i n g di

vin e ; a fa c e so seren e c a l m an d cheerful that
, ,
1 26 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGH T

i t ma k es f eel tha t w e ha v e ha d a gli mp se i n to

us
”
the holy of hol i es B ut how few such f a c es
.

the r e a r e c omp a r ed wi th the n u mb er of sa d

, ,

gl oom y on es !
T her e i s n o pl a ce i n c iviliz at ion for t he
m orose gl oomy or d esp on d en t ma n
, , No .

b ody w an ts to liv e with hi m Ev erybody i s .

d ej e c ted an d d epressed i n h i s pr esen c e a n d ,

t r i es t o get a w a y from hi m .

‘
A m el a n choly w orryi n g mi n d en coura ges
,

t he d ev el op m en t of d i sea se by d est r oyin g th e

r esi st i n g p ower a n d ma kes the b ody suscept i
,

bl e t o i t .

Th e r e i s i g
n oth n mor e
c on tagi ou s than m en
t a l d epr e ssi on a n d the blu es“
.

H ow oft en w e ha ve seen a chee r ful op ,

t i m i st i c r a d i an t soul en t er a room wher e the r e

,

w a s sa d n ess, d i sc our a gem en t d esp on d en cy

, ,

a n d r evolu t i on i z e ev e ry on e pr esen t by th e

c on ta gi on of hi s irresi st i bl e humor h i s l augh ,

t er a n d fun l ovin g n a tur e !

-

Peopl e w ho h ave p eriodic a l fits of the

”
blu es seem p ossessed by spiri ts of evil .

I t i s i mp ossi bl e for t hem duri n g such t i mes

t o be civ i l t o say n othi n g of b ein g c our teou s
,

a n d ki n d , even to m emb er s of th eir fa m ily .

T hey seem t o thi n k tha t when they ar e blu e

a n d di sc our a ged they a r e exc used fr om or di
 C RIM E or THE B LUE S f ez

na ry self c on t r ol an d they giv e ven t t o their

-
,

feeli n g s a n d m a k e e veryb ody m i se ra bl e .

A gr ea t m an y p eopl e fa il to r ea ch a su cc ess
which m at ches the ir ab i l i ty b ec a u se they a r e
vi c tim s of thei r mood s whi ch r ep el p eopl e an d
,

di scoura ge bu si n ess .

We a v oi d morose gl oomy peopl e j u st as w e

,

a v oid a pi ct ure wh i ch m a k es a di sa gr eeabl e

i mpr essi on up on us We i n st i n c ti v ely t ur n to

.

t h ose w ho a r e b ea u t iful ha rmon i ou s su n n y

, ,

soul ed .

Peopl e lik e a n d b eli ev e i n u s i n pr op or ti on to

our a gr eea bl en e ss a n d helpful n ess A m orbi d
.

m i n d u su a lly mean s a w a rp ed twi sted j udg

,

me n t .

S om et i m es a n en tir e hou sehold b ec om es i n

f ect ed by th e pr esen c e of on e sour morose , ,

d i scon ten t e d m emb er H e i s n eve r sat i sfied

.

wi th the w ea ther or wi th the pl a n s of the rest

,

o f the f a m ily .H e n ev er w a n t s to go out wh en

or whe r e th e othe r s do ; wh en th ey w a n t to

d riv e i n on e dir ect i on he i s sur e to w a n t t o

,

o i n som e othe r on e I n fa c t h i s d esir es a n d

g . ,

pl a n s ar e a lw a y s opp osed to thei r s H e i s out .

of ha r mon y wi th h i s en v i r on m en t ; he h a s
no

pl ea sure i n c ommon wi th an y on e ab ou t h i m .

H e i s n ot on ly u n ha ppy h i m self but b e p re,

vent s other s fr om en j oyi n g

th emselves .
1 28 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH OUG HT

Tha t i t i s p ossi bl e for t hese p eopl e to con

t r ol t hei r m ood s i s oft en pr ov e d by som e on e
u n exp ec tedly c a lli n g up on the cross a s a b ea r — - -

”
p e rson A ba d spel l i s som eti mes i n st a n t ly
.

br ok en by the soun d of a d oor bel l a n n ounc i n g

-

c omp a n y a n d th e vi c t i m i s a l l smi l es i n a
,

m om en t I t i s l i k e the h ab i t u al h ea da c hes
.

whi ch som e w om en ha ve whi ch a r e a l mo st ,

n e ve r k n ow n t o occur on t h e cl a y when t hey a r e

t o c a ll up on t he Presid en t or som e othe r i m

p or tan t p er son a ge When n ec essa r y th ey ca n
.

postp on e thei r h ea da ch es for d a y s So blu e .

p eopl e a r e a sha m ed to m a ke bea r s of the mselves

a n d h a v e t a n t ru m s w h en c omp a n y i s presen t .

I ha ve i n mi n d a ma n hvho su ffe r s so t erri bly

from blue fit s t ha t hi s whol e a pp ea ra n ce i s
c ompl et ely c ha n ged whi l e u n der t h ei r i n fl u en c e .

H e d oes n ot look l i ke the sa m e m a n H e is .

a b solu te ly un fitt ed t o a t t en d t o bu si n ess an d ,

e v en hi s b est fr i en d s t r y t o a v oid h i m H is .

whol e a pp ea ra n c e i s that of utte r d esp a ir o f ,

i n t en se m en ta l su ff e ri n g .

Now a l l th i s i s a d epl ora bl e w a ste of sp l en

,

di d en e rgy wh i ch m ight be u se d f or someth i n g

worth w hil e .

I sn t i t p athet i c t o see a st ron g vigorou s

’
,

m a n m a d e t o be a gi a n t a mon g th e forc e s of
,

t he w orld c ow eri n g the a bj ec t sl a ve of m en t a l

, ,
 CRI ME O F TH E B LUES 1 29

c l oud s wh i ch c ast d a rk sha dow s ove r h i s life ?

Thi n k of a ma n c a p a bl e of l ea d i n g hun dr e d s
or thou sa n d s of empl oy e es i n a gr ea t en t e r

pri se —
a m an of a ch i ev em en t b orn t o do ,

grea t t hi n gs lyi n g a r oun d for d a ys t he v i c ,

t i m of th e blu es i n the clu tch o f m en ta l

,

d em on s w h ich he ought to be abl e to throttl e i n

fiv e m i n u tes !
E v e ryw her e w e see p eopl e w i t h gr ea t a m
b i tio n s doi n g m ost ord i n a ry th i n gs si m ply ,

b e c a u se ther e a r e so man y da y s when th ey

”
do n ot f eel l i k e i t or wh en they a r e di s
”
c our a ged or blu e .

A ma n w ho i s a t the mercy of hi s di sp osi tion

can n ev e r be a l ea d e r a p ow er am on g men
, I .

kn ow a br a i n y m a n w h o w ould be c a p a bl e of
ve ry grea t t hi n g s but for the fa ct tha t he i s a
,

sl a v e to h i s m ood s Y ou n ev e r kn ow j u st how
.

to a pp roa ch h i m If h e i s i n a good h u m or h e
.

w i ll be op t i mi st i c a n d i n for eve rythi n g t ha t

ma rks progr ess .B ut W h en he i s blu e or ,

a n y th in g crosses h i m a ll hi s st an d a rd s a r e
,

d ow n ; h e i s p essi mi st ic everythi n g i s goin g to

,

th e d ogs . H e w i ll opp ose h i s p a r tn er i n e v ery

suggest i on t hat i n volv es exp en di t ur e h e w a n t s

t o cu t d ow n exp en ses cut off a dve r ti si n g di s

, ,

cha rge h elp ,

—
but t h e v e ry n ext da y per ,

ha ps if hi s mood ha s chan ged he wa n ts to

, ,
1 30 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

pur su e ju st the opposi te c our se So he see .

sa w s
1
,
a lw a y s w a y up or w a y d ow n the ,
—

v i c ti m of hi s mood s the sl a ve of hi s t r ea che r

,

o u s d i sp osi t i on I f he gets a li ttl e di sc oura ge d

.
,

i n st ea d of r esi st i n g h i s mood a n d t ryi n g t o

ov erc om e i t h e suc c u mb s t o i t s i n flu en c e a n d
,

dr op s i n to the depths un ti l h i s phy sic a l forc es

r ecup era te sufficen tly to throw off t he b on d a ge ,

b ecom e p osit ive cr ea t ive produc t ive a n d h e

, , ,

b ec om es n orma l h op efu l an d ch eerful a ga i n

, , .

Disc oura gemen t c ol or s the j udgm en t Peo .

pl e will do a ll sor ts of f ool i sh t h i n gs un d e r th e

pr essure of fea r I h a ve k n own men w ho ow n
.

t hei r ow n homes to sell pr op er t y or do t he

m ost ridicul ou s thi n gs i n ord er t o r a i se
m on ey b ec a u se they w er e a fra i d they w ould
,

com e to gri e f i n th eir bu si n ess i f they di d n ot

h a ve i t when a s a ma tt er of fa ct th er e w a s n o
,

r ea l c a u se for a n xi ety whatever When you .

a r e a t y our wi t s en d a n d do n ot k n ow w hi ch
’

w a y t o t ur n you a re i n d a n ger for you a r e

, ,

i n n o c on di t i on t o pl a n a n ythi n g or t o do
t he b est th i n g Y ou sh ould do your pl an n i n g
.

when you a r e c ool an d c a l m

"

Y ou a r e n ot c a p a bl e of c orr ect j udgmen t of ,

u si n g good sen se when ther e i s fea r or d oub t

,

or d esp on d e n cy i n your m i n d S ou n d judg .

men t come s from a perfectly w orki n g bra in ,

 CRI ME OF T H E B LUES "
1 31

u n cl oud e d u n t roubl ed fa cul ti es N ev er act

, .

up on tha t wh i ch i s suggested when you a r e i n

a st a t e of fear a n d a n xi ety C a r r y out your
.

pl a n s the c our se l a id d ow n when your br a i n

,

w a s cl ea r your h ea d l evel
,
When f ea r i s
.

i n the mi n d the men t a l f orc es a r e sc a tt er ed

a n d w e a r e n ot c a p a bl e of vigorou s concen

t r a ti on C a l m n ess p oi se b a l an ce m en ta l se
.
, , ,

r en i t y a r e a bsolu tely e ssen t i a l t o th e most

eff e c t iv e t h i n ki n g
.

O n e r ea son w hy so m an y men do n ot get

on i n th e w orld i s b ec a u se t he y d ecid e i m

p or ta n t m a tt e r s when the m i n d i s i n n o c on di
t i on t o d e cid e a n y thi n g w hen they a r e full
,

of f ea r t ha t t h e y a r e goi n g t o ha v e t r oubl e ,

t ha t they a r e goi n g t o su st a i n gr ea t l oss th a t ,

t he r e i s goi n g t o be a fin a n c i a l p a n i c T hi n g s.

d on e u n d e r such pr essur e a r e n eve r d on e

wi sely . Wi sdom i s wha t w e wa n t i n a n
emergen cy a n d wi sdom on ly c omes from a
,

l eve l hea d a c a l m cl ea r bra i n

, , .

Ther e a r e m en w ho a r e u sua lly qui te l e vel

hea d e d but w ho do the most f ooli sh t hi n gs
w hen di sc ou ra ge d or suff eri n g from the
“
blues a ct i n g u n d er th e i n flu en c e of th ei r
,

moods whe n the bra in i s cl oud ed i n exa c t

, , ,

unc ert a i n i n i t s processes i n stead of cl ea r

, ,

a c t i ve a n d wel l ba la n c ed
,
.
1 32 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT .

When a p erson i s i n t roubl e or a n em e

rgen cy
c on fron t s h i m tha t i s the t ime he n eed s a c ool
,

hea d a cl ea r bra i n a sou n d j udgmen t

, , If in .

s uc h a con di t i on t h e m om en t you fin d f ea r or
'

w orry t a ki n g possessi on of you you m u st n ot ,

d ec i d e a n yth i n g of i mp ort a n c e B ut you sh ould

.

a t on c e n eu t ra l i z e th i s c on d i t i on an t id ote i t by
,

sw i t ch i n g on the c ou n te r thought or m ood .

Ju st thi n k y our self i n to c a l mn ess p oi se G et , .

p osse ssi on of your self get your men ta l b a l a n ce

, ,

t h en you w i ll b e i n a p osi t i on t o do th e l e v el

h ea de d sen si bl e t h i n g ; but n ev e r a ct i n i m
,

p orta n t ma t te rs wi th a t roubl e d w orri ed

.
, ,

a n x i ou s m i n d.

I t w a s n ot i n ten ded that man should be a

sl a v e t o hi s p a ssi on s a v i c t i m of h i s mood s o r
, ,

tha t h e sh ould n ee d to c on sul t h i s f eel i n gs a s

t o wh ether h e can p e rfor m th e du t i es of a m a n ,

or c a rry out h i s l i fe pr ogra m He was.

fa sh i on e d t o r ul e t o d omi n a te t o be ever mas

, ,

t er of hi m self of h i s en viron men t

, .

I t i s p erf ect ly possibl e for a w ell t ra i n ed -

m i n d c om pl et ely t o r ou t the w or st c a se of the

blu es i n a few mi n u tes ; but the t r oubl e with
m ost of u s i s t ha t i n stea d o f fl i n gi n g op en the
men ta l bl i n d s a n d l ett i n g i n the sun of ch ee r
ful n ess h op e a n d op t i m i sm w e keep th em
, , ,

cl osed an d tr y to ej ect the d a rkn ess by ma i n

 CRI ME O F TH E B LUES 1 33

forc e wh en on e gli mm er of soul sun shi n e

,
-

w ould d i ssip at e the bla ckn ess skel eton s th e -

,

blu e d evil s a n d bl a ck de vil s whi ch thrive i n

,

the d a rk n ess .

T he a r t of a rt s i s t o l ea rn h ow t o cl ea r th e
m i n d of i t s en emi es , en em i es o f our com
—

fort happi n ess a n d succ ess It i s a grea t

, , .

t hi n g to l ea rn to f ocu s t he m i n d up on the b ea u
t i ful i n st ea d of th e ugly t h e t ru e i n st ea d o f t h e
,

fa l se up on ha rm on y i n st ea d of di sc ord l i f e i n
, ,

st ea d of dea th h ea l th i n st e a d of d i sea se
, an d ,

i s n ot a lwa y s ea sy b ut i t i s p ossi bl e to e v e ry
,

b ody I t r equ i r es on ly a l i ttl e sk i lful th i n k i ng

. ,

t h e for mi n g of the right though t h a b i t s .

I f you a b solu t ely re fu se t o en t er ta i n the se

bl a c k d evil s wh ich r ob you of your h a pp i n ess ,

if you sh ut t hem out an d den y them a d mi s

si on w h en you on c e see tha t t hey on ly ha v e t h e

r ea li t y wh i ch you giv e t h em they will c ea se

,

com i n g t o you .

T he b est w ay t d k eep out da rkn ess i s t o k eep

t he life fill e d wi th light ; to k eep out d i sc ord ,

k eep i t fill e d with h a rmon y ; to sh ut out e rror ,

k eep t he m i n d fill e d wi th t ruth ; t o sh u t ou t

ugli n ess ,
c on tem pl at e b ea uty a n d l oveli n ess ;
t o get rid of a ll tha t i s sou r a n d u n whol esom e ,

con templa te a ll tha t i s sweet a n d whol esom e .

Opp osit e thoughts ca n n ot occ upy the mi n d a t

1 34 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

th e sa m e ti m e . Why n ot form the hab i t of en

t er t a i n i n g your thought
fr i en d s i n st ea d of your
t hought en em i es ; h a rm on y fri en d s t ru th ,

fri en d s b ea u ty fr i en d s i n st ea d of the ir oppo

, ,

si t e s w h i ch scr a wl th ei r hid eou s i ma ges a n d

,

a u togra p h s up on your m i n d ?

We should ea rly form the habit of e ra si n g

from th e mi n d a ll d i sa greeabl e u n h ea l th y , ,

d eath d ea l i n g thoughts We sh ould sta rt ou t

-
.

e v e ry morn i n g wi th a cl ean sl a t e We should .

bl ot out fr om our men ta l ga ll ery a ll d i sc orda n t

p i ct ur es a n d r epl a c e them w i th the b a rmo
,

n i on s upl i ft i n g life gi vi n g on es
, ,
-
.

Thi n k of a man lik e Roosev el t w i th the a bil ,

i ty to i n flu en c e th e w orld s c i v i l i z a t i on w a i t i n g
’

r ou n d i n the morn i n g on h i s m ood s b efor e h e

can t ell wh ethe r or n ot he ca n do a m a n s
’

w ork w a i t in g t i ll h e f eel s l i ke i t
,
Thi n k of
such a m an con sul t i n g som e wh i m som e i n ,

di sp osi t i on a s to whether h e ca n p erfor m som e

,

gr ea t t a sk up on wh i ch p erha p s t he w elf a r e of
, ,

a n at i on d ep en d s !

N o ma t t e r wh eth er you feel li ke i t or n ot ,

j u st affir m th at you mu st feel l i k e i t t ha t you ,

w i ll f eel l i ke i t t ha t you do f ee l l i k e i t t h a t
, ,

you a r e n or m a l a n d tha t y ou a r e i n a p osi t i on

t o do y our b e st Say i t d elib er a t ely a ffirm i t
.
,

vi gor ou sly a n d i t will come t ru e

, .
 CRI ME O F TH E B LUES 1 35
l

Ev ery t i me you c a tc h your self w orryi n g or

’

fr ett i n g or b ei n g a n xi ou s un n at ur a lly st ra in
,

i n g an d st rivi n g a n d r esi st i n g j u st p a u se for

,

a fe w m om en ts a n d sa
y to your self T hi s “
,

i s n ot livi n g the l i fe of a n i n t elligent th i n k ,

i n g b ei n g n ot the l i f e of a r ea l ma n
, It i s .

j u st the b a r e exi sten c e of a n ign oran t m a n

w ho has n ev e r ta sted the j oy s of n orma l liv
i n g br oa d exi st en c e
, .

T he com i n g ma n w i ll n ot sa y t o hi mself I ,

sha ll w a i t a n d see how I f eel i n the m or n i n g

be fore l a y i n g out my progra m I f I do n ot

.

ha v e a n a tta c k of the blu es or dy sp ep si a

‘ ’

i f my l i v e r i s a l l r i ght if m y b ody d oes n ot sa y

,

no,
’I
will go to m y offié e a n d c a rry out my
”
r og r am T h e re will be i n fin i te ly mo r e ce r
p .

t a i n ty i n such a l i fe tha n a t pr esen t M an w i ll .

n ot be a v i c ti m o f hi s mood s a sl a v e of h i s
,

feeli n gs hi s food or the w ea ther

, ,
.

T he n ex t t i me you a r e i n t roubl e or f eel ,

d i sc oura g ed a n d thi n k you a r e a fa i lur e j u st ,

t r y the exp eri men t of a fli r mi n g vigor ou sly ,

p er si st en t ly tha t all tha t i s r ea l must be good

, ,

’
for G od ma d e a l l t ha t i s a n d wha tev e r d oesn t
,

see m t o be good i s n ot lik e i t s C r ea to r ca n ,

n ot be r ea l Pe r si st i n thi s a ffirma t i on Y ou
. .

will be surpri sed to see how u n fortu n a t e sug

gesti on s an d a dverse con di tion s will mel t a way .
 1 36 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT
T he xt ti m e you feel the blu es or a
ne

fit of d epr essi on or d esp on d en cy c om i n g on ,

j u st get by your self if p ossi bl e a ft er ta ki n g

'

, ,

a good b a t h an d dr essi n g y ourself b e com i n gly

.

a n d g i v e y our self a o od t a l k i n g to Ta lk
g
— -
.

t o yourself i n th e sa m e d ea d i n ea r n est w a y - -

t ha t you w ould t o your ow n c h ild or a d ea r

fri en d w ho w a s d eep i n the m ir e of de
spon den cy suffe ri n g
, to r t ur es fr om m el an
choly Driv e out the bl a ck h id eou s pic tur es
.
,

wh ich ha un t your m in d S weep aw a y a l l de .

pressi n g thought s suggest i on s a l l th e rubbi sh

, ,

t ha t i s t roubl i n g you L et go of eve ryth i n g

.

t ha t i s u n pl easa n t a l l the m i sta k es a l l th e di s

, ,

a gr eeabl e p a st ; j u st ri se up i n a r ms a ga i n st

t he en em i es of y our p ea c e a n d ha pp i n ess sum ,

m on a l l the for c e you ca n m u st er a n d dr i v e

Resolve tha t n o matte r wha t ha p
"

t hem out .

p en s you a r e goi n g to be ha ppy th a t you a r e ,

goi n g t o en j oy yourself Ju st say to your self.

,

Thi s i s a n a bn orma l con di ti on H a rmon y i s .

t he ev e rl a st i n g fa c t D i sc ord m u st b e a n un
.

”
r ea l i t y an a bsen c e of ha rmon y the r eal i t y
, , .

A fte r a li ttl e pra ct i se of th i s sor t you will be

a bl e t o cl ea r y our m en ta l sky of a l l cl oud s a n d

k eep i t cl ea r ; k eep your m i n d fr ee fr om y our

en e m i es .

Somet i mes when w e ha v e b een

,
t erribly de
 CRI M E O F TH E B LUES 1 373

p ressed a n d su ff e ri n g fr om the blu es som e ,

t h i n g h a s ha pp en e d t o c han ge th e whol e m en
tal a tt i t ud e i n stan tly —
p erha p s the a rriva l of
a d ea r ol d fri en d of ou r y ou th a n ol d cl a ss
,

m a t e or som e on e whose w i t a n d fun n y st or i es

,

ha v e driv en t h e blu e d evil s a ll out of our

“

m i n d ; p erha p s a cha n ge of s cen e i n t r a v el i n g ,

or some ha ppy exp e ri en c e or u n exp ec t ed suc

c ess whic h has wrought th e sa m e resul t

, .

Wha teve r i t ma y be the blues a re a lwa y s

,

driv en out by th e opp osi t e suggest i on t o tha t

from whi c h we a r e su ff er i n g In othe r w ord s
.
,

i t i s the a n t i dot e t o ou r d epr essi on whi ch k i ll s

t h em . T he hold i n g of the opp osi t e thought i n
the m i n d driv es out k i ll s or n eu t ra liz es the
,

di sc ord .

When you f eel the blu es comi n g on con ,

c en t r a te your m i n d v i gorou sly up on th e v e ry

opposi t e qu a li t i e s h old t he i d ea l s of c h ee rful
,

n e ss,
c on fid en c e gra ti t ud e good will t ow a rd s
, ,
-

ev e ryb ody , a n d you will be surpr i se d t o see

how quickly th e en emi es wh i ch w er e d oggi n g

your step s a n d m a ki n g your l i fe m i serabl e
w i ll di sa pp ea r j u st a s the da rkn ess d oes wh en
,

t he sh u tt er s a r e op en e d a n d th e light ru sh es
in. We do n ot drive out th e da rkn ess but ,

i n t roduce i t s a n t id ote light which i n st an t ly

, ,

n e u t ra liz es i t . When you ar e l ow spiri ted -

1 38 M IRACLE O F RIGHT TH O UGHT

an d feel blu es gett in g a grip up on you

th e ,

j ust stop wha t ev er you a r e d oi n g a n d m ak e

a bu si n ess o f drivi n g th ese en em i es out o f

your mi n d n eut ra l i z i n g them ki ll i n g them

, , ,

by their opp osi te suggest i on s Y ou kn ow p er .

fect ly w ell that a ch eerful b ea u t i ful thought, ,

n o ma t t e r how d i fficul t i t m a y be for you t o

hold i t when you a r e su ffe r i n g w i ll soon br i n g ,

you r el i e f A ssu me the chee rful hop eful v i r

.
,

t ue if you ha v e i t n ot a n d i t w i ll soon be
, ,

yours .

T h e n ex t t i me you feel j a d e d d i sc our a ged , ,

”
c ompl etely pl a ye d out a n d blu e you w i ll
prob ably fin d i f you l ook for th e rea son t ha t
, ,

you r c on di ti on i s l a rgely du e to exh au ste d vi

t a li t y e i ther fr om ove rw or k ; ov er eat i n g or
, ,

v i ol a t i n g i n som e w a y the l a w s of d i gest i on ,

or from i rregul a r ha b i t s of some k i n d .

Y ou should t r y to get i n t o th e most i n t er est

i n g soci a l en v i ron m en t p ossi bl e or se ek som e ,

i n n oc en t a mu sem en t tha t w i ll m a ke you l a ugh

a n d ch eer you up S ome p eopl e fin d thi s r e
.

fr eshmen t i n thei r ow n home romp i n g w i th th e

chi ldren ; other s a t the thea ter i n pl ea sa n t ,

c on versat i on or i n buryin g th em selves i n a

,

cheerful i n sp i ri n g b ook
, .

I f you f eel lik e i t ta k e a good l on g n ap

, , .

I ha ve a busi n ess fri en d who fin d s a w on

 CRIME OF TH E B LUES 1 39

der ful h elp , when he rea ches home t i r ed an d

w ea ry i n t a k i n g a hot ba th a n d putt in g on hi s
,

e v en i n g cl othes Thi s chan ge see m s to ma k e

.

a n ew m an of him .

S om ehow our t ir ed f eelin gs our t roubl es , ,

t r i a l s worri es a n d a n xi et i es seem to cli n g t o

, ,

the v e ry cl oth i n g w h i ch w e ha v e w orn dur i n g

th e da y an d the m e r e c ha n gi n g of i t seems to
,

c han ge th e curren t of the m i n d a l so .

T he c oun t ry i s a l so a won de rful refr esh

en e r a n d he a l e r of our w oe s A n hour s w a lk
’
.

a br oa d u n d er the op en hea ven a f te r a n exha u st

i n g p erpl ex i n g soul hat r owi n g da y s w ork

’
-
, , ,

will often c ompl etely ch an ge on e s whol e men ’

t a l a tt i t ud e .

S eek th e method of ch a n gi n g your men ta l

a t t i t ud e wh i c h i s b e st su i t e d t o you a n d you ,

will be surpr i se d to fin d the p oi son of f at igu e

fully n eu t r a liz ed the w hol e atmosphe r e of your
,

di scour a g ed thought chan ged a n d you wil l ,

soon feel lik e a n ew p e r son .

N o ma t te r how di scour a gi n g t hi n gs l ook

a rou n d you l ea r n to d om i n at e your en vi ron
,

m en t to r i se a b ov e t h e d epr essi n g i n flu en ces ;

,

t ur n y ou r b a ck on the d a rk n ess fa c e th e light , ,

a n d th e sha d ow s will f a ll b eh i n d you .

H ow l on g w ould i t ta k e a m a n t o c ur e h i m
self of mel a n choli a by holdi ng the m ela n choly ,
1 40 MIRACLE O F RIGHT T HO UGHT

gl oomy di sc oura ge d thought ? Y ou can n ot

,
”
cur e a fit of the blu es wi th mor e blu es ,

m or e di scoura gement .

G i ve your self a good hea r t to li ear t ta lk -

,

j u st a s you w ould if t ryin g to help your d ea r

e st fri en d w ho w as su ff eri n g fr om d eep de

pr ession a n d gr ea t d i sc oura gem en t A pp ea l .

t o your ow n b et ter n at ur e T ry to sha m e

.

your sel f out of your fooli shn ess S how your .

self h ow silly i t i s for a man t o yi eld to suc h

w ea kn esses Sa y t o your self

. Wha t woul d,
“

e v e r ha ve b ec om e of N a p ol eon or G r a n t i f

t hey ha d b een the sl a v es of t heir m ood s ?

Wha t would L i n col n ha ve don e i n a simila r
.

si tu a t i on ? Would he ha ve pl ayed th e b aby

a n d giv en up a n d g on e a bou t w i th a l on g

fa c e a n d d ej e cted cou n ten an c e a s t hough h e ,

h a d l ost hi s l a st fr i en d h i s l ast d oll a r ? I f I

,

a m su ch a w ea k si ste r such a n on enti ty th e

’
, ,
”
soon e r I fin d i t out the bett e r .

When you l ook a t i t squa rely i t i s a v ery ,

fooli sh a l most cri m in a l thin g to go a b ou t

, ,

th i s b ea u t iful w orld c r owd e d wi th th i n g s t o

,

d elight a n d cheer u s with spl en did op po rt un i

,

t i es Showi n g a sa d d ej ec te d fa c e a s th ough
, , ,

l i fe ha d b een a di sapp oi n tmen t in stea d of a

pri cel ess b oon Ju st say to yourself I a m a
. ,

m an an d I am goi n g to do the work of a m a n .

 CR IME OF THE B LUES 1 41

right up to me an d I a m goi n g to fa ce th e
’
It s
”
si t u a t ion .

I k n ow of a w oma n w ho w a s pr on e to fits
”
of d epr essi on of the ,
blu es w ho con quer ed
,

t h em by f or c i n g h e r self to si n g bright j oy ou s ,

son g s an d t o pl a y live ly i n spiri n g a ir s on the

, ,

pia n o when ever she fel t an a tta c k comin g

on .

T he p llin g p ow e r of a con tr a r y em ot ion

ex e

ha s a w on d erful effe ct up on the min d T he .

cure for ba d mood s i s to su mmon good on es

t o t ak e their pl a c es i n th e thought an d th u s
for c e them out .

A l though i t may be di ffi cult, i t i s n ot i m

p ossibl e to reverse the moo d .

I f you a r e a vic tim of your moods pu sh ,

right i n to the swim of thi n gs an d take a n ,

a ct ive p a rt wi th a r ea l in terest i n wha t i s

, u

goi n g on a roun d you A ssoc ia te wi th peopl e

. .

B e gl a d a n d happy a n d i n t erest yourself i n

,

oth ers . Keep you r m in d off yourself Ge t .

a w a y fr om your sel f by en t e rin g wi th z est

i n to the fa mily pl an s or the plans an d pl eas

,

ur es of others a bout you .

S elf d epr ec i at ion i s on e of t he cha rac ter

-

”
i sti cs of those su ff eri n g from the blues .

M ost of us do n ot en coura ge ourselves en ough

by opti mi sti c th i n ki n g by a u to suggest i on
,
-
.
1 42 MIRACLE O E RIGHT; TH O UGHT

H old the th ought that there i s n othi n g too

good for God s chi ld th a t i f you ar e ma d e i n
’

H i s i ma ge you m u st p a rta ke of H i s lik en ess ,

tha t i t w a s i n ten d e d you should live i n ha r

m on y prosp eri ty ; tha t a bu n da n ce a n d pl en t y
,

a r e y our b i r th right ; tha t j oy an d gl a dn ess

should en c omp a ss you .

D o n ot l et a n ybody or an y thi n g sha k e y our

fai th tha t you can con quer a ll the en emi es of
your p ea c e a n d ha ppin ess an d that you i h ,

h eri t an a bu n da n c e of a l l tha t i s good .

The blu es a r e often ca u sed by exha u st e d

n e rv e c ell s due t o ov er st ra i n i n g w or k
, l on g ,

c on t i n ued ex ci temen t or over st i mul a ted n erves

,
-

from d i ssi p a ti on It i s the cl a mori n g of ex

.

h a n st ed n erv e c ell s for n ouri shmen t r est or , ,

r ecr ea ti on M ul t i t ud es of p eopl e su ff er fr om
.

d esp on d en c y mel a n choly as a r esult of a

, ,

r un down c on di ti on p hy sic ally owi n g t o t he ir

-
,

irr egul a r v i ci ou s habits an d a l a ck of r efr esh

,
-

i n g sl eep .

When you a r e feeli n g blue or di scour

a ged get a s compl ete a chan ge of en vir on m en t
,

a s p ossi bl e Wha teve r you do do n ot broo d

.
,

ov e r y our t r oubl e s or dw ell up on the t h i n gs

which ha pp en to a n n oy you at the t ime .

Th in k the pl easan test happi est thi n gs possible

, .

H old the most cha ri tabl e lovi n g thoughts to ,

 ”
C RI M E OF TH E BLU ES
“
1 43

w a rd s other s . ki n dest pl ea san test

Say t he ,

th i n gs . M a k e a st r en u ou s effor t to r a di a te
j oy a n d gl a d n ess t o everyb ody a b out you You .

will soon b egi n t o f eel a won derful uplift ;

t he sh a d ow s wh i ch h a v e d a r k en ed your m i n d

w i ll fl ee a w a y a n d the sun of j oy will light up

,

your w hol e b ei n g .

Form a ha bi t of n ev er all ow i n g i n your

m i n d thought s or suggest i on s wh i ch ca ll up
u n pl ea sa n t subj ec t s or bi tter m em ori es a n d ,

w hi ch h a v e a ba d i n flu en c e on you .

Eve ry on e ought t o m a ke i t a life rul e to -

wip e out fr om hi s m emory e veryth i n g whi ch

ha s b een u n pl ea sa n t u n fortu n a te, We ought .

t o forget ev e ry thi n g wh ich h a s k ep t us b a ck ,

wh i ch h a s m a d e us su ff e r wh ich ha s been di s ,

a gr eea bl e a n d n ev e r a ll ow the h i d eou s pic t ur es

,

of d i st r essi n g c on d i ti on s t o en t e r our m in d s
a ga i n
. T h e re i s on ly on e th i n g t o do wi th a
d i sa greeabl e ha rm ful exp e r i en c e an d tha t i s
, ,

to bury i t for get i t

—
.

Dw ell i n g on u n for tun ate exp eri en ces m i s ,

t a k es on ly ma k es th em bigg er bl a c k e r mor e , ,

h id eou s F orget them t hru st them out o f your

.
,

m i n d a s you w ould a t hi ef from y our hom e .

Sa y to th em Y ou h a v e n o p ow e r ov e r me
, .

Y ou ca n n ot d est r oy m y p ea c e Y ou a r e .

n ot th e t ru th of m y b ei n g T he r ea li ty of .
1 44 MI RAC LE O F RI GHT TH O UGH T

me i s d i vin e Y ou ca n n ot touch pri n c ipl e

.
,

m y r ea l sel f . On ly the goo d an d t he t ru e a r e

s c i en t ific r ea li t i es a r e a b solu tely r ea l
, a ll el se
, ,

h ow ev er rea l i t m a y seem i s f a l se b eca u se

, ,

t h e r e i s on ly on e I n fin i t e Pow er i n the u n i ve r se .

A supr em e p erfect Be i n g c ould n ot h a v e

,

m a de i mp erfec ti on or d i scoura gemen t H ow .

e ve r r ea l they seem th ey a r e n ot r ea l i t i es
, ,

t hey a r e on ly the a b sen c e of h a rmon y t he ,

a b sen c e of t ru th .

We ha v e a l l ha d the exp eri en ce of su ff eri n g

from thi n gs whi ch ev en t ua lly pr ove d to be
"

a b solu te ly n oth i n g but pur e b ogi es of t he

im a gi n a t i on A sen si tive i ma gi n a t i ve m i n d
.
,

ca n c on jur e up a l l so r t s of h id eou s pic t ur e s ,

sa t a n i c im a ge s whi ch t or t ur e a s though the y

w e r e r ea l th i n gs .

M an y p eopl e driv e a w a y the blu es by

r ea d i n g someth i n g h umorous en coura gi n g or , ,

i n spira t ion a l I kn ow some who get great

.

h elp i n rea din g the Psa l m s a n d Prov erb s a n d

t he S a vi our s say i n gs Ther e i s a won d erful
’
.

upl i ft a h ea lin g ba l m i n these i n spir e d wri t

,

in gs .

A physi c i an who i s a n erve sp ec i ali st cl a i m s

,
”
t o ha v e f ou n d a n ew r eme dy for the blu es .

H e a dvi ses hi s p a t i en t s t o t r y t o sm il e u n d er
a ll c ircumsta n ces to c omp el themselv es to
,
 CRI ME O F TH E B LUES 1 45
,

l a ugh w hether they feel lik e i t or n ot .

”
S m il e he t el l s t hem
,
'

Keep on smili n g ;
.

do n ot st op sm ili n g ; j u st t r y tur n i n g up the

com er s o
f your mou th See how it mak es .

”
you f eel , r ega rdl ess of your m ood He .

ha s hi s p a t i en t s r em a i n i n h i s offic e a n d smil e ,

i f on ly m e cha n i c a lly a t fir st a n d a lw a y s urges ,

t h e m a t l e a st t o k eep a n upw a rd curva tur e of

th e c or n e r s of the m on th .

We w e re en d ow ed wi th every fa cul ty pos

si bl e t o en a bl e u s t o en j oy l i f e N ot st i n tedly .
,

but i n a ll i t s ful n ess gl ory c ompl et en ess

, , .

Un ha ppi n ess i s a s a bn orm al t o ou r n a tures

a s di sea se T he sp e ct a cl e w hi ch w e see eve ry
.

whe r e of a n xiou s wri n k l e d un happy fa c es of

, , ,

gl oom y d i ssa t i sfied expressi on s w a s n ever i n

, ,

t en d e d t o m ar t h i s b ea u t i ful gl a d ea rth It i s , .

a n t a g on i st i c t o a l l n at ure T he p i t i a bl e thi n g
.

a bou t i t a l l i s tha t t hese en em i es w h ic h r ob us

of our ha ppi ness wh ich dog ou r step s th rough

,

life a re n ot r eali ti es a t a ll but me r ely a n a b

, ,
.

sen c e of ha rm on y .

D on t est i mate your future by the l i ttl e

’

t r oubl es th at c on fron t you n ow T he bl a ck .

c l oud s w hich shut out your sun to da y will -

be gon e to morrow -
Lea r n to l ook a t l i fe a t
.

l on g r an ge an d to put the right valu es up on

thi n g s
1 46 MI RA C LE OF RI GHT TH O UGHT

There a r e man y t imes i n th e life of the

y outh w ho d oes thin gs th at a re w orth w hil e ,

when he gets t err i bly di sc oura ged a n d thi n ks ,

i t ea si e r t o go b a c k tha n to pu sh on B ut ther e .

i s n o vi ctor y i n r etr ea ti n g a n d w e should ,

n e v e r l ea v e a n y bri dges u n bur n ed b ehi n d u s ,

or l ea v e a w a y op en for r et r ea t t o t em p t our

w ea kn ess i n d eci si on or di sc oura g emen t We

, , .

should ha v e cour a ge a n d pluck a n d gr i t

en ough to pu sh on t o k eep goi n g w hen th i n g s
,

l ook d a rk an d when seemi n gly i n sur moun t

a bl e ob sta cl es c on fr on t u s .

M ost p eopl e a r e their ow n w or st en em i es .

We a r e a l l the t i m e qu eer i n g our l i fe ga m e

by our vici ou s t ea r i n g d own thought s a n d
,
-

u n for tu n ate m ood s Every thin g d ep en d s up on

.

our c our a ge our fa i th i n our selv e s i n ou r hold

, ,

i n g a hop e ful O p t i m i st ic outl ook ; a n d yet

, ,

w hen ever thi n gs go wron g wi th us when ev e r ,

w e ha v e a d i sc our a gi n g day or a n u n for t u n a t e

e xp e ri en c e a l oss or a n y m i sfor t u n e w e l et the
, ,

t ea ri n g d ow n th ought d oub t f ea r di sc our a g e

-
, ,

m en t l i k e a bull i n a c hi n a shop tea r th r ough

, ,

ou r m en t a li t i es br ea ki n g up a n d d est r oy i n g
,

the w ork p erhap s of yea r s of buildi n g u p -

,

a n d w e ha v e t o sta r t a l l ov e r a ga i n M ost of .

u s w ork lik e the frog i n the w ell We climb .

up on ly to fa ll b a c k an d so l ose a l l w e ga i n
, ,
.
 CRI ME OF TH E B LUES 1 47

When sha ll we l ea r n wa steful that the ,

d est ru ct iv e thoughts a r e our gr ea t en em i es ? It

t a k es but a few mi n u t es t o burn a hou se w h i ch
i t m a y h a v e t a ken y ea r s to er ect A sin gl e .

st r ok e of th e a rt i st s bru sh will ruin a pict ur e

’

on w h ic h he ma y ha v e b een w orki n g for yea r s .

I t i s p ossibl e for the m i n d th rough a n ger , ,

j ea l ou sy t h r ough p essi mi st i c m el an choly

, , ,
’
w orryi n g d est ruc t ive t hought s to spoi l l i fe s
, ,

gr ea t pic t ure w hi ch w e ha ve b een ma n y yea r s

i n p a in t i n g .

T ry thi s exp erim en t th e very n ext ti me you

,

get d i sc our a ge d or th i n k you a r e a fa i lure ,

t ha t y our w ork d oes n ot a mou n t to m uch

t ur n a b ou t fa c e R esolve that you w i ll go
.

n o fu r t he r i n th a t d i r e c t i on S top a n d fa c e the
.

ot he r w a y a n d go the oth e r w a y
,
Eve ry t i me .

you thi n k you a r e a f a i lur e i t help s you t o be ,

c om e on e for your thought i s your life p a tt ern

, .

Y ou ca n n ot get a wa y from y our thought .

Y ou ca n n ot get a w a y from you r idea ls the ,

st an d a rd w h i ch you h old for y our self a n d i f ,

you a c kn owl e dg e i n your thought tha t you a r e

th at you c a n t do a n ythi n g w or th
’
a fa ilur e ,

w hi l e a s other p eopl e do th at luck i s a ga in st

, ,

d n t ha ve t he sa m e oppor t u n i t y
’

y o u
,
t h a t y ou o

t ha t oth e r p eopl e h a v e your con viction s wil l

—

c on t rol the resul t .

1 48 MIRACLE O F RIGHT TH O UGHT

When you t ur n r oun d you r outl ook w i ll

,

t ur n a n d a l so your l i f e
, .

T he w orld ha s l i t tl e u se for t he man w ho

ha s n ot sa n d enough i n h i m t o bra ce up a n d
be a m a n whe n h e m eets wi th fa i lur e .

T he r e ar e thou sa n d s of p eopl e w ho ha ve
l ost eve rythin g they v a lu ed i n the w orld al l the
,

m a t er i a l r esul ts of t hei r l i ves en d ea vor a n d

’
,

yet b e c a u se they p ossess a stout hea rt a n

, ,

un con qu erabl e spiri t a d etermi n at ion t o pu sh

,

a h ea d wh i c h kn ow s n o ret rea t th ey a r e j u st
,

a s fa r fr om r ea l fa ilur e a s b e for e the ir l oss ;

a n d w i t h su ch wea l th t he y ca n n ever be p oor .

CHANGE TH O UGHT CHANGE
,
V II CHANGE T H E TH O UGHT C HANGE
.
,

T H E MAN

Eve ry a r t i s but the re sul t o f som e t a i ne d r fa c

ul ty o f m a n .

T he m a j or i ty of p eop le w ho m a ke a f a i l ur e i n
l i fe do so beca use t hey n e ve r l e a rn t o gua d r an d

st r en gt h en t h ei r w e a k p oi n t s .

To rre ct defici en ci es remedy de fect i ve fa cul

co ,

t i es, ov e rco m e p ecul i a r i t i e s and b r i n g t he m i n d,

i t o symm e t ry a n d p oi se so t h a t i t w i ll e xp re ss i t s
n

m a x i m u m o f p ow e r w i ll for m a l a rge p a r t o f t he
,

e duca t i on o f t h e f ut ure .

EARS
C en t ra l Pa r k a n d
a go,

ot he r p a r t s o f upp er N ew

Y or k C i t y w er e m a d e v e ry
u n si ght ly by squ a tt e r s ,

p eopl e w h o c a mped on v a
c an t l a n d s a n d bu i l t a ll
k i n d s of u n b ea ut i ful sha n t i es
on th e m T he y m a d e a gr ea t d ea l of t roubl e
.

for the r ea l ow n er s of th e l a n d esp ec i a lly ,

t ho se w ho r esi d e d a br oa d b ec a u se a ft e r a pr o , ,

t ra c t e d occup a t i on th ey w ould oft en d i spu t e

,

t he ow n e r shi p .

M a n y p eopl e a r e t r oubl ed w i th m en ta l
sq u a tte r s suc h a s pr e j ud i c e b i got ry super st i
, , ,

t i on c ow a rdi c e j ea l ou sy an d a l l ki n d s of li tt l e
, , ,

I SI
1 52 M IRA CLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

p eculi a ri t i es which seem ha rml ess a t first but

,

wh ic h gr a dua lly bec ome so en t ren ched i n the ir

l i ves tha t i t i s ve ry di fli cul t to di sp ossess th em .

O n e of th e ha rd est l esson s w e h a ve to l ea rn
i s tha t w e bu i ld ou r b odi es by our thought s ;
t ha t they a r e d i sc ord a n t or ha rmon iou s d i s ,

ea sed or hea l thy i n a cc orda n c e w i th our

,

ha bi tu a l thought a n d the thought of those w ho

prec ed e d us Ther e ar e those w ho ha vi n g
.
,

l ea rn e d thi s l esson ha ve ha d their coun t e ,

n a n c es so a l t e r ed i n a si n gl e y ea r by p er si st en t

r i ght thi n k i n g tha t on e w ould sc a rc ely r e c og

-

n i z e them They ha ve chan ged fa c es tha t w er e

.

l i n ed w i th d oub t di sfigur e d w i th fea r a n d

,

a n x i et y a n d sc a rre d by worry or v i c e t o r e
, ,

fl ector s of hop e cheer a n d j oy , , .

S a i n t Pa ul show e d sci ent i fic kn owl edge

w hen he sa id B e ye t r a n sforme d by th e
r en ewi n g of your m i n d ; that i s the chan g ,

i n g en nobli n g pur i fyi n g r e fr eshi n g of our

, , ,

thought s .

G r owt h everywhere n eutra lizes d eca y So .

l on g a s w e k eep growi n g r en ew i n g th e m i n d , ,

c on sta n tl y rea ch i n g out for the n ew a n d pr o

gressi ve the r et r ogra din g di si n t egr a t i n g a g
, , ,

i n g d eteri or a t in g pr ocesses ca n n ot be op er
,

at iv e .

There i s a l a w of p erp etu al r en ew a l a r e ,

 CHANGE TH E TH O UGHT |1
53

cre a ti on c on stan t ly goi n g on i n us which i s on ly

i n te rfe re d wi th by our adver se thought a n d
di sc ord a n t men ta l a tt i tud e .

The ma j ori t y of us ha v e ha d sta rtlin g ex

p er i en ces of sudd en m i n d ren ew a l which ha ve
c ome u n exp e c tedly a n d w hich ha ve driven
a w a y t he cl oud s from our m i n d s l et i n t he ,

su n shi n e of
j oy a n d happi n ess an d cha n ged
, ,

a t l ea st for th e t i me our w hol e ou t l ook up on

,

life When w e ha ve b een di scoura ged a n d

.

e v ery th in g l ook ed d a rk some good for t u n e h as

,

p erh a p s c ome to u s sudd en ly or som e j ovi a l

, ,

con gen i a l fri en d whom w e hav e n ot seen for

a l on g t i me h as c a ll ed up on u s or w e ha v e ,

t ak en a t rip i n to th e c ou n t r y a n d al l ou r m en t a l
,

h ur t s ha v e b een h ea l e d by the n ew b a l m of
suggest i on . S ometim es p erha p s when t ravel
, ,

i n g w e ha v e c ome a cr oss a bi t o f en t r an c i n g
scen e ry or some b ea u t i ful w ork of a rt a b ou t

wh ich w e ha v e r ea d a n d ha v e l on g w a n t e d to
see an d th i s st ron ge r a ff ec t i on an d i n t e rest
,

the ma rve l ou s suggest i on of b ea u t y gran d e ur , ,

an d subli m i t y—
ha s t empora rily complet ely
a n t id ot ed th e w orry th ough t s or fea r t hought s

wh i c h a lit t l e whil e b efore w er e d est royin g

ou r h a ppi n ess .

M an y p eopl e ha ve a n id ea that the bra in i s

n ot su sc ep t ibl e of a n y v e ry grea t chan ge ; tha t
1 54 M IRA C LE OF RI GHT TH O UG H T

i t s l i m i ts are fix ed by the d esti n y of heredi ty ,

an d t ha t ab out a l l w e can do i s to give i t a l i t tl e

p ol i sh a n d cul tur e .

T h e r e a r e pl en t y of ex a m pl es how e v er o f , ,

i n d i v i du a l s w ho ha ve c ompl et ely r evoluti on i z ed

por ti on s of thei r bra i n s a n d ha ve ma d e st ron g
,

fa cul t i es of those w hi ch w e r e w ea k a t b i r th or
d efic i en t fr om l a c k of ex erc i se The r e a r e .

m a n y i n st a n c es wh er e c e r ta i n m en ta l f a cul t i es
h a v e b een a l m ost en t i r ely w a n t i n g a n d yet ,

h a v e b een bu i l t up so tha t they ha v e p ow erfully

butt r esse d the wh ol e cha ra cte r .

T a k e c our a ge for i n st an c e
,
M a n y v e ry
.

succ e ssful p eopl e w e r e on c e so c om pl et ely

d evoi d of thi s qu a l i t y that the l a c k th r ea t en ed
t o wr ec k th ei r w hol e fu tur e B ut th r ough the
.

h elp of i n tell i gen t t ra i n i n g by p a r en t s a n d

t ea c h e r s t he y d evel op e d i t u n t i l i t b ec a me
st r on g .

T hi s w a s d on e by the cul t iv a t i on of self

con fiden ce by hold i n g t he c on st an t suggest i on
,

o f c oura ge i n t h e y ou n g m i n d by th e con
,

t em pl a t i on of br a v e a n d h er oi c d ee d s th e r ea d ,

i n g of the l i f e stor i es a n d w or k s of gr ea t h eroe s ,

by the suggest i on tha t fea r i s a n ega ti v e qu a lit y

—
the m e r e a b sen c e of the n at ur a l qu a l i t y of
c oura ge w hi ch i s every man s bir th r i ght
’
an d

by the c on st an t eff ort to do cour ageou s d ee d s .

 C HANGE T H E TH O UGHT 1 55

Wh en the worl d w as youn g t he brai n of man

wa s ve ry primit ive b e ca u se t he d eman d up on
,

i t was l a rge ly for self prot ect i on an d t he

-

a cq ui sit i on of food wh i c h c a ll ed on ly for t he

,

d e v el op men t of i t s l owe r i t s a n ima l pa rt , .

G ra d ua lly h ow eve r t h er e w as a hi gher ca l l

, ,

u p on i t an d a more va ri ed d evel op men t ,

u n t il t od a y i n t he high est c ivili za t i on i t ha s

, ,

b ecom e exc ee din gly c om pl ex .

Ever y n ew d eman d of c ivil i za t ion ma kes a

n ew c a l l up on t he b r a i n an d ju st a s t he
, ,

physi q ue of an i ma l s an d m en has b een modifi e d

t o m ee t va ryi n g c on d i t i on s of c li ma t e a n d of
ma i n t enan c e i t d ev el op s fa c ul t ie s an d p owe rs t o
,

meet t hese fresh c a ll s of a more c ompli ca t ed

l ife.

The bra i n chan ges t o meet t hese n ew '

d ema n ds up on i t d e ve l op s n ew c e ll s an d
,

st r en gt hen s we a k on es wh en eve r t he la t t e r a r e
,

b rought i n t o helpful a cti vi t y .

Prof El mer G at es t ra i n e d youn g d ogs t o

.

d eve l op some on e sen se su ch a s t hat of sight

,

or soun d . O the r puppi es of t he sa m e age a n d

of t he sa me li t t e r w ould b e k e p t i n su ch a w ay

t ha t t hose pa r t i c ul a r b r a i n c e ll s would n ot be
br ought i n t o a c t ivi ty i n wh i c h case t hey did
,

n ot d e v el op .

T he pa rt s of th e brai n pr es iding ov er c ol or ,
1 56 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

for xa m pl e w e r e so t ra i n e d tha t puppi e s c ould

e ,

d i sti n gu i sh si x or se ven di ff er en t sha d es of

green a n d r ed .

T h e bra i n i s m odifie d by i ts con di t i on of

a c t i v i t y the mot iv es w h ic h a c t u a te i t a n d th e
, ,

con d i ti on s wh ich the i n divi dua l ha s to m eet .

The bra i n of th e ma n w ho l ea d s a st r en u ou s
l i fe i n a grea t c i t y i s very di ff er en t from tha t
e v olv e d by a qui et lif e on a fa rm T he grea t
.

m ulti pl i ci ty of suggesti on s con sta n t ly h eld i n

t he m i n d i n ci ty life t en d to a m or e d i ve r se

developm en t of bra i n p owe r T he c i t y ma n

.

t h i n k s qu i ck er h i s mov em en ts a r e quick e r h i s
, ,

p erc ep t ion s sha rp e r be c a u se of the compl exi t y

a n d urg en cy o f the d ema n d s up on hi m so tha t ,

h e i s r ea lly - a di fl er en t sor t of ma n .

T he bra i n i s very ad a pta bl e . Ea ch v oca ti on

ma k es a di ff er en t c a ll up on i t an d de velop s
fa cul ti es a n d qua li ties p eculi a r to i tself so that ,

a s t he v a ri ou s pro fessi on s t r a d es a n d sp eci a l

, ,

t i es mul t iply the bra i n tak es on n ew a d a p t ive

,

qua li t i es thu s givi n g greater va ri ety a n d

,

st ren g t h t o civiliz at i on a s a ma ss .

T he c l ergym an for i n stan c e whose m i n d

, ,

for y ea rs i s cen t er ed up on spiri t u a l th i n gs ,

d ev el op s very d i ff er en t bra i n cha ra c te ri st ic s

from the l a wyer the mer chan t or t he a r chi
, ,

t eet .
 C HANGE T H E TH O UGHT 1 57
It i s ea sy to di st i n gu i sh b etw een a man whose
life has b een de vote d to in tell ectua l pursu its a n d
on e w hose life ha s been sp en t in dea li n g i n
mer cha n di se . Disti n c t fa c ul t i es a r e d evel op ed
and st ren gthen e d in the t ra d er su ch as ,

sa ga c i t y for es ight sh rewd n ess a n d th e a bilit y

, , ,

t o systema t iz e Lea der ship c a ll s out an d often

.

en ormou sly d e v e l op s c e rt a i n f a c u l ti es su ch as ,

i n it i at iv e the a b i l i ty t o use a n d c on t rol other s

, ,

kn owl edge of h uma n n a tur e a n d p en et rat i on , .

A n a mbi t i on a rou si n g en viron men t i s a

-

p ow erful i n flu en c e i n m odifyi n g br a in d evelop

men t a n d the cul t i va t ion o f ambiti on i tself i s a
,
.
.

good illu st ra ti on of the p ow er of suggest ion .

A boy born a n d r ea red i n a spa rsely settl ed

p ort i on of t he c ou n t ry may ha ve gr eat na t ura l
a bili ty i n a p a r t icul a r li n e but n ot comi n g i n
, ,

c on ta ct wi th the r ight st i m ulu s to a rou se his

i n dividua l ambi t i on may n eve r develop the
, .

p ow er to do th e grea test thin g p ossibl e to hi m .

O n the othe r han d i f he should go to the c it y

,

a n d get i n to a n a mbi t i on a rou si n g a tmosph e re

—
,

h i s whol e b ra i n st ructure mi ght be very ma te

ri el ly chan ge d .

H ow often w e see exa mpl es of thi s sudd en

chan ge i n college m en e sp ecia lly those who
,

h a v e com e from the c oun try ! T he a tt ri t i on

of bra in wi th br a i n , t he c on ta gion of ambi ti on ,
1 58 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

an d th e c om i n g i n c on ta c t w i th a mb i ti on a rou s
-

i n g p e r son a l i t i es of ten giv e the you th a gl i mp se

of p ow e r w hi c h he n ev e r b e for e r ea l i z e d he

p ossessed a n d thu s a l t er hi s w hol e c a r eer

, .

T her e a r e m a n y i n sta n ces of st un te d t a l en ts

b ei n g quic k ly brought i n to v i gor ou s a c ti vit y
by a cha n ge of occup a ti on an d c on di ti on s w hen
t he p e r son s ha d n o previ ou s c on c ep t i on t ha t
t he y ha d a n y sp e c i a l a b i l i ty i n t hese l i n es .

We a r e j u st b egi n n i n g to lea rn som ethi n g of

br a i n d ev el opm en t p ossi bi l i t i es ; to d i scov e r
som et h i n g of the se cr et of br a i n c ha n g i n g a n d
-

of cha r a c t e r bu i ld i n g whi ch w i ll som e t i me

—

r evolu t i on i ze our method s of e duc a t i on .

T ea che r s a n d pa r en t s i n the fut ur e will be

t ra i n e d i n br a i n st udy . T he c om i n g t ea ch er
w i ll kn ow how to d evel op a n d st r en g t h en d e
fici en t f a cul t i es by syst ema t i c br a i n c ell build
—
.

i n g ; i n en l a rgi n g bra i n cells which p resi de

ov e r c e rta i n fa cul t i es .

T he l a te Prof essor Ja m es of H a rva rd sa id

t hat the sl i ght e st thought ch an g es th e bra i n
st ruc t ur e l ea v i n g i t s t ell t a l e w ork
. T he cha r
a c t e r of t h e t hough t i s c on st a n tly cha n gi n g

t he st ru ct ur e of the br a i n T he thought
‘

.
,

whethe r good or ba d l ea ves i ts furrow s i n t he

,

bra i n sub sta n c e Ev ery r ep ea ted thought ten d s

.

t o c on fi r m a habi t a n d mak es the probabili t y

 C HANGE T H E TH O UGHT 1 59

of a n y materi a l cha n ge r ev ersa l of the t en

or

d en ey so m uch the l ess F or ex a m pl e there i s

.
,

n ot h i n g wh ich w i ll c h a n g e a l ov ely c ha r a c te r

to on e tha t i s h id eou s a sw eet t o a sour on e

, ,

so quickly a s t he h ab i t o f h oldi n g r ev en g eful ,

ha t e ful thought s . I f you wa n t t o d ev el op a

l ov a bl e d i sp osi t i on you k n ow b efor e you be
,

gi n t hat you ca n n ot do i t by hold i n g h a t eful ,

j ea lou s en vi ou s u n cha ritabl e thoughts

, , .

Hold an y p a r ticul a r thought i n th e m in d

p e r si st en t ly u n t i l i t ha s for med groov es i n the
brai n t i ssu e a n d become d om i n a n t i n th e br a i n
-

st ruc t ur e a n d you ha v e p e r m a n en t ly cha n g e d

,

th e c ha r a c te r i n tha t d i r ec t i on Y ou h av e on ly
.

t o cha n ge your m i n d to a d esi re d dir ec t i on ,

holdi n g i t th ere t en a ci ou sly u n t il you ha v e

form ed a n ew men ta l hab i t Then you a r e i n.
,

t ha t p a r t icul a r a n ew cr ea t ur e
,
.

A grea t ma n y p eopl e w ho a r e con sc i ou s tha t

t he y ha v e c on si d e ra bl e a bili t y i n most resp ect s
ha v e a f eel i n g of b ei n g v ery d efic i en t or l a ck
i n g i n som e on e or m or e qu a li t i es a n d thi s ,

c on sci ou sn ess i s a c on stan t st u mbl i n g bl ock -

b ec a u se i t d est r oys tha t sup e rb self fa i th which —

i s i m p era t iv e for al l gr ea t a ch i evemen t s .

Th ese defic i en ci es or w ea kn esses a r e oft en

du e t o l a ck of d e vel op men t by ex erci se of the
por t i on of the bra i n whe re the qu a l i ti es a r e
1 60 MIRACLE OF RI GHT T HO UGHT
loca te d . I t i s p erfec t ly p oss ibl e an d v er y
pra c t i ca l gra dua lly to bu i ld up an d st ren gthen
these d efic i en t qua li ti es or fa cu l t ies an d to ,

ma ke the m n or ma l .

I f you a r e d efic i en t if you ha ve an y w ea k

,

fa cul ti es t ra i t s w hi c h you wi sh to st r en gthen

, , ,

con c en t ra te your thought up on the qua li ty you

d esi re The c ell s pr esi d i n g ove r that p ort i on
.

o f the bra i n w i ll be st r en gt hen e d by h old i n g

your thought the r e H oldi n g a c rea t i v e a i

.
,

firm a t i ve, c on fid en t thought will st ren gth en

the f a cul t y j u st a s doub t an d l a ck of con fi
,

d en c e will w ea k en i t .

I f you a r e v a cill at i n g i f you la ck d ec i si on

, ,

ju st a ssum e a d eci si ve men ta l a t t i t ud e Con

w
.

sta n t ly affifm tha t you a r e abl e to d e c i d e

w i sely fir m ly fi n a lly
, , D o n ot a llo
. w yourself
to th i n k tha t you a r e w ea k .

S om et i m es qu i t e st ron g fa cul t i es r ema i n

pra c t ic a lly un develop ed bec a u se ou r pr ev i ous
occup a t i on or men t a l a c ti v i t i es ha v e n ot c a ll e d

th em i n to pl a y a n d the y ha v e b een lyi n g

,

d or man t .

T he sc i en ce of bra i n buildi n g will t ea ch u s

-

how to preven t a n d h ow to el i m i n a t e i di osyn

cr a si es a n d p ecul i a r i t i es a n d how t o st r en gthen

w eak n esses wh ich n ow ha n d i cap so ma n y of

us . We shall l ea rn tha t symmetr i ca l bra i n de
 CHANGE TH E TH O UGHT 1 61

vel opm en t is
what gives p ower a n d tha t to ,

d evel op some p a r tic ula r fa cul ty or fa cul t i e s

a n d a ll ow othe rs w h ich a r e p e r ha p s equ a lly
,

a s i mp or ta n t to a t rop hy an d sh riv e l fr om di s
,

u se i s n ot sc i en t ifi c edu ca ti on a n d that th is
,

on e sid e d d ev el op m en t i s a c urse t o our c ivili

-

z a t i on a n d a m en a c e t o sa n i t y .

I f you wi sh t o cul t iva te or to i mprove a

w ea k or d efici en t fa c ul ty j u st hold t he pictu r e
,

of i t i n i t s p erfe ct f orm D o n ot hold t he de

.

fe ct i v e fa ul ty i ma ge
, . Thi n k of i t an d l i ve i t
i n y our though t s a s you w ould li k e to ha ve i t ,

a n d t r y i n e v e ry w a y to ex e rci se i t so tha t n ew

a n d b ett e r br a i n c e l l s w i ll be f orme d a n d t h e

w ea k on es st ren gth en ed .

N ot on ly ca n w e st ren gth en men ta l wea k

n e sses a n d d efic i en c i e s bu t i t i s p erfe c t ly p ossi
,

bl e to i n cr ease th e gen era l a b i li ty th rough the

p ow e r Of sugge stion . In d eed the suscepti
,

bi l i ty of a l l the m en ta l f a c ult i es to i m prov e

men t t o en la rgemen t i s someth i n g rema rkabl e
, , .

S ometi m es v ery stron g fa cul ti es ar e l a ten t

u n til espec1 a l l y a r ou se d The r e a r e man y peo
.

pl e w ho p a ss for Cow a rd s ; w ho a r e h u m ili a te d

b e c a u se th ey a pp a r en tly hav e so li ttl e cour
a ge w he n i f th ey on ly k n e w h ow th ey c ould
, , ,

st ren gthen th i s d efici en t f a cul ty w on d er fully

by holdi n g the c oura geou s ideal ; by thin ki n g

1 62 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

an d doi n g t he c oura geou s dee d ; by c a rryin g

t he though t o f f ea rl essn ess ; by r ea d i n g ab ou t
h eroic It s by con stan tly thi n k i n g t he h e roi c
‘

thought a n d t ry i n g to liv e i t Cour a ge m ay

.

be sma ll i n a p er son b ec a u se i t has n ev er b een

c a ll ed i n to suffici en t exe rc i se I t ma y n ee d
.

on ly t o be a rou sed There a r e man y p eopl e

.

l i vi n g lives of m edi ocrity w ho might do grea t

t hi n g s m ight b ec ome m en ta l gi an t s if the i r
,

dorm an t fa cul ti es we re a rou se d their gen er a l

,

a bil i t y i m prov ed a n d en l a rged .

Lea rn to a sse rt stoutly the possessi on of

wha teve r you l a c k ; I f i t i s c oura ge or sta yi n g
p ow er a sse rt these qua lit i es as y ours by divi n e
,

r ight B ea r i n m i n d th at they a r e your birth

.

rights a n d stoutly r efu se to give them up B e .

thor ough ly c on vi n c ed that they bel on g t o you ,

t ha t you a c t u a lly p ossess them a n d you will

,

win .

We b ecome lik e our aspi rat i on s I f

t en d to .

w e c on sta n t ly a spir e an d st rive for someth i ng

better an d higher a n d n obl er we can n ot h elp
,

i mprovi n g The ambi tion that i s domin an t i n

.

the mi n d t en d s to w ork i t self out i n the life .

I f thi s a mbit i on i s sordid a n d l ow a n d an imal ,

w e sha ll d evel op these q u ali t i es for our lives

,

foll ow our id ea l s .

M an y p eopl e ha v e the i mpr essi on that thei r

 CHANGE T H E TH O UGHT 1 63

a bilit y i s som ethi n g tha t i s in heri ted an d that ,

w h il e they ma y poli sh i t a li ttl e they ca n n ot ,

a dd t o i t or en l a rge i t . B ut w e a r e b egi n n i n g
t o se e that a l l the m en t a l f a c ul t i es a r e c a p a bl e
of v e ry gr ea t en l a rgem en t . T he bra i n p ow e r
ca n be i n c r ea sed i mm en sely by sy stema t i c
thought edu c a ti on . I n f a ct ther e i s n ot a
,

si n gl e fa c ul t y w h i ch can n ot be v ery ma t eri a lly

i mprov ed i n a com p a ra tiv ely shor t t i m e .

T he t i m e will c om e when on e of the pri n ci

pa l obj ect s oi e duc a t i on w i ll be the p oi si n g of
the m i n d ; ba l a n c i n g i t m a k i n g i t sym m et r i c a l
, ,

a n d st r en g th en i n g i t s w ea k c ell s by t h e bu i ld

i n g up of d e f ec t iv e or d efici en t f a cul t i es by ,

sc i en t i fic a lly e x e rc i si n g tha t p or t i on of the

bra i n whi ch pr esi d es ov er them .

We sha ll ul t i mat ely l ea rn tha t vici ou s a n d

c ri mi n a l t en d en ci es ev en when h er ed i ta ry
, ,

m a y be e duc a t e d out of the bra i n a n d sym ,

met ry a n d p ow e r be ob t a i n ed .

Ther e i s eve ry evid en c e i n th e hu man pl an

t ha t m an w a s ma d e t o expr ess c om pl et en ess ,

Whol en ess n ot a ha lf n or a fra ct i on of hi m

—

self ; a h u n dr e d n ot t w en t y fiv e n or fif t y pe r
-
,

c en t of hi s p ossibil i ti es ; ma d e to express ex
.

cel l en ce n ot m ed i ocri t y a n d tha t th e ha lf l i v es

, ,

a n d qu a r t er liv es wh ic h w e see ev erywhe r e a r e

a bn orma l .
1 64 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

T he r wd e st th i n g a m an ca n do i s t o put
sh e

hi mself b eyon d the p ossi bl e self wr eck a ge from

-

hi s ow n d efic i en ci es a n d w ea kn esses a n d vi
ci ou s t en d en c i es .

In st ea d of tr ymg to root out a d e fe ct or a

v i c i ou s qu a l i ty d i r ec tly cul t i va te t he opposi t e
,

qua li ty Per si st i n th i s a n d the other w i ll

.
,

gra dua lly di e . K i ll the n egat i v e by cu l ti

v a ti n g the posi ti v e .

T he cra v i n g for someth i n g h igh e r a n d b et

t er i s the b est possi bl e a n t i dot e or r emedy for
t he l owe r ten den ci es whi ch on e wi sh es t o get
rid of.

When the gen e ra l habi t of alw a y s a sp i r i n g

,

m ovi n g upwa rd s a n d cl i mb i n g t o som ethi n g

h i gher a n d b ett er i s f orm ed the u n desirabl e
,

qua l i t i es a n d th e v i ciou s ha b i t s w i ll fa d e a w a y ;
t h ey will di e fr om l a c k of n our i shmen t . O n ly
th ose th i n gs gr ow i n ou r n a t ur e wh ich a r e fe d .

T he qu i ckest w a y to k i ll them i s t o c u t off thei r

n ouri shmen t .

T he impression hel d by p a ren t s a n d edu

ca t or s for c en t uri es th a t men t a l qu a li t i es t r a i t s
,

a n d fa cul t i es a r e n ot cul t iv a ta bl e or subj e c t t o

cha n ge to a n y grea t exten t h as b een en tirely

explod ed . I n t he l i t t l e k i n d e rga r ten pl a y s de
si gn e d t o de v e l op t he d i ffe r en t fa cul t i e s it is
,

fou n d that i n the coura ge pl ay s for ex ample , ,

 CHAN GE T H E TH O UGHT 1 65

the t i mid , sh ri n ki n g b a sh ful ch ildren gra d

,

n a lly d ev e l op gr ea t e r c on fid en c e a n d a s they , ,

b ec ome exp erts i n th ei r p a rt s thei r shyn ess , ,

se lf c on sc i ou sn es s a n d f ea r en t ire ly di sa pp ea r
-
,
.

T he li tt le j oy pl a y s l a ught er pl a y s or
, ,

c heerful pl a y s h a ve a ma rk ed i n flu en c e up on
children esp ec i a lly wh en they ha v e ve ry li ttl e
,

fun i n t hei r hom e l i fe a n d a r e i n cl i n ed to sa d

n e ss an d m el a n ch oly Their whol e expressi on
.

c ha n ges ve ry qui ckly i n r esp onse t o suggest i on

i n such pl a y s .

O n e of the cru el est th i n gs on e can do t o a n

oth e r i s to r epr oa ch h i m for h i s d efici en ci es ,

p ecul i a ri t i es or w e a kn esses Wha t such a

, .

p er son wan t s i s en c our a gemen t a n d help n ot

_ ,

a dd i t i on a l ha n d i c a p .

I f a girl i s l ess fa vor ed by fa cia l b ea ut y tha n

her comp an i on s i n stea d of b ei n g con sta n t ly r e
,

m i n d ed of i t she should be ta ught to hold the

b ea u ty i d ea l un t i l i t m od i fies her feat ures She .

sh ould be t old th a t soul b ea u t y i n fi n i t ely t ra n

sc en d s phy sic a l b ea u t y ; tha t by c on st an t self

,

i mpr ovemen t a n d t ryi n g to help others she ca n ,

ma k e h e r self so f a sci n a t i n g i n m an n er so un ,

sel fishly i n t er est i n g th at n o on e would n ot i c e

,

a n y p h y sic a l l a c k or irr egul a ri t y of fea t ur e or

form .

M ul ti tudes of p eople k eep their m i n d s so

1 66 M IRACLE O F RIGHT TH O UGH T

t ra mmel ed by ign or a n c e an d sup er st i t i on so ,

d e forme d by w orry cr i ppl ed by fea r a n d a n x

,

i ety tha t thei r br a i n s ca n n ot express a t en th

,

of t hei r ma x i m u m cr ea t iv e p ow e r Th ey n eve r
.

kn ow w ha t c om pl ete l i b ert y m ea n s Th ei r .

m i n ds a r e r estrict e d by t error s by hat r ed s by

, ,

u n r est ra i n e d p a ssi on s whi ch ma ke eff ec ti v e

thi n k i n g i mp ossi bl e B ut i t i s n ot so v e ry
d ifficul t to r em edy the se thi n gs if w e un d er
st a n d t he l a w of ha b i t for ma t i on T h e wh ol e
.

t h i n g i s si mply a qu est i on of u n r a v e l i n g th e
ba ll i n th e opp osi te d i r ec ti on fr om whi c h i t
w a s w ou n d .

Ta k e for i n sta n ce the hot tem p e r e d hab i t

, ,
-
.

S elf c on t rol i s n ot so very d ifficul t i f you j u st

-

cut off t h e fu e l wh i ch f eed s t h e fir e ; b u t w h en

t he hot bl oo d ru shes th rough y our bra i n you

fe ed th e con fl agr a t i on w i th t he suggest i on of
a n gry w ord s a n d a n a n gry p h y si c a l a t t i t ud e ,

a n d if you c on t i n u a lly r a i se y our v oi c e th r esh ,

y our a rm s throw thi n gs a cross th e r oom a n d

, ,

proc eed t o br ea k thi n gs up gen er a lly you ca n ,

w or k your self up i n to a t errifi c r a ge i n a v ery

few mom en t s .

I f on the othe r h an d you cut off the fu el

, ,

wh i ch fee d s t he burn i n g p a ssi on an d a p

ply the a n t id ot e j u st a s you w ould put out
a fir e wi th wa te r an d if on ly m ec han i c
—
,
 CHANGE TH E TH O UGHT 1 67

a lly t r y to a pply the l ov e thought t he ki n dly

,
-
, ,

good will thought the c ha ri ta bl e t hought the

-
, ,

do as you w ould be d on e by p hilosop hy

- - - - -

you
—

will be surpri sed t o see how qu i ckly these

a n t id ot es w i ll put out the fir e Y ou will then .

ha v e i n st ea d of a d est ru ct ive con fla grat i on

,

ra gi n g th rough you burn i n g up your en ergy ,

a n d c on su m i n g y our v i ta li t y a ki n dly good ,

will glow gra dua lly stea li n g ove r your en tire

b ei n g an d i n a very few mom ent s you will be
,

a t p ea c e wi th a l l th e w orld .

T he moth er c a ll s out of t he ch ild the idea l

qu aliti es wh i ch she sees i n i t M a n y mother s .

mak e the mi st a k e of forever l ook i n g for the

ba d i n the child t ryi n g to corr ec t the evil
, ,

up r oot a n d drive i t out

-
Thi s i s l i ke t ryin g .

t o ej ec t the d a rk n ess fr om a room wi thou t

op en i n g the sh u tter s a n d l ett i n g i n the light .

I can n ot sw eep the d a rkn ess out but I ca n ,

”
shi n e i t out sa id J ohn N ew t on
, .

Pa rent s t ea cher s reformers a r e b egi nn i n g

, ,

t o see tha t they c a ll ou t of those whom the y

wish to help jj u st w hat they see i n them be ,

c a u se their suggestive thought arou ses i ts affin

i t ies The subj e ct feels th eir thought I f i t i s
. .

a helpful i n spiri n g on e i t t en d s t o uplift h i m

, , .

I f on the othe r han d i t i s c on cen t ra ted up on

, ,

hi s d efec t s these very qu a li ti es wh ich they tr y

,
1 68 M IR A CLE OF RI GHT TH O UGHT

to r
e a se a r e on ly et ched d eeper an d ma de more
i n delibl e .

The me prin c ipl e a ppli es to ou r ow n i mpe r

sa

fecti on s ; our ow n u n foldi n g I f w e over em

.
-

phasi z e th e ba d i n our selves, i f w e a r e a lwa y s

c ri ti c izi n g our short c om in gs a n d w ea kn esses
an d ca st iga t i n g our selves for n ot d oi n g b ett e r ,

w e on ly d eep en t he un fort unate pic t ur e s i n our

c onsc i ou sn e ss an d ma ke them more i n fluen t i a l
i n our liv es .

On t he other han d if w e vi su a liz e t h e la rger

,

p ossibl e m a n or w oman a n d see on ly what i s

sublime i n our selves w e shall be a bl e t o mak e
,

i nfi n i tely m or e of o ur selves an d O p en up the

gl orious p ossibilit i es of what may prop erly be
c all ed a divi n e d evel op men t .

What a great thin g i t would be if we could

l ea rn a lwa ys to thi n k of our selves or o f oth e rs ,

when w e a r e ta lki n g wi th or about th em a s the ,

i ma ge a n d likeness of p erfect ion i n st ea d of ,

a s the wea k the d eb a uch ed ii n a gc the m er e

, .

burl esque of the man God made !

On e reas on why som e c l e rgymen ha ve been
a bl e t o r e volut i on iz e so m an y l ives i s be c a u se

t hey l ook e d t o t he G od s id e of peopl e a n d

-
,

hen ce n o ma t t e r how l ow t he y ha d fall en

, ,

sa w hOpe for t he m H owe ver blurred i t

.

seemed t he y c ould see t h e G od i ma ge b en eat h

,
-
.
 CHAN GE T H E TH OUGHT 1 69

No on e ca n help a n othe r ve ry much when

h e sees i n h i m a hop el ess p i cture On t he
.

othe r h a n d you ca n
, m a k e a p e r son do a l m ost

a n yt h i n g w hen you show h i m h i s p ossibili t ies

a n d m a k e hi m b e li ev e i n h i m self .

T h e gr ea t se cr et of P hi llip s Brook s s mar vel

’

ou s i n flu en c e up on p eopl e w ho ha d l ost their

se lf r e sp e c t a n d w er e w a ll owi n g i n
-
b ea st ly
ha b i t s w a s tha t he r efl ec t e d b a ck t o th em the
l ost i m a g e of th eir p ossibl e d i vi n e selv es Thi s .

pict ur e ga v e t hem hop e a n d en coura gem en t ,

for a s h e sa id n o ma n will e v e r be w i lli n g t o

, ,

live a ha lf life w hen he has on ce seen t ha t i t

i s a ha lf l i f e .

T he w orld h a s m a d e m a rv el ou s st rides a l on g
ma t eri al li n es i n m ult iplyi n g effici en cy of ma
ch i n ery ; i n c rea si n g fa c i l i t i es for ra pid t ra n s
por t a t i on a n d qu i c k comm u n i c a t i on of t hought ;
i n our e duc a t i on a l sy st em i n th e w a y of l ea rn
,

i n g th i n gs ; i n i n v en t i on s i n our m ethod s of
,

d oin g bu sin ess an d i n con t r olli n g th e forc e s

o f n a tur e ; but w e ha v e n ot ma d e ve ry
gr ea t progress i n the a r t of i n cr ea si n g h u ma n
ffici en cy i n sci en t ific m i n d bu i ldi n g m i n d
-
,

cha n gi n g m in d c on st ruct ion man bu i ldin g

,
-
,
-
.

T he fu t ur e p hy si ci a n w i ll b e a t ra i n e d p sy
ch ol ogi st a rea l e duc a t or of the p eopl e sh ow
, ,

i n g t hem how to th i n k pr op e rly ; expla i n i n g

1 70 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT
h ow right t hought ma k es r i ght l i fe ; tha t thei r
b odi ly c on d i t i on s a r e si m ply r efl e ct i on s a n d
ou tp i ctu r i n gs of t h eir men ta l a t t i t ud es pres
,

en t an d p a st , an d how by cha n gi n g the

,

thought t hey can c h an ge the life .

I f i n va l i d s a n d p eopl e i n p oor h ea l th coul d

on ly h old p er si st en t ly t he p e rf ect i m a ge of

th em selv es a n d n o m a tt er how m uch i t m ight

, ,

howl i n p a i n for r ecogn i t i on r efu se t o see the

,

si c k di sc ord a n t i m p erfec t i m a ge t h e h a r m on y
, , ,

t hought t he t ruth t hought w ould soon n eu t r a l

,

i z e th eir O pp osi tes a n d they w ould b e w ell .

A ll r e form s a n d a l l m en t a l h ea l i n g m u st r e
sul t from c ha n g i n g t h e mi n d ; fr om a c om pl ete

r ev er sa l of the m en ta l a tt i tude ; a t ur n i n g ab ou t
a n d f a ci n g t h e ot he r w a y .

I n pr op or t i on a s the h ea l er i s a bl e to an n i
hi l a t e t he si c k i m a ge th e di sea se i m a ge a n d
, ,

pict ur e vividly th e G od ma n the d i vi n e i m a ge

-
,

i n a ll i t s whol en ess a n d c ompl et en ess he i s ,

succ essful . When the m in d i s chan ged t he

m a n i s chan ged .
V III . TH E P ARALY SI S OF F EAR

Fea r an d wo rry m a ke us at t a ct r the very thi n gs

we d read .

T he fea r habi t i mp a i r s hea lth, sho rten s li fe and

pa ralyz e s effi ci en cy.

D oubt and fe a r me an f ai lure ; fa i th is a n opt i mi st ,

fea r a p e ssi m i st .

Fe a r i n a ll its di ffe ren t pha ses of r

ex p e ssi on ,

such as wo rry , a n x i e ty, a n ge r , j ea lou sy , t i m i d i ty, i s

t he g rea t e st e n e my o f t h e h um a n r a ce . It ha s robbed'

m an of m ore ha pp i n e ss a n d effi ci e n cy, h a s m a de

m ore m en cow a rds, m ore peopl e fa i l ures or forced
t h e m i n to m e di ocri t y, t ha n a n yt hi n g e l se .

c t whi c h H a ll ey s
HE e ff e
’

Com et rec en t ly ha d up on
the ign or an t a n d super st i
t i ou s p eopl e i n a l l p a rt s of
t h e w orld w a s som eth i n g a p
pa llin g M ul t i t udes w ere
.

c ompl etely prost rate d a n d

thou sa n d s m a d e ill with t error ; m a n y b e c a m e
vi ol en tly i n sa n e a n d sc or es com m i tte d suicide .

A gr ea t m an y p ea san t s i n Europ ean c oun

t ri es w e r e i n m om en ta ry exp ec t at i on that t he
c om et w ould a n n i hil a te the ea r th an d i n som e ,

tow n s messen ger s w en t th rough t he st reets

1 73
1 74 MIRACLE O F RIGHT TH O UGHT

bl ow i n g horn s t o awa k en the p eopl e to the

fa c t t ha t t he w orld w as c om i n g to an en d .

T he exp ec t a ti on th a t t he ea r th would be
burn ed up by the c omet forc ed m en to c on f ess
m urd er a n d oth er cr i mes of whi ch t hey w e r e
n ot ev en su sp e c t e d . M oth er s p oi son e d thei r
c hi ldren . Peopl e ord e r ed t hei r c offi n s fr om
u n de r taker s i n ord e r to be r ea dy for the t er
ri bl e c a l a m i ty. S ever a l p er son s a c t u a lly
dr opp ed dea d a t the fir st sight of the c omet .

I n the p oor e r se ct i on s of N ew Y or k a n d
oth er l a rg e c i t i es gr ea t pr oc e ssi on s of p eopl e

r ep ea t i n g th eir pra y er s p a r a d ed t he st r eets

wi th cr ucifix es i n thei r h a n ds their t error ,

st rick en fa c es t ur n e d to w a rd the sky M an y

.

w er e seen on their k n ees pr ayi n g i n t he st reets .

Ther e w a s grea t exci tem en t a mon g the me

gr oes i n the S outh w her e a ll n ight servic es
,
-

w ere held i n the c hurches n u mb er s professin g

,

sa lva t i on i n an e ff or t t o prep a r e t hem selv e s for

t he f a t a l da y when t he ea r th w ould be de
st r oye d by th e c om et s t a il I n n u m e rou s
’
.

pl a c es th e fa rms an d fi eld s w e r e pra c ti ca lly de

n u ded of help , the ha n d s p osi t i vely re fu si n g
to w ork .

I n Pen n sylv an i a thou san d s of m i n er s r e

fu sed t o go to their p osts whil e Op er a t ion s
,

w ere entirely su sp en d e d i n sev er a l mi n es .

 TH E PARA LY S I S O F F EAR 1 75

Si mil a r i n sta n c es c ould be m ul ti pli e d by t he

th ou sa n d s .

T he comet ga ve a n un u sual O pp or tu n i ty for

qu a cks to t r a de up on t he sup ersti ti ous f ea r s
O f the ign ora n t . The offic er s of on e of the
oc ea n l i n e r s r ep ort e d t ha t a th r i v i n g bu si ness

w a s b ei n g c on duc t ed i n some O f t he West Ih

”
d i an I l n d s by selli n g a n t i c omet p i ll s a t
s a
“
-

a d oll a r a box A s these w e r e very bi tter

.

t hey w er e supp osed t o be esp ec i a lly efli ca ci ous .

A ll th i s w ould n ot seem so st ra n ge i n the

D a rk A g es wh en p eopl e w er e d en sely ign or an t ,

but i t c e r ta i n ly i s l a m en t abl e i n th ese pr o

gr essi ve d a y s tha t a n y l a rg e n u m b e r of p eo
p le w i th a ll of th e a dv a n ta ge s of educ a t i on
,

a n d u n li m i t e d Oppo rt u n i t i es for en l i ght en m en t ,

should be so ign or a n t a s t o fea r h a rm fr om a

c om et w hich ha s b een v i si t i n g th e ea rth p eri

od i c a lly a n d h a rm l essly for u n t old c en t ur i es .

D espi t e a l l ou r boast s of educ a t i on en ,

v i r on m en t an d fr ee d om a n d O f the a dvan t a ges

, ,

wh ic h ha ve c om e t o u s through ma n y c en t uri es
O f exp e ri en c e va st m ul ti t ud es of p eopl e a r e
,

st ill vic t i m s of n u m b e rl ess si lly sup e r st i t i on s

a n d f e a r s t h a t en sl a v e d t heir ba rb a r i c a uc es

t or s .

T en s of thou sa n d s of w omen i n thi s c oun t ry

b eli eve for i n sta n ce tha t if t w o p eopl e l ook i n
, ,
176 M I RA CLE OF RI GHT TH O UGHT
a m i rr or at t he sam e ti me, or i f on e t han k s
an oth e r for a pi n ,gives a kn i fe or
or if on e

a n y sh a rp i n st ru m en t to a fri en d i t will brea k ,

up fri en d shi p They bel i eve tha t if a you n g

.

l a dy i s pr esen ted with a thi mbl e she w i ll b e a n

f
Old m a id ; that w hen l ea vi n g a hOuse i t i s u r
luc k y to go b a ck a fter an y a rt icl e whi ch ha s ’

be en forgot t en an d if on e i s obl i ged to do so

, , ,

on e m u st si t d ow n i n a cha i r b e for e goi n g out

a ga i n ; tha t i f a br oom t ouche s a p e r son wh i l e

som e on e i s sw e epi n g ba d luck w i ll foll ow ;

,

t ha t i t i s u n luc ky to cha n ge on e s pl a c e a t
’

ta bl e etc
, .

I kn ow the w i fe of an e di tor O f a promi n en t

ma gaz i n e w ho w a s compl et ely up set by fin d i n g
p ea c ock d ec ora t i on s i n a r oom wher e sh e w a s
v i si t i n g She pr edi cted a ll sor ts of ill luc k
.

for t h e occup a n t s .

T hi n k of a c oll ege gra d uat e b a seb a ll ma n

a ge r r e fu si n g to
go on wi th a game w hen ,

tho u sa n d s of sp ec t at or s w er e w a i t i n g un t il ,

t w o b at s w hi ch w e re cr ossed w e r e sep a r a te d ,

i n ord er to pr ev en t a h oodooed ga me !
Yea rs a go a m an took a n Op a l to a New
,

York j ew el e r a n d a sked hi m to buy i t H e .

sa i d t ha t i t ha d brought hi m n ot hi n g b ut b a d

luc k th at sin c e i t ha d com e int o h i s p ossessi on

,

h e ha d fa il ed i n bu si ness th er e had b een mu ch

,
 TH E P A RALY SIS OF F EAR 1 77

s i ckn ess i n hi s fa mily a n d a ll sor ts of m i s

,

for tu n es h a d b e fa ll en hi m . H e r efu se d to
k eep t he curse d thi n g a n y l on ger The j ew .

el e r ex a m i n ed the st on e a n d fou n d i t w a s not

a n Op a l a fte r a ll but a n i mi ta ti on
, .

In some c om m u n i t i es i t i s c on sid e r e d a
c ri m e t o r ock a n emp ty cr a dl e b ec a u se i t be
,

t ok en s tha t th e cr a dl e will a lw a y s be empt y ,

by r ea son of t he d ea th O f the b a b i es b orn t o

t h e ow n e r .

T h in k of i n telligen t A m er i c a n w omen b ei n g
m a d e i l l b ec a u se t h ey a r e obliged to rem ov e
t he ir w e dd i n g ri n g b eli evi n g tha t
, un ti l dea th
do u s p a r t r e f er s to th e ri n g a s w ell a s to t he
c oupl e a n d tha t the se veri n g of th e ri n g from
,

th e fi n g e r b et ok en s the sev er i n g of th e hu sb an d
a n d wif e !

M ul t i t ud es of i n telligen t p eopl e a r e a fra i d

to sta r t on a j ou rn ey or t o u n d e r ta k e a n y thi n g
of i m p or tan c e up on Frida y , a s though a
—

m e r e a rbi t ra ry n a m e of the si xt h da y O f the

w eek a d op t e d for man s c on ven i en c e should
,
’

p ossess i n t elligen c e for ce or l i fe !

, .

S ome t i me a go a ba n k fa il ed i n San Fra n

c i sc o b eca use i ts pr esid en t ha d foll ow e d the
c ou n sel O f a mediu m a s to h i s i n vestmen ts H e .

w a s f ooli sh en ough t o b eli ev e i n t h e a dvi c e of

a dea d fin a n ci er with whom the mediu m as
1 78 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGH T

s ure d hi m she ha d c ommun i c a t ed r a th er tha n

i n c omm on sen se an d h i s ow n exp e ri en c e d
-

j udgmen t .

The dire pr edic t i on s of qu a ck f ort un e t el -

l ers a r e r esp on si bl e for i n fi n i te m i se ry a n d a

gr eat m a n y d ea ths S c or es of p eopl e ha ve
.

c omm i tte d suic i d e u n d e r thei r i n fl u en c e .

I t i s i n cred i bl e th a t i n t ell i gen t p eopl e Should

be so men t a lly w a rp e d a n d u n b a l a n c ed by a s
t r ol oger s p a l m i st s m e d i u m s a n d fort u n e t el
, , ,
-

l er s tha t ma n y of the m ord er the i r en t i r e lives

by thei r a dvi c e O f cour se ma n y of t he th i n gs
.
,

w hich the fa k er s pr e d i c t do ha pp en esp eci a lly ,

w hen the w hol e m en ta l a tti tud e of th e gul ~

l ibl e vic t i m i s t ur n ed t ow a rd the pr e dict i on an d

a ll hi s f a i th c en t e r e d i n i t t o br i n g i t a b ou t .

M en ta l c on c en t r a t ion fa i th a n d c on v i c ti on a s
, ,

a m a t te r o f f a c t a r e w ha t m a k e th i n gs ha pp en
,

e v e rywh e re .

The m i n d s of ch ildr en O f ten get a n un for

t un a t e tw i st wh ic h l a t e r i n l i fe proves fa t a l
, ,

fr om ha vin g their for tu n es told at some fa ir

or pl a c e of a m u semen t or fr om th e supe r st i
,

t i ou s id ea s i mpr esse d up on them from i n fa n cy

by ign or a n t mother s or n urses esp e ci ally col ,

or ed ma mm i e s .

’
I t i s a t e rr i bl e thi n g to fill a child s suscep
t ibl e mi n d wi th sen sel ess sup e r st i t i on s be c a u se ,
 TH E P ARA LY S IS O F F EA R 1 79

m an y p eopl e n ev er ou tgr ow their in flu en ce an d ,

t heir w hol e liv es a r e sha d ow ed by th em .

Wha t a c ur i ou s con t ra d i ct i on of human n a

t ur e i t i s w hic h c a u ses p eopl e t o put so m u ch
‘

emph a si s up on the gr ea t p ow e r of d est i n y or

fa t e but m a k es th em b eli eve th ey ca n circum

,

v en t Or get a r ou n d i t by r e sor t i n g t o such si lly

d evic es a s c a rry i n g r a bbi ts f eet w i shb on es or
’
, ,

hor se chestn u t s i n th ei r p ock et s ! T hi n k of i n

-

t el li gen t p eopl e b ea ri n g th e st a mp O f d i vi n it y
doi n g such i n sa n e th in gs a s spi tt i n g on the
r i ght shoe b efor e putt i n g i t on p i ck i n g up
,

e v ery h a irpi n a n d h a n g i n g i t up on t h e fir st

ru st y n a il th ey see ; p i ck i n g up every pi n th at
i s p oi n t e d t ow a rd t h em i n order t o w a rd off
,

m i sfort u n es
We O ft en hea r i n tell e c tu a l p eopl e say that
sup e r st i t i on s a re ha rm l ess ; but n othi n g i s
h a rm l ess w h ic h m a k es a m a n b el i ev e tha t he
i s a pupp et a t the m ercy of sign s a n d sy mb ol s ,

om en s a n d i n an i m a t e r e l i c s th a t t h e r e i s a
,

p ow e r i n the w orld out sid e of O mn ip oten t In

t elli gen ce w orki n g i n opp osi t i on t ry i n g to do
,

h a rm t o m o r ta l s .

Wh i l e m a n y grea t m en ha ve ha d super
st i ti on s they w ould ha ve b een much gr eat e r
,

w i thout th em for sup er st i ti on ten ds t o w ea k en

,

th e mi n d An ythin g which ma kes u s b el i ev e

.
1 80 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

in or d ep en d upon a n y forc e or p ower ou tside

O f th e O m n i p ot en t C rea t i ve P ow er O f whi ch ,

w e a r e a p a r t or t o b eli ev e t ha t ther e i s a forc e

,

th a t ca n c i rcu m v en t or i n t erf er e w i th t he r eg
ul a r ord er a n d l a w wh i ch gove rn the u n iver se ,

l essen s ou r self con fiden ce self r esp ect an d

-
,
-
,

p ow er by so m uch .

Comm on sen se p eop l e ma y smil e at you

-

wh en you p a r a d e your supe r st it i on s but the y ,

w i ll t hi n k l ess of you whi l e they a r e doi n g i t ,

b ec a u se th ei r con fid en c e i n your goo d sen se ,

y our l ev el h ea d edn ess a n d a bili ty will be

-

sha k en .

Everywh e re w e see p eopl e d oi n g li ttl e

m ed i ocre t hi n gs w ho a r e ca p abl e of doi n g
m uch b etter an d would do them but for t h e
,

fa ct t ha t they a r e h eld ba ck t i e d down by the

, ,

bon d s of si lly sup e r sti t i on .

I f you a r e a mbi t i ou s t o mak e th e most of

your a b i l i t y cut th e c ord s of sup erst i t i on Ge t
, .

r i d of t h e cha i n s w h ich en sl a v e you wh ich ,

c rippl e your self rel i a n c e NO on e can do great

-
.

t h i n gs u n t i l he get s men ta l fr ee dom fr om the

sl a v e ry of fea r a n d sup e rst i t i on .

Ev erywhere w e see spl en did abili t y ti e d up

a n d c om p ell e d t o do med i oc re wo rk b eca u se

of the suppr es si n g d i sc our a gi n g i n flu en c e of

,

fea r On ever y h an d ther e a r e comp eten t m en

.
 TH E P ARA LY S IS OF FEAR 1 81

whose effort s are n ullifie d an d w hose abilit y

t o a ch i ev e i s pr a ct i c a lly r ui n ed by the d ev el op
men t of th i s m on st er wh i ch will i n ti me ma ke
,

the m ost d ecid ed man irr esolut e ; the abl est

man t i mi d a n d i n effi c i en t .

F ea r i s a great r obb er of p ow e r It p a ra .

l yz es the thi n ki n g fa cul t i es rui n s sp on ta n ei t y

, ,

en th u si a sm an d , self con fiden ce-

It ha s a
.

blight i n g effec t up on all on e s though ts ’

,

moods a n d eff orts It d est roy s a mbi t ion an d

, .

effi ci en c y .

Not l on g a go a publi ca t i on in te rvi ew ed

t w en ty fiv e h u n dr ed p e r son s an d foun d that
-

t hey ha d ove r sev en t hou sa n d d i ff e r en t fea r s ,

a mon g th em f ea r of l oss of p osi t ion f ea r of a p ,

pr oa chi n g wan t fea r of con tagion fea r O f the

, ,

dev el opm en t of some h idd en di sease or of som e

h e redi ta ry t a i n t fea r of d ecli n i n g h ea l th fea r
, ,

of d ea th fea r of p r ema t ur e buria l an d mul t i

, ,

t ud es o f sup er st it i ou s fea r s .

The re a r e pl en t y O f p eopl e who a r e si mply

a fra id t o l i ve sca r e d t o dea th for f ea r the y
,

w ill di e . Th ey do n ot kn ow how t o di sl odge

t he mon st er f ear tha t t er r i fies th em an d i t ,

dog s t hei r st ep s from th e c ra dl e to the gr a ve .

With thou san d s O f p eople the drea d O f some

i mp en din g evil i s ev e r pr esent I t ha un ts .

them ev en i n thei r ha ppi est mom en t s Thei r .

1 82 MI RACLE O F RIGHT TH O UGHT

happi n ess i s p oi son ed w i th i t so tha t they n eve r

t a ke much pl ea sur e or c om f or t i n a n yth i n g .

I t i s th e gh ost a t th e ba n qu et t he skel et on i n
,

t he cl oset . I t i s i n gra i n ed i n t o th ei r v ery liv es

a n d em ph a siz e d i n th ei r e xc essi v e t i m idit y ,

t hei r sh r i n k i n g self con sc i ou s b ea r i n g

,
-
.

S om e p eopl e a r e a fra i d of n ea rly everyth i n g .

T hey a r e a fra i d of a dra ught ; a fra i d of get ti n g

c hi ll e d or ta k i n g cold ; a fra i d to ea t what t hey
w a n t ; t o ven t ur e i n bu si n ess m a tte r s for f ea r
of l osi n g t he i r m on ey ; a fr a id of publ i c O p i n i on .

T h ey h a ve a pe rf ect horror of wha t M r s .

G run dy thin k s They a r e a fra i d h a rd t i mes

.

a r e c om i n g ; a fra id O f p ov er t y ; a fr a id of f a i l
f
u er a fr a id t he cr op s a e goi g to f a l ; a
r n i ai d
r

of light n i n g a n d t or n a d oes . The ir whol e liv es

a r e fill e d w i th f ea r f ea r f ea r
, , .

T he r e a r e m a n y p eopl e wh o ha ve a drea d of
c erta i n d i sea ses Th ey pict ur e th e horribl e
.

sym p toms t h e l oss i n p er son a l a tt r a c t iven ess

, ,

or t h e a wful p a i n a n d su ff e rin g th a t a ccom

p a n y the d i sea se an d thi s c on sta n t suggest i on

a ff ec t s t he a ppet 1 t e i mp a ir s n u t ri t i on w ea k en s
, ,

the r esi st i n g p ow er O f th e b ody a n d t en d s t o

,

en c our a ge a n d d ev el op a n y p ossi bl e he re di

t a ry t a i n t or di sease ten d en c y .

It i s w ell k n ow n th at durin g a n epid emic ,

even b efore an y physi c a l c on ta c t by wh i ch

 TH E P ARALY S IS OF F EAR 1 83

t he con ta gi on c ould ha ve b een i mp a rted t o

them w a s p ossibl e p eopl e ha v e d evel op ed t he
,

d i sea se they fea red si mply beca u se the y

,

a ll ow ed th eir mi n d s to dw ell on the t erribl e

th i n g they dr ea d e d
.

I n 1 888 there w as a n epidemi c of y ellow

f ever a t Ja ck son vill e Florid a a n d a very ex
, ,

t en siv e epid em i c of fea r t h r oughou t the S outh

er n S ta tes . The l a tter di sea se a m en ta l mal
,

a dy w a s mu ch m ore c on t a giou s tha n t he for

,

m er an d m u ch l ess a men a bl e t o t rea tmen t ; i t

vi sit ed every li ttl e town vill a ge a n d haml et i n
, ,

sev e r a l S ta t es a n d man y v i c t i m s di ed O f i t
, .

Ther e a r e man y c ases i n medi c a l hi story O f

pri son er s who w e re so terrifie d when they
c a me i n sight of the guill ot i n e or the gallow s ,

t h a t they di e d b e fore t h ey w er e exec u ted .

M an y soldi er s i n ba ttle w ho thought they

we re morta lly woun d e d h a ve died when a s a
, ,

m a tt er O f fa ct th e y h a d n ot b een t ou ched by
,

the bull et s or shell s a n d n ot even a drop of

blood ha d b een she d Vi ol en t fea r has b een
.

k n own t o bl ea ch th e ha ir i n a si n gl e n ight ,

a n d t erro r of som e grea t i mp en di n g d oom or

d an ger t o take y ea r s out of a life .

A medi ca l j ourn a l rep orts the ca se of a Ger

ma n phy si c i an w ho wh en ridi n g over a bridge
sa w a boy st ruggli n g i n the water a n d rushed
1 84 M IRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

t o t he r escue a n d w hen h e pul l ed the l a d to

,

sho re f ou n d i t w a s hi s son H i s fri en d s did

, .

n ot k n ow t he m a n n ex t da
y ; hi s ha ir ha d
t urn e d c ompl et ely w hi t e .

I t i s w ell k nown tha t when L udwig of

B a va r i a l ea r n ed of th e i n n oc en c e of hi s wife ,

w hom he ha d c a u sed to be put t o d ea th on

su sp i ci on of her u n fa i th ful n ess hi s ha ir be
,

c a me a s wh i te as sn ow wi thi n a c oupl e o f d a ys .

When Cha rl es the Fir st a ttemp t ed t o esca p e

fr om Ca ri sbrook e Ca st l e his ha ir t ur n ed wh i t e
,

i n a si n gl e n ight T he ha i r o f M a ri e A n toi
.

n ett e w a s sudd en ly cha n ged by he r gr ea t d i s

t r ess . O n a p ort ra i t of h erself whi ch she

ga ve to a fri en d she wrote Wh i ten ed by
,

”
a ffl ic t i on .

A u then ti c i n stan c es of the ha ir t u rn i n g white

i n a few h our s or a n i ght through f ea r or
sudd en shock c ould be m ul t ipli e d i n d efin it el y .

T hi s p ow e r of fea r to mod i fy th e curren ts

of t he bl ood a n d all t he secr et i on s to wh i ten ,

t he ha i r p a r a ly ze the n ervou s syst em a n d ev en

, ,

to produ c e d ea th i s w ell k n ow n
,
What ev er
.

m ak es us ha ppy wha tev e r ex ci t es en j oy a bl e

,

emot i on s r el a x es th e ca pill a ri es a n d giv es fr ee

,

dom t o t he cir cul a t ion ; wha t ever d ep r esses

a n d d i st r ess es u s d i sturb s or w orri es us i n
, ,

fa ct a l l phases of f ea r an d anx iety c on t ra ct

, ,
 TH E P ARA LY SIS O F F EAR 1 85

these bl oo d v essel s a n d i mp ed e the fr ee ci r cu

l at i on of the bl ood We see thi s ill u st rated i n
.

the p a l e fa c e c a u se d by f ea r or t err or .

N ow if t error ca n furn i sh such a shock t o

,

t he n erv ou s c en t er s a s to w h i t en t h e ha i r i n a
few hour s wha t sha ll w e sa y of the i n flu en c e
,

of c h ron i c f ea r p oi son worry a n d a n xi et y

,

oi son a ct i n g up on th e sy st em for m a n y y ea r s
p ,

thu s c a u si n g a sl ow d ea th i n stea d of a quick

on e ?

H ow uici da l chron ic an xi ety i s ! F ew

s

p eopl e r ea liz e tha t the sy st em i s k ept con ti n

ua ll y p oi son e d by i t I t i s a st ra n ge t hi n g
.

tha t a fte r a l l the c en t ur i es of exp er i en c e a n d

e n light en m en t th e h u m a n r a c e ha s n ot l ea r n e d

p osi tively to re fu se to be p erp et ua lly tort ured

by en em i es of i t s ha pp i n ess fea r a n xi et y
,
—
, ,

w orry I t certa i n ly would seem a s though the

.

r a c e c ould h a v e foun d some w a y out of thi s

n ee dl ess su ff eri n g l on g a go B ut w e a r e st ill
.

fr i gh ten e d by the sa m e ghost s : worry a n x i et y ; ,

fr om the cra dl e t o the gra ve w e a r e th e vic t i m s

of t h ese m en ta l en em i es wh i ch w e could ea si ly
,

d est r oy n eut ra l i z e by si m ply chan gin g the

, ,

thought .

Who ca n esti ma te the fea r a n d su ff eri n g

c a u sed by th e suggest i on of heredi ty ? Chil
dr en a r e con st a n t ly hea ri n g descri pti on s of the
1 86 M I RA CL E OF RIGH T T H O UGH T

t e r r i bl e d i sea ses that c a rri e d off their an c estor s ,

an d n a t ura lly w a t ch f or the sy m ptoms i n t h em

se lves .

Thi n k oi a child growi n g up w i th the con

st a n t suggest i on th ru st i n t o hi s m i n d t ha t h e

ha s proba bly i n h er i te d c an c er or c on s u m p t i on ,

or som eth in g el se whi ch c a u sed t he dea th of

on e of h i s p a r en t s an d w i ll pr ob a bly ul t i m a t ely

pr ov e fata l to hi m ! Thi s p erp etu a l exp ecta n cy

of d i sea se ha s a v e ry d epr essi n g i n flu en c e a n d

ha n d i c a p s the c hild s cha n c es a t the v ery b egi n

’

n i n g of h i s l i fe .

Childr en w ho l i v e i n a fea r a tmosph er e n ev er

u n fold n orma lly but su ff er from a rreste d de
,

vel opmen t . T hei r st u n t ed st a rv e d b od i es do

,

n ot a tta i n th eir n or ma l grow th ; th e bl ood v e s -

se l s a r e a ct u a lly sm a ll e r th e circul a t i on sl ow e r
, ,

a n d the hea r t w ea k er u n d er th e i n flu en c e of

f ea r .

Fear d epr esses suppr esses st ra n gl es I f

, , .

i t b e i n dulged i n i t w i ll cha n ge a p osi t ive

, ,

c reative men ta l a tti tud e i n to a n on product ive -

,

n ega t i v e on e a n d t h i s i s fa t a l t o a ch i ev emen t
,
.

T he eff ect of fea r esp e c i a lly where th e f ea r

,

t hought ha s b ecom e h a bi tu a l i s to dry up t he ,

ve ry sourc e of l i fe L ove tha t c ast eth out fea r

.

h a s ju st th e opposi t e eff e c t up on th e b ody an d

br a in . It en l a rges op en s up the na t ure g ives
, ,
 TH E P A RALY SIS OF FEAR 1 87

a bu n d an t life cell s a n d i n cr ea ses the bra i n

-

p ow er .

F ea r w ork s t erribl e ha voc wi th the i ma gi n a

pt ion whic h p i c t ures a l l sor ts of dire thi n gs
, .

Fa i th i s i t s p erfec t a n t idote for whil e fea r , ,

.see s on ly t he d a r k n e ss a n d t he sha d ow s f a i th ,

sees th e si lv e r li n i n g the su n b eh i n d th e cl oud

, .

F ea r l ooks d ow n an d exp ect s the wor st ; fa i th

,

l ooks up an d a n ticip a tes the b est Fea r i s pes .

si m i st i c fa i th i s op t i m i st ic
, Fea r a lw a ys pr e
.

dic ts fa ilur e f a i th pre d i c ts succ ess There can

, .

be n o f ea r of p ov er t y or fa i lur e when th e
m i n d i s dom i n a t e d by f a i t h Doubt can n ot
.

exi st i n i t s pr esen c e I t i s a b ov e a ll a dv er si ty
. .

A p ow e r fu l fa i th i s a gr ea t l i fe pr ol on ger be -
,

c a u se i t n eve r fr ets ; i t sees b eyon d the tem

pora r y a n n oya n c e t he d i sc ord t he t roubl e i t
'

, , ,

se es the su n b ehi n d t he cl oud I t kn ow s thi n gs

.

will c ome out right be ca u se i t sees the goa l

,
1
whi ch the eye ca n n ot see .

Peopl e of l on g lives ha ve a st ron g fa i th ; i t

may n ot qui te a gree wi th our ow n expr essi on
of f a i th r e l i giou sly bu t they ha ve fa i th a s a
,

p e rp et ua l c om p a n i on a ssuri n g them tha t thi n gs

will c om e out right i n the en d .

Wor ry ha s d i squa lified man y a man from

p a yin g hi s d eb ts by sappi n g hi s en ergy, ruin
i n g an d i mpa ir i n g hi s pr odu ctive c a p a c ity .
1 88 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UG HT

Fa i th k eep s a from w orryi n g an d en a bl es

ma n
hi m to use hi s resource ful n ess i n ven t iven ess , ,

to i n fin i tely gr ea t e r a dva n ta ge .

T he m a n w ho i s p a r a lyz e d t hr ough f ea r i s i n
c on d i ti on to m a ke the b est o f what h e ha s .

he i s i n a t i ght pl a ce a ll of hi s f a cul t i es
,

should be i n t a c t I f he w orri es he on ly
.
,

i n c ap a c i ta tes hi mself from doi n g hi s best T he .

ca l m ba l a n c e d m i n d gi v es a ssura n c e con
, ,

fiden ce .

N o ma tter what your i s, put i t i n to the

n ee d
h an d s of fa i th . Do n ot a sk how or w h y or
when . Ju st do y our l evel b est , a n d ha ve fa i th ,
which i s the gr ea t mira cl e w ork er of th e a ges .

Chron ic w orri ers a re a lwa ys defici en t i n

fa i th T h e ma n w ho ha s a vigorou s fa i th tha t
.

a Pow er i n fi n i te ly wi se r t ha n h e i s dir ec t i n g

an d gu i di n g th e a ff a ir s o f the u n iv er se a n d ,

tha t ev ery thi n g i s progr essi n g t ow a rd s th e

gra n d c on sum ma t i on of the omn i sci en t om ,

n i poten t Pl a n n e r tha t a l l d i sc ord of ev ery k i n d

,

will ul ti ma tely be swallow ed up i n ha rmon y ,

t hat t ru th will fi n a lly t riump h ov e r a ll e rr or ,

t hat every th i n g i n the u n iv e r se how eve r i t ,

may seem to be c on t r a dic ted i s t en di n g to ,

wa rds the fin al c on summati on of a ra ce pl an so -

sup erb so ben eficen t

,
so m a gni fic en t
,
t ha t n o ,

huma n mi n d could compr ehen d i t such a ,

—
 THE P ARA LYSIS OF F EAR 1 89

ma n does n ot worry When di sapp oin tmen ts

.
,

losses reve r ses c a ta st r ophes come to hi m hi s

, , , ,

m en ta l b a l a n c e i s n ot d i st urb ed b ec au se h i s
,

fa i th l ook s b eyon d m i sfor tu n e a n d sees t he sun ,

b ehi n d the cl oud s the vic tor y b eyon d the seem

,

i n g d e f ea t
. No ma tter wha t ha pp en s he ,

kn ow s tha t Go d i s i n H i s h ea v en an d a ll s ’

right wi th the w orld .

M a n y p eopl e fa il by c on sta n tly stoppi n g to

w on d e r how th ey will fi n a lly com e out whethe r ,

t he y w i l l succ ee d o r n ot Thi s c on st an t qu es
.

t i on i n g of th e ou t c om e of th i n g s cr ea tes doub t ,

wh ich i s fa ta l to a chi evemen t .

T h e secr et of a chi ev em en t i s c oncen trat i on .

Worry or fea r of a n y ki n d i s fa ta l to m en ta l
c on c en t ra t i on a n d kill s cr ea ti ve a bili ty T he .

mi n d of a Web st er c ould n ot c on c ent ra te wh en

fill ed with fea r w orry or a n xi ety When the
, , .

w hol e men ta l orga n i sm i s v i bra t i n g with con

fl i ct i n g em ot i on s efli ci en cy i s i m p ossi bl e T he
,
.

r ea l su ff eri n g i n l i f e i s n ot so grea t a fter al l , .

T h e th i n gs wh ich ma k e us pr emat ur ely ol d ,

wh ich wrin kl e our fa c es t ak e the ela st i c i ty out

,

of ou r st ep ,
the bl oom from the cheek and ,

whi c h r ob us of j oy a re n ot those Whi ch

a c t u a lly ha pp en .

A n a c t ress r en ow ed for her great b ea ut y ha s

sa id An yb ody who w an ts to be good l ook -
1 90 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

i n g mu st ve r w orry Worry m ean s ruin a

ne .

t i on d ea th a n d d est ruc t i on t o every v esti ge of

,

b ea uty I t mea n s l oss of fl esh sa llown ess t ell

. , ,

t a l e l i n es i n t he fa c e a n d n o en d of di sa st e r s .

N e ve r m i n d w ha t ha pp en s a n a c t ress mu st n ot
,

w orry O n c e she u n d er sta n ds thi s she ha s

.
,

pa ssed a m i l eston e on the high roa d to keep

”
i n g her l ook s .

What a good thi n g i t w ould be i f the

ha b i t u a l worr i e r could see a p i ct ur e of h i mself
a s he w ould ha v e b een i f hi s m i n d ha d a lwa y s

b een free from w orry ! Wha t a shoc k but ,

w ha t a h elp i t would be for hi m to pl a c e be

sid e i t a n othe r pic t ur e o f h i mself a s h e a c t u a lly

o t p i m i st i c ,

hop e ful buoya n t !

,

I n n ea rly a ll f or ms of r eligi on fea r ha s

pl a ye d a gr ea t p a r t T he pri esthood i n the
.

M i ddl e A ges f ou n d i t most eff ect iv e to dra w

th e ign ora n t ma sses t o the c .h urches a n d t o
‘
con t rol their ac ts I gn or an c e i s so suscept ibl e
.

t o fea r tha t i n a l l p e ri od s of the w orld s h i st ory

’

the t em p tat i on t o tak e a dvan tage of i t has

been very great .

 T H E P A RA LY S I S or F EAR I gr

Who ca n est i ma t e the t e rribl e effe c ts of t h e

fea r of a p hy sic a l h ell ; of et ern a l pun i shmen t ?

Th i s doc trin e h a s for c en t uri es c ast a gl oom
ov er the h u ma n r a c e .

T he c en t ra l id ea i n the origi n of churches

w a s t o fur n i sh a w a y of r el i ef fr om f ea r i n a l l
i t s va ri ou s for m s of expr essi on I n othe r .

w ord s i t w as a n effor t o f hu m a n b ei n gs t o
,

furn i sh rel i e f from th e th i n gs wh i ch t r oubl e

a n d w orry fr om the hea rt a ches of man k i n d
,
—
.

A n d yet these v e ry ch urch es ha v e u n c on sc i ou sly

e n c oura g ed t he d ev e l op m en t of f ea r by u si n g

i t a s a w ea p on to Wh i p p eopl e i n to ch urch a t
t en d an c e the p erform an c e of c h urc h du t i es
, ,

etc
, . !
Wha t a te rri bl e th i n g i t i s for a h u m an
b ei n g m a d e i n the C r ea t or s i ma ge to live i n
,
’
,

p e rp etual f ea r tha t som eth i n g t e rr i bl e i s goi n g

t o ha pp en t o h i m h er e or he r ea f te r ; tha t h e i s
,

a m e r e pupp et of c i rcu mst a n c e ; that a cru el f at e

is i m e t o a pp ea r i n th e gui se of

som e dr ea d di sea se or c a l a m i t y !

H o w ca n one l ea rn t o d ev el op t he hi ghest
i d ea l s of l i fe wh i l e he hold s i n the m i n d the
c on sta n t fea r of dea th ; the dr ea d of p ossibl e
'

momen ta r y d i ssolu t i on ; th e p o ssibili ty of h a v

i n g a l l hi s li fe pl an s st ra n gl ed sn u ff e d out i n
,

a n i n sta n t ? N othi n g en duri n g nothi n g per ,

 1 92 M IRACLE OF RI GH T TH O UGHT

m a n en t li d
or so ca n be bu i l t wi th these n ight
m a re fea r s i n the mi n d. T he d ol e ful , per
pet ua l pr ep a r a t i on for i mm i n en t d eath i s ah
n o rm a l and fa ta l to a l l growth ; f a tal to
a c hi ev em en t ; fa ta l t o ha pp i n ess .

W When c e c omes i ts p ow er t o
st r a n gl e a n d ren d er w ea k p oo r a n d i na dequ a t e
, ,

th e l i ves of so ma n y ? IQM hsolgt el y n o

r ea l i t I t I s pur ely a men ta l p i c t ure a b o y
.

g ,

of the i ma gin a t i on a n d the mom en t w e rea l i z e

,

th i s i t c ea ses to ha v e p ow e r ov e r u s If we .

w er e a ll prop e rly t r a i n ed a n d
e nou ou t si d e of our selve s
N h

ca n wo rk u s ha rm w e w ould ha v e no fea r of
“

a n yth in g .

I d i ff e r fr om a physi can wh o h a s r ec en t ly
st a te d th a t t he em ot i on of fea r i s a s n orm a l t o

t h e h u m a n m i n d a s th a t of c our a ge .

se lf con fiden ce or
-
, a mbi t i on Thi s “
.

physicia n ev i d en tl y c on fu ses he fa cuifi es of

c a ut i on prud en c e an d for ethought w i th th e
, ,

fea r thought whi ch bl i ght s d est roy s a n d k i ll s, , .

Th e f orm er w e re giv en us for our p r ot ec

t i on , t o k eep u s from d oi n g th i n g s w h i ch
w ould be i n jur i ou s but there i s n ot a sa vi n g
,

v i rtue i n fea r i n the sen se i n wh ich the w ord

,

i s ordi n a rily used I t s pr esen ce cri ppl e s the

.
 TH E PARALY SI S OF F EAR 1 93

w
The C r ea tor n eve r put i n to H i s own i ma ge
t ha t wh ic h w ould i mp a ir effici en cy ca u se ,

d i st r ess or d est roy ha pp i n es

,
e

of ev e ry n or m a l f a cul t y or

en ha n w p romofe and st r en gth en th e b est i n

‘

Gi othe rW 1se i t w o We
w
uld n ot be n orm a l
m i ght a s w ell sa y tha t d i sc ord 1 s a go a t! thi n g
a s t o sa y th a t fea r i s n orm a l .

A s a n a t i on w e a r e too sob er too sa d a n d , ,

t a k e l i f e too se ri ou sly O u r theol ogy a n d our

.

cr eed s ha ve too m uc h a n x i ety a n d fea r t oo ,

m uch sa d n e ss a n d ser i ou sn ess a n d t oo l i tt l e j oy

a n d gl a d n ess ; too m uch o f the sh a d ow a n d t oo

l i ttl e of the sun sh i n e of the soul i n them ; too

m uch of th e he rea fte r a n d t oo l i t t l e of th e n ow
a n d h er e .

r be q m b I t kill s c on fid en c e
Iieam q ‘ s 1 n1 trat1 ve
,

an
q

d c a u ses i n d e c i sion m a kes us wa v er a frai d

, ,

to b eg i n thin gs su sp ec t a
.
,
n d doubt Fe ar is a

gr ea t l ea k i n p ow e r Th ere a r e pl en ty of pea
.

l e w ho w a ste m or e tha n h a lf of their p r ec1 ous

p W

in u
“ y n .

en e rg
y sel ess w orr
y an d
a x ty
n ie

We ca n n eut ra liz e a fea r thou ght by a pply

l l

i n g i t s n a t ural a n t i dot e the c oura ge thought , ,

th e a ssuri n g c on fid en t fa i th thought j u st a s
, , ,

the ch em i st d e str oys the c orrosi v e pow e r of an

a c id bya ddi n g i t s Opp osi t e a n al k a li —

.
1 94 MIRACLE OF RI GHT TH O UGHT
M en ca n n ot get th e h i gh est
qua lit y of efii
ci en cy an d e xpr e ss th e b est th i n g i n th em when

the ir m i n d s a r e t roubl e d a n d w hen w orry i s

sa ppi n g their v i t a l i ty a n d w ast i n g t heir en

er gy . bra i n can

Worry i s but fea r a n d a lw a ys of ,

th rives best i n
a bn o rm a l c on di t i on s I t ca n .

n ot get m uch o f a hold on a m a n with a sup erb

phy siqu e a vigorous m en t a li ty a man who

, ,

lives a c l ean sa n e l i f e I t thriv es on th e

,
.

w ea k those of l ow vi ta li t y a n d exha usted

—

en ergy a n d e sp e ci a lly on p eopl e who liv e vi

,

c i on s lives .

Worryi n g a b out di sease produ ces d i sease .

The great desi der a tum i s to k eep on e s

’

physica l men ta l a n d mora l stan da rd s so high

, ,

t ha t the d i sea se ger m th e w orry germ the , ,

a n xi ou s g e rm ca n n ot ga i n a f oot i n g i n our
,

br a i n Q ur resist ing pow er ough t

. so
fi

d
“

th at i t wo l
p

gr t m u
ea u for these
ffi n
en emi es t o get i n to th e bra m
‘

M “ JN J
-I ‘

keep ou é elvé s per fectly fr ee from our

' t '
b
i ‘
r

worry en em ies e ve ryth i n g w e do m u st be don e

,

san el y N o ma t ter how hon est w e may be or

'

how ha rd w e m a y t ry t o get on if w e a r e n ot ,

sa n e i n ou r ea t in g i n ou r ex er ci se i n our t hi n k
‘

, ,

i ng i n our sl eepi n g an d livin g gen er ally we

, ,
 T H E PARA LY SIS OF F EAR 1 95

l ea ve th e d oor p
o en r ts of t roubl e
t o al l so .

T he re a r e a thou sa n d en em i es t ryi n g t o ga i n
en t ran c e i n t o our sy stem a n d a t ta c k u s a t our

vul n e ra bl e p oi n t .

I t i s the cool c a l m se ren e man w ho when

, , ,

a w a y fr om hi s w o r k sho w s tha t h e i s a big

en ough m an t o l ea v e bu si n ess a ff a i r s t o bu si

n e ss h our s ; sh ow s th a t h e d oe s n ot n ee d t o
go
hom e a n d m a k e h i m self a n d eve ryb ody el se
m i se r a bl e wi th hi s gl oom y l on g fa c e ; show s
,

by hi s m en ta l p oi se an d c a l m n ess tha t he i s
m a st e r of the si t u a t i on .

v.
s A ll fea r i s b a se d up on th e fa c t tha t the
su ff e r e r f eel s w ea k b ec a u se of h i s c on sc i ou sn ess

o f b ei n g sep a ra t e d from t h e I n fin i t e S t r en th
g ,
a.

S upply a n d wh en h e c omes i n to con scl ou sn ess

,

of a t on e m en t wi t h the Pow e r t ha t m a d e a n d
- -

su st a in s hi m w hen h e fi n d s th a t p ea c e whi ch
,

sa t i sfi e s a n d whi ch p a sset h a ll u n d e r sta n d i n g

—
then w i ll h e f ee l a sen se of th e gl ory of
b ei n g ; an d h a v i n g on ce t ouch e d thi s p ow e r
.

a n d t a st e d th e i n fi n i te bl e ssed n ess he w i ll ,

n e v e r be c on t en t t o r oa m a ga i n n ev er be sa t i s ,

fied w i th th e fl e sh p ot s of Egyp t .

I t i s a p 1 t1 ful thin g t o see st r ong, v 1 gor ou

men a n d w omen w ho mhamv e in he r i t ed Go d li ke
m m w -
wv m ,”

o b ea r the I m pr ess of
“

q u a li t i es a nd h

g o m g a bfiu t the w or l d full of all sort s of f ea r s

 1 96 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGH T

an d te rrors, w i th a n xi ous”
t hough l i fe ha d b een
~

N
M
~

sc are n ot t
1

A m i ll en n iu m
will c om e when fea r i n a l l
i t s h i d eou s f orm s of e xpr essi on i s eli m in a t ed .

T h en m a n will r i se t o the m a j esty of p erfec t

c on fid en c e of subl i me self fa i th ; a c on sc i ou s
,
-

n e ss of secur i t y a n d fr ee dom of w h i ch he

h a s n e v e r b efor e drea m e d a n d h i s p ow er a n d
,

effic i en cy wi ll be m ul t i pl i ed a h u n dr e dfold .

O u r sen se of f ea r or t error i s alw a y s i n

prop ortion to our sen se of w ea kn ess or i n ab i l i ty
to pr ot ec t our selv es from t he ca u se of i t
"

Wh en c on sci ou s of b ei n g st ron ge r than t hat

w hi ch te rrori z es w ea k er p er son s w e have n o ,

sen se o f f ea r .

We a re t old t hat H ercul es w as n ot ha u n ted

by the fea r of oth er m en T h e c on sc iou sn e ss
.

th a t h e p ossesse d sup e r i or p ow e r l i f te d h i m
a b ov e an xi et y or fea r tha t other s m i gh t i n j ure

hi m .

T he re i s l ve whose n ame i s Fe a r
a s a ,

A t re mbl i n g cri n gi n g t hi n g ;
,

T here i s a ki n g w hose n a m e i s Wi ll ,
”
A n d every i n ch a ki n g .
IX . O NE WITH THE D I V IN E

T he r
sec et o f a ll he al t h, p rosper i ty, an d happi n ess
i s be i n g i n con sci ous uni on wi th t he Di vi n e .

l a t e Professor S ha l er of
HE ,

H a rv a rd Un i ve r si ty sa id ,

tha t th e gr ea t est d i scove ry

of t he l a st c en t ury w a s t hat

of t he un i t y of ev eryth i n g

i n th e u n i v er se t he on en ess
,

of a l l lif e .

T h i s i d ea th a t ther e i s but on e pri n cipl e

.

ru n n i n g th r ough the un i verse on e l i f e on e , ,

t ru th on e r ea l i t y t ha t thi s p ow e r i s d i vi n ely
, ,

ben eficen t a n d tha t w e a r e i n thi s grea t curren t

,

pr i n c i pl e which i s ru n n i n g Godw a rd i s on e of
, ,

the m ost i n spiri n g en c our a gi n g

, an d f ea r,

k illi n g tha t e ve r en te r ed the hu ma n min d .

L ife w i ll ta k e on n ew mean in g w hen w e

c ome i n to th e rea liz a ti on of our at on e m en t - -

wi th thi s gr ea t cr eati ve su sta i n i n g pri n cipl e of

,

t h e u niv er se .

T he rea l i za t i on tha t i n the t ru th of our b ein g

w e a r e a c t u a lly a p a r t of thi s grea t pri n cipl e ,

a n ec essa ry i n sepa r a bl e p a rt o f i t a n d t hat w e

, ,

can n o mo r e be a n n i hil a t e d than can th e l a w s of

m a thema t ic s tha t w e mu st p a rtake of a l l of the

,

qua liti es wh i ch comp ose our C r ea tor that w e ,

1 99 \
200 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

m u st be p erfe c t a n d im mor ta l b ec a u se w e w e re
cr ea te d by Perfect i on a r e a p a rt of i mm or ta l
,

Pri n c i pl e solves the gr ea te st mysteri es of life

,

a n d gi ves us a won d e rful sen se of securi t y ,

sa fet y , sa t i sfa c t i on a n d c on t en tmen t

, w hi c h ,
'

n oth i n g el se ca n g1 v e .

T he c on sta n t con templ at i on of our u n i on

wi th th e In fin i te life the r ea liz at i on tha t liter
,
”
a lly I an d my Fa ther a r e on e help s to es ,

t a bl i sh a c e r ta i n ty a n assura n c e tha t w e a r e
,

n ot the pl a y th i n gs of c ha n c e t he pupp e t s of,

a ccid en t or fa t e tha t w e a r e n ot t osse d h i th er

,

an d th i ther i n th e u n iv erse th e vic t i m s o f a

cruel dest in y which w e can n ot con t rol .

Just i n pr op orti on a s w e r ealize th i s on en ess

wi th the Divi n e thi s at on e men t w i th ou r
,
- -

M ak e r do our lives b ec ome ca l m con fid en t

, , ,

c r ea t ive .

T he re i s n o doub t that St Pa ul h a d a .

glimpse of the u n ion of ma n with th is gr eat

cr ea t ive su sta i n in g Pri n c ipl e when he sa id
F or I a m p ersu a d ed tha t n either d eath n or ,

life n or an gel s n or pri n c ip a li t i es n or p ow er s

, , , ,

n or thi n gs pr esen t n or th i n gs t o c om e
,
n or ,

h eight n or dep th n or a n y oth er creat ur e sha ll

, ,
”
b e a bl e t o sepa ra t e us from the l ove of G od .

Y e sha ll k now the t ru th (of your divi n i t y )

’

”
a n d the t ru th sha ll mak e you fr ee tha t i s fr ee , ,
 O NE WITH TH E D I VI NE 20 1

f rom the l very of fea r a n xi ety c a re fr ee

s a , , ,

from the bon d a ge o f sup er st iti on un c er tai n t y , ,

an d li mi tati on fr ee from the thought of

,

p overty a n d di st ress .

T he com i n g m a n will lose a l l sen se of fea r

be ca u se he w i ll be con sc i ou s of hi s on en ess
w i th Omn ip oten t Pow e r .

T he a r t of a l l a r t s i s t o be so en t r en ch ed
.
,

so p oi se d i n pri n c i pl e 5 0 a n chore d i n f a i t h
,

i n ev e ryb ody a n d ev erythi n g f a i t h i n t he —

fin a l t riu mph of ha rm on y t ru th a n d ju st i ce , , .

an d t o be so c en te red i n t ru th t ha t n othi n g

ca n p ossibly shak e us or di st urb our e quil i

br i um .

I ha v e seen d eli c ate w oma n p a ss th r ough

a

su ff e ri n gs a n d t ri a l s wh i ch w ould ha v e sen t

m ost st ron g m en an d wom en t o an i n sa n e

a s ylu m a n d yet she n ev e r w a v er e d or com
,

pl a i n ed but wa s a lwa ys even durin g the d a rk

, ,

est hour s p oi se d helpful seren e kin dly a l

, , , , ,

w ay s full of l ove for her fell ow men Ther e .

w as a light i n h er eye wh i ch w a s n ot b orn of

ea r th b e c a u se she w a s so en t ren c hed i n pr i n c i
,

pl e i n t ru th so c on sci ou s of her on en ess w i th

, ,

t he Divi n e so c ompl etely i n t un e wi th the I n

,

fin i te a n d her fa i th w a s so gigan t i c tha t n oth

, ,

in g could ha pp en t o th row her off her c en te r .

Not ev en t ort ure or sta rvat i on or ost ra ci sm , ,

20 2 MIRACLE OF RI GHT TH O UGHT

c ould sn u ff divi n e ligh t which shon e

out t ha t

i n her ey esor d est roy her equ an i mi t y or se

,

r en i t y
. Sh e f el t the presen c e of a D i vi n e h an d
l ea d i n g gu i di n g prot ec t i n g her a n d sh e w a s
, , ,

n ot a fra i d .

I t has e v er b een a m y stery t o the world tha t

m a r tyr s a n d pri son er s c ould go thr ough such
su ff eri n g s a n d t or tur es n ot on ly wi thou t a
,

t r emor of f ea r but e ven w i th the a ssura n c e

,

o f v i c t o ri ou s t r i u m ph T he r ea son i s th a t th ey
.

w ere a n c hor ed i n ete rn al pr i n c i pl e bu tt resse d ,

by t ru th j u st i c e a n d right N oth i n g c oul d

, , .

ha ppen se ri ou sly t o d i st urb t hem b ec a u se ,

th e ha n d tha t he ld them fast w a s O mn ip ot en t ,

Divi n e .

T he m i n d tha t h a s on c e c a ught a gli m p se of

i t s a t on e men t wi th D i v i n i ty th a t h a s f el t i n
- -
,

t u n e wi th t he I n fi n i t e i s n ever a g a i n a fr a id of
,

a n y thi n g tha t ca n h a pp en to i t b ec a u se i t ,

k n ow s the c l osi n g of on e door ma y on ly m ea n

th e op en i n g of a n oth e r p erha p s t o i n fin i tely
,

gr ea te r a n d gr an d er opportun it y .

T he c l oser w e a r e to D i vi n i ty th e n ea re r w e ,

a r e t o the l i m i t l ess sourc e of thi n gs When w e .

f eel str on gest wh en w e f eel c on sc i ou s of th e

,

p ow er which i s b a ck of the fl esh bu t n ot of i t , _ ,

when w e feel tha t w e a r e i n touch w i th D i v i n i ty ,

our p ow er i s gr ea t e r an d ou r supply l a rger .

 O NE WITH THE D I V I NE 20 3

If we c ould on ly op en our selves wi thout

st i n t wi t hou t r est r a i n t fully to th i s divi n e i n
, ,

fl ow of p ow er w ha t for ces our liv es c ould a n d

,

w ould b ec om e !
We a r e so w ea k a n d i n effi ci en t b eca use w e
shu t off th i s p ow e r by our w r on t hi n k i n
g g ou r ,

v i ci ou s l i v i n g N o m a n ca n be r ea lly st ron g
—
.

w h il e c on sc iou s of wron g d oi n g -
.

Ev e ry t i m e a m an d oes wron g he w ea ken s

h i m sel f by so m uc h I n th i s w a y ma n y m en
.
,

cu t them se v es a l m ost en t i r ely off from th e ir

l
con sc i ou s divin e c on n ect ion by sev e r i n g the
st r a n d s th e c ab l e of j u st i c e t rut h l ov e right
, , , , ,

a n d a r e th u s shor n of the i r p ow e r .

M uch of ou r gr ea test d i shon est y i s wi th

our selv es . Ea ch wr on g a ct cu t s a st ra n d i n ,

t he c a bl e w h ich c on n e c t s u s w i th ou r G od .

Th i s a ccoun t s for the c ow a rdic e of a cri mi n a l

w ho w a s on c e a hero H e ha s cut hi m self
.

l oose from hi s C r ea t or Fa the r a n d the con ,

sci ou sn ess of thi s sep a r a t en ess from the grea t

pr i n cipl e w hi ch h e i n he ri ted from H i m give s

h i m a sen se of i sol a ti on u n c ert a i n t y helpl ess
, ,

n ess, a n d th e feeli n g tha t h e i s n o l on ger a

c ompl et e nfi l .

Ev e ry t i me w e do wr on g ev ery t i me w e ,

dep a rt fr om the t ru th ev ery t i m e w e c omm i t a

,

d i shon est u n w ort hy act do a mean c on

, , ,
 20 4 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

t em pt i bl e thi n g, w e l essen the O mn ip oten t grip

up on us a n d th en w e b ec ome a prey t o a l l sor ts
,

of f ea r s a ppr ehen si on s
, drea d s a n d d oubts
, , .

S ep a ra t ed fr om the Divi n e Pow er w e feel a s ,

help l ess a s a l i tt l e c hi ld l e ft a lon e i n the da rk .

M a n i s b egi n n i n g t o l ea r n tha t h i s pow e r hi s ,

succ ess h i s ha pp i ness ar e i n prop o r ti on t o t he

,

c om pl etene ss of h i s c on sc i ou sn ess of t hi s d i vi n e
c on n ec tion a n d tha t he i s m i ghty or w eak a s h e
,

k eep s i t i n vi ol a te an d sa cre d or br ea k s i t , .

A l l ou r tr ou bl es com e fr om our sense of

sepa r a ten ess fr om the I n fin i t e S mi n e .

T he momen t w e f eel c on sc i ou s th a t our u n i on

wi th the G r ea t S ourc e of thi ngs i s brok en ,

w e a r e fill e d w i th u n c er ta i n t y a n d a pp r ehen
si on ; w e feel a sen se of helpl essn ess wh i ch ,

m a k es u s w ea k t i m i d a pprehen siv e
, , Fea r .
,

a n xi e ty
, w orry a r e p osi tive evi d en c e tha t w e
,

ha ve l ost our d i v i n e c on n ect i on a n d st ra ye d

fr om h om e that w e a r e out of tu n e wi th th e
,

I n fin i te a n d i n di sc ord wi th pri n cipl e

, .

Our st r en gth c om es from the con sc ious on e

n ess wi th O mn ip ot e n c e .

P erfect love c a st eth out fea r b e ca u se p erf e c t ,

l ov e an n i hil a tes al l the id ea of sep ara t en ess be

t w een ou r selv es a n d I n fi n i t e l ov e .

When w e sen se our at on e ment wi th H i m - -

,

when w e become f ully con sciou s of thi s

 O NE WITH TH E D I V I NE 20 5

divin e r eu n i on al l of our t roubl es flee al l of

, ,

our di seases a n d our si n s a r e hea l ed .

When w e a re i n such c l ose con ta ct with

D e ity that w e a ctua lly feel God (good )all
sen se of w ea k n ess li m i t a t i on fa t igu e t i m idit y
, , , ,

d oub t will van i sh a n d w e sha ll hav e that per

, ,

feet f ea rl essn ess which c omes fr om the con

sci ousn ess of our a t ou e m en t wi th T ru th
e -
.

T he n ea rer ma n a pproa ch es t o t he r ecogn i

t i on of th i s un i on he e xpr e sses i n hi s b ei n g
,

th e pri n c ipl es of life of t ruth of b ea ut y every

, , ,

t hi n g tha t build s th at i s c on st ru c tiv e c r eat ive

, , ,

a n d the fa r th e r he i s from a l l tha t i s destr uc

t iv e
—
the d ea dly th e di sc ord an t
, .

T he momen t w e b ec ome t horoughly con

s ciou s th a t w e a r e c on n e c ted wi th t hi s Divi n e

curren t run n i n g hea ven wa rd the great un d er ,

lyin g Prin c ipl e oi the un ive rse that w e a r e ,

a p a rt of the gr eat T ru th w e ta ke on n ew ,

p ow er our c oura ge a n d c on fiden ce mult iply

,

our a bili t y .

M an i s gr ea t i n prop or t i on a s he r eflect s
t ru th j ust i c e right
, ,
H e i s a w ea kli n g a n o
.
,

body w hen h e d ep en d s upon hi s ow n pow er a n d

d oe s n ot r ec ogn iz e thi s divi n i ty prin c ipl e .

No m an can a t t a i n t o the maxi m um of hi s

power u n t il he re cogn iz es that he i s a part of
th e great P r i n c ipl e of th e un iver se .
20 6 MIRA CLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

T he Divi n i ty tha t sha p es our en ds i s in

”
o ur selves i t i s our v ery self
, .

T he v ery h old i n g of t he thought t ha t w e

a r e t ru th i t self t ha t err or i s a b n or m a l t o u s
, ,

t ha t w e a r e ha r mon y a n d n ot di sc ord t h a t w e ,

a r e t he pri n cipl e of lif e t he v ery e sse n c e of

,

l ove j u stic e t ru th bea u ty gives us p ea c e

, , , , ,

se r en i ty a stea dfa st n ess a n d sp i ri t u a l upl i ft

,

w hi ch n o ma t er i a l t hin gs ca n b estow .

Ju st i n pr op or ti on a s w e ha v e p erfect con
n ect i on a r e at on e m en t wi th t he D i v i n e sha ll
,
— -
,

w e r ec eiv e the l i fe curren t t he hea l th curr en t ,

whi ch can hea l a ll our d i sea ses Thi s i s .

t he secr et of a ll h ea li n g of a ll hea l th pr os , ,

per i ty a n d ha ppi n ess

, the con sci ous u n i on
,

w i th the D i v i n e
, The re i s n o h a r mon y no
.
,

h ea l th n o g en u i n e ha ppi n ess tha t i s l a st i n g

,

a n d w or th w h i l e ou tsid e of thi s a t on e m en t — -
.

I f w e c ould on ly c on stan tly live i n the con

sci ou sn e ss of i t w e c ould a lw a ys m a i n ta i n
,

p hy sic a l a n d m en ta l ha rmon y T hi s i s th e .

secr et of a ll h u man bl esse d n ess .

I n th i s c on sc i ou sn ess w e do n ot grow ol d .

I n stea d of d ecl i n i n g wi th th e yea r s w e per ,

petua ll y r en ew our y ou th a n d c on sta n t ly ,

a dv an c e t o gr ea t e r an d gr ea t er bl essed n ess .

N othin g ca n sev e r our Divi n e con n ec t i on ,

sep a ra te us fr om God (good )ex c ep t si n In .

 O NE WITH TH E D I V INE 207

so fa r as d ep a r t fr om the qu ali t i es whi ch

we
ma ke up di vin i t y a n d wh ich w e h a v e i n heri ted ,

su ch a s j u st i c e t ru th ha r mon y l ove
, , ju st , ,

so fa r do w e br ea k ou r c on n ec ti on wi th t he

curr en t run n i n g G od w a rd -
.

What a comf ortin g an d su sta i n in g thought

i t i s tha t a n I n fin i te p ower presides over us
whi ch i s ki n d er to us tha n we a r e t o ourselves
‘
,

k i n d e r tha n w e ca n be t o those w e l ove b est ;

a f or c e wh i ch i s a lw a y s r ea dy t o hea l our hur t s

a n d to r e sto r e u s n o ma tt er how w e ha v e si n n ed
,

’
i n vi ol at i n g n at ur e s l a w !
When on e feel s tha t hi s han d i s gripped by
the O mn ip ot en t han d h e i s t oo n ea r t o G od
“

for doub t or f ea r a n d h e k n ow s tha t n o ha rm

ca n com e t o hi m ffom a n y fi n i t e sour c e To .

feel that w e a r e hel d a lwa ys eve rywhere by , ,

th i s Divi n e ha n d an d pr ot ect e d by O mn ip oten t

Wi sdom stea di es the l i fe won d erfully a n d gives
a p oi se a n d c on fid en c e t ha t n oth i n g el se ca n .

T he r ea l i z a ti on of a l l t hi s will h elp us t o
live the life w orth wh i l e an d will show us the ,

ba rr en n ess the holl own ess the emp t i n ess of

, ,

the selfi sh gr eedy st ruggl e i n w h ich m ost of

,

u s a r e en g a ge d .T h e c on sc iou sn ess t hat w e

a ctua ll y d o l i ve, mov e ,
and have our bei n g i n
D i vi n i ty will el eva te our st an da rd s an d mult i
pl y our p ow er s ma rvel ou sly .
2 08 MIRAC L E O F RI G HT TH O UGHT .

A pi ece of wel l ma gn eti z ed st eel will l i ft

-

an othe r u n ma gn et iz ed eight ti mes i ts ow n

, ,

w ei ght A m an i n tou ch wi th the Divin e

.

Prin c i pl e m a gn et iz ed by t he con sc i ou sn ess of

,

hi s on en ess wi th the gr eat creat ive f orc e of t he

u n iv er se i n touch with Omn i poten ce ha s man y
,

t i mes the p ow e r of the man who d ep en d s up on

h i s ow n pu n y st r en gth I n c omp a ri son the y
.

a r e like a mot or man who pu t s up hi s t roll ey

p ol e a n d dra w s from the grea t wir e the help of

t he m ight y el ec t r i c a l cu r r en t a n d on e w ho t ries ,

t o pu sh hi s ca r by hi s ow n st r en gt h .

L et the m i n d be i n you which w as a l so i n

Chr i st tha t i s t he m i n d tha t gives hea l th
, , ,

p ea c e an d happin ess ; the thought that giv es

,

ha rmon y j u st ice t ru th an d b ea ut y
, , ,
Th i s i s .

i m possibl e u n l ess w e liv e move an d ha ve our ,

very b ei n g i n H i m un l ess we a bid e u n der t he

,

sha d ow of the A l might y .

The ve ry idea of p er si sten tly holdi n g th e

thought that on e i s divi n ely uph eld the ,

t hought that n o h a r m ca n p ossibly c om e t o

h i m whil e h e i s thu s en scon ced i n the Divi n e
Presen ce d estroys a l l fea r an d w orry ; r estor es
con fid en c e an d mul t ipli es power
, .
X . GETTI NG I N TUN E

If we cou ld l l ea rn
on y t he l w ays keepi n g
a r t of a

our se lves i n h a rmon y w e coul d m ult i p ly our e ff e ct

i ven ess i m measura bl y .

O THI N G c ould i n du ce O l e
Bull to pla y i n publ i c u n til
hi s v i ol i n\ w as i n p erfec t
.

tune I t di d n ot ma ke a n y
.

d i ffer en c e how l on g i t t ook

hi m or how u n ea sy h i s a u
di en ce b ec am e i f a st r i n g,

st r et ch e d t he l ea st bi t dur i n g a p e rfor man c e ,

e v en th ough th e d i sc ord w a s n ot n ot i c e d by

a n y on e b ut hi m self the i n st ru m en t h a d to
,

be put i n to ha rm on y b e fo re he w en t on A .

p oore r m u si c i a n w ou ld n ot be so p a r t i cul a r .

H e w ould sa y t o h i m self I w i ll r un th rough

,

th i s p i ec e n o m a t t e r if on e st r i n g i s d ow n a
”
bi t .N o on e m a y d et ec t i t but m yself .

G r ea t m u si c t ea che r s sa y that n othi n g will

ru i n t he sen si t iven ess of the ear an d l ow er
the m u sic a l p er c ept i on an d st an d a rd so
qu i c k ly a s u si n g a n i n st ru m en t out of t u n e or
si n gi n g w i t h oth e r s w ho can n ot appr ec i a t e

fin e ton e d i st i n c t i on s T he m i n d a fter a wh il e
.

c ea ses to di st i n gui sh del i c at e sha d i n gs of t on e .

T he voi ce q uickly i m i tat es an d foll ow s the

21 1
212 MIRA CLE O F RIGHT TH OUGH T

mu si ca l i n st rumen t ccomp an y i n g i t The ca r

a .

i s d ecei ved a n d ve ry soon the si n ger forms

, , ,

the habi t of si n gi n g off key .

I t d oes n ot matter what pa rt i cul a r i n st r u

men t you m ay be u si n g i n the gr ea t l i feorches
t ra whether i t be the vi olin the pian o th e
, , ,

voi ce or your mi n d expressi n g i tself i n li ter

,

a t ur e
, l a w medi c in e or a n y oth er v ocat i on
, , ,

you can n ot a ff ord to sta r t your conc ert wi th ,

t he gr ea t h u man ra c e for your a udi en c e wi th ,

out g etti n g i t i n t u n e .

Whatever el se you may do do n ot pla y out

'

o f t un e s in g out of t un e or w ork out of t u n e

, , .

D o n ot l et your di scorda n t i n st rumen t spoil

y our ea r or y our men ta l appr eciation F a .

m i li a r i ty w i th di scord w ill wr eck y our suc

c ess p erc ep t ion s Not even a Pa de rewsk i
.

could w i n exqui site ha rmon ies from a p ia no

out of t u n e .

Men ta l d i scord i s fata l to qualit y i n work .

T he d est ru ct ive emoti on s w orry an xi ety

—
, ,

ha t red j ea lou sy an ger gr ee d selfishn ess a r e

, , , , ,

a l l d ea dly en em i es of effici en c y A man can .

n o mor e do hi s b est w ork w hen p ossessed by

a n y of these emoti on s than a w at ch can k eep

good t i me when th ere i s fri cti on i n the b ear

in gs of i t s deli cate mechan i sm I n order t o .

k eep p er fect t ime the wat ch must be exqui si tel y

 GETTI NG IN TUNE

a dj u sted Ev ery wheel eve ry cog eve ry

.
, ,

b ea r i n g e very j ew el m u st be me chan i ca lly

,

p erfe ct for an y d efect a n y t r oubl e an y fric

, , ,

t i on a n ywhe r e will ma k e a b solu tely correc t

t i me i m p ossi bl e T he h u ma n ma ch i n ery i s
.

i n fin i tely more d el i c a te than the m echan i sm of

t he fi n est c h r on om et er an d i t n e ed s regul a t i n g ,

n ee d s t o be put i n p erf ec t t u n e a dj u ste d t o a ,

n i c ety ev ery m or n i n g b e for e i t st a r t s on t h e

d a y s r un j u st a s a vi ol i n n eed s t un i n g b efor e
’
,

the con c e r t b egi n s .

H a v e you e v e r w a t ched a c en t rifu ga l

wri n ger i n a l a u n dry ? I t wa bbl es so ba dly
w hen i t fir st b eg i n s to r evolve tha t i t seem s a s
though i t w ould t ea r i t self t o pi e ces bu t ,

gra dua lly a s the v eloci ty i n crea ses t he mot i on

, ,

b ec om es st ea d i e r a n d stea d i er an d t he m a ch i n e ,

sp eed s w i th l i gh t n i n g ra p i di t y on i t s c en t e r .
.
,

When i t on c e ga i n s i t s p erfect ba l an ce n othi n g

seem s t o d i st urb i t a l though wh en i t fir st
,

b egan to re volve t he l east thi n g ma d e i t w abbl e .

A thou sa n d a n d on e tr i fl es Which di st urb on e

who h a s n ot fou n d hi s men ta l cen te r d o n ot
a ffe c t th e p oi sed sel f c en t e re d soul a t a l l
,
-
.

Even gr ea t t hi n gs p a n ic s cri ses fa ilur es

, , , ,

fires the l oss of prop er t y or fri en d s di saste r s

, ,

of a n y ki n d do n ot th row h i m off hi s b a l a n c e
, .

H e ha s fou n d hi s c en t er hi s equil i bri um a n d , ,

214 MIRACLE O F RIGHT TH O UGHT

no l on ger va cill a t es b etw een hop e an d d espa i r .

H e ha s f ou n d t hat he i s a p a rt of th e great
u n i ty l a w tha t ru n s a l l th rough the u n ive r se 3 ,

p a rt of the I n fin ite I dea .

A p oi sed ba l an c ed m i n d un i fies a ll th e
,

m en ta l en ergi es of t he sy st em whi l e th e ,

m i n d tha t fl i es a ll to pi ec es a t the l ea st prov o

c a t i on i s c on sta n tly d emora liz e d ; the men ta l
forc es a r e sc a tte r ed the r e i s a l a c k of coOr di
,

n a t i on m en t a l c oh esi on a n d con sequ en t p ow e r

, , .

H a r m on y i s the secr et of a l l eff ec t i v en ess ,

bea u ty ha pp i n ess ; a n d ha r m on y i s si mply

,

k eep i n g ourselves i n tu n e wi th the I n fin i t e .

Thi s mea n s ab solu te hea l th of a l l the m en t a l

a n d m or a l fa cul t i es
. Poi se ser en i t y a m i abi l
, ,

i ty sw eet n ess of t emp er ten d t o k eep th e whol e

,

men t a l a n d p hy sic a l e c on om y i n h a r mon y w i th

the p e rp et u a l r en ew a l pr oc esses c on st an tl y
goi n g on within us which a re d est royed by
,

fri c ti on .

M an i s like a wir el ess t el egraph H e i s con

.

st an t l y sen di n g ou t m essa ge s of p e a c e a n d

p ow er of h a rm on y or of d i sc ord a cc ord i n g t o
, ,

t he c ha r a c ter of the t hought th e id ea l , These .

messa ges a r e fly i n g fr om u s w i th lightn in g

sp ee d i n ev e ry d i r e c t i on an d th e y a rou se i n
,

othe r s qu a li t i e s l i k e th em selv es .

The p oi sed soul i s so i n t ren ched i n the c a l m

 GETTI NG I N T UNE 21 5

of ete n a
r l ha r mon y t hat he i s b eyon d the r ea c h
of di sa st e r or the fea r of i t c on sci ou s tha t h e
,

so rest s i n th e gr ea t a r m s of I n fi n i te l ov e a n d

p erfec t i on that n othi n g can ha rm hi m be ,

c a u se h e lives moves a n d has hi s b ei n g i n

, ,

e t er n a l t ru th . S uch a grea t se ren e soul i s

l i ke a h uge ic eb erg b a l a n c e d by the c al m i n
,

the d ep th s of th e sea .I t l a ughs a t the gi a n t

w a ves which b eat a ga i n st i t s si d es an d the
storm s whi c h l a sh i t . They do n ot even c a u se
i t a t rem or ; b ec a u se i t s huge bul k whi ch en
a bl es i t to rid e c a l m ly a n d se r en ely w i th ou t

p erturb a t i on w hen l ashed by the oc ean fury

i s p oi se d i n the p erp et u a l ca l m i n t he dep ths
b el ow .

I t i s st r a n g e tha t men who a r e v ery shr ewd

i n othe r ma t t er s should be so sh or t sight ed so ,

ign oran t so u tterly fooli sh i n rega rd to t he

,

i m p ortan c e of k eepi n g their m a rv el ou s i n ,

t r i ca t e a n d d elic a te m en ta l ma chi n e ry ev e ry
,

da y i n t u n e . M a n y a bu si n ess m an dra gs h i m
self w ea r i ly th r ough a d i sc ord a n t day an d
,

fin d s hi m se lf c ompl etely exha u ste d at n ight ,

w ho w ould ha v e a cc ompli shed a grea t d ea l

mor e wi th i n fin i t ely l ess eff ort an d ha ve gon e
,

h ome i n a much fresh er c on di t i on if he ha d ,

ta k en a li ttl e t i me to put h i mself i n t un e b efore

goi n g to hi s offic e i n the morn i n g .
21 6 MIRACLE OF RIGHT T H O UGHT

The ma n w ho goes to w or k i n the m orn i n g

feeli n g out of sort s w i th e verybody i n a n ,

a n t a gon i sti c a tt i t ud e of m i n d t o w a rd l i f e a n d

esp eci a lly t owa rd t hose w i th w hom h e h a s t o

dea l i s i n n o con di t i on to bri n g t he max i mum

,

of h i s p ow e r to h i s t a sk . A l a rge p ercen ta ge
of hi s m en t a l forc e will n ot be a va i l a bl e .

Peopl e w ho ha ve n ev er t ri ed i t ca n n ot b egi n
t o r ea li z e t he t remen d ou s a dv an t a ge of pu tt i n g
on eself i n t un e i n the mor n i n g b e f or e star t
’
i n g on the d a y s w ork .

A New York busi ness m an recen tly told me

tha t he n ever a ll ow s h i m self t o go t o h i s offic e
i n the m orn i n g u n t il h e has put hi s mi n d i n to
p erfec t h a r mon y wi th the w orld I f he ha s the
.

slightest f ee li n g of en vy or j ea l ou sy if he f eel s
,

t h a t he i s selfi sh or u n fa i r if he ha s n ot the
,

r i ght a ttit ud e tow a rd hi s p a r tn er or a n y of hi s

empl oy ees h e si mply will n ot go t o work un t il
,

h i s i n st ru men t i s i n t u n e u n t il hi s m in d i s
,

c l ea r of an y for m of di scord H e sa ys he .

ha s di scov e r ed th a t if h e st a rt s out i n the m orn

i n g w i th a righ t a tt i tude of m i n d t ow a rd e very
b ody h e get s i n fi n i tely m or e out of the da y
,

tha n h e otherwi se w ould ; t ha t w hen eve r he

ha s a ll ow ed hi mself t o go to w ork i n the p a st
i n a di scorda n t c on di t i on he ha s n ot ob t a i n e d
nea r ly as good r esul ts a n d h e ha s m a d e those
 GETTIN G IN TUNE 2 1 7,

a o b ut hi m un ha ppy to sa y n othi n g of the i h

,

cr ea sed w ea r an d t ea r up on h i mself .

O n e r ea son why the lives of so man y men

a r e th i n l ean a n d i n eff ec t iv e i s b e ca u se they do
, ,

n ot ri se ab ov e the thi n g s tha t u n tu n e t hei r

m i n d s irri tate an n oy an d w orry th em a n d

, , ,

p r odu ce di scord
'

M a n y of these p eopl e who do on ly m edi ocr e

t h i n g s r ea lly ha v e a gr ea t d ea l of a bili t y but ,

a r e so sen si t iv e t o fri c t i on tha t they ca n n ot do

e ff ec t i v e w ork I f they on ly ha d some on e t o

.

st ee r them t o pl a n for them t o keep d i scord

, ,

a w a y from them a n d t o h elp t hem k eep i n

ha r mon y they c ould do r ema r ka bl e thi n gs

, .

Y et th ose w ho do grea t t h i n gs a r e oblige d t o

a cquir e th i s a r t of a r t s for t hemselves No.

on e ca n exe rc i se i t for them a n d n o on e

,

ca n a cc om pli sh a n y th i n g v e ry gr e a t i n thi s

w orld un l ess he i s abl e to ri se sup eri or t o the

t hou san d a n d on e thi n gs whi ch woul d irri tat e
a n d di st r a c t h i s a t t en t i on .

A grea t m an y p eopl e who a r e di sagreeabl e

a n d irri tabl e wh en they a r e t ir ed a r e v e ry

a m i a bl e a n d ha r mon i ou s wh en t hey a r e rest ed .

Thi s ought t o show them tha t the c a u se of thei r

irri tability an d i n harmony i s due to the si n of
t i re d n erv es a n d br a i n exh a u st i on .

H ow oft en w e see men who ha ve b ecome

218 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT
a b solu tely u n b ea r abl e a fter a yea r of ha rd
,

w ork com pl etely r evolu ti on i z ed when they r e

,

t ur n fr om a t rip a br oa d or a few w eek s va c a

’

t i on i n the coun t ry ! They do n ot seem l i k e the

sa m e m en tha t t hey w er e b e f or e t hey w en t

a way . T he t r i fles wh ich w ould t h row th em

i n to a fit of p a ssion before thei r va cat ion do n ot
a ff e c t th em a t a ll n ow .

T he mechan i sm of t he mi n d i s ex t remely
d elic a te an d a n y of the an ima l p a ssi on s l et
,
'

l oose i n the men t a l r ea l m c r eate fea rful h a voc

i n a v ery short t i me .

A s a squ ea k i n g a xl e i n di ca t es th e w an t of a
lubric a n t so fric ti on or di scord a n ywher e i n
,

t he phy si c a l ec on omy i s a w a r n i n g t ha t some

t hi n g i s wron g . I t i s n ot n or m a l tha t the
b eau t iful a n d d el i c ate ma chin e ry wh i ch G od
fi n i shed an d pron oun c ed good shoul d b e out
of r ep a ir . A d i spute at the break fa st t a bl e ,

or a n y li tt l e wr an gli n g )n the m or n i n g ma y

dest roy the p ea c e of th e hou sehold for the

en t i r e da y A m om en t s hot temp e r m a y cost
.
’

you a very d ea r fri en d sh ip for life .

H ow li t tl e w e a ppr eci ate t he ma rv el ou sn ess

o f thi s exqu i si t e m ech a n i sm of t he m i n d wh i ch

for ms th e c on n ec tin g li n k b etw een the creat e d

an d th e C r ea t or ! I t i s thr ough thi s th a t a
hu man b ei n g i s li n k ed t o the Divi n e . I n st ea d
 GETTI NG IN TUNE 2 19

of givi n g tha n k s an d supreme gra t i tud e to

ou r M a ker ev ery day for thi s w on der of
w on der s of the h u ma n br a i n t he m i n d we
a bu se i t i n su c h a w a y tha t w e do n ot get out

of i t a t i the of w h at w e m ight .

We r un through thi s exqui si te mechan i sm

the c oa r se st most vi c i ou s d est ruc t ive thought
, ,
.

We forc e i t to do work when i t i s j a ded a n d

ou t of t u n e ; when i t s sp on t a n ei t y i s gon e a n d ,

i t s vi t a l stan da rd s a r e l ow ; f orce it by a l l sort s

of st i m ul a n t s a n d will p ow e r -
We st r a i n i ts
.

exqui si t e gossa me r me c ha n i sm u n t il i t i s oft en

pr ema turely i n j ured ov er st ra i n e d rui n ed for

, ,

i t s fi n est w ork .

I t w a s i n t en d ed a s an i n st ru m en t of a ha ppi
n e ss so sup erb , a n exi st en c e so gran d a n d

subli m e a s w e
, ,
i n our coa r se clu msy bru ta l
, ,

w a y of t re a t i n g i t ha v e n o c on c ept i on of
, .

T he right use of the m i n d w ould soon bri n g

the m ill en n iu m .

We o ught to so school ourselves tha t n o

ma tte r wha t ha pp en s w e should n ot l ose our
presen c e of m i n d ou r b a l an c e We should
, .

a lw a y s k e ep ou r equ i l i brium so as t o be a bl e ,

n o m a t t e r wha t ha pp en s t o do the l ev el hea d e d

,
-

t hi n g the wi se th i n g the right squ a r e thi n g

, , , .

H ow ma n y m en ha ve fa i l ed t o a c hi ev e t he
gr eat su c c ess whi ch their abil i ty prophesi ed
220 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT
b ec a u se of the touchy habi t the scold i n g , ,

fr ett i n g n a gg i n g ha b i t ! v
, [
’

S omewh ere i n my tra vel s I ha ve seen what

a pp ea r ed to be a gr ea t st on e f a c e c a rv e d out

of t he sid e of a huge c l i ff a f a c e sc a rr e d a n d
,

scr a t ched by th e sha rp edge of gr a v el a n d san d

h url ed a ga i n st i t duri n g the t r emen d ou s sa n d

st orm s of the deser t , Ev erywhere w e see hu
.

m an f a c es scra t ched a n d sc a rr e d by t em p est s

of p assi on of a n ge r by cha fi n g fr et ti n g a n d
, , ,

w orryi n g u n til the divin e i ma ge i s al most

er a se d
, a n d a l l p ow e r of a cc ompli sh i n g ci

fect i v e w ork ha s b een d estr oy ed .

H ow li ttl e w e r ea liz e the p owe r t here i s

i n ha rmon y ! I t m a k es al l the di ffer en ce i n th e
world i n our life work whether w e a r e ba l a n c ed
—

a n d seren e or a r e con t i n u a lly wrought up full

, ,

of d i sc ord s a n d e rr or s a n d ha r a ssed wi th a l l
,

sor t s o f p e rpl exi n g vi c i ou s th i n gs

,
.

I f w e c ould on ly l ea r n the a r t of k eepi n g our

selv es i n ha r mon y w e c ould m ul t iply our e ff e c
,

t i v en ess m a n y t i mes a n d a dd yea r s t o our l i v es .

A man feel s like a gia n t wh en hi s m in d i s per

fect ly p oi sed when hi s men t a l pr oc esses a r e
,

run n i n g smooth ly an d n oth in g i s t roubli n g hi m .

O n the other ha n d gra v el i n the shoe w ould

,

ma k e a Web st er a f ourth r a te or at or -
I hav e .

seen a g r ea t stat esma n shor n of h i s pow er a n d

 GETTI NG IN TUN E

ma d e p erfec tly m i sera bl e by gn a ts an d mos

qui t oes H e could n ot thi n k
. H e c ould n ot
.

use ha lf of hi s gr ea t men t a l p ow er s It t ook .

hi s t ime to fight these li ttl e p ests

a l l of .

T he e ffi ci en cy of a gr ea t ma j ori ty of bu si
n ess an d pr ofessi on al men i s se ri ou sly ma rred

by li ttl e i rri ta ti n g an n oya n ces .

No h u man b ein g can express the b est thi n g

i n hi m un til he i s i n t u n e wi th the I n fi n i t e u n til
,

hi s purpose li es p a ra ll el W i t h tha t of hi s G od .

While the re i s divergen ce whi l e the re i s fight

,

i n g b etw een on e s ow n pl a n a n d t he purp ose

’

whi ch G od ha s ma rke d i n on e s very con sti tu

’

t i on the work m u st b e i n fe r i or
, A s l on g as
.

w e a r e w ork i n g a t cr oss purp oses wi th our

-

C reator s pl an ther e ca n be no w orthy a chieve

’
,

men t .

Those w ho would a tta in exqui si te men tal

p oi se mu st dive i n to t he d ep ths of their bein gs,
whe re there i s etern a l c a lm whic h n o men ta l
t emp est ca n di st urb , —
a ca l m i n which the

m i n d i s i n c om m u n ic a t i on with th e Divi n e .

Dw elli n g up on human qua l i ti es will n eve r

bri n g p erfect men ta l bal an ce that divin e ,

ser en i t y wh ich ma k es m er e phy si ca l b ea u t y

un a tt r a c t ive i n c om p a ri son .

So me of our b est ob serva tori es ar e buil t up on

mou n tain top s so tha t the great len s wh ich
222 M IRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

s weep s the hea ven s m a y n ot be obscur ed by

the du st th e d i r t th e m i st s fl oa t i n g i n the l ow e r
, ,

a tmosp her e . I n ord e r t o shu t out the di n the ,

n oi se s w hi c h d i st r a c t the mi n d i n ord e r to sh ut
,

o u t the thou sa n d an d on e d i st urb i n g i n flu e n c es

i n our str en u ou s l i fe the th i n g s whi c h w a rp

,

a n d t wi st a n d d i st or t u s i t i s n e c essa ry to ri se
,

i n t o the hi gher r ea l m of thought a n d f eeli n g ,

wher e w e ca n br ea the a pure r a i r get i n cl oser ,

t ouch w i th the D ivi n e .

We shall be sa ti sfi ed when w e a wa k e i n H i s
l i ken ess a n d w hen w e wa ke i n H i s l i k en ess w e
,

wake i n our own bec a use w e w ere c r ea t ed in

,

H i s lik en ess .

Why should w e n ot ha ve div i n e pow er i f w e

ar e of di vi n e or i gi n ? Why thi n k i t so st r a n ge
for us to p a rta k e o f the a tt r i bu t es of our
M ak er ? Do you exp ect your c hild to be an
i n fe ri or bei n g to yourself n ot to p a rta k e o f,

a n y of your p ow er or your higher a t t r i bu te s ?

Why should God s offspri n g thi n k i t st r a n ge

’

tha t w ha t i s i n God i s i n h i m ?
T he t r oubl e wi th us i s that w e do n ot u n der
sta n d the pri n c ipl e oi a v a ili n g our selv es of t he

D i v i n e Pow er a n d u n ti l w e do w e sha ll a lwa y s

,

w ork a t a di sa dvan t a ge d oi n g l i ttl e thi n gs wi th

,

grea t eff ort when w e might do gran d thi n gs

ea sily.
 GETTI NG IN TUNE

Wh at ma k es h uma n b ei n gs
restl ess di s so ,

c on ten te d an d u n ha ppy i s that they have l ost

th eir b ea ri n g s the ir divi n e c on n ect i on
, L ike a .

ch ild whic h ha s lost i ts mother the soul i s eve r ,

seeki n g i t s G od a n d n e v e r w i ll be free from

fea r n eve r ha ve the con sc iou sn ess of sec uri t y

,

a n d a ssuran c e of pr ot ec t i on u n t il i t ha s fou n d
,

H im .

When you get i n to p ea ceful at -

on e- men t wi th
th e O n e L i f e f eel that you a r e
, dr awi n g to
yourself ev ery good thi n g from the i n ex
ha u st i bl e supply you kn ow that a l l of the
,

y ea rn i n g s a n d l on gi n gs of your h ea r t can thu s

be r ea liz ed H e re i s wher e the cr eat iv e proc ess
.

goes on Fr om thi s i n vi si bl e supply w e can

.

dra w r ea li t i es to ma t ch our desires .

We kn ow tha t when w e put ourselves i n to

ha rmon y w i th th i s gr ea t crea t i v e ben efici en t ,

p ow er w hich hea l eth a l l our h ur ts a n d d i sea ses ,

w e n ot on ly u n fold a l l our fa cul t i es b a r m o

n i ousl y but a l so a r e con sc i ou s of a m a rv el ou s
,

ha pp i n ess a p ea c e of m i n d w hich ought t o

,

c on v i n ce u s of the ki n dlin ess of thi s divin e

forc e .

Con sci ou s coop erat i on w i th the c reat ive for c e

of th e u n ive r se w i ll bri n g m an i n to c ompl et e

r ea liz a t i on o f p ea c e p ow e r a n d pl en ty the
, , ,

bl essedn ess tha t i s h i s bir thright .

WITHI N
X I . TH E GREAT WITHI N

T here i s a Pow er i n si de o f you w h i ch i f you co d ul

d i scover an d use wo ul k
d ma e of you e e yt hi n g v r
you ver d re am ed
e or i m a gi n e d you cou ld be com e .

T he sa m e Pow er create d us sustai n s an d

t h at
repai r s us, a n d t hi s P ower i s ri ght i n si de of us .

HA V E seen a man of ordi

n a ry st ren gth hyp n ot iz ed ,

a n d su sp en d e d by h e a d a n d

a n k l es on th e e dges of t w o

c ha i r s supp ort h a lf a d oz en ,

or m or e hea vy m en on hi s

b ody S om et i m es a hor se i s.

th u s supp or t e d on a see sa w hpar d pl a c e d -

a cr oss t he subj e c t s b ody

’
.

These a r e m ostly m en t a l fea ts b ec a u se a r

ma n o f a v er a ge st ren gth c ould n o m ore su sta i n

a t w elv e hu n d r e d p ou n d hor se or h a lf a d oz en
'

- - - -

h ea vy men on h i s b ody th u s su sp en d e d th a n he
c ould fl y wit hou t a m a ch i n e H e c ould n ot .

be m a de to b e l i ev e tha t he c ould do such a

t hi n g Y et whi l e u n de r the powerful sug
.

gest i on of a h ypn oti st tha t h e ca n do i t he ,

d oes i t ea si ly .

N ow from wh en ce ca me the p ow e r whi ch

,

en a bl e d t h e subj ec t t o do t hi s m a rv el ou s t hi n g ?

Cer ta in ly n ot from t he h yp n oti st for he merely ,

227
228 M IRACLE O F RI GHT TH O UGHT

c all ed i t out of the subj e ct ; i t did n ot c ome from

'

sp a c e ou t si d e of h i m I t w a s l a ten t i n the m a n
.

hi mself .

S uc h exp er i men ts give us gl i m p ses of

en or m ou s p ow e r s wi t hi n u s a b ou t wh i ch w e

k n ow v ery l i tt l e a n d wh ich if w e c ould u se

, , ,

w ould en abl e us to do ma rvel ou s t hi n gs .

Wi thout b ei n g a bl e to d efin e i t w e i n st i n c
,

t i vely feel tha t t he r e i s a gr ea t p ow er w i thi n

u s a p ow e r b eyon d t he h u m a n t ha t i s gu i di n g
,

u s a subc on sci ou s soul p ow e r w h ich pr es id e s

,

ov e r ou r d e st i n i e s a n d w h ic h l en d s u s sup e r

h u m a n a i d w hen w e mak e a gr ea t c a ll upon i t

i n d a n ge r or a n em e rgen cy a d esp era t e st ra i t
, ,

or wh en i n gr ea t st r e ss i n pr a yer .

It i s t hi s soul pow e r whi c h m a k e s a g i a n t out

of a n i n v a l i d i n an i n st a n t s t i m e w hen the
’

h ou se t akes fir e or som e gr ea t c a ta stroph e

occur s ,
when a ch ild d ea r er to the m other
,

than l i fe i s i n i mm i n en t d a n ge r
,
. T here a r e
ma n y i n st an c es where v ery de l i c a t e i n va l i d s ,

w ho w e r e n ot supp osed to be abl e t o si t up ,

ha v e i n a fir e or som e ot her grea t d a n ge r or

,

e m erg en cy don e tha t whi ch u n d e r ordi n a ry

,

c ir c umsta n c es w ould ha ve b een di ffi cul t ev en

for th e st ron gest m en t o do .

From when ce c ame t hi s p ow er a l most ,

wi thi n the t wi n k li ng of an eye ? I t cam e fr om

-
 THE GREAT WITHIN 2 29

the G r eat Wi thi n a n d these i n stan c es r ev ea l

,

a s th e fa lli n g a ppl e did t o N ew t on a won

der ful l a w . They m ak e i t c er tai n tha t w e a l l

p ossess m a rv el ou s u n u se d p ow e r s
, .

T he n ew p hi l osophy i s t ryi n g t o show p eopl e

how t o d i sc ov e r a n d u t i liz e the w on d erful
p ow er s i n the G r ea t Wi th i n of themselv es
wh ich th ey ha ve h i th erto b een u n abl e to use ,

or exc ep t i n a v e ry li m i t e d w ay .

T her e a r e p ow er s i n si d e of you whi ch if ,

you c ould d i sc ov er a n d u se w ould m a ke of you

,

ev er ythi n g you ev er dr ea med or i m agi n ed you

cou l d becom e .

I f w e on ly kn ew what t r emen d ou s forc es a r e

lock e d up i n si d e o f us w e should n ot be so
,

surpr i se d w hen a t ra mp or a h ob o b e c om es

t ra n s for m e d i n to a her o a l most i n a n i n st a n t ,

i n som e gr ea t r a i lr oa d wr eck or fir e or other, ,

eme rgen c y . T he he ro w a s th ere a l l the t i me ;

the c a t a st rophe si m ply r evea l ed i t .

We non e of us kn ow wha t won d erful thin gs

w e cou ld do if an emergen cy gr ea t en ough ,

i mp era ti ve en ough w ere t o mak e a sudd en

,

c a ll up on us .

I t i s fr om thi s Gr ea t Wi thi n tha t the pow er

comes w hi ch does i mmor ta l deeds . We are

c on sci ou s th a t t h e r e i s someth i n g i n u s but

n ot of u s wh ich i s n ever si ck n ever t ir ed wh i ch
, ,
2 30 M IRA CLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

ne ver goes wr on g A ll pri n ci pl e t ruth l ove

.
, , ,

live i n thi s G r ea t Wi th i n H ere i s th e home .

of b ea u t y a n d j u st i c e H e re i s wher e sp i r i t u a l
.

b ea u ty dw ells H er e abid es the p ea c e wh i ch

.
“

”
p a sseth a l l u n d er sta n d i n g a n d he re shin es ,
”
the l i ght tha t w as n ever on sea or l an d .

We a r e a ll con sci ou s of som ethi n g wi thi n us

tha t i s d ea th l ess somethi n g i mmor ta l d i v i n e
, , .

We a l l feel thi s the livi n g Chri st th i s si l en t

, ,

messen ger whi ch a cc omp an i es u s th r ough l i fe ,

t ryi n g t o w a r n u s a dv i se u s protec t u s n o
, , ,

m a tter wh ere w e go or how l ow w e fa ll , .

M a n y feel j u st a s sur e of thi s bl essed m other

i n g Pr esen ce thi s m essenger of pea ce a n d
,

good
—
w i ll, as though they coul d see H i m w i th
thei r eyes .

T here is someth n G r ea t With i n of

i g i n the
u s t ha t tell s u s w e a r e a t on e w i th t h e pow e r

tha t m a d e a l l thi n gs a n d tha t w e sha ll some

t i me som ew here c om e i n t o a t on e m en t wi th
, ,
- -

t hi s p ow e r tha t w hen w e ha v e on c e drun k at

,

th i s gr ea t f ou n t a i n h ea d w e shall n ev er k n ow
-
,

th ir st or w an t a ga i n .

M an y p eopl e p ass out of thi s pl an e of con

sci ousn ess wi th en ough h eal th l at en t i n th e

billion s of c ell s i n the body to restor e th em to

l ife if i t c ould on ly be a r ou sed
,
There a r e .

ca ses i n medic a l hi story wher e pat i en ts ha ve

 T H E G REAT WITHI N

been a pp a ren tly restor ed t o life , v

e en a t t he

momen t of i mp en di n g di ssolu t i on , by a r el a t ive

or a phy s i c i a n c a lli n g t o them i m p era t iv ely ,

vehemen t ly to r etur n to l i fe B ut genera lly

, .

t he vic t i m s c on vic t i on tha t he ca n n ot get w ell

’

a n d tha t he must di e p a r a lyz es a n d d est r oy s

the di sease r esi st i n g p ow er of t he body so tha t

-
,

t he r e i s n oth i n g to c he ck the m a l a dy wh ich

,

m a y be f ata l on ly b ec a u se of th e l oss of fa i th
’
a n d the p a ti en t s c on vic t i on tha t h e can n ot

r e cov er .

In the sa m e w ay there a r e m ul ti t ud e s of sh ift

l ess p eopl e i n the gr ea t fa i lure a rm y to day
,
-
,

with sca rc ely en ergy en ough to k eep them

a liv e w ho ha v e forc es slu mb eri n g d eep wi th i n
,

themse lves wh ich i f th ey c ould on ly be

,

a w a k en ed w ould en a bl e them t o do w on d e rful

,

th i n gs .

M ost p eopl e ha v e l at en t a bili t y en ough t o

a c compli sh w on d er s but often on ly a fra ct i on
,

of t hi s p ow e r i s a r ou sed ; i t li es d orma n t u n l ess

fir ed in to a ct i on by some great i n spir at ion ,

e m e rgen c y or by some life c ri si s whi ch dr i v es

,

them t o d esp era t i on a n d for c es them t o m a k e

,

a supreme c a ll up on thei r i n teri or forc es .

We a r e a ll surpri sed sometimes i n our lives

through some gr eat cri si s or when i n a des

pera te si tua t i on to fin d that a t r emen d ous

—
2 32 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

r ese rve p ow er c omes t o our assi st a n c e fr om

somewh er e ; tha t from som ewh e r e i n the G r ea t

Wi th i n from myst eri ou s d ep ths of our n a tures

, ,

come ma rvel ou s p owe rs when t he c a ll i s l ou d

en ough a n d st ron g en ough , p ow e rs of w h i ch
w e may n eve r b efor e ha v e b een con sc i ou s .

T he t i me will c om e wh en w e sh a ll be a bl e
t o u se a t will all the l aten t p ot en ci es slumb er
i n g i n th e G rea t Wi th i n of us wh ich w e get
,

a t so u n con sci ou sly i n a grea t c ri si s or d esp e r

a t e si t u a t i on but wh ich a t other t i mes i t seems

i mp ossibl e for us t o r ea ch .

O n e great t roubl e i s tha t w e do n ot ha ve

sufii ci en t fa ith i n the i m men se r ese rv e p ow er i n

ou r sub con sci ousn ess a n d do n ot t a k e pr op er

,

m ea n s t o a rou se th i s slu mb e r i n g p ow er t o ac
t i on a l though w e somet i m es se e ex a m pl es of
,

the p ossibili ti es of gr ea t dyn a mic for c es b e i n g

a rou sed i n p eopl e w ho n ever dreame d tha t t hey

p osse ssed them .

There i s somethi n g i n man th at n ev e r de

t er i or ates , n eve r b ecom es d emora liz ed or
smir ched tha t i s a lwa ys t ru e a n d a lw a y s cl ea n
,

the divi n e i n hi m the r egen e r a t iv e pri n cipl e

,

or for c e wh ich i f a rou sed will work lik e a

, , ,

l eaven i n the l ife of the mos d epraved un til

f
,

i t b r i n gs that per son b a ck to hi s l ost G od

(good) , to
hi s n ormal con di t i on ; an d when a
 T H E G RE A T WITHI N 2 33

per son is n or ma l he w an ts to do right, be

,

c au se he i s built up on th e prin c ipl e of j usti c e,

hon est y , an d t ru th .

It i s n ot n orma l for a ma n t o go wron g .

It i s j ust as n at ura l for a rmal p erfectly no

per son to wan t t o do right a s i t i s for a fl ower

t o flin g out i ts fr a gr an c e a n d b eauty ; the
flow er that i s blighted a n d wi thhold s i ts fra
gr an ee an d b ea ut y i s a b n orma l .

I t doe s n ot m a tt e r h ow fa r a hu man b ei n g
may wan d er from th e right the divi ne some ,

thin g i n hi m will som et i me somewhere bri n g , ,

hi s whol e life i n to a b solute harmon y ; an d that

i s hea v en ha r m on y .

I f t here i s an ythi n g i n thi s u n iverse that i s

’
evid ent i t i s tha t t he C reator s pl an s a r e
,

ben eficen t an d tha t h uman b ei n gs ar e con

,

st ru c ted a lon g t he li n es of right a n d ju st i ce ,

t ruth an d vir tu e a n d an y d efl ec ti on s from

,

these a r e ab n orm a l .

A human b ei n g w ho i s wick ed di shonest , ,

gr eedy or selfi sh i s n o more th e man God ma de

,

than di scord i s mu si c .

M an mu st be i n ha rmon y wi th j ust ice an d

t ruth an d r i ght b ec a u se he i s mad e t o be j u st
a n d t ru e an d right That i s hi s birthright
. .

That i s the divi n e i n h i m .

T hi s d iv i n i ty i n man wil l ul t i mat ely t riu mph .

l
2 34 M IR A C L E or RIGHT TH O UGH T .

It i s j u st a s c e rta in as th a t t ru th will some

t i m e t riu mph ove r e rror th a t ha r mon y wil l
,

t riu mp h ov er di sc ord ; for t ru th i s the ever

l ast i n g fa c t a n d error u n t ruth i s n ot a fa ct ;
, , ,

i t i s th e a b sen c e of t ruth D i scord i s n ot a

'

fa c t ; i t i s m er ely t he ab sen c e of ha rmon y th e ,

gr ea t fa c t i n th e u n iv er se .

No frien d w a s ev er so u n selfi sh so t ru e to u s ,

a s i s thi s grea t hea li n g ben eficen t life pri n

,

ci p l e t hi s m y st e ri ou s P ow e r wh ich c r eat e d u s
,

a n d wh ich m a i n t a i n s u s a n d w e fin d tha t w e
,

a r e suppor t ed su st a in ed i n pr op or t i on t o our
, ,

con sc i ou s on en ess wi th i t .

T he P ow er tha t cr ea t ed us i s the sa m e Pow er

tha t m ak es u s ov er n ew ev e ry n ight dur i n g
sl eep . It i s the sa m e Pow e r t ha t i s con sta n tl y
r e cr ea t i n g ev e ry c ell i n the b ody
-
J e le .
“

pon sez et D i eu l e gua r i t (I dressed the

w oun d a n d G od h ea l e d i t ) w a s wri tten by ,

A mbroi se P a re on the w a ll s of th e Ec ol e de
'

M ed i ci n e a t Pa ri s .

I a m th e Lord thy G od (thy good ) tha t ,

”
h ea l eth th ee . H er e i s th e secr et of a ll cures .

T he Bibl e i s full of a c c ou n t s of m en ta l he a l i n g .

Peopl e who ha ve n eve r m a d e a study of th i s

p ha se of th e hea li n g ph il osophy w ould b e sur
pr i se d to fin d t o wha t exten t i t i s scatter ed a l l
t hr ough t he S cript u r es .
 TH E GREAT WITHI N 2 35

He forgiveth a l l thi n e i n iqu i ti es an d hea l eth

a ll thy di sea ses .

I f a ma n k eep M y sayi n g (that i s k eep i n ,

H i s thoughts the t ru th thought the l ove

, ,

t h ought ) he sha ll n ev er see d ea th

, (J ohn .

8:
H ow i n st i n ct ively w e t urn t o thi s Divi ne
hea li n g p ow e r wh en i n t roubl e when over ,

w hel med wi th sorrow an d fa ilure !

Com e un to M e a ll ye tha t l a bor a n d a r e
hea vy l a d en a n d I will gi v e you rest
, T hi n k
wh a t thi s i n vi ta t i on fr om the A l might y
m ea n s ! P ea c e tha t p a sseth u n d e rstan di n g ;
i mm u n i ty fr om a l l d i sc ord s freed om from a ll
the en em i es tha t h a v e h i the r to d ogged our
st ep s th rou gh life bl ocki n g our pr ogr ess an d
, ,

d est royi n g our ha ppi n ess !

T ru e pra ye r r ep a i rs the brok en wir es of our
D i vi n e c on n e ct i on r ea ssur es us bri n gs us i n to
, ,

ha rm on y wi th th e In fi n i te Th i s i s the sec ret

.

of a l l m ent a l hea l i n g .

Thin k of t he ridicul ou sn ess of an y i n e rt dru g

t a k en i n to the syst em comp eti n g wi th t he
i mm or t a l cr ea t ive pri n cipl e of all l i f e ! Th i s
c r ea tiv e pri n cipl e d oes n ot i nhere i n a n y drug
or a n y p hy sic a l r emedy M i n d i s the on ly
.

cr ea tor . N othi n g ev er w as or ev er w i l l be
cr ea ted r e- cr ea ted except thr ough mi n d
'

or .
2 36 MI RACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

O n ly the C r ea tor o f th e o ri gi n al t i ssu es of our

b ody ca n r estor e these t i ssu es w hen di sea se d
or d est roye d .

I n the fina l a n a ly si s a l l cur es ar e self c ur es -

,

a ll hea l i n g i s self hea l i n g -

T he p ot en cy r e
.

si des i n the G r ea t Wi thi n o f u s i n ou r God ,

conn ec t i on i n our on en ess w i th D i vi n i ty

, .

Wha t a boon to the ra c e wha t a blessi n g to ,

hum a n i ty if every on e k n ew th i s on e t ru th ,

tha t the on ly h ea l i n g p ossi bl e m u st c om e

th r ough the r ou si n g of the r e cup e ra t ive r e ,

stor a t i v e f orc e s w i thi n hi m sel f an d tha t t hi s,

hea li n g p ow e r i s that whi ch hea l s a l l hi s hur ts

a nd w ou n d s a n d w h ich i s p e rp et u a lly r en ew
,

i n g ev ery cell i n the b ody a n d t ha t i t i s the

.

sa me p ow er wh i c h cr ea t e d h i m a n d k eep s h i m
,

a liv e ev ery i n st an t o f h i s exi st en c e !

T he comi n g phy sici a n will t ea c h the p at i en t

tha t the crea t ive pr oc esses a r e a lw a y s goi n g
on wi thi n hi m t ha t the sa me p ow e r wh ich ha s
,

creat ed hi m i s i n the p erp etu a l a ct of re creat -

i n g restori n g hi m a l l h i s life
, a s i s show n
,
—

the momen t he br eak s a b on e or l a c er a t es h i s

fl esh when th e heali g proc esses b egi n i m me

,

di a tel y , a n d if 0 r e duc a t i on
—
pr ejudic es , ,

a n d con vi c t i on s did n ot a n t a gon iz e th i s cr ea t iv e

p r ocess but w ere tra i n ed to a i d i t the hea li n g

, ,

would be q ui ckly p erf ectly d on e, .

 THE GREAT WITHI N 2 37

We a r e all c on sc i ou s that t here i s a

c ur r en t
deep wi thi n us tha t ru n s Godwa rd tha t thi s ,

c urren t ca rri es u n li mi ted supply T he p oorest .

of us a r e i n t he ve ry m id st of pl en t y an d i n

t ou ch wi th O mn ip oten t P ow er but w e do n ot ,

k n ow i t I f wi th op en mi n d a n d h ea r t w e put
.
, ,

our selv es i n the succ ess curr en t t he curr en t of ,

good of a bu n d a n c e th e supply will fl ow to us

, ,

n a t ur a lly a bu n d a n t ly
, The m in d tha t i s op en
.

to i t s i n fl ow will n eve r w an t .

It somet i m es happ en s t hat men who purcha se

fa rms on the pra iri es fin d tha t some of thei r
pred ecessor s a ttemp ted to drive well s a n d , ,

failin g to fin d wa ter sold out B ut th e more

, .

en t e rpri si n g purcha ser drill s dow n d eep er a n d

st rik es the livi n g st r ea m .

M ul t itudes of p eopl e go through life with

out ev e r goi n g deep en ough i n to the ir i n n e r

con sci ou sn e ss to st rik e the grea t livin g st rea m

o f supply H en c e th eir lives a r e p a rc hed dry
.
, , ,

a n d un produc t iv e . B ut if w e dip d eep en ough

i n to the G rea t Wi thi n of our selv es w e sha ll ,

st rike t he st r ea m of liv i n g w a te r of whi ch , ,

if w e on c e dri n k w e sha ll n ev er thi r st n ever

, ,

l a c k or w an t a ga i n
, .

We al l ha ve momen t s when we get gl i mpses

of the great p ossibili t i es wi thi n our sel ves It .

may somet i mes be a n exp eri en c e whi ch ta kes

2 38 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

a wa y a l ove d on e wh ich op en s up a r i ft i n ou r
,

n a t ur e a n d giv es u s a gli mp se of p ow er whi c h

w e n ev e r b e f or e k n ew w e possesse d It m a y.

be the r ea d i n g of a n i n sp i r i n g b ook or a n ,

en cour a g i n g fr i en d tha t giv es u s a gl i mp se

of our p ossibl e selves but Wha t eve r i t i s w e

, , ,

a r e n e v e r qui t e t he sa m e a ga i n a f t e r w e h a v e

on c e f elt th e th rill of powe r f rom the v er y

sourc e of t hi n gs .

When ma n feel s the might y pri n c ipl e of

t ru th of j u st ic e pul sa t i n g th r ough h i m he
, ,

k n ow s th a t ev en wi th a ll the w orld a ga i n st hi m
he a n d th i s pri n cipl e a r e a ma j ori ty .

Thi s w a s why L i n c ol n w a s such a p ow er i n

the wo rld . I t w a s n ot m e rely wh a t w a s i n hi s
bra i n ; i t w a s the m igh ty pri n cipl e b eh i n d th e
man b a ck of th e fl esh i t w a s T ru th a n d Ju st i ce
,

w hich a c ted through hi m that ma d e hi m su ch

,

a p ow e r .

L i n c ol n w as c on sc i ou s tha t there w a s some

t hi n g i n sid e of hi m som et hi n g b a ck of h i m
,

which w a s mor e th a n h u ma n 3 p ow er wh ich ,

c a rri ed divi n e a uthori ty an d that if he di s

,

ob e ye d i t he w ould i n st an tl y be r obb e d of hi s
pow er a n d p ea c e of m in d H e fel t tha t t ru th
.

an d j u st i c e w e r e sp ea ki n g t h rough hi m ; tha t

he w as simply a mediu m .

Did you ever r ea l i z e tha t you a r e a pa rt of

 TH E GREAT WIT H I N 2 39

the un iver sa l i n telligen c e that un derli es a l l

thi n g s the i n t ell i g en c e w h ich fur n i shes the
,

p a ttern for the r ose b efor e i t pu shes out i n t o

obj ec t ive rea li t y the i n telligen c e w hi ch shap es
,

e v ery fl ow e r a n d pl a n t a n d t r e e a n d bl a d e of

gr a ss an d that thi s gr ea t oc ea n of i n telligen t

,

en e rgy tha t fill s t he u n iv e r se exi st s i n t he G r ea t

Wit hi n of you i s at your di sp osa l to produ ce

,

w ha t you will ?
On e m an sha p es th i s i n telligen t a ct ivi t y i n to
a st a t u e w hic h en ch a n ts m a n k i n d a n other i n t o
,

a n a rc hi t ec t ura l w on d e r a n othe r i n t o a ra ilr oa d

, ,

a n othe r i n t o a t el ep hon e or se wi n g ma chi n e ,

a n oth e r i n to h id eou s f or m s wh ich c on t a m i n at e

a n d d em ora liz e ev e ry b eh old er .

T he on e grea t M i n d wh i ch p erva d es the

u n ive r se origi n a t es ev e ry fl ow er p attern ,

e v ery t ree ev e ry an i m a l ev e ry l i v i n g th i n g
, ,
It
.

i s from th i s sa m e m i n d th i s p ow er i n the G rea t

,

Wi thin of u s tha t w e create everythi n g whi ch

,

goes to m a k e up our l i fe .

I f m an c ou l d on ly ha rmon iz e wi th the
Divi n e Pri n cipl e w i th i n th e Prin c i pl e wh ich
,

n ev er di es w hich i s n e ve r si c k a n d n e ve r si n s
, ,

he could r ea ch h i s grea t est effi c i en cy hi s high ,

e st st at e of bl e ssed n ess .

Most p eopl e do n ot ha l f rea liz e how sa cre d

3 th in g a l egi t i m a te a mb i t i on i s Wh a t i s th i s
.
240 MIRACLE or RI GHT TH O UGHT
r
et e na l u rge wi thi n us wh ich i s t ryi n g to p ush
u s on a n d on up a n d up ?
, It i s the God urge ,

the God pu sh i n the G r ea t Wi thi n of us whi ch ,

i s p erp et ua lly proddin g us to do our best a n d ,

bid s u s r e fu se t o a cc ep t our secon d best .

When w e come i nt o the rea li zat i on of that

gr eat sil en t vita l en ergy wi th in u s wh i ch i s
, ,

a bl e t o sa t i s fy a l l the soul s d esir e s a ll i ts

’
,

yea rn in gs w e sha ll n o l on ger h un ge r or th ir st

, ,

for al l the good thi n gs of the u n ive rse will be

our s . No lif e can be p oor when en fold ed i n
the I n fin i t e A rms a n d livin g i n the ve ry
,

mi dst of a bun dan ce the sour c e of a ll suppl y

, .
X II . A BRINGIN G
C HI LD REN
X II .A NEW WA Y OF BRIN GIN G UP
C HIL D REN

On ly a t hought , but the work i t wrought

Coul d n eve r by ton gue or pen be t aught,
B ut i t r a n t hrough a l i fe l i ke a t hrea d of go d, l
A n d the l i fe bore frui t a hun dred fol d .

OT l on g a go ther e w a s on ex
hibi ti on i n N ew York a
y ou n g hor se w hi ch ca n do
m ost m a rvel ou s th i n gs ; and

yet hi s t ra i n e r sa ys th a t
only five yea r s a go he h a d
a v e ry ba d d i sp osi t ion He .

w a s fr a c t i ou s a n d w ould k i ck a n d b i te but
, ,

n ow i n st ea d o f di spl a y i n g hi s forme r vic i ou s

n ess he i s ob ed i en t t r a c ta bl e a n d a ffec t i on a t e
, , , .

H e ca n rea d i ly c ou n t a nd r e c k on up figure s ,

ca n sp ell m a n y w ord s an d k n ow s wha t they

,

mea n .

In fa c t th i s hor se seem s to be cap abl e of

l ea rn i n g a l most an yth i n g Five yea r s of ki n d
.

n e ss ha v e c ompl et ely t ran sfor med t he vic i ou s

yea rl i n g col t
. H e i s v ery r e spon si v e t o k i n d
n ess,
but on e ca n do n oth i n g w i th h i m by
whi pp i n g or sc oldi n g hi m H i s t ra in er sa y s
.

tha t i n a l l the five yea r s h e ha s n eve r touche d

hi m wi th a wh ip but on c e .

2 43
2 44 MIRACLE O F RIGHT T H O UGH T
. .

I kn ow a m oth er of a l a rge fa m ily of children

w ho ha s n ev er whipp ed but on e of th em an d ,

tha t on e on ly on c e .

Wh en her first chi ld w a s b orn p eopl e said

sh e w as too good n a tur e d to bri n g up chi ldren
-
,

t ha t she would spoil them as she w ould n ot,

c orrec t or di scipl i n e them a n d w ould do n oth

'

i n g but love them .B ut th i s l ove h a s prov ed

the gr ea t m a gn et wh ich ha s held the fa mi ly
t ogeth e r i n a m a rvel ou s w ay Not on e of
.

t hose ch ildr en h a s gon e a st ra y They h a v e a l l

.

gr own up ma n ly a n d w oman ly a n d l ove ,

h a s b een w on d e rfully d evel op e d i n t hei r n a

t ur es. Thei r ow n a ff ec t i on r esp on d e d to t he
m other s l ov e a n d ha s b ec om e their st r on gest
’

m ot i v e . T o day al l her ch ildr en l ook up on

-

M ot her a s the gran dest figu re i n the w orld .

She ha s br ought out the b est i n t hem b ec a u se

she sa w th e b est i n th em T he wor st did n ot
.

n e e d c orr ec t i n g or r epr essi n g b ec a u se t he ex

,

pul siv e pow er of a st ron ger a ff ec t i on drove

out of the n a t ur e or di sc our a ge d t h e d evel op

m en t of v i ci ou s ten d en c i es wh ich i n the ah ,

sen c e of a grea t l ove m ight ha ve b ec ome

,

dom i n an t an d ruin ed the life .

Love i s a h ea l er a life give r a ba l m for our

,
-
,

h urt s. A ll th rough the Bibl e a r e pa ssa ges

which show the p ow er of l ove as a hea l er an d
 B RI NGI N G UP CHILD RE N 2 45

life l en gthen er
-
Wi th l on g life will I sati sfy
.

”
hi m sa id t he P sa l m i st
“
, b eca u se he hath set
,
”
h i s l ov e up on m e .

When sha ll w e l ea rn t ha t the great c urat ive

pri n c i pl e i s l ove th a t l ove hea l s b ec a u se i t i s
,

h a r m on y ? T her e can be n o di scord Where i t

r eign s . Lave i s seren i t y i s p ea c e a n d happi
,

n ess.

L ov e i s the grea t di scipli n a ri an the suprem e ,

ha r mon iz er the t ru e p ea c em a ke r
, I t i s the .

gr ea t b a lm for a ll tha t bl i ght s ha ppin ess or

br eed s d i sc on ten t a soverei gn p an a cea for
,

m a l i ce r even ge an d a l l t he bru t a l prop en si t i es

, , .

A s c ru el t y m el t s b e fore ki n dn ess so the evil ,

p a ssion s fin d thei r a n t idote i n sw eet cha rity

a n d l ovi n g symp a th y .

Th e m other i s the supr eme sha p er of life

a n d d est i n y .

M an y a mother s love for her children ha s

’

u n doubtedly sta yed the r a va ges of some fa tal

d i sea se . H er c on vic t i on t ha t she w a s n eces
sa ry t o th em a n d h er gr e a t l ov e for t hem h a v e

bra c ed her a n d h a ve en abl ed her t o succ ess

,

fully cope with the en em i es of her life for a

l on g ti me .

O n e mother I kn ow seems t o ha v e the

ma gica l a r t of c uri n g n ea rly a ll the i ll s of her
ch ildr en by l ove I f a n y m emb er of the family
.
2 46 MIRACLE OF RI GH T T H O UGH T

ha s an y di sa gr eea bl e exp eri en c e , is i n j ur ed or

heal s a ll t r oubl es.

T hi s mother ha s a w a y of dra wi n g the

t roubl ed ch ild out of d i sc ord i n t o t he z on e of
p erp etu a l ha rmon y I f h e i s sw a ye d by j eal
.

on sy ha t r e d
, or a i rger
, she a ppli es t h e l ov e
,

solv en t the n a t ur a l a n t i d ot e for these p a ssion

,

p oi son s She kn ow s tha t scoldin g a ch ild

.

when he i s a l r ea dy su ff e r i n g m or e than he can

b ea r i s like t ryi n g to p ut out a fir e wi th k ero
sen e .

Our rpha n a sylum s giv e p athet i c illu str a

o
t i on of how qu i c k ly t he c h ild m i n d m at ur es
a n d a ges pr em a t ur ely w i t hou t the uplift a n d

en ri chmen t of the m othe r l ov e the mother ,

symp a thy p a r en ta l protec ti on an d home i n

,

fl uen ce .

It i s w ell kn own that ch i ldr en who l ose thei r

p a rents an d a r e a dop ted by th e ir gr an dpa ren ts
a n d live i n the c ou n t ry wh e r e t he y do n ot ha ve
,

a n opp ort u n i t y t o m i n gl e m uch wi th othe r c h il

d r en a d opt the m a n n e r s a n d m atur e vocabu

,

l a ry of their eld e rs for t h ey a r e very i mi t a tive

, ,

a n d bec ome li ttl e men a n d w omen b efor e they

a r e out of their you th .

T hin k of a child r ea r ed i n th e cont ami nat ing

 BRI NGI NG U P C HI L D REN 2 47

a tmos ph er e of the slu ms wher e everythin g i s

,

drippi n g wi th sugge st i on s of vulga ri t y an d

wic k e d n ess of eve ry d escrip t i on ! Thi n k of
hi s li tt l e mi n d b ei n g fill e d wi th profan i ty ob ,

scen i ty a n d fil th of a l l ki n d s ! I s i t an y w on
,

der tha t he b ec om es so fill ed wi th vici ou s ,

c ri mi n a l suggest i on s tha t he ten ds t o b ecome

l i k e hi s en vir on m en t ?
C on t r a st such a ch ild wi th on e tha t i s
brought up i n a n a tmosph er e of puri t y r efin e ,

m en t a n d cul t ur e a n d whose m i n d i s a lw a y s
, ,

fill ed wi th n obl e upl i f ti n g suggesti on s of the

,

t ru e the b ea u t i ful a n d th e l ov ely

, , What a .

di ff eren c e i n the chan c es of these t w o ch ildren ,

a n d wi t hou t a n y sp eci a l e ff o r t or choic e of

their ow n ! O n e mi n d i s t r a i n e d upw a rd to ,

w a rds the light the other dow n wa rd tow a rd s

, ,

d a rkn ess .

What chan c e ha s a chi l d to l ea d a n obl e

life when a ll hi s fir st i mpr essi on a bl e yea rs a r e
sa t ura t e d wi th t he sugg est i on of evil when ,

j ea l ou sy an d h a t r ed rev en ge qua rr eli n g a n d

, ,

bick eri n g a l l tha t i s l ow a n d d egra din g fil l

, ,

h i s ea r s a n d ey es ?
H ow i mpor t a n t i t i s tha t t he child should
on ly hea r a n d see a n d be t a ught that w hich wil l

ma ke for b ea u ty a n d for t ru th for l oveli ness ,

an d gr a ndeur O f c ha ra c te r !
2 48 MIRAC L E OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

We ought to ha ve
gr ea t dea l of cha ri ty
a

for th ose whose ea rly lives ha ve b een soa ked i n

e vil cri m i na l impuri t y t h ought s
, , .

T he mi n d s of c hildren a r e lik e the sen si t ive

pl a tes of a photographer r e c ord i n g eve ry ,

thought or suggest i on to wh ic h they a r e ex

p ose d These ea r l y i mpr essi on s ma ke up the
'

c ha r a cter a n d d et erm in e the fu ture p ossi bil i t y .

I f you w ould en courage your child an d help

hi m to m a k e the most of hi mself i n j ec t bright , ,

h op e ful O p ti mi st i c u n selfi sh pic t ures i n t o hi s

, ,

a tmosph e r e T o st i mul at e a n d i n spire hi s

c on fid en c e a n d un selfishn ess mean s grow th ,

su c c ess a n d h a ppin ess for h i m i n h i s fu t ure

,

yea r s wh ile th e opp osite pra cti se ma y mean

,

fa ilure an d mi sery .

I t i s of i n fin itely m or e i mp ortan c e to hold the

r ight thought t ow a rd s a ch il d t h e c on fiden t , ,

succ essful h a ppy op t i mi st ic thought t han t o

, , ,

l ea v e hi m a fort un e wi thou t th i s Wi th hi s .

m i n d pr op erly t ra i n ed he c ould n ot fa il c ould ,

n ot be u n happy without rever si n g th e whol e

,

forma t ive pr oc ess of h i s ea rly life .

Keep the ch ild s mi n d full of ha rmon y of

’
,

t ru th a n d the r e will be n o r oom for di scor d

, ,

for err or .

It i s c ru el c on sta n tly to r em in d ch ildren of

thei r defi c i en c i es or p eculi ar i t i es S en sitive .
 B RI N GI NG U P C HI LD REN 2 49

children ar e oft en seri ou sly i n j ured by the sug

gest i on of i n feri ori ty a n d th e exa gger at ion of
'

d e fec t s wh ich m ight ha v e b een en ti r ely over

c ome T hi s everl asti n g ha rpi n g aga i n st the
.

ba d does n ot help the ch ild ha lf a s m uch a s

k eepi n g hi s l i ttl e m in d full of the good the ,

b ea u tiful a n d th e t ru e T he c on stan t l ove

, .

suggest i on purity suggest i on n obil i t y sug

, ,

gesti on w i l l so p e rmeate th e life a fter a

w hi l e that there will be n othi n g to a ttra c t the
opp osi t e I t will be so full of su n sh i n e so
. ,

full of b ea ut y a n d l ove tha t there w i ll be li ttl e

,

or n o pl a c e for th eir opp osi te

T he c hild s self con fiden ce should be but

’
-

t r esse d br a c ed a n d en c oura ged i n every pos

, ,

si bl e w a y ; n ot t hat h e should b e t a ught t o ove r

e st i m a t e hi s a bili t y a n d hi s p ossib i l i ti es but t he ,

idea that he i s God s ch ild tha t he i s hei r to a n

’
,

I n fi n i te i n he ri ta n c e m a gn ific en t p ossibil i t i es
, ,

should be i n st ille d i n t o the v er y m a rrow of hi s

b ei n g .

A grea t ma n y b oys esp eci a lly those who a r e

,

n at ur a lly sen si t ive shy a n d t i mid a r e a pt t o

, , ,

su sp e c t t ha t the y l a c k t he a bil i t y whi ch othe r s

ha ve . I t Is cha ra ct e ri st i c of such y ou th s tha t

th ey di st ru st thei r ow n a bilit y an d a r e v e ry
ea sily di sc our a ged or en c oura ge d It i s a si n .

t o sh ak e or d est r oy a c h i ld s sel f con fiden ce

’
a
.
2 50 MI RA CLE OF RI GHT THOUGHT
to refl ec t up on hi s abili ty or t o suggest that
he will n ev er a mou n t to m uch Th ese di s .

cour a gi n g w ord s l i k e i n i t i a l s cu t i n t he sa p
,

li n g grow w i de r a n d wid er wi th th e yea rs

, ,

u n t i l they b ec om e grea t ugly sc a r s i n t h e m an .

M ost p a ren t s do n ot ha l f r ea liz e how i mpr es

si on abl e ch i l dr en a re a n d how easily they ma y
,

be i n j ur e d or rui n e d by di sc oura gem en t or

ridicul e C hi ldren require a gr eat d ea l of ap
.

pre ci ati on pra i se an d en cour a gemen t T hey

, , .

l i ve up on i t It i s a gr eat t on ic to them O n
. .

the oth er ha n d th ey wi th er v ery quickly u n d er

,

cr i ti ci sm bl a me or depr eci a t i on Thei r sen si

, , .

t iv e n a tur es ca n n ot stan d i t I t i s th e w or st
.

ki n d of p ol i cy t o be c on sta n t ly bl a m i n g ch id ,

i n g t hem a n d p osi t iv ely c ru el b ord er i n g on

, ,

cri m i n a lit y e v en to suggest to t hem that t he y

,

a r e m en ta lly d efici en t or p ecul i a r th a t they a r e ,

st upid a n d dull a n d that th ey will pr ob ably

,

n ev e r a m ou n t t o a n y th i n g i n the w orld .

H ow easy i t i s for a p a r en t or t ea che r t o

r ui n a ch i ld s c on st ru c t ive a bili t y to ch an ge
’

a n a t ura lly posi t i v e c rea t i v e m i n d t o a n ega

,

t ive n on pr oduci n g on e by ch i lli n g the ch ild s

’
-
, ,

en t hu si asm by pr oj ec t i n g i n to h i s p l a st ic m i n d
,

the id ea tha t h e i s stupid dull l a zy a block

, , ,
~

hea d a n d good for n othi n g ; tha t he will n ever

- -

a mou n t to an yth i n g ; tha t i t i s fooli sh for hi m

 B RINGI NG U P CHILD REN 2 5!

to try to be mu c h, bec ause he has n ot the ability

or p hy si c a l sta m i n a t o en a bl e hi m t o a ccompli sh

what man y others do S uch tea chi n g w ould.

u n d ermin e the bright est i n t e ll ec t .

I ha ve k n ow n of a n ext r emely sensi tive ,

t i mid boy who ha d a gr ea t d ea l of n atur a l

a b i li t y but who d ev el op ed v e ry sl owly whose
, ,

whol e fut ure was n ea rly ruin ed by hi s tea cher

a n d p a ren t s c on sta n t ly t elli n g hi m that he w as

st upid a n d dull , an d tha t he probably n ev e r

w ould a mou n t t o a n yth in g A li ttl e pra i se a

.
,

li tt l e en c our agemen t w ould ha ve ma de a sup erb

,

man of thi s you th b ec a u se he ha d the ma teri a l

,

for t he ma ki n g of on e B ut he a ct u a lly be
.

'

l i eved that he w a s n ot up to the ordi n a ry

men ta l stan da rd ; he w a s thoroughly con
v i n ced tha t h e w as m en t a lly d efi c i en t a n d thi s ,

con vi c tion n ev er en t i r ely l eft hi m .

We a r e b egi n n i n g to di scove r tha t i t i s mu ch

easi e r t o a tt r a ct th a n to coe r ce Pra i se an d.

en c our a gemen t will do i n fi n i tely more for

childr en than t hreats an d pun i shmen t T he .

w a rm su n shi n e i s mor e than a match for the

cold has i n fin i tely more i n flu en ce i n de
,

vel opi n g t he bud th e bl ossom an d the frui t

, ,

than the wi n d an d th e t emp est whi ch suppr ess ,

w hat resp on d s volun t a rily to the gen i al i nflu

'
ence of the sun s ray s .
2 52 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT
We a ll
kn ow how b oy s will work like
t r oop er s u n d e r the st i mulu s of en c our a gemen t
an d pra i se M an y p a ren ts a n d tea c her s k n ow
.
.

t hi s a n d how fa t a l t he opp osi te policy i s B ut

'

, .

un fort un a tely a grea t m a j orit y do n ot a ppr e

c i a te the ma gi c of pra i se a n d a ppr ec i at ion .

Pupil s w i ll do a n yt hin g for a t ea ch er w ho

i s a lwa y s ki n d c on sider a t e a n d i n t erest ed i n
, ,

t hem ; but a cr oss fra c t i ou s n a ggi n g on e so

, ,

a r ou ses their a n ta gon i sm th a t i t of t en prov es

a fa t a l ba r t o th eir progress There m u st be

.

no ob struc t i on no i ll feeli n g b et w een t he

,
-

t ea che r a n d the pupil if the best r esul ts a r e t o

,

b e Obta i n e d .

M an y p a r en t s ar e v ery much di st r essed by

the w a yw a rdn ess of thei r ch ildre n ; but this
waywa rd n ess i s often mor e i ma gin ary tha n
’
rea l A l a rge p a r t of children s pra n k s a n d
.

m i sch i e f i s me rely the ou t come of exub eran t

you th ful spiri ts which must ha ve an out l et
, ,

a n d if t hey a r e suppressed t heir gr ow th i s

,

fat a lly st un t e d They a r e so full of life en

.
,

er gy a n d so bu oya n t tha t t he y ca n n ot k eep

,

st ill . They must do s omethi n g G ive them .

a n ou t l et for their an i ma l s piri ts L ove i s the

.

on ly p ow e r t hat can r egul at e an d c on t rol them .

Do n ot t r y to ma ke m en of your b oys or
w omen of your girl s It i s n ot n at u r al
. Love .
 B RI N GI N G UP CHIL D REN 2 53

them . M ake home j u st as ha ppy a pl a c e as

p ossibl e a n d give them r ein fr eedom En

, , .

c our a ge them i n th eir p la y for th ey ar e n ow i n ,

thei r fun a ge M an y p a ren t s rui n the l a rger

.
,

c ompl et er full e r d e v el op m en t of their children

,

by r epr essi n g them d est r oyin g the ir ch ild

,

h ood their pl a y d a y s by t ryi n g t o ma ke them

, ,

a dul t s T her e i s n oth in g sa dd er i n Ameri can

.

life than the ch il d who ha s b een robb ed of i ts

chfl dhood .

Child r en a r e li ttl e an i ma l s somet i mes self ,

i sh oft en cru el due to th e f a ct tha t some p a rt s

, ,

of th eir br a i n d ev el op fast er th an ot her s so ,

tha t the ir m i n d s a r e t emp or a rily thr ow n out

o f b a l a n c e someti m es ev en t o cru el or cri m i
,

n a l t en d en ci es but l at er the m i n d b ecomes

m or e sym m et r i ca l an d the vici ou s t en d en c i es
u sua lly d i sa pp ea r Their mor al fa cult i es an d
.

sen se of r espon sibili ty un fold more sl owly

t han oth e r t r a i t s an d of c our se t hey w i ll
, , ,

do m i sc hi evou s thi n gs ; but i t i s a fata l mi s

ta k e t o be a lw a y s suppr essi n g them They mu st .

give out their su rplu s en ergy i n some w ay .

En c ou ra ge them t o romp Pl a y wi th them . .

I t will keep you you n g an d will li n k them to,

you w i th hook s of st eel D o n ot be a fr a id of

.

l osi n g you r dign i t y I f you ma ke home the

.

happ i est most cheerful pl a c e on ear th for your

,
2 54 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT
ch i ldren if you l ove th em en ough there i s
, ,

l i tt le da n ger of their b ec omi n g ba d .

T hou sa n d s of p a r en t s by b ei n g so sever e
wi th the i r chi ldr en sc old i n g a n d criticizi n g ,

them a n d c ru shi n g thei r c hi ld hood ma k e th em ,

se cr e t i v e a n d d ec e i t ful i n st ea d of op en an d

t ra n sp a r en t a n d est ran ge t h em an d driv e them

,

a w a y fr om hom e .

A ma n ought to l ook b a ck up on th e home

of hi s chi ld hood a s t he Ed e n of h i s l i fe w he re ,

l ove r eign ed i n stea d of a s a pl a c e w he re a

,

lon g fa c e d seve r i t y a n d ha rshn ess rul e d whe re

-
,

h e w a s suppr essed a n d hi s fun l ovi n g spiri ts -

sn u ffed out .

Ev e ry m other whethe r she r ea liz es i t or n ot

, ,

i s c on st a n tly u si n g t he p ow er of suggest ion i n

r ea ri n g h er ch ildren hea li n g a l l thei r little ,

h ur t s . She ki sses the bu m p s a n d brui ses an d

t e ll s t he ch ild a ll i s w ell a ga in an d he i s n ot ,

on ly c om fort e d but r ea lly b eli ev es t ha t th e ki ss

,

a n d c a r ess ha e m a gi c to cur e the i n j ury T he

g .

m other i s c on stan t ly an t id ot i n g a n d n eu t ra l
izi n g the ch ild s li t tl e t r oubl es an d di scord s by
’

givi n g the Opposi te though t an d applyin g the

l ove eli xir
-
.

It i s p ossibl e through t he p ow er of sug

,

gestion to devel op i n gh i l dr en fa c ulties upon

, r
=

which health spgcesg a nd happi n ess depend

, , .
 BR ING IN G UP CHILDRE N 5
25

M ost of us kn ow h ow dep en d en t our effi c i en c y

i s upon our m ood s our c oura ge h Ope 7
,
\ I f the , .

c heerful op t im i st i c f a cul t i es w er e brought out

,

a n d l a rgely d ev el op e d i n c hild hood i t w ould ,

cha n ge our w hol e out l ook up on li fe an d w e ,

w ould n ot dra g thr ough year s of ha lf hea rted -

n ess ,
di sc oura gemen t a n d m en ta l a n gui sh
, ,

ou r st ep s d ogge d by f ea r a ppr eh en si on a n x
, ,

i ety a n d d i sa pp oi n tm en t
,
.

O n e r ea son w hy w e ha v e such p oor hea lth i s

b ec a u se w e ha ve b een steep ed i n p oor heal th -

t h ought fr om i n fa n cy We ha v e b een sa tu
.

r a te d wi th the id ea tha t p a i n p hy si c a l suff e r

,

i n g an d d i sea se a r e a p a rt of l i f e ; n ec essa ry
,

evil s w hi c h ca n n ot be a v oi d e d We ha ve h a d
.

i t so i n st i ll ed i n to us tha t robu st hea l th i s th e

exce t i on a n d could n ot be e xp ect e d t o b e t he
p
r ul e tha t w e h a v e c ome t o a cc ep t t hi s u n for tu

n a t e con d i t i on of thi n gs a s a sor t o f fa t e fr om

w hi ch w e ca n n ot hop e to get a w ay .

The c hild h ea r s so m uch sick ta lk i s ca u ,

t i on ed so m uc h ab ou t the d an ger s of c at chi n g

a l l sor t s of d i sea ses tha t he gr ow s up w i th th e
,

c on vi ct i on tha t ph y si c al di sc ord s a ches p a i n s , , ,

a l l d i sc om for t an d su ff er i n g a r e a n ec essa ry
,

p a r t of hi s exi sten c e tha t at a n y t i me di sea se i s

,

li abl e to over take hi m an d ru i n hi s happi n ess

a n d thw a rt hi s c a r eer .
2 56 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

T h in k wha t th e opp osi t e t ra i n i n g w ould

of

do for the chi ld if h e w er e t a ught t ha t h ea l th

i s the ev erl a st i n g f a c t an d t ha t d i sea se i s b ut
t he m an i fest a t i on O f t h e a b sen c e of h a rmon y !
T hi n k wha t i t w ould m ea n to h i m i f h e w ere
t r a i n e d t o b eli ev e th a t a b ou n di n g hea l th r i ch
, ,

full c om pl ete i n st ea d of si ckn e ss tha t cer

, , ,

t a i n t y i n st ea d of u n c er t a i n t y w e r e hi s b i r th

r i ght ! Thin k w ha t i t w ould mea n for hi m to

ex pe ct thi s dur i n g a l l h i s growi n g y ea r s i n ,

st ea d of build i n g i n t o hi s c on sci ou sn ess th e

opp osi t e i n st ea d of be i n g sat ur a t e d wi th t he

,

si ck thought a n d c on stan t ly b ei n g ca u t i on e d

a ga i n st d i sea se a n d the da n ge r of c on t ra c t i n g

it !
T he c hild should be t a ught that G od n ever
cr ea t ed di sea se a n d n eve r i n t en d e d th a t w e
,

should su ff er ; that w e w e r e m a d e for a b ou n d

i n g h ea l th a n d ha ppi n ess ma d e for en j oy men t

,

n ot for p a i n ma d e t o be ha ppy n ot m i se r
—
,

a bl e t o express ha rmon y n ot di sc ord

, , .

Children a r e ext remely credul ous They ar e .

i n cli n ed to b eli eve eve rythin g tha t a n a dul t

t ell s them esp ec i a lly the n ur se the f a the r a n d
, ,

mother an d t heir old er brother s a n d si st er s

, .

Even t he th i n g s th a t a r e t old t hem i n j est t hey

tak e very se r i ou sly ; a n d th ei r i ma gi n a t i on s
a re so vi v i d a n d thei r li t t l e mi n d s so i m r es
"

p
 B RI NGI NG U P CHIL D REN 2 57

si ona bl e tha t they ma gn ify e ev rythi n g They

.

a r e of te n pu n i she d for t ell i n g fa l sehoods when ,

t he f a ul t i s r ea lly due t o their exc essively

a c ti v e i m a gi n a t i on. o

M an y ig n or an t or thoughtl ess p a r en ts an d
n ur ses c on sta n t ly u se f ea r a s a mea n s of gov

e r n i n g c hi ldr en
. They fi ll thei r littl e mi n d s
full of a ll sorts of fea r stori es a n d terror pic
t ur es w h ic h m a y ma r t h eir w hol e liv es . Th ey
o ft en buy soot hi n g syrup s a n d a l l sor t s of

s l eepi n g pot i on s t o pr e v en t t h e l i tt l e on es from

d i sturb i n g their r est a t n ight or to keep them

,

qui et a n d fr om a n n oyi ng them i n the day ti me ,

a n d th u s a r e li abl e to st u n t their br a i n d e velop .

men t .

Even if ch ildr en w er e n ot seriou sly i n j ured

by fea r i t would be wick ed to frighten them
, ,

for i t i s wron g t o d ec eiv e them . I f there i s

a n y th i n g i n the w orld t ha t i s sa cr e d to the

p a ren t or t ea cher i t i s the un quest ion ed con fi

,

d en ce of ch ildr en .

I b elieve t hat the b egi n n i n gs of d eteriora ti on

i n a grea t m a n y p eopl e w ho go wr on g could be
t r a c e d t o the forfei t i n g of the c hil dr en s r esp ec t
’

a n d con fid en c e by th e p a ren t s a n d t ea ch er s .

We a ll kn ow from exp eri en ce that confidence

on c e sh ak en i s a l most n eve r en t irely r est ored .

Even w hen w e forgive w e seld om f orget ; the

,
2 58 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

s u spici on f
o ten r ema i n s There should n ever
.

be a n y sha d ow s b et w een the chi ld an d h i s

p a ren t s a n d t ea ch er s H e should a lw a y s be
.

t r ea t e d w i th th e ut most fr an kn ess t r an s ,

pa r en cy si n c eri t y T he ch ild s resp e ct i s

’
.
,

w or th everyth i n g t o hi s p a r en ts Noth in g .

should i n duc e t h em t o vi ol a t e i t or t o sha k e i t .

I t should be re ga rd e d a s a v ery sa c r ed th in g ,

a m ost pr ec i ou s p ossessi on .

T hi n k of the shoc k whi ch mu st c ome to a

ch ild wh en he grow s up a n d d i sc ov er s tha t
t hose he ha s t ru st ed i mplic i t ly a n d w h o seem e d
a l m ost l i k e god s t o h i m h a v e b een d e ce i v i n g

h i m for y ea r s i n a ll sor ts of w a y s !
I h a ve h ea rd mother s say that they drea d ed
t o h a v e t h ei r ch i ldren grow up a n d di sc ov er
h ow they h a d d e c ei v ed t hem a l l t h rough t he ir
c hi ldhood ; to ha ve them di sc over t ha t they ha d
r esor te d t o f ea r sup er st i t i on a n d a l l sor ts of
, ,

d ecei t s i n ord er t o govern or i n flu en c e th em .

When ever you a r e temp ted t o de c eiv e a

child a ga i n rem emb er that t he t i me will c om e
,

when he w i l l un der s tan d an d tha t he w i ll t e

,

cei v e a t erribl e shock w hen he di sc ov e r s t ha t

you up t o whom h e ha s l ook e d wi th suc h i m

,

pl i ci t t ru st su ch si mpl e con fid en ce ha ve de
, ,

cei ve d hi m .

Pa r ent s should r ememb er tha t every di str ess

 BRI NGI NG UP C HI LD REN 2 59

i ng, bl ood curdli n g story told to a child every

-
,

sup e r st i t i ou s f ea r i n st i ll e d i n t o hi s you n g life ,

the m en ta l a tt i t ud e they b ea r tow a rd s hi m ,

t h e w h ol e t r ea tm en t the y a cc ord hi m a r e ,

m a ki n g phon ogr a p hic r ec ord s i n hi s n a tu r e

wh ic h will be r eprodu c ed wi th sc i en tifi c ex
a ct n ess i n hi s fu ture lif e .

Wha tev er you do n ever pu n i sh a chi ld when

,

he i s su ffe ri n g wi th fea r I t i s a cru el th i n g to

.

pu n i sh c hi ldren the w a y m ost m other s a n d

t ea c h e r s do a n yw a y ; but t o pu n i sh a ch ild
,

when he i s a lrea dy quive r i n g w i th terr or i s

e x t r em ely di st ressin g a n d to whi p a c hild
,

w hen you a r e a n gry i s bru ta l M a n y c hi ldren

.

n e v e r qui t e forg et or f orgive a p a r en t or

t ea ch e r for t hi s cru el t y .

Pa ren t s t ea ch e r s fr i en d s often put a seri ou s

, ,

st u mbli n g bl oc k i n
-
the w a y of a y out h by
suggest i n g t ha t h e ought t o st udy for the

m i n i st ry or the l a w ; to be a physici an a n
, ,

en g i n e e r
, or en t e r som e oth er pr ofe ssi on or

busin ess for whi ch he m a y be t otally un fitted .

I k n ow a m a n w hose c a r ee r w as n ea rly
ru i n e d by the suggest i on of hi s gr an dmoth er
when he w a s a chi ld tha t she would educ a t e
h i m for t he ch urch a n d tha t i t w a s her wi sh
,

for hi m to b ecome a cl e rgym an .

It w as n ot that she saw i n t he li ttle ch i ld

2 60 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGH T
any fi tn ess
for thi s holy offi ce but b ec a u se she
,

w a n ted a cl er gyma n i n the fa mil y a n d she ,

o ft en r em i n d e d h i m tha t he m u st n ot d i sa pp oi n t

he r .T he boy, w ho i d ol i z ed h i s gra n dm oth e r,

p on d ere d th i s thought u n t i l he b eca m e a youn g
man . T he
id ea p ossessed h i m so st ron gly tha t
e v e ry t i m e h e t r i ed t o ma k e a c hoi c e of a ca

r ee r t h e p i c t ur e of a cl ergym a n ru sh e d fir st

t o hi s m i n d an d a l though h e c ould see n o rea l

, ,

r ea son w hy he should b ecome a cl ergyman the ,

s ugg est i on tha t he ought t o w ork ed l i k e l ea ven

i n hi s n a t ure a n d k ep t hi m from m a k i n g a n y
othe r ch oic e u n t il too l a te t o en a bl e h i m t o

succ eed t o a n y gr ea t ex ten t .

I kn ow a m ost brilli a n t a n d m a rvel ou sly

fa sci n at i n g w om a n w ho i s ex t r em ely a mbi
t i ou s to ma k e a n a m e for her self b ut she i s ,

a l most t ot a lly l a cki n g i n he r a bil i t y t o a pply

her self even i n the li n e whe r e her t a l en t i s

,

grea tl y m a rk e d She seems t o be abu n d a n tly

.

en d ow ed i n e v ery fa cul t y a n d qu a li t y exc ep t

th i s . Now if h er p a r en t s h a d kn ow n th e se
,

c r et of c orr ect i n g men t a l d efic i en ci es bu i ldi n g,

up w ea k fa cult i es thi s gi rl c ould ha ve b een so

,

t r a i n ed tha t sh e would prob ably ha v e ha d a

gr ea t c a reer a n d ma d e a world wide n a m e for
-

herself .

I have i n mi n d an other woman a most bril ,

 B RI N GI NG UP CHI LD REN

l i an t lin gui st ,
p ks flu en tly seven l an
w ho s ea

gua ges Sh e i s a m ost fa sci n a ti n g c on versa

.

t i on a li st a n d i mpne sses on e a s ha vi n g r ea d
e v ery t h i n g bu t a l though i n g ood h ea l th sh e
, , ,

i s an obj ect of cha ri ty t o da y si m ply b ec a u se

—
,

she ha s n ev e r d ev el op ed h er pr a c t i c a l fa c ul t i es

a t a l l a n d thi s b e c a u se she w a s n ev e r t r a i n e d
,

t o w ork to d ep en d upon her self ev en i n li t tl e

,

thi n gs when sh e w a s a c hild She w a s f on d of

.

her b ook s w a s a most brilli an t schol a r but

, ,

n ev e r l ea r n e d t o be pr a c t i c a l or t o do a ny

th i n g h e r se lf H er self rel i a n c e a n d i n d e
.
-

pen den ce w er e n ev e r d ev el op ed A ll of h er .

ea rly fri en d s pr e dic t ed a br i lli an t fu t ur e fo r

her b ut b ec a u se of t he v ery c on sci ou sn ess

,

of p ossessi n g so m a n y bri ll i a n t qu a l i t i es a n d

of th e fa c t tha t she w a s fl a tt er ed dur i n g a l l

he r st ud en t l i f e a n d n ot obliged t o d ep en d Up on
h e r sel f for a n y thi n g she c on t i n u ed to ex erci se
,

h er st r on g schol a r ship f a cul t i es on ly li ttl e ,

dr ea min g that t he n eglec t to d evel op h er

w eak e r on es w ould wreck her u se ful n ess a n d
her happi n ess .

It i s n ot en ou gh t o p ossess abili t y We .

m u st be a bl e to use i t effec t ively an d wh at ev er ,

i n te rfer es with i ts a ct ivi t y to that exten t kill s

effici en c y Ther e a r e man y p eopl e who ar e
.

ver y abl e i n most qu ali ti es an d yet thei r r eal

2 62 MIRACLE OF RI GHT T H O UGH T .

w ork i s seri ou sly i n j ured a n d often pr a c tica lly

rui n ed or they a r e th rown i n to the me di ocre
,

cl a ss owi n g t o some w eakn ess or d efi c i en cy

,

which might h a v e b een en t ir ely r em edied by

cul t iva ti on an d pr op er t r a i n i n g i n ea rl i er l i f e.

I k n ow a m an of sup e rb a bil i ty i n n ea rly

e v e ry r esp ec t w ho i s so t i m i d a n d sh
y tha t h e
d oes n ot d a re pu sh h i mself forwa rd or put
h i m self i n the p osi t i on of gr ea t est a dvan ta ge ,

d oes n ot d a r e begi n thi n gs Con sequ en t ly h i s

.

wh ol e life has b een se ri ou sly h a n d i c appe d .

I f c hi ldr en c ould on ly b e ta ught to d evel op

a p osi t iv e cr ea t iv e m i n d i t w ould be o f i n fi
, ,

n i tel y mor e v a lu e a n d i mp ort an c e t o them tha n

i n he ri ti n g a for t u n e wi th a n on produ ct ive on e

-
.

You ths should be ta ught tha t the most va luabl e

th i n g t o l ea r n i n life n ext to i n t egri t y i s how
t o build their m i n d s up t o the highest p ossibl e
produci n g p oin t the h ighest possibl e sta te of
,

cr ea ti v e effici en cy .

The m ost i m porta n t p a r t of the educat ion

of t he fut ur e will be to i n c r ea se t he chan c es of

succ ess i n life a n d l e ssen the d a n ge r of fa i lure

a n d the wr ec k i n g of on e s c a r ee r by buildi n g
’

up w ea k a n d d efici en t fa cul t i es c orr ect i n g on e

,

si ded ten d en ci e s so th a t the i n dividu a l will

,

b ec om e mor e l ev el hea d e d b et ter b a lan ced a n d

-
, ,

ha v e a more sy mmet ri cal mi n d .

 B RI NGI NG U P CHILD REN 2 63

M an y st ud en ts l ea ve school a n d c oll ege

kn owi n g a grea t dea l but wi thout a bi t of
,

i mpr ov em en t i n their self con fiden ce their i n

-
,

i t i a t i v e a bili t y They a r e j u st a s t imid shy

.
, ,

a n d self d epr ec i a t ory a s b efor e en t e ri n g

-
.

Now wh a t a dvan ta ge i s i t t o sen d a y outh

,

ou t i n t o t he world w i th a h ea d full of k n owl

e dge but w i t hou t th e c on fid en c e or a ssur a n ce

t o u se i t eff ec t iv ely or t he a bili ty to gr a ppl e

,

w i th life s probl em s wi th tha t vigor a n d effi

’

ci en cy wh ic h a l on e ca n bri n g succ ess ?

I t i s a n u n p a rd on a bl e r efl ec t i on up n a col
o
l eg e w hi ch t ur n s out youths w ho d a r e n ot
sa y t heir soul s a r e their ow n w ho ha v e n ot
,

d evel op e d a vigor ou s self con fidence a ssur -

,

a n c e a n d i n i t i a t ive
,
H u n dr ed s of studen t s ar e
.

t urn ed out of our coll eges every y ea r wh o

w ould a l most fa i n t a w ay i f they w ere sudden ly
c a ll ed up on to sp eak i n public to rea d a reso ,

l ut i on or ev en t o put a mot i on
,
.

T he t i me will come w hen a n edu cat ion wil l

en a bl e a y ou th w hil e up on h i s feet i n publi c

t o expr ess hi mself f orc efully to use th e a bilit y

,

h e ha s an d su mmon hi s k n owl edge qui ckly .

H e wi l l be so t ra i n ed i n self c on t r ol i n self-
,

con fiden ce i n l evel hea d edn ess tha t he will n ot

,
-
,

be th rown off h i s gu a rd i n an em ergen cy .

The fut ur e edu c a t i on will mean that what the

2 64 MIRACLE OF RIGHT T H O UGHT

st ud en t kn ow s will b e avai l a bl e tha t he ca n ,

u t il i z e i t a t will tha t he will be tra i n ed t o use

,

it effici en tly .

M a n y of our gr adu a tes l ea v e coll ege every

yea r a s w ea k a n d i n effici en t i n man y r esp ect s a s
when they b egan their edu ca tion What i s .

e duc a t i on for i f i t i s n ot t o t r a i n the y ou th to

be the master of hi s fa cul t i es m a st er of every ,

si t u a t i on
, a bl e t o su mmon a l l of h i s r eserv es

of k n owl edge a n d p ow e r a t will ?

A coll ege gr a du a te t i mid st a mme ri n g

, , ,

blushi n g a n d c on fu sed wh en sudden ly c a ll ed

, ,

u p on to use hi s k n owl edge wheth e r i n publ i c

,

or el sew h e re ought to be a n u n k n ow n th i n g
, .

O f wha t use i s e du ca t i on which can n ot be

su mmon e d a t will ? O f what good are the r e
se rv es oi l ea r n i n g w h ich ca n n ot be ma r sha l e d

quickly when w e n eed them which do n ot ,

help on e to be ma ste r of hi mself an d the si tu

a t ion wha tever i t ma
,
y be ?
The t i me w ill c ome when n o chi ld will be
a ll ow ed t o grow u
p wi thou t b ei n g t a ught to
beli eve i n hi mself to have gr eat con fiden ce i n
,

hi s a bili t y Thi s will be a most imp ortan t

p a rt of hi s edu ca tion for if he b eli eves in h i m
,

self en ough he w i ll n ot be lik ely t o a ll ow a

,

si n gl e d efici en t fa c ul t y or wea kness to w r eck

hi s ca ree r .
 B RI NGI N G UP CHILD REN 265

H e should be r ea red i n the c on vi cti on that

he w a s sen t i n to thi s world wi th a mi ssion an d
t hat he i s goin g to d el i v e r i t
.

Eve ry you th should be t a ught that i t was

i nten ded he shoul d fill a pl a ce i n the world
w hi ch n o on e el se ca n fill ; tha t he should
exp ec t t o fill i t an d t ra i n hi m self for i t ; t aught
,

t ha t he w as ma d e i n the C reat or s i ma ge that

’
,

i n the t ruth of hi s b ei n g he i s d i vi n e p erf ect

, ,

i mmortal an d that the i ma ge of God can n ot

,

f a il
. H e should be t aught t o thi n k gran dly of
hi m self to for m a subli me est i mate of hi s pos
,

si bi l i t i es a n d of h i s fu t ur e
. Thi s w i ll i n c rease
h i s self r esp ect a n d self d eve lop men t i n well
- -

p ropor t i on ed liv i n g .
X III
. T RA ININ G F OR
X III . TRAI NI N G FO R L O NGE V IT Y

I f t he m i n d hol ds the ol d a ge patter n , t he ol d

a ge con vi ct i on , i t w i ll be o ut -p i ct ure d i n t he body .

I f t he m i n d hol ds the youth ful pat tern i t wi ll be

fa i t hfully copi ed i n the body .

NE of richest m en i n
the
the Un i t ed S t a t es sa y s tha t
he w ould giv e ten m illion
d oll a rs to prol on g hi s life
t en y ea rs No d oub t h e
.

w ould be will i n g to gi ve a
h u n dred m i ll i on s .

H ow preciou s life i s to a ll of us ! I t i s a
ra re th i n g for ev en a cri min a l t he most de ,

j ect ed cr eature servi n g a life sent en c e t o wi sh ,

t o shor ten h i s exi st en c e a n hou r if h e c ould .

Whateve r our a mbit ion may be n othi n g el se ,

ca n be qui t e so pr e c i ou s t o most of us a s lif e ,

a n d w e w a n t tha t life a t i ts b est Eve ry n or

.

m al p er son drea ds t o see the ma rks of ol d

a ge t he sy mp tom s of d e cr epi t ud e a n d w a n t s
, ,

t o rema i n fr esh buoy a n t r obu st a s l on g a s

, , ,
'

p ossibl e Y et most p eopl e do n ot t ake sen sibl e

.

prec a u ti on s to pr eserv e their youth a n d v i gor .

They vi ol a te the h ea l th l aw s l on gevi ty la w s

,

sa p th ei r vi ta li t y i n fooli sh u n n a t ura l livi n g i n

, ,

d eteri orat i n g habi ts a n d then w on der why

,

2 69 .
2 70 MIRACLE O F RIGHT TH O UGHT

th ei r p ow e r s d ecli n e Abu se d fa cul ti es a n d

.

ou t ra ged n erv es m u st pa y th e p en a l ty T he .

l on g life i s the c on t roll e d life .

I f w e took a s much p a i n s or ma de as gr ea t
a n eff or t t o r eta i n ou r y ou th ful n ess a n d our

vigor a s m an y of us do to m a ke m on ey t o ,

a m a ss a for t u n e w e c ould c a rry y ou th w ell

,

n igh t o t he c en tury ma r k .

A man i s lik e a fin e cl ock which if prop , ,

e rly c a r ed for w i ll keep spl en did t i m e a n d

,

r un for a c en t ury but w h ic h i f n egl ec t ed or

, ,

a bu sed will very soon get out of ord e r a n d

, ,

w ea r out or giv e out l on g b efor e i t should .

It seem s st ra n ge tha t a l th ough w e a l l l ove

life so d ea rly cli n g to i t w i th such d esp er a t e
,

t en a ci ty w e sh ould sell i t so cheaply shoul d

, ,

d el i bera tely th r ow a wa y so ma n y pr eciou s

y ea r s by wron g livi n g an d ba d thi n ki n g
, .

A s lon g a s w e go on thi n ki n g ol d a ge
though ts ha rb orin g ol d a ge c on vic t i on s p i ctu r
, ,

i n g ol d a ge cha r a c te ri st ic s w e sha ll con t i n u e to

,

gr ow ol d Our thoughts a n d our c on vict i on s

.

will w ork a ga i n st our rea l d esires j u st a s our , .

v ery eff ort how ever st r en uou s i t ma y be t o

, ,

a ccu m ul a t e a f ort u n e w i ll be cou n t era c t ed by

our d oubt s an d f ea r s of fa i lure .

T h e men ta l id ea l d et erm i n es what sha ll be

bu il t i n to the life whether i t sha ll be y ou thf ul
,
 T RAI NI N G FO R L O NGE V IT Y 2 71

or a gi n g con di t i on s Every p er son ha s the i n

.

h er en t ca p a ci ty for pr ol on gi n g hi s life i n cr ea s ,

i n g hi s p ot en t i a l l on gevi ty ; but he m u st fir st
u n d er sta n d t he m en t a l pri n c ipl e .

Pe rfec t h ea l th vigor a n d robu stn ess are i m

, ,

possibl e t o on e whose m i n d i s a sl a ve to the

c on vic ti on tha t he i s on the d ecl i n e tha t h e i s ,

goi n g down h ill phy sica lly that hi s p ow er s a r e

-
,

gr a dua lly l essen in g th rough a ge .

T he m i n d ma k es i t s ow n d ea d li n e
’
On e s .

con vi ct i on pl a c e s t he li m i ts .

M ost p eopl e do n ot r ea liz e tha t t hei r m en t a l

a tt i t ud e i s a posi t iv e e n e rgy w h ich i s c on st an t ly

cr eat i n g r esul ts Ev ery ti m e w e focu s the

.

m i n d w e a r e pr oduci n g cr ea t in g som eth i n g

, , .

I f w e focu s i t up on b ea ut y w e a re cr ea t in g ,

b ea u ty I f w e focus i t up on t he c on dit i on s of
.

de cli n i n g p ow e r s of d ecrep i t ud e w e help t o

, ,

c rea te the se c on d i t i on s i n the l i fe A n y m en ta l .

a tt i t ud e w h i c h i s a dve r se t o th e sp iri t of you th

t en d s to pr oduc e ha rd en i n g ol d age c on d i
t i ons.

I f w e l i ve i n m en t a l you th if w e p i c t ur e ,

th e pr oc esse s of r ejuv en a t i on ; of self r en ew a l -

,

wh ich a r e a lways goi n g on i n every cell of the

body th e ol d a ge pic t ur es can n ot be r epro
,

duced i n i t .

M an y p eopl e a ss st i ra ther th an r esi st th e

2 72 MIRACLE O F RIGHT TH O UGHT

ol d a ge proc esses by givi n g i n to them a n d

ha rb ori n g the con vict i on tha t they a r e gett i n g
a l on g i n y ea r s
X T hey a r e a lw a y s l ook i n g for
.

sign s of old a ge t he f oot pri n ts of decli n e

, T he .

p oi n t of di mi n i shi n g r eturn s i s a ve ry t en d e r
sp ot t o them I f they t ir e a littl e soon er than
.

th ey on ce did if they ca n n ot stan d qui t e a s

,

much as when they w ere y ou n ge r they i m a g ,

”
i n e tha t they ha v e c r osse d t he dea d li n e
“

pl ac ed by such men a s Dr O sl er a n d othe r s .

,

a n d t hey b eg i n to r ep ea t that d ea dly sa y i n g ,

I a m n ot a s youn g a s I u sed to be .

I ha ve a fr i en d who i s al wa y s r eferri n g to
hi s a ge i n su ch expressi on s a s t hi s Y ou
kn ow w hen a m a n gets p a st sixt y h e c an t
,
’

sta n d wh a t h e on c e c ould I am begi n n i n g to

.

feel pretty st i ff m y b on es a r e gettin g bri ttl e

, ,
”
m y mu scl es ha rd H e i s a lw ay s sa yi n g th a t
.
,
-
“

h e i s t oo ol d for th i s an d t oo ol d for t ha t
, .

L ea ve those thi n gs to youn g p eople he will ,

”
they a r e n ot for m en of my a ge
“
sa y, He .

i s con stan t ly dwelli n g up on hi s dec li n i n g yea r s ,

a n d k eepi n g t he pic t ur e O f d ecr epi t ude i n h i s

mi n d .

I f a t thi rty or thirty fiv e you exp e ct t o —

b ec om e a n ol d ma n or w oman said Pren t i ss ,

“
M ulford ,
a t fift y fiv e you will be on e ; be
—

ca u se the m i n d mak es t he m ateri al c or r esp on d

 TRAI NI NG F OR L O NGE V IT Y 2 73

en c e of w ha tever i t sets i tself p erman en tly

up on I f you l ook f orw a rd to such d eca y of
.

t he b ody a s a th i n g tha t m u st c om e i t will

, .

Peopl e w ho k eep y ou n g i n their mi n d s show

i t i n the c on di ti on o f t hei r b od i es .
Three
four ths of our p eopl e l ook ol d a t sixty be ,

c a use they ha ve a lw a ys r ega rde d i t a s a n i n ev i

t a ble n ec essi ty tha t th ey m u st be on the d ow n
h i ll si d e oi life a t tha t a ge ” .

O n e of the gr ea t est delu si on s tha t ev er crep t

i n to a mor ta l br a i n i s tha t i t i s i n ev i tabl e th a t
a m a n a t t he a e of for t y or fift y sh ould be
g
gi n to l ose h i s p ow e r an d go d ow n h i ll p hy s
i ca l ly a n d m en t a lly. Why should ma n the ,

gr a n d est crea t i on of God b egi n to d ecl i n e j u st

,

a s he i s r ea lly b egi n n i n g t o e t e a dy t o liv e ?

g r
M a n w a s ma d e t o c ome to hi s m a xi m u m
of m a tur i t y of p ow e r of effi ci enc y a n d i n w a rd
, , ,

vi si on of wi sdom r ela t iv ely l a te i n life It i s .

n ot a p a r t o f t he C r ea to r s pl a n t ha t w e be
’

c ome d ecr epit a t fifty sixty or seven t y when

, , ,

w e do n ot ev en c om e t o full ma t uri t y u n t il
t hi r t y
. T he re i s n o an a l ogy i n the a n i ma l or
t he v eg eta bl e k i n gd om n o a n a l ogy an ywh e r e
,

i n n at ure to show th a t a n y th in g tha t t a k es so

,

l on g to c om e t o i ts ma t uri ty should d ecli n e so

quickly I n fa c t a n i ma l s gen era lly liv e fr om
. ,

four to si x ti mes the l en gt h of thei r matur i ng

2 74 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT
pe ri od a n d c erta i n ly the C r ea tor s gran dest
,
’

w ork sh ould n ot b egi n to rea ch d ec repi tude a t

on ly t wic e t h e y ea r s tha t i t ta k es t o ma t ure .

We should r eta i n our v i gor our ma xi mum of ,

p ower a t l east four t i mes a s lon g a s i t ta k es

,

u s t o c om e t o full ma t uri t y .

A ma n ought to be i n the pri me of hi s p ow e r

a n d i n the ve ry z en i th of h i s vigor a t sev en ty

fiv e.

S ir H er man Webb er th e di st i n gui shed En g ,

l i sh p hysici an says tha t most p eopl e might

,

e a sily liv e to be on e hu n dr ed y ea r s of a ge .

T he gr ea t a c cu mul at i on of exp eri en ce of ,

k n owl edge of wi sd om ga thered duri n g the

, ,

fruit ful yea r s of youth an d middl e age ough t

t o en a bl e a ma n w ho h a s live d n or m a lly to
a cc ompl i sh m or e i n a si n gl e y ea r i n th e se v en

t i es tha n i n a h a lf d oz en y ea r s i n the t w en t i es
-

of lif e .

I n ev er could u n d er stan d says the poet ,

S te dman why men con side r seven ty yea r s a

,

prop er t er m of lif e F i ve hun dr ed yea r s of

.

ea r th a r e n on e t oo man y could w e r eta i n —

vigor an d hea l th Wouldn t you lik e t o be

.
’

fift y y ea r s a t ra vel er fifty a n i n ven tor fift y

, ,

yea r s a statesman to pr a c t i se p a i n ti n g
—
,

sculp t ur e , a n d a l l th e t i me a fi sh e r
— sa il or , ,

p oet ,
a u t hor a m an,
of t he w orld ? I sh oul d ;
 T RA I NI N G F OR LONGEV IT Y 2 75

an d then I m ight be willin g t o t r y som e othe r

”
s pher e .

N0 on e is u n til the i n te r est i n l i fe i s gon e

ol d

out of h i m u n t i l hi s sp i r i t b ec om es a ged
, ,

un til hi s hea rt bec omes c old a n d un r esp on si v e ;

a s lon g a s he t ouc h es l i f e a t m a n y p oi n t s he

ca n n ot grow ol d i n sp i r i t .

A m a n i s O ld n o ma tt er wha t hi s yea rs wh en
, ,

h e i s out of touch w i th y ou t h w i th i t s i d ea l s , ,

i t s p oi n ts of vi ew out of touch w i th t he S p i r i t
,

of h i s t i m es ; w hen h e h as c ease d to be p r o,

gr essi v e a n d up t o d a t e
- —
.

Th e i d ea t ha t our en ergi es a n d f orces m u st

b egi n to d e cl i n e a n d th e fires o f a m b i t i on t o
d i e out a f te r a c er ta i n age i s r ea c hed has a
most p ern ici ou s i n flu en c e up on the m i n d We .

d o n ot r ea l i z e how i m p ossibl e i t i s f or u s t o ,

go b eyon d ou r self pl a c e d dea d l i n e li m i t s

— -
,

t o do w h a t w e r ea lly b el i ev e w e can n ot d o .

We thi n k our selves i n to old a ge Our con .

v i ct i on s fo rc e us i n t o i t a n d w e sh a ll go i n th a t
,

dire ct i on un t i l w e chan ge ou r t hought u n til ,

w e t ur n c omp l et ely a b ou t r eve r se ou r a tt i t ud e

,

by r ever sin g ou r thought a n d fa c e tow a rd s ,

youth .

T he c on vic t i on tha t w e m u st grow ol d i s

i n gra i n ed i n our v ery b ein g a n d w e can n ot ,

e sc ap e the ra va ges an d ma rk s of ol d age whil e

2 76 MIRACLE OF RIGH T TH O UGHT

we b el i ev e t hi s con d i ti on is c
n e essa ry an d

i n evi t abl e .

O n the othe r ha n d, i f w e b eli ev e t ha t the

fun da men ta l pr i n cipl e of l i fe i s foun d ed i n the
G od pri n cipl e, an d that th a t pr i n ciple ca n n ot
a ge , tha t t i m e h a s n o e ffe c t up on i t , w e sha ll

be a bl e t o c a rry y outh i n to a ge .

I b el i eve th a t the con vict i on of ol d a ge ,

wh i ch i s so thor oughly gr ou n d i n t o ou r very

ex i st en c e cu t s off a grea t m a n y pr ec i ou s y e a r s
, .

I f w e dw ell upon the et e r n a l y ou th pri n c i pl e ,

a n d d e cl a r e tha t t h e t ru t h of our b e i n g t he ,

d i vi n i ty of us can n ot a ge w e sha ll n ot a ge
, ,

pr em at urely i n a pp ea r a n c e T hi s h a b i t u a l
though t w i ll outpi ct ur e i t self on t he b ody i n _

h a r mon y i n b ea u t y a n d gr a c e i hst ea d of i n
, ,

wr i n k l es an d oth er m a r ks of ol d a ge .

We ca n n ot get a w a y from the fa ct that i t i s

i m p ossibl e for u s t o be very di ff er en t from ou r
c on v i c t i on s I t i s ha rd for a ph ysic i a n to k eep
.

a p at i en t a liv e wh o b e l i ev es h e i s goi n g t o di e

a n d tha t n ot h i n g ca n sa v e hi m T he bodily .

c on d i t i on s foll ow h i s fa i th .

I ha ve kn own of severa l p eopl e who b el i eved

t ha t th ey w ould n ot l i ve b eyon d th e i r sixt i eth
or si xt y fift h y ea r a n d w h o ha d th a t po i n t so
-

defin i tely a n d fir m ly fix ed i n t heir c on vic ti on

that a s a matter of f a ct th ey did n ot liv e much
 TRAI NI N G FO R L O NGE V IT Y 2 77

beyon d i t F or yea r s be fore their d eath t hi s

.

fix ed p eri od seeme d to be t he foca l p oi n t of

a l l thei r pl an s th ought s a n d a c t s
, , .

S u ch fal se n ot i on s of l on gevit y ar e very a pt

t o prev a il a mon g t h ose w hose l i ves a r e b oun d
h an d a n d foot by a mon oton ou s rou t i n e of ex
i sten ce .

In spit e fresh a i r fr esh fru i ts veget a

of , ,

bl es an d the qui et r est ful c on d i ti on of ru st ic

, ,

life c ou n try p eopl e esp ec i a lly w omen often

, ,

a ge m uch f a st e r tha n ci t y p eopl e T hi s i s .

gen e ra lly due t o the m on otony of the ir l i ves ,

t hei r l a c k of gr t h of i n t e r est of cha n ge , , .

Peopl e whose m i n d s r un i n a gr oove a n d who

live t he sa m e k i n d of a l i fe yea r i n a n d yea r
ou t a ge r a pi dly
,
T heir th oughts b ec ome ossi
.

fled .

M en t a l
ificat i on produc es p hy sic al ossi
oss

fica t ion T he ha rd en i n g of the t i ssu es so i n

.
,

d i ca t i v e of a dv a n ci n g ye a r s i s i n va ri a bly pr e,

c ed e d by the ha rd en i n g thought T h e sh rivel .

i n g up pr oc ess th e wr i n k l es a l l a pp ea r i n the
-
, ,

m i n d first .

M on oton y i s a r apid a ger Va r i ety i s cha r .

a ct er i st i c o f you t h T he m i n d grow s stal e ve ry

.

qu i ckly u n d er a mon ot on ou s life a h um drum ,

exi st en c e .

A more hop e ful ou t l ook gr eater i mmun i ty ,

é 78 M IRACLE
~

OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

fr om drudgery du e t o i n v en t i on s a n d l a b or
,

sa vi n g d ev i c es ,
mor e prosp eri t y sa n e r more , ,

op t i mi st ic p h il osophy b ette r sa n i ta r y c on di
,

t ion s a n d m or e sci en tifi c livi n g ha ve all com

bi n e d to prol on g the a v er a ge l en gth of lif e
m an y y ea r s A lrea dy th e life in sura n c e ta bl es
.

r ec ogn iz e thi s fa ct .

A ch i evem en t of some ki n d seem s essen t i al to

a l on g life . We were m a de t o do thi ngs .

N othi n g excep t di ssi p a t ion i s so d est ruc t ive

, ,

of the y ou th ful i n m a n a s idl en ess A .

m a n i s n ot ol d w hil e he i s doi n g thi n gs a n d ,

”
if he i s n ot doi n g an yth i n g he i s d ea d .

I n du st ry c on duc es to l on gevi ty It i s the .

shi p a t t he wha rf n ot the shi p a t sea tha t rot s ,

fa st est ; the st i ll p ool n ot, the ru n n i n g

brook tha t stagn a tes Hon est ea rn est en
, .
,

dea v or t en d s to hea l th of b ody a n d m i n d .

T he u n u se d fa cul t i es i n our bra i n a n d other

p ar ts of the b ody a ge m u ch more r api dly tha n f

those tha t a r e p erp et u a lly exe rci sed To re .

t a i n our yout h w e m u st k eep a liv e a ll ov er

, .

T o pil e up i n sign ific an t yea r s i s n ot rea ll y

livi ng When the y ea r s c ea se to cou n t i n
_

growth i n en l a rgemen t i n u sefuln ess then w e

, , ,

m er ely exi st ; w e do n ot live S ome p eopl e

.

wa lk a bout the ea rth a qua rte r of a c en t ury

a fter they a r e pr a ct i ca lly d ea d j u st as some
,
 TRAI NI NG F O R LO NGE V IT Y 2 79

tr ees st an d for a l on g t i me a fte r they ha ve

c ea sed to put forth l ea ves a n d the life ha s
gon e out of them .

I t i s n ot suc h a v ery d ifficul t thi n g t o fr eshen

or r e j uv en a te t he m i n d I t i s j u st a qu est i on
.

of holdi n g th e r i ght thought v i g or ou sly r eso ,

l ut ely p erpet u a lly

,
B ut i t r equir es c on st an t
.

w a tc hi n g p erp etua l en d ea vor a n d i n vi n cibl e

, ,

d ete rm i n a ti on ; j u st a s i t does t o ma ke a fort un e

or t o a ch i eve a n yth i n g e l se wor th w hil e .

I f you wi sh to a pp ea r you n g thi n k of your

self a s b ei n g c on stan t ly r en ew ed r ej uv en a t e d , ,

for t he r e i s a p e rp et u a l ren ewa l goi n g on i n

t he c ell s of y our b ody T hi n k of you th a s th e
.

e v e rl a st i n g f a c t a n d ol d a ge c on d i t i on s a s fa l se ,

u n n ec essa ry u n n a tura l c a u sed l a rgely by old

, ,

a ge th ought h a bi t s ra ce ha bi t s ol d a ge con
, ,

v i cti on s . Sa y t o y ourself I ca n n ot gr ow ,

ol d b ec a u se I a m p erp et u a lly b ei n g ma d e n ew ,

an d n ew c ell s can n ot l ook ol d u n l ess m a d e so

”
by ol d a ge thought a n d con vict i on .

Thi n k life l i ve i t ; thi nk you th live It

, ,

feel i t expr ess i t fr om every p or e of your

,

b ei n g !
P e r si sten tly sh ut the door s to a l l the en em i es
of y ou th a ll
,
a gi n g thought s F or get um .

p l e a sa nt ex p eri en ces di sa gr eea bl e

, i n c i d en t s .

By ha rmon i ou s th in ki ng you may r eta i n your

2 80 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

you th ful n ess an d i n c r ease your l on g evi t y en o r

mou sl y
JA
.

domestic l i fe has a gr ea t deal to

ha ppy
do wi th pr ol on gin g exi sten ce Fric t i on of an y.

ki nd esp ec i a lly d omesti c frict i on gri n d s lif e

, ,

a w a y a t a fea rful ra t e Ther e i s on ly on e w ay

.

to ma i n ta i n p hy si c a l ha rmon y a n d that i s to ,

ma i n ta i n ment a l ha r mon y .

A n En gli sh cl ergy ma n who liv ed t o be on e

h un dred an d five y ea r s ol d a n d wh o w a s often
,

a sk e d t he secr et of h i s l on gevit y r epl i ed I , ,

ha v e ma de i t a rul e of my life n ever t o thi n k

of a n ythi n g di sa gr eea bl e a f te r n i n e o cl oc k a t
’

n ight .

N ight worryi n g i s n ot on ly p a in ful a n d ag

i n g but a l so danger ou s
,
I t keep s t he bl ood
.

i n a sta t e of c h ron i c poi son i n g wh ich i mp a ir s

a l l of the men t a l pr oc esses a n d the p hy si ca l

fun ction s a s w ell .

T he m i n d s of ma n y p eopl e ha ve b ec ome un
b a l an ce d b ec au se they did not br eak the ha bit
of n ight pi c turi n g vi sua lizin g their t r oubl es
,

a n d t ri a l s whi ch a r e a lw a ys so m uch exa gger

,

a te d a n d a pp ea r i n su ch f ea rful vivi d n ess dur

i n g the n i ght .

O n e of the g rea t sec r ets of lon gevi t y i s to

l ea rn how to r eta rd the a gi n g proc esses during
sl eep B efor e fa lli n g i n to un con sci ousn ess w e
“

.
,
 TRAI NI N G FO R L ON GE V IT Y 2 81

sho uld fill the m i n d wit h b right en coura gi ng , ,

i n spiri n g thoughts I f our life vi si on ha s be

.

come di m or bla cken ed duri n g the t ria l s of the

day w e should c l ea r i t by e r a si n g a l l the
,

bl a ck n ess a n d tea ri n g dow n a l l the sa bl e pic

t ures exp elli n g a l l tha t i s u gly a n d di sa gree
,

a bl e , e v e ry t hought wh ich? has ma d e us un

ha ppy or c a u se d us t o su ff er .

We should n eve r go to sl eep un til w e ha ve

r est or ed ou r l ost ba l a n ce ga i n e d p e r fec t men
‘

- -
,

t a l p oise u n t il w e ha v e p ut i n to op e ra t i on the
,

forc es whi ch w ould ten d t o ha rmon iz e a n d

brin g p ea c e a n d j oy i n to ou r lives .

In t elligen c e can do much to el im i n a te shor t

.

life t en d en c i es We re m an wi se en ough h e
.
,

w ould be a bl e to c a rry the freshn ess of youth

i n to th e teen s of hi s sec on d c ent ury .

O n e of th e most hope ful sign s of the t i mes

i s t he sa n er m or e chee rful n ote i n our r elig
,

iou s l i fe Ther e i s not so muc h sa dne ss i n i t

. .

M an y o f t he ol d sol emn dea th suggest i n g

, ,
-

h ymn s h a v e b een dropp ed from ou r h ymn

book s When I w a s a boy p eopl e u sed t o
.

t ake a m orbid d eligh t i n si n gi n g such d i rges

”
as , H a rk from the Tomb a Dol eful S oun d ,

”
“
D ea th a n d D ec ay A ll A rou n d Us et c ,
.
,

which w e r e on c e i mmen sely p opul a r an d ,

.

whi ch p eopl e then d oubt l ess thought n or mal .

2 82 MI RA CL E OF ; RIGHT (TH O UGHT

We j y
en o mor e, l a ugh more pl ay , m ore tha n
did ou r an esto s c r . We a r e n ot so sol emn or

sa d- a f c ed w e do n ot tak e life i n such a t er ribly

,

se r i ou s w a y .

M en w i th t r a i n ed m i n d s o ften eli m i na t e a
gr ea t ma n y of the w ea kn esses which prema
t ur e ly cu t off the ign oran t a n d t he un t r a i n e d .

A st ron omers a n d othe r m en whose m i n d s dea l

wi th v ast sp a c es a n d i n fin i te p eri od s of ti me
t en d t o d e fy the phy si c a l w ea k n esses wh ic h
h elp to shorten the l i v es of those w ho a r e oc
cupi ed wi th ha rassi n g vex i n g ma t er i a l th i n g s
, , .

T he voc a t i on h a s a gr eat d ea l t o do w i th
l on gevi ty S ome c a ll i n gs c ut a wa y l i fe a t a
.

fea rful ra te , esp e c i a lly those i n w hi ch peo

p l e a r e obl i ged t o wor k in cl ose d a rk fa c tori es

'
,

or shop s . T he sun light i s a p ow e rful r e

j uven a t or a n d forc e produ cer D a rkness a n d .

sha dow s a r e d ea th d ea li n g -
.

The si m pl e l i f e pl a in livi n g an d high

,
—

t h i n ki n g —
t en d s to i n cr ease l on g evi t y Ther e .

i s n o doub t t ha t b eca u se of th e v ery n at ure of

h i s w ork the c le rgyman s lif e i s c on duciv e t o
’
,

l on gevi ty H i s m in d i s empl oy ed on h igh

.

t hem es ; h e c on t em pl at es sa c r ed subj e ct s He .

i s deali n g wi th h igh i d ea l s a n d for the most , ,

p a r t l ea d s a n u n selfi sh li fe l a rgely d evote d t o

, ,

the servi ce of other s .

 TRAI NI N G F OR L O NGEV IT Y 2 83

A high id ea l a loft y purp ose a n oble a i m

, , ,

wha t ev e r t en d s t o m a k e ma n l ook up a n d
st rugg le up ten d s to i mprov e h i s hea l th con
,

d i ti on T he soul t ha t a spires othe r th in gs

.
,

bei n g equ a l ha s the l on gest lif e

, A spira t ion .

i s a p erp et u a l ton i c ; i t st i mula tes a l l the fa c

ul t i es
.

Our n atur es ar e fr a med upon prin c ipl es of

j u st ic e hon est y truth b eau ty ; an d when ever
, , , ,

w e vi ol a te a n y of th ese prin cipl es i n a ct or

t hought the r e i s d i sc ord wi thi n a n d of c our se
, , , ,

a c orre spon di n g wa ste of en e rgy a n d vi ta lit y ,

a n d p h ysic a l a n d men t a l d et e ri or at i on .

We age ra pidly b ec a u se w e do n ot k eep our

m en t a l i n st ru men t s i n t u n e D i sc ord gr a ti n g
.
,

a n d j a rri n g w h i t t l e life a w a y v e ry quickly .

We suff er when w e a r e di scorda n t b eca use w e

ha v e vi ol a t ed the fu n d a men t a l l a w of d i vi n e
h a r m on y Poi se m en ta l se r en i ty i s a fr i en d
.
, ,

of y ou th a n d t en d s t o r efr e sh r en e w a n d re , ,

j u ven a t e t he b ody .

M a n y ma ke t he m i sta ke of t ryi n g to keep

you n g fr om wi thout by exte rn a l applic a t i on
,

a n d ma n ipul a t i on s by c ov erin g up bl emi sh es

an d d ef e c t s a n d evi d en ces of a ge .

I kn ow a w om a n w ho for m an y yea rs has

ha d a horr or of gr owi n g ol d She i s so a fra i d .

that p eopl e will see i n d i ca t i on s of h er a dva n c

2 84 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

in g yea r s that she ha s b ecome al most a mon

om a n i a c up on th e subj ec t F or som e ti me she
.

ha s worn a wig to con c ea l h er whit e ha ir a n d ,

she i s a lw a y s i n t error esp eci a lly w hen t r a v el

,

i n g l est somethi n g will ha pp en to r ev ea l i t

,
.

She u ses a ll sor ts of ma ke up a n d d evi c es

for c on cea li n g her a ge .

I f you woul d r eta i n your you th k eep wi th! ,

the y ou n g a s m uch a s you can b eca u se th ei

y ,

exub e ra n t spiri t s
, their quic k wi t s bright ,

mi n d s a n d you th ful m a n n e rs a r e i n fec t i ou s

, .

Those who live m uch wi th the youn g a r e m uch

m or e y ou th ful than those w ho ar e m uch i n the
soci et y of old p eopl e .

Look a s though you w ere youn g Dr ess a s .

youth fully a s i s con si sten t wi th the di gn i ty

a n d good sen se of your y ea r s Do n ot stoop .

ove r or shu ffle your f eet

, T hr ow your shoul
.

d er s ba ck ; w a lk er ec t a nd youth fully ; do
,

n ot dr a g y our step s .

Do n ot l et roman ce di e out of y our hea rt .

It i s a gr ea t youth preserver Love un selfish .

,

n ess a spiri t of ki n d n ess an d h elpful n ess; k eep

,

the hea r t w a r m a n d y ou n g .

When ever you thin k of yourself a lways ,

hold the i ma ge of y our sel f as you w ou l d li ke to

be. D o n ot dw ell up on your i mp erfe ct i on s
or w eak nesses b ec a u se that will ma r you r
'

,
 T RA I NI NG F OR L O NGEVI T Y 2 85

i ma ge, but hol d tena c iously to the i deal of

yourself ; th in k of yourself i n your p erfec ti on ,
as the person ali t y the C reator i n ten ded you t o
be . Man y p eopl e dw el l i n their thoughts up on
thei r i mp erfec ti on s an d so acc en t u at e t hei r
,

w ea kn esses or pec uli a ri t i es that they on ly see a

di storted pi ct ure of them selves T hey gra du .

a lly l ose thei r sel f re sp ec t a n d t he ir dign i ty

-
.

I t i s what we thi n k of our selves the idea l of ,

ourselves wh i ch w e h a v e i n mi n d t ha t out ,

pi ctur es i tsel f l n our man n er ou r a ppea ran ce

,
.

It i s very i mp or ta n t to cul t ivate every thi ng

whi ch will t en d to k eep the spiri t fr esh an d
y oun g the mi n d youth ful an d bright Do n ot
, .

t a k e li fe t oo seri ously I f you do you w i ll

. ,

n ot a cc ompli sh n ea rly a s m u ch you will a ge ,

fa ster a n d will n ot b e h a lf as i n ter estin g n or

,

ha ve ha lf as mu ch fun a s you otherwi se w ould .

Lot s of pl ay a n d i n n oc en t fun ten d to era se

th e ma rk s of a ge an d t o bri n g us b a ck t o
you th F un i s a t win of youth T o be n or
. .

ma lly hea lthy w e r equire a grea t dea l of a m u se

men t an d r ec rea t i on a n d a l l of the i n n oc en t fun
w e can get for th ese a r e gr eat st i mul a t or s
, ,

life pr omot er s .

A ha rd c riti c al c old over seriou s men ta l at

, , ,
-

ti t ude sours the mi n d by gen era t i n g men tal

o i son s wh i ch a cc um ul a te i n the sy st em a n d
p ,
2 86 MIRACLE O F RIGHT TH O UGH T
make p erfec t hea l th a n d happi n ess i mp ossible .

We often n otice that ov er seriou s selfish -

, ,

greedy cha ra cter s a ge prematurely Thei r skin .

soon wr i n k l es up They ha ve a ha rd re pell en t

.
,

e xpr essi on ; they a r e n ot m a gn et i c or effi c i en t .

H u mor i s a c a re k i ll er a w orry dest royer

-
, .

It t en d s to qui cken t he cir c ula t i on t o promote ,

digest i on . Cheerful p eopl e sleep bette r a r e ,

better c om p an y a n d ha ve more fri en d s an d

, ,

p eopl e who ha v e ma n y fri en d s a r e l ess lik ely

'

t o be mor ose an d de pr essed S oci a b i l i ty i s a

.

promote r of good will ki n dly f eelin g s an d , ,

ha rmon y ; a n d a l l these thi n gs i n duce hea l th

an d pr ol on g life .

O th er th i n gs b ei n g equa l i t i s the merry ,

hea r t tha t liv es l on gest .

G row th i s a n en em y of ol d age T he man .

w ho i s men ta lly exp a n d i ng w ho i s c on sta n t ly ,

growi n g l a rger a n d b ecom in g broa d e r fulle r , ,

c ompl et e r d oes n ot age n ea rly a s ra pidly as

,

the ma n w h o has c ea se d to gr ow .

A ge b egi n s when grow th stop s When t he .

mi n d cea ses to e xp an d to rea ch out a n d up

, ,

when the id eal s begi n t o grow di m when as ,

pi r a t ion ha l t s then ol d a ge st ep s i n
,
.

Dry r ot i n a cti on a r e great en em i es of you th

, ,

ful c on d i ti on s T o be p erp etu ally a live on al l

.

sides of on e s n at ure i s the pri c e of r eta i n i n g

’
 TRAI NI NG F OR L O N GE V IT Y 2 87

’
one s you th I f you a r e a n xi ous to a void
.

gr owin g ol d pr ema t ur ely k eep your m i n d ,

a c t i v e bu t t resse d wi t h n ew id ea s
, B e a br ea st .

o f t he t i mes I n t e r est e d i n t he w orld s progr ess

’
, .

Whil e a p erson i s fresh an d i n teresti n g we do

n ot c ou n t hi s y ea r s .

Wha t i s mor e d elight ful a n d i n spiri n g

t h a n a n ol d m a n full of hop e w ho i s op t i ,

m i st i c chee rful b oy i sh i n h i s h u m or ea rn est

, , ,

i n hi s purp ose en th u si a st ic i n hi s w or k
, a —

m a n w ho ha s grow n k i n de r a s h e ha s grow n
old er ; w h o h a s n ot sour e d on l i fe has n ev e r ,

l ost hi s fa i th i n hi s fellow m en ; w ho has a

gra c e of p er son a l i t y w hi c h c omes from a sw eet
n ess o f t emp e r a n d a fin e a n d d el i c a t e n a t ur e ?

T he m a n w ho f eel s t h e sp i ri t of you th surg

i n g th rough h i s b ody a ll t h e t i m e who holds ,

t he bright ch ee rful y outh ful h op e ful thought

, , , ,

reta i n s h i s you th ful a pp ea r a n c e .

S w ed en b org ta ugh t that the a ged a r e con

st a n t l y a dv a n ci n g t ow a rd the spri n gt i me of

t he i r y ou th so th a t t hose w ho ha v e liv ed l on g
,

e st a r e r ea lly t he y ou n g est .

The ti m e w i ll com e w hen a ge wi ll be

m ar ked on ly by a mi gh ti er m omen tum , an d

the mor e y ea r s a m a n h a s liv ed the m ore he ,

w i ll be r ever ed a dmi r ed a n d sought a fter

, , ,

n ot t h r ough a sen se of p i ty , b ec a u se he i s
2 88 M IIRA CLE O F RI GHT TH OU GHT

w ea k an d d ep en den t , bu t bec a u se he is a

mi ght i er ma u .

O l d a ge ought to be xt r emely a tt r a c t iv e
e ,

p ow erfu l a n d bea u tif ul T he c omin g ma n

, .

the p ossi bl e m a n w i ll so gro w old t ha t ev e ry

y ea r w i ll m er ely be so m uch a dd i t i on i n
grow th a n d dev elop men t t o w ha t h e w as the
y ea r b e fore H i s w hol e l i f e w i l l be cu m ul a t i ve
.
‘

i n wi sd om a n d p ow er .

A ge i s n ot a ll d ec a y sa y s G eorge M c
“
,

Don a ld i t i s the r i pen i n g a n d sw ell i n g of the

,
,

fr esh l i fe w i thin t ha t w i the r s a n d bur sts t he

”
hu sks .

The r e i s a va st d i ffer en c e b etw een ri p en i n g

a n d bl i gh t i n g A p e rfe c t ly n or m a l old a ge i s
.

b ea u t i ful se r en e a n d l ov ely ; i s a n en r i ch i ng
, , ,

s wee ten i n g pr oc e ss a p r oc ess wh i ch br i n g s

-
,

ou t qu a l i t i es fa r m or e lu sci ou s th an a r e fou n d

i n the gr een frui t o f ea rli er li fe .

T her e a r e a m ul ti tude of r ea son s w hy the

l ast of l i f e should be t he b est of l i f e
'

When w e l ea rn the gr ea t t ru th th a t n o p ow er
ca n sepa r a t e u s fr om t h e G od pr i n c i pl e tha t ,

our life a n d h ea l t h a n d i mm or t a l i ty a r e i n

the G od (good )w i thi n u s w e sha ll be a bl e , .

to r esi st the r a v a ge s of t i m e a n d t o r ea liz e tha t

th er e i s n o di ssolu t i on of the r ea l i ty of Us i n
wha t we ca ll death .
THI N KETE
X IV . AS A MAN TH I N KETH
We sca tt e r seed s w i th a r l
ca e ess han d
A nd drea m we
’
ne e r sh a ll see them more ;
But for a thousa nd year s
T hei r frui t a p p ea r s,
In weeds t hat ma r the l a n d — OH N KEELE
. .
J .

You n ever can tell what your thought s wi ll do

I n br i n gi n g you ha t e or l ove ,
F or thought s a r e t hi n gs, a n d thei r a i ry wi n gs
A r e swi ft a s a ca rri e r dove .

T hey follow t he l a w o f t he un i verse

Ea ch t hi ng must crea t e i t s ki n d
A n d they speed o er the t rack to b ri ng you ba ck.
'

Whatever went out from your m i n d .

ELLA WH EELER WI LCOX

—
.

When we on ce rea li e that by dri vi ng aw ay

z
‘
p essi m i st i c
, an gry a n d bi t t er t hought s w e dri ve _

a w a y si ckn ess an d mi sfort un e t o a grea t ext en t an d ,

t hat by seeki n g t he ki n de r a n d h a ppi er fra me of

m i n d w e seek at t he sa m e t i m e success a n d hea lth
a n d good luck w e wi ll fin d a ne w i mpet us i n th e
,
”
con t rol of our m en t a l f rc
o e s .

Y lyzi n g the light of a

ana

sta r a l though milli on s of

,

m i l es a wa y w e ca n t ell ,

w hat meta l s a r e burn i n g i n

i ts i n can d esc en t atmosph ere .

Ea ch m eta l casts a ba r
a cross t h e sp ect ru m when ,

th e l i ght i s p a ssed t h r ough a pri sm whi ch i s ,

cha racterist i c of i ts ow n qua li ty .

Q 1
292 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

An xp er i en c ed men ta l chemi st c ould a n

e

a l yz e a p e r son s cha ra c t er ev en i f a st r a n ger

’

, ,

a n d tell w ha t d i sc ord a n t t hought or v i c i ou s

i d e a l i s c a st i n g i ts f a t a l shad ow up on h i s per
son a li ty.

Th in gs hav e j u st the p ow er over u s wi th

wh ic h w e en dow them T ha t whi ch strik es
.

t er r Or to on e p er son s h ea r t a n d p a r a lyz es h i s
’

effic i en cy ma y n ot c a u se a n other even t o

w i n c e I k n ow a few p er son s who ha ve so
.

t ra i ned their t hought tha t the y a ll ow n oth in g

t o shak e them fr om th eir c en te r .

On e for exa mpl e ha s l ost al l h i s pr op e rt y

, , ,

a l l h i s fa m ily a n d h e i s l e ft a lon e i n the w orld

,

a p oo r an d hom el ess ol d man . Y et n o on e c an

ev e r d et ec t a t r em or o f c om pl a i n t or a w ea k

n e ss a n ywhe r e i n hi s n a t ur e si mply b ec a u se
,

he ha s so c ompl et ely l ea rn e d the sc i en c e of

right thi n ki n g th at he can shut out of h i s m i n d
or n eut r a l i z e wi t h i t s m en ta l a n t i d ote a n ythi n g

whi ch would c a u se hi m p a i n or i n j ury He

.

n eu t rali zes d i sc ord wi th ha rrri on y error w i th

,

t ru th.

H e has become su ch a n a d ep t a t men t al

c hemist ry that the v er y m om en t he i s touch ed
with the p oi son of hat re d a n d j ea lou sy he a n t i ,

d otes i t with l ove the sp i r it of good wi ll

,
-
.

Th e sha f ts of mali ce an d en vy can n ot get

 As A MAN THI N KETH 2 93

n ea r hi m . Helook s up on these thi ngs as n o

p a r t of the t ruth of hi s b ein g .

When you a r e su fferi n g from fea r or worry ,

you m a y be su re you ha v e en d ow ed somethi n g

wi th thi s p ow er ov er you othe rwi se i t c ould ,

n ot ha v e ga i n e d suc h a hold T he ve ry fa c t .

t hat you f ea r i t show s tha t you ha ve est a bl i she d

betw een i t an d your self a r el a t ion wh ich you
could brea k if you on ly k n ew how to a pply
your m en ta l chem i st ry When eve r you a r e .

”
u n happy d i st resse d blue w orri ed i t i s due
, ,
“
, ,

t o som e m en ta l p oi son w hi ch ought to be a s ,

ea sy t o a n t id ot e a s i t i s to d est r oy fir e wi th
-

w a t er .

We a r e j u st b egi n n i n g t o see the w on derful

sci en t ific t ru th i n t he p hil osop hy w hi ch t e ll s

u s t o l ove ou r en em i es b e c a u se if w e h a t e t h em
,

w e me r ely a dd m or e f uel t o p a ssi on s fir e

’
,

w hi l e l ove pu t s i t out T he l ove thought n eu

.

t r a l i z es ha t r ed j ea l ou sy a n d m a k es fr i en d s of
, ,

ou r en em i es Th er e i s n oth i n g i n love w hi ch
.

ca n ma k e a n en em y T he i n ju n ct i on t o love
.

our en em i e s i s t h e r e for e a s sci en ti fic a s the

, ,

a dvic e t o pu t out fir e by w a t e r .

H ow qu ic kly a n d eff ec t ively the puri t y

t hought d est roy s a n d n e u t r a l i z es th e i mpure
though t the sen su a l sugg e st ion ! Who h as n ot
,

seen t he m a rvel ou s t r an sfor ma t i on w h i ch p ure ,

294 M IRA C LE O F R IGHT TH O UGHT
.

u nselfi sh l ove ha s wrought i n a foul b ea stly ,

n a t ur e i n a c om p a r a t iv ely short t i me ?

T he th i n gs th a t c ome from other s c orre

sp on d w i th wha t w e s en d to them What .

w e a r e t ryi ng t o see i n them w e fin d th er e If .

w e a r e tryi n g t o see g ood t o fin d w ha t i s ,

n obl e ,
cl ean an d t rue their a ffi n i ti es spri n g
, ,

ou t t o meet our ow n B u t i f on th e oth er

.
,

h a n d w e l ook for the bad w e a r e l i k ely t o

“

, ,

fin d i t . I f w e ha v e a m ea n j ea l ou s en vi ou s , , ,

c on t em p tibl e though t t owa rd s other s if w e a r e ,

l ook i n g for t he bru te i n them the brut e will ,

c ome out t o m e et us We r a di a te t o othe r s

.

ou r ow n e st i m a t e of t hem ou r ow n thought of
'

t hem . Every p er son w e m eet gives us a lit tl e

d i ff e ren t estim a te of our selv es .

What you a ll ow to l i ve i n y our hea rt ha r ,

bor i n y our m i n d dw ell upon i n your th ought s

, ,

a re see d s w hi ch will d e v e l op i n your l i fe an d

produc e thi n gs li ke themselv es H ate seed i n .

t h e h ea r t ca n n ot produc e a l ove fl ow e r i n t he
life A si n ist e r thought w i ll produ ce a sin i ster
.

ha rvest . The r even ge seed will produ ce a

bl oody ha rvest .

Whateve r goes from you to others c all s out

from them the same ki n d of qua l i ti es to meet
your ow n I f the G od w i th i n you the i n
.
—

eff abl e spiri t of l ove of cha ri t y, sp ea k s to

 AS A MAN THI N K ETH 29 5

a man ,
a l though
he m ay be a cri mi n a l , the G od
w i ll c ome out of hi m t o meet i t ; but i f
you
flin g ou t di a bol i ca l sa tan i c forc es , ha t r e d , ,

j ea l ou sy en vy , t hey w i ll a rou se a n d c a ll out

,

t he d evil fr om t he v i c t i m of y our thought r a d i

a t i on . Good w i ll com e out to meet good ,

evil i n r esp on se t o e vil ; ha t r ed c omes ou t to

m eet ha t r ed l ov e t o m eet l ov e b ec a u se they a r e

, ,

a ffi n i ti es Thought ob ey s a l a w a s i n exora bl e
.

a s th a t of ma thema t ic s No lov e can r et ur n

.

i n ex cha n ge for a ha t r e d thought ; but if

your thought i s fr ei ghte d wi th l ov e l ove w i ll ,

c om e b a ck to meet i t s ow n T o h a ve fr i en d s .

w e mu st sh ow our selves fri en dly T o be l ov ed .

,

w e mu st l ove .

Even the bru t e n a t ures r espon d t o the qua l

i ty of our thought A n a n i ma l t a m e r ca n l ea d
.

a W ild b ea st wi th a st ri n g by the u se o f kin d

n e ss a n d g en t l en e ss wh en ten men by on ly
,

u si n g forc e m ight n ot be a bl e to ma k e i t move .

T he r e i s som ethi n g wi th i n u s which l eap s

f or th t o meet ki n d n ess a n d gen tl en ess an d ,

th e r e i s a l so someth i n g of the bru te with i n us

whic h l ea p s for th to m eet th e bru te i m pul se .

”
“
I f a m an purp osely d oes m e wron g a ,

Buddh i st sa ys I w i ll return hi m my un
,
“

grudgi n g l ove ; the m or e evil c omes from

”
hi m the mor e good sha ll go from me
,
.
2 96 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT
The t i m e will c ome when on e will n o mor e
a llow d i sc ord an t t hought s i n h i s m i n d th a n h e

w ould sc a tter thi st le seed s ov e r hi s ga rd en .

Eve rybody w ho sees your pr esen t cha ra c t er ,

your mora l ha rvest kn ow s wha t you put i n to

,

the soil of y our you th They do n ot n eed t o

.

go b a ck a n d i n qu i r e a b ou t your ch i ldh ood ;

the cr op t ell s the story ; you a r e si m ply r ea p
i n g what you ha ve sow n Y ou do n ot exp ect
.

to get t he fra gra n t br ea th of t he r ose fr om

sowi n g thi stl e seed s H ow can you exp ec t t o
.

sow the thi stl es o f r even ge a n d bru ta l i ty a n d

r ea p a ha rvest of ki n d n ess a n d ha ppi ness ?

O n the other ha n d if w e sow t he ch a ri ta bl e

, ,

ma gn a n i mou s en c our a gi n g uplift i n g thought

, , ,

w e sha ll reap the gold en ha rvest of ha rmon y

a n d b ea u t y a n d j oy I f w e sow t he thoughts
.

of abu n d a n c e of pl ent y We sha ll t en d t o r ea p

, ,

prosp erit y ; whil e if w e sow the m ean pi n ch ed , ,

st in gy f a ilur e thoughts, w e sha ll r ea p a pov

er ty ha rv est .

When w e see a sour repul sive fa ce w e , ,

kn ow that i t i s a ha rv est of selfi sh viciou s ,

sowi n g A n d wh en w e see a ser en e con fid en t

.
,

fa ce we kn ow tha t i t ha s com e fr om the sow

,

i n g of ha rmon i ou s helpful u n selfi sh though t

, ,

seed s .

M an y peopl e seem to th in k t hat w e a r e hud

 As A M AN THIN KETH 2 97

dled t ogethe r i n w orld of cha n c e bu ff eted

a ,

a b ou t by a cru el d esti n y ; b ut the f a ct i s tha t w e

a r e i n a curr en t wh i ch ru n s H ea v en w a rd i n a

w orld of ab solu t e l aw an d ord er whe re n oth ,

i n g ha pp en s by chan c e n oth i n g wi t hou t a

—

c a u se a suffici en t ca u se
,
wh er e the m i n utest
,

d eta il of our lives ob eys a la w a s u n errin g a s

tha t which h old s the hea ven ly bodi es i n t he ir
c ourses wi th su ch p e rfec t a dj u stmen t that th ey
do n ot va ry a fr a c t i on of a sec on d i n a c en t ury
i n t heir orb i t s of u n told m ill i on s of m i l es .

Wherever w e see d i scord w e kn ow t hat ,

i t i s a ha rv est from di scord an t sow i n g Noth .

i n g el se i s possibl e Di sc ord of every k i n d

.
,

wh ether i t i s expressed i n su ff eri n g i n d i sea se , ,

i n p ove rt y i n fa ilure i n ha pp i n ess si mply

, , ,

m ean s that on e i s out of h a r m on y wi th h i s

b ett er self that he d oes n ot ha r mon i z e wi th
,

h i s d i vi n i t y .

The ma n w ho i s a lwa y s c ompl a i n i n g of hi s

'

l ot an d wh i n i n g an d bla m i n g oth er p eopl e for

hi s m i sfort u n es i s n ot a r ea l m a n H e i s on ly.

a n a pol ogy of t h e m a n G od i n t en d ed hi m t o

be. S omet i m e somewhe r e w e sha ll l ea r n to

, ,

protec t ou rselves from our thought en em i es ,

killi n g em ot i on en em i es j u st a s w e protect our

,

h om es fr om th i eves We shall l ea rn t o shut

.

out fr om the m i n d or a n t id ot e with their op

,
298 MIRA C L E O F RIGHT TH O UGHT

posi tes a l l d i sc ord a n t thoughts b ec a u se of ,

t he dr ea d of th e p a i n a n d su ff er i n g , t he h u m il
i a ti on th e m or ti fica t i on they c a u se us, a n d the
,

fa t a l ha rv est they produce .

I s ther e a ny th i n g m or e sci en t ific w hen the ,

body i s the pr oduc t O f th e m i n d t ha n tha t a ,

m orbid m i n d fill ed wi th sic k t houghts shoul d

pr oduc e a morbid si ck b ody ? Ca n w e exp e c t
,

t he fu n cti on s to act n orma lly w hen th e

tho ught s the b ody build e r s a r e a b n or m a l ?
, ,

Phy sic a l d i sc ord a lwa ys mea n s m en ta l di s

c or d for i f ther e h a d a lw ays b een p erfect ha r
,

mon y i n the m i n d the b ody w ould be i n ha r ,

m on y SO if you ca n k eep th e m i n d i n per

.
,

fect ha rm on y t he b ody mu st ul ti m ately cor

,

r esp on d bec a u se the phy sica l i s m erely a n

,

outp i ct ur i n g of th e m en t a l .

We sha ll som e t i me l ea rn tha t on ly the good

i s t ru e ; tha t h a r mon y i s th e rea l i ty ; that di s
cord i s m er ely the a b sen c e of i t There i s .

on ly on e C r ea t or a n d H e m a d e al l tha t i s
,

m a d e ; h en c e ev e ry th i n g m u st be i n H i s l i ke
n ess p e rf e c t ; n o th i n g t ha t i s r ea l ca n be un l i k e
,

H i m a n d th e refor e on ly th e good the h a r

, , , ,

m on i ous the pur e th e cl ea n t h e t ru e can b

, , ,

r ea l A ll el se m u st be f a l se a seem in g a de
. , ,

l usi on G od coul d n ot c r eate a n y thi n g u n lik e

.

h imself .
 AS A MAN T H IN KETH 299

God i s prin ciple an d pri n c ipl e can n ot

chan ge Whatever i s wrong i n the world ca n
.

n ot c ome fr om H i m, from p e rf ec t i on from ,

right fr om good a nd m u st ther efor e be a c

, ,

c ou n ted for i n som e other w ay .

S a va ges a n d primi t ive p eopl es ha ve great

fai th i n the fa c t tha t the C r ea tor put in to
c e rta i n b a rk s pl a n t s an d mi n er a l s r emedi es
, ,

for ev ery p hy sic a l ill B ut w e a r e b egin n i n g

.

to l ea r n tha t m a n c a rri es t he gr ea t p a n a c ea
for a ll hi s ill s wi thi n hi mself ; tha t the a n t i
d otes for the w orst p oi son s the p oi son s of ,

ha t red j ea l ou sy a n ger an d selfi shn ess exi st

, , , ,

i n t he for m of lov e cha ri ty a n d good w i ll

, ,
-

e ssen c es i n hi s ow n m i n d
, .

T he ch eerful h op e ful thought i s i tself a

,

p ow e rful r em edy for a sc ore of ill s such a s ,

”
the blu es m el a n c holi a a n d di scour agemen t
, .

Op t i m i sm a l on e i s a n a n tidote for som e of the

worst men ta l di seases .

H old to op t i mi st i c idea l s a n d you w ill drive

,

ou t p essi m i sm t he gr ea t b r ee d e r of di sease ,

fa i lur e an d m i se ry S tan d gu a rd a t the door

, .

of y ou r m i n d ; k eep out a l l t he en em i es of

you r happi n ess an d a ch i evem en t a n d you will ,

be aston i shed a t your i n c rea sed p ow er a n d en

t i r e cha n ge Of lif e wi thi n a sh or t t i me .

The ha bi t of holdi n g the thought of heal th ,

 30 0 MIRACLE OF
‘

RIG H T T H O UGHT

i the thought
n
O f st r en gth
vigor an d robu stn ess , ,

a s a pr esen t r ea li t y as a n ev erla st i n g f a c t i s
, ,

a w on d erful t on i c a n d w i ll soon gi v e a con

sci ou sn ess of i n cr easi n g p ow e r We sha ll .

f eel tha t w e a r e bei n g bu tt r esse d an d sup

p orted by a l might y Pri n c i pl e b ec a u se our ,

thought s a n d sen t i men ts a r e surcha rge d wi th

l i f e a n d t ru th a n d a r e c r eat iv e
,
.

A ll thought s wh ich suggest w eak n ess fa il ,

ur e u n h a ppi n ess or p over t y a r e d est ruct i v e

, , , ,

n ega t iv e t ea ri n g d ow n thought s
,
—
They a r e .

ou r en em i es . Br a n d them w hen ever they tr y

to ga i n an en t ra n c e i n to your m i n d A void .

t hem a s you w ould t hi ev es for they ar e ,

t hi ev es th i ev es of our c om for t th i eves of

, ,

h a r m on y of p ow er of h a pp i n ess O f succ ess

, , , .

Ev ery tru e b ea u t i ful a n d h elpful thought i s

, ,

a suggest i on w hich if he ld i n the m i n d t en ds

, ,

t o r epr od uc e i t self t her e cl a r i fie s the i d ea l s

—

a n d uplif ts t he lif e Wh ile these in spiri n g a n d

.

helpful su gge sti on s fill the m i n d t hei r O pp o

si t es ca n n ot get i n the ir d ea dly w ork b ec a u se ,

the tw o ca n n ot p ossibly li ve t ogethe r They .

a r e n a t ur a l en emi es .

We ten d to gr ow more a n d more lik e that

whi ch w e c h eri sh ha rb or a n d c on sta n t ly l on g
, ,

for a n d t o lose or b ecome u n l i k e that wh i ch

,

w e hat e d espi se a n d hab i t u a lly d en y

, , The .
 AS A M AN T H I NKE I H
’ ‘

30 1

latt er gr a dual l y loses i t s grip upon our l ives ,

rel eases i ts hol d upon cha ra ct er a nd fi n ally ,

van i shes .

T he per si st en t d en i a l of the theory that we

ar e p oor m i ser a bl e w orm s of the du st vi ct i ms
, ,

of li m i t a t i on of w ea kn ess ten di n g tow a rd s

, ,

d ep ra vity an d the stou t affir mat i on of the

,

d omi nan c e of t ruth a n d beauty w i ll brin g out

ma rvel ou s b ea uti es of ch a r ac ter T hat whi ch .

i s con stan t ly and p er si sten t ly d en i e d w i ll ulti e

mately fa de out of the con sciou sn ess a n d go

out of t he life . .

A t rem en d ou s p ow er p er meates t he life an d

solidifi es the cha r a c ter fr om holdi n g p erp et u a lly

the l ife thought the t ru th thought th e O p t i

,
-
,
-
,

mi st i c thought and the beauty thought T he

,
-
.

on e w ho hasthe se c r et t a k es hold of th e v erv

fun d amen tal prin c ipl es of the un iv er se g et s ,

d own to the v eri tyof th i n gs an d liv es i n r ea li ty

.
,

i tsel f A sen se of securi ty of p ow er of ca l m

“

. . , ,

n ess a n d r ep ose c om es t o those w ho ar e con

sc i ous of b ein en v e lop e d i n t he v e ry c en t er

g
of tr ut h an d rea li ty wh ich can n ev e r c ome t o

t hose w ho live on the surfa c e of th i n gs .

It i s i mp ossible to est i mate t he va l ue of the

qu al i t y of our everyda y habi ts of thou ght, I t ,

makes a ll the di fferen ce i n the worl d whether

these habi ts a r e heal thful or morbid, an d
30 2 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT

whether th ey
l ea d to soun dn ess or to rotten
n ess .
* T h e qu a l i ty of t he thought fix es the

qua li ty of the id ea l T he idea l ca n n ot be

.

high if the t hought i s l ow I t i s w ort h ev ery

.

t hi n g to fa c e l i fe wi th th e right ou t l ook a ,
—

hea lt hful c heerful op t i mi st i c ou t look

, , wi th ,
-

hop e tha t ha s su n shi n e i n i t Peopl e w ho ra di .

a t e succ essful j oyful helpful thoughts w ho

, , ,

sc a t te r su n sh i n e w he r ev e r t hey
go a r e the ,

helpers of the world the lighten er s of bur

d en s who ea se the j ol t s of life s oothe the
, ,

w oun d ed a n d give sol a c e t o t he d i sc oura ged

, .

L ea rn to r a di a te j oy n ot sti n gi ly n ot , ,

mea n ly but gen er ou sly

,
Fli n g out your gl a d
.

n ess wi thou t r eserve S hed i t i n the home

.
,

on the st reet on t he ca r i n t he stor e every

, , ,

wh er e a s the r ose she d s i ts bea uty a n d gives

,

ou t i ts fra gra n ce When w e l ea rn tha t love

.

though ts h ea l that they c a r r y ba l m t o w oun d s ;

,

tha t thought s of h a r mon y of b ea ut y a n d of , ,

t r u th al wa ys upl i ft an d en n obl e ; tha t t h e op

posi te ca r ry d ea th a n d dest ru ct i on a n d blight

“

ev erywher e w e sha ll k n ow t he sec r et of righ t

,

l ivin g .

S ome p eopl e ha rbor for yea rs a bi tt er hat red

or a gr ea t j ea l ou sy t ow a rd others Al thou gh .

he ma y not be a w a r e of i t su ch a men ta l a t ti ,

tude a unts t he p ossessor for expr essi n g t he

 AS A MA N THIN KETH 30 3

ma xi mum of hi s
bilit y a n d destroys h i s hap
a ,

pi n ess . A n d n ot on ly thi s ; but he ra dia tes

hi s i n i m ica l a t mosp he r e t hu s prej udi c in g peo ,

p l e a ga i n st h i m a rou si n g a n t a gon i sm a n d con

, ,

stan tl y han dica ppi n g h i m self a ll a l on g the lin e .

T he m i n d m u st be k ep t fr ee from bi t te rn ess ,

j ea l ou sy ha t r ed en vy a n d u n cha ri tabl e
, , ,

t hought s ; fr ee f rom eve ry t hi n g w hi ch t r am

mel s i t or the r e m u st be a p en a l t y p a id i n i m
,

p a ire d efii ci en cy a n d i n feri or work a s w ell a s

l oss of p ea ce of m i n d .

NO on e can do h i s b est w ork whil e he har

b or s reven geful or ev en un fri en dly thoughts
t ow a rd oth er s O ur f a cul t i es on ly giv e up
.

t hei r b est w hen w or k i n g i n p e rf ec t ha r mon y .

There m u st be good w i ll i n the h ea rt or w e —

ca n n ot do good w ork wi th hea d or ha n d .

Ha tr e d reven ge a n d j ea l ou sy a r e rank
, ,

poi son s a s fa t a l t o a l l t hat i s n obl est i n u s

,

a s a rsen ic i s f a ta l to t he phy si c a l l i fe
X .

A kin dly a tt it ud e a f eel i n g of good will to

,

w a rd oth er s i s our b est prot ect i on a ga in st

,

bi tte r hat r ed or i n juri ous thought s of a n y

kin d for they ca n n ot p en et r at e the l ove shi eld
, ,

the g ood will sh i eld -

.

H ow ea si ly b ea u t ifully ah d sweet ly some

, ,

p eopl e go th r ough life wi th v e ry litt l e t o j ar ,

them or t o di st urb their equan i mi ty l They

39 4 M I RA CLE O F RIGHT TH O UGHT

ha v e di sc ord i n thei r l i ves b ec a u se thei r

no

n a t ur es a r e h a r mon i ou s They see m to l ov e .

e v e rybo dy an d ev e rybody lov es t hem

,
They .

ha v e n o en emi es b ec a u se t hey do n ot a rou se

,

a n t a goni sm he nce they ha ve l i tt l e su fferi n g or

,

t roubl e .

O ther s wi th ugly, cr abbé d; c ross gra i n e d

,
-

di sp osi t i on s a r e a lw ay s i n h ot w a ter They

'

, .

a r e a lw a y s mi su n d er stood ; p eopl e a r e con

sta n t ly h urt i n g t hem T hey gen e rat e d i scord

.

b ec a u se they a r e d i scord an t them selves .

N O one can c a rry secr et hat r ed s an d

grudges j ea l ou sie s, an d r even ge ful feeli n gs,
,

w i thout seri ou sly i m p a i r i n g h i s ow n r epu ta

t i on . M a ny p eopl e wonder why th ey a r e n ot
p opul a r , w hy they a r e di sl i k ed gen era lly ,

w hy they st an d for so li t t l e i n the ir c ommu n i t y ,

when i t i s rea lly b ec a u se o f t heir b i tter re ,

ven ge ful di sc ord a n t ra di a tion s whi ch kill per

,

son a l m a gn et i sm .

On t he othe r han d those wh o send out ,

ki n dly l ovi ng helpful symp athet ic thou ght s

, , , ,

those w h o fee l fri en dly t owar d e v eryb ody ,

a n d who c a rry n o bi t t er n ess h a t r e d or j ea l , ,

on sy i n th eir h ea r ts a r e a tt ra ct i ve h elpful , , ,

an d su n n y .

T he comi n g ma n w ill r ea li ze that every di s

cor da n t thought e very eff ort to t a ke a n u n fai r
,
 A S A M A N T HIN KET H 39 5

a dvanta ge of a n other to get that which does

,

n ot j u st ly bel on g t o h i m will c a use hi m i n

,

j ury out of a ll prop ort i on to the b en efit r e

cei ved . H e will fin d tha t t hi n gs a r e so ar
r an ged i n thi s w orld th at n o d ep a rt ure from
j u st ic e equit y hon esty an d unselfishn ess i s
, , ,

w or th wh il e T he t i me will c ome when ev ery

.

h u man b ei n g will w a n t to do right an d be j u st

a n d t ru e if on l y b ec a u se i t will bri n g j oy a nd

p eac e a n d prosp erit y .

M a n will rea ch the m ill en n ium wh en h e has

lea rn e d to hold the right att it ud e of m i n d t o
wa rds hi s f ell ow men T he ti me will come
.

w hen i t will be foun d i n fi n i tely easi er to do

right than to do wr on g when p eopl e will ,

ea gerly f oll ow the Golden R ul e bec a u se i t will

,

produc e ha rmon y a n d un iv ersa l wel l be in g -

.
 M EN TA L
S O NIN G
X V M ENTAL
. S EL F TH O UGHT
-
PO I
S O NIN G
Eve ry thought or emot i on vi brat es t hrough eve ry
cell i n the body an d leave s a n i n fluen ce l i ke i t self .

T he comi n g wi ll fin d i t a s ea sy t o coun te ract

man
a n un fri en dly di sa greea bl e t hought by t urn i n g on
, ,

t h e coun t e r t hought whi ch wi ll a n t i dot e o r n eut ra l i e

-
z

i t a s i t i s t o r ob t he h ot wa t e r o f i t s b urn i n g p ow e r
,

by t urn i n g on t he col d wa t e r f a ucet .

T he hat re d t hought ca n n ot l i ve an i n st a n t i n t he
p re sen ce of t he l ove t hought .

H e w h o h at e s i s an a ssa ssi n —
an d he i s l
a so

a sui ci de.

Ri ght t hi n ki n g p a ys l a rge di vi den ds .

NE of t he most
un for tun a t e
c on vi c t i on s tha t eve r en
ter e d the h u ma n br a i n i s t he
i d ea wh i ch m ul t i t ud es of
p eopl e h a ve tha t on ac ,

c oun t of the w ea kn esses a n d

di sea se t en d en ci es i n heri te d
from those w ho ha ve broken h ea l th l a w s for
cen t uri es ba ck of t h em th ey a r e n ot suppose d
,

t o h a v e a p erfe c t b ody or goo d h ea l th It i s a .

w on d er t hat the b odily organ s a n d fun c t i on s

work a s w ell as they do and that the r e i s any
30 9
31 0 MIRACLE O F RI GHT TH O UGHT
s uc h th i n g a s
r ea l h ea l th w i th such a cra mp
i n g crippl i n g th ought ; for th e body i s but a
,

m a ss of b i ll i on s of c ell s so cl osely t i ed t ogeth er

a n d i n t e rr el a t e d tha t t hey a r e i n st a n t ly a f

fect ed by ev e ry vic i ou s thought mood or un , ,

fortun a te c on v i ct ion .

T he n or ma l l a w O f ou r liv es i s whol en ess .

Di sc ord of an y k i n d i l l h ea l th d i sea se w ea k
, ,

n e ss —
i s a b n o rm a l for ei gn to our rea l selv es
, ,

to th e tru th of our b ei n g .

New though t bu i ld s n ew c ell s l i fe cell s , ,

you th c ell s i n the b ody j u st a s t he ol d st yl e of

,

t hi n k i n g t h e w orry t h ought t he a g i n g thought

, , ,

t h e d i sc ord a n t th ought bu i ld s c ell s wh i c h cor

,

r espon d T he t i me w i ll c ome when w e sha ll

.

li st en t o the cry O f the c ell s su ff e r i n g from di

sea se a n d di s c ord j u st a s w e n ow l i st en t o the
,

c ry of a c hi ld a n d sha ll a n t i d ote th e d i sc ord

,

with th e sooth i n g h ea l i n g though t b a l m We

, .

sha ll sp ea k h a r m on y pea c e hea l th t o t h e di s

, ,

c ord a n t c ell s u n ti l the di sea se i s n eutra liz ed

a n d ha r m on y r ei gn s .

M ul t i t ud es of p eopl e a r e i n w or se b on d a g e
t o day t ha n w er e the A f r ic a n sl a v es b ef ore the
—

w ar . Thei r m ast er s a r e su ch t h in gs a s a
dr a ught of cold a i r w et feet an ythi n g tha t i s
, ,

fri ed a ll sort s of sup er sti t i on s whi ch th ey

, ,

t ea r a s muc h a s the sl a v e ev er f ea r ed hi s m a st er .
 S EL F-TH O UG H T PO IS O NIN G 3 1 1
I f su ch p eople wa n t to go on a j ourn ey to ,

w ri t e a b ook t o pl ea d a ca se a t the bar to

,
,

si n g , t o p a i n t they m u st fir st c on sul t thei r

,

b ody a n d if i t sa ys n o th ey quit I f i t say s

, .

i t i s t ir ed or w ea ry or sick n o matte r wha t ,

dut y or the gr ea t lif e purpose may say they ,

m u st w a i t u n t il th e body i s good an d r ea dy .

B ut the t i m e w i ll com e when w e sha ll be

a sha me d t o r e fe r t o ou r a il men t s our phy si ca l ,

w eak n esses b ec a u se i t w i ll be r ega rd ed as an

,

evid en c e tha t a t l ea st i n thoug ht

, w e ha v e ,

si n n ed ; an evid en c e tha t w e h a v e b een holdi ng

un ki n d un j u st v i c i ou s thought s t owa rd s
, ,

other s thought s of r ev en g e or ha t r ed a d esir e

, ,
“
to get squ a re for som e f a n c i e d i n j ury ; a n
evid en c e t ha t w e ha ve b een se lfi sh j ea l ou s or , ,

tha t w e ha v e b een d i sh on est ha v e b een ta ki n g

,

un fa ir a dvan ta ge of othe r s i n some w a y or tha t ,

thr ough fea r or w orry or som e othe r form of

men ta l di scord w e ha ve b een the vic t i ms of
self thought p oi son i n g
-
.

I t will be c on sid e re d evid en c e t ha t w e ar e n ot

livi n g prop e rly tha t w e a re brea k in g some of
,

n a tu r e s l a w s or t ha t ou r a n c est o r s h a ve d on e
’
,

so : evid en c e th a t ou r b ody ha s b een p oi son ed

by vi c iou s or i m pure thought s that w e ha ve ,

i n some w ay l ost c on t r ol of our se lv es .

T o be hea l th y h appy a n d su cc essful we

, ,
31 2 M IRA CLE OF RIG H T TH O UGHT
m u st be good . Ther e i s n o oth er roa d to t rue
ha ppi n ess an d r ea l pr osp e rit y .

'

In th e phon ogra ph r ecord s o f som e oi our

grea t sin gers the sl i ghtest error
,
a n ot e a —

l i tt l e too sha rp or fl a t i s fa i th fully r epro

—

duced . I n j u st th e sa me w ay ev ery m i st a ke ,

ev ery sid est ep fr om vir t u e ev e ry slip ,ev ery ,

blun d er w e ma ke i n lif e i s fa i th fully r ec orde d

i n our c ell ph on ogra p h T he phon ogra p h
.

will on ly say the word s tha t a r e on th e r ecord .

You will ha ve to ma ke a r ec ord whi ch ha s on

i t the w ord s the sen t i m en t you w a n t the ma
, ,

ch i n e t o rep ea t .

Y our p oor hea l th to da y i s but th e expr essi on

-

of ba d or vici ou s l i vi n g p hon ogr aph r ecord s

—

r ec ord ed i n your m i n d som ewh e re i n the p a st ,

or i n those w ho ha v e gon e b efor e you Th ese .

r ecord s a r e sc i en tific a lly a ccura te a n d on c e , ,

ma d e they a r e c
, e r ta i n t o b e fa i th fully r epro

d uced .

F ew p eopl e rea liz e tha t they a r e c on stan tly

run n i n g thought s th rough their m i n d s a n d
i n dulgi n g i n em ot i on s a n d p assi on s wh i ch a r e
di sea se pr oduc e r s Every evil f eelin g towa rd s
.

a n other i s a li ttl e di sea se pr oduc e r Ever v .

di scord an t thought f eelin g or e mot i on m u st

, ,

pa y th e p en a l t y i n the p hysi ca l man ifestat i on

of some di sc ord .
 S EL F TH O UG H T PO I S O N ING 3 1 3
-

Wh en we uffici en tly tire d of expressi n g

a re s

d i sea se a n d phy sic a l di sc ord s gen er a lly w e ,

sha ll be c a r e ful on ly t o r ec ord t ha t wh ic h w e

wi sh t o expr ess ha rmon y hea l th t ru th —

, , ,

a n d bea u t y .

S i n ce w e k now that wha tever w e h old i n

t he m e n t a l a tt i t ud e w i ll be reproduc e d i n th e

b ody how c omp a ra t ively ea sy a n d sc i en t i fic

,

cha ra cter buildi n g a n d man buildi n g should be

- - ~

“come ! T hi s i s esp e cia lly t ru e a s w e kn ow ,

t ha t e ven thought s id ea l s sen t i men t s a n d

, , ,

emot i on s wh i ch a r e on ly me c h a n ic a lly a ssu m ed

a r e st ill the p a tt e r n for re produc t i on a n d be

c ome fa i th fully outpi ctur ed i n the l i fe .

Wha t eve r w e t hi n k ab ou t a grea t d ea l w e ,

t en d t o b ec ome l i k e I f w e k eep t he m i n d
.

c on c en t ra ted m uch up on d i v i n e th i n gs up on ,

spir i tu a l qu a li t i es w e n ot on ly t en d t o b ec om e
,

spiri t u a lly m i n d e d but th e qu a l i t y a l so i s ou t

-
,

pic t ur e d i n ou r fa c e a n d m a n n er H ow ea si ly .

w e ca n p i ck out of a cr owd the cl ergy man , ,

on e i n w h om t h e d om i n a n t thought ha s
—
OI
M ww l l g up on sa cr ed thi n gs ! By the con
d e t on
sta n t pic turin g of d i vi n e qu a li t i es holy ,

thi n g s w hol en ess c ompl et en ess p erf ec t i on of

, , ,

cha rac ter they b ec ome ou tpi ctur ed i n the

,

fea tures l ook out of the ey es or sp ea k th rough

, ,

the fa ce a n d m a n n e r In the sa me w ay w e.
31 4 MI RA CLE OF .
RIG H T TH O UGHT

ca n tell the ph ysici an the la wyer the cl erk

, ,
.

T h e d om i n a n t thought whatev e r ha s b een

,

upp ermost i n their m in ds wha tever thei r ,

m i n d s ha v e b een h ab i tu a lly l on g c on c en t ra t ed
up on b ecomes outp i ctur ed i n the fa c e ma nn e r
, , ,

a n d c on v e r sa t i on so th a t w e can re a d the si n s
, g
a n d ea r ma rk s
- .

D i d you ev er r ea liz e tha t i t i s possible to

r ea d i n your fa c e a n d m a n n er the re c ord of
your thoughts ; tha t your f a c e i s a bulleti n
boa rd up on w hi ch i s a dvert i sed wha t has b een
goi n g on i n your m i n d for y ea r s ?
I t w a s a sa yi n g of S w ed en b org th at a ma n
wr i tes hi s l i fe i n hi s p hy siqu e ; a n d thu s th e
a n gel s d i sc ov er hi s a utob i ogra phy i n hi s
”
st ruc t ure .

Th ere i s a pi ct ur e of your gr ee d reven ge , ,

selfi shn ess j ea lou sy

, a r ec ord O f y our dom i
—

n an t p a ssi on whi c h the w orld can r ea d

,
Y ou .

ma y ha ve supposed tha t y our thoughts w ere

se cr et ; but th e fa c t i s th at they a r e a l l di s

pl a yed up on your fa c e bull eti n .

I n r ea l i t y w e ca n hid e n othi n g for w e

, ,

r a d i a t e the t ruth of our se lves Wha t w e .

t h i n k i s written on the c ou n t en an c e Our fa c es .

a r e c ov e r ed wi th th e sc a r s th e w ou n d s w h ich
, ,

ou r boom er a n g th ough t s ha v e ma d e for e v er y ,

vi c iou s thought i s a b oome r an g I f w e throw .

 S EL F T H O UG H T PO IS O N I N G
-
31 5

a j eal ou s v i ous or r ev en geful thought

or a n en

to an othe r i t by a n i n ex ora bl e l a w c omes b a ck

,

a n d w ou n d s the th r ow er .

I t i s j u st a s p ossibl e to esta bl i sh hea lth on

a sol i d sub sta n t i a l p e rm a n e n t b asi s a s i t i s t o
, ,

est abl i sh a bu si n e ss Ri ght thi n ki n g a n d r i ght

.

l i v i n g m a ke a r i ght l i fe T he b ody bei n g a .

,

pr oduc t of the m i n d m u st n ec essa rily be l i k e ,

it .

If w e th i n k t ru th
ha r mon y i f w e ca rry an d ,

the b ea u t y th ought th e l ove thought these , ,

p rin cipl es w i ll be outpi ct ur ed i n th e b ody A .

d i sc ord a n t b ody can n ot c ome from ha rmon i ou s

th i n ki n g .

I t i s w ell k n ow n tha t i n fl ammat i on or t roubl e

of a n y k i n d a n ywh e r e i n the b ody i s a ggr a

va te d by c on c en t r a t i n g th e m i n d up on i t or

worryi n g a b out i t .

T h e on ly w a y t o a t ta in p erfect hea l th i s to
gr ow i n to the c ompl ete rea lizat i on of more
h ea l th grea t e r vigor
, We ca n n ot be phys .

i ca ll y vigor ou s u n t i l w e hold th e vigorou s

t hought .

M an y p eopl e ma k e robu st hea l th i mp ossibl e

by h old i n g th e sic kly thought the th ought of ,

thei r w ea k n ess t h e pi c t ur e of di sease d t issu es

,

som ewhe r e i n the b ody a n d of c our se t heir , , ,

en eral hea l th corresp on d s with thi s di sea sed

g
31 6 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT
m od el , for the thought fur n i shes the pattern
whi ch i s r eproduc ed i n the b ody .

A lways tr y to r ea liz e that t ruth hea lth an d , ,

ha rmon y a re n ot someth i n g fa r a wa y f rom

you but a r e a lwa y s w i th you i n you Real i z
, , .

i n g their pr esen ce a s an a ct ua l pr esen t fa ct will

h elp you won d erfully .

A hea l thy body i s c om posed of heal thy

t hought ex tema l i z ed outp i ctur ed,
A n d too .
, ,

i t foll ow s the ideal s an d a s l on g a s one

,

hold s the youth ful vigorous progr essive

, , ,

en erget i c c reative id ea l i n h i s min d hi s body

,

r esp on d s to the thought .

Just tr y th e exper i men t of t hi n ki ng of your

sel f a s a n a bsol u tel y per fect bei n g possessi n g ,

super b hea l th ,
ama gni ficen t body , a vi gor ous

con sti tuti on, a su bli me mi n d, a n d capa bl e o f

s tan di ng a ny a moun t o f str ai n .

N ever a ll ow yourself to ha ve a d efec tive ,

cr i ppl ed dwa rfe d id ea l of yourself n ever

,

en t er tai n such a n i mp e rfect hea l th mod el for

a n in sta n t f or these m en t a l p att ern s of your

,

self will gr a du a lly be gi n t o be r ep rodu c ed i n

your phy si c al con di tion .

Your ideal your c on vi cti on of your health

, ,

i s the p atter n which the lif e p r oc esses are con

stan tl y w ea vi n g i n to y ou r b ody .

O ur id eas ideal s t houghts emoti on s moods

, , , , ,
 S EL F TH O UGHT-
PO I SO N I NG 31 2

our men ta l i tude sen d a c on stan t su ccessi on

a tt ,

of vibra t i on s t hr ough ev e ry c ell ev ery organ , ,

a n d t hr ough a l l the fu n c t i on s of th e b ody .

There i s a p erp etu a l succ ession of these i m

pul ses th rough the en t ire ma ss of the m illion s
of c ell s .

I f w e scra t ch with a n a il or some other ha rd

sub sta n c e on t he en d of a lon g pi ec e of t i mb er ,

t he sou n d w a v es a r e t r a n sfe rr ed th r ough the

en t ir e l en gt h Ev ery c ell i n the huge t i mb er
.

f eel s the vibra t i on a n d p asses i t on So eve ry .

,

th ought emot i on ev ery sen se of f ea r w or r y

, , , ,

j ea l ou sy h atr ed that en t er s the m in d i n sta n t ly

, ,

m a kes i t sel f f el t th rough ev ery c ell i n th e body ,

a n d a ff e ct s i t a cc ordi n g t o i ts ow n n a t ure .

A ha ppy j oyou s uplift in g t hought or emo

, ,

t i on sen d s i ts m essa ge of l i fe a n d hea li n g lik e

l i ghtn i n g to th e r emot est cell s i n the body .

O n the othe r han d e v ery di scorda n t emo

,

t i on, ev ery thought of ha t r ed j ealousy or

, ,

selfishn ess sen d s i t s p oi son ou s c on ta gion

th r ough e v e ry on e of t he billi on s of c ell s .

I t i s n ow w ell e sta bl i sh ed tha t vici ou s m en tal

st a t es v i ol en t em ot i on s a n d expl osiv e p a ssi on s
, ,

m ak e ch emi ca l chan ge s i n the bra i n a n d poi son

the c ell li f e t h r ough t he whol e b ody .

We a r e b egi n n i ng to l earn t hat t he cel l s of

th e stom a ch an d of a ll the other or gan s ar e but
 31 8 M I RA C LE O F R IGH T T H O UGHT

an e xt en d e d bra i n so to speak an d tha t th ey

, ,

a r e v e ry se r i ou sly a ff e c ted by a n yth i n g wh i ch

a ff ec t s th e bra i n . H en c e a l l th e b odi ly fun c

t i on s r e fu se to do good w ork when t he m i n d i s
d i sturb e d ju st a s t he men ta l fa cul ti es r e fu se
,

t o g i ve up th ei r b est when they a r e i n d i sc ord .

56 K i s very u n fortu n ate that t here i s such a

.

deep sea ted c on v i c t i on i n the h uman r a c e tha t

-

th e m i n d i s con fin ed t o th e br a i n c ell s a l on e .

T h er e i s ev ery ev i d en c e tha t the re i s i n t ell i gen c e

i n c ell s a l l th r ough the body Thi s th eory h as
.

b een c orr ob or at ed a n d sub sta n t i a t ed by th e fa ct

t ha t ve ry l a rge p or ti on s of t he br i n ha v e b een
a
r emoved from a n i n d i v i du a l w i thout very ma
t er i a ll y i mp a i r i n g hi s i n t elligen c e .

M a n y i n te r est i n g exp e ri m en t s ha ve b een

ma d e to pr ov e thi s th eory . I f w e sl i c e a bi t
o f t i ssu e w hic h of co ur se i s a ll c ell s fr om
, , , ,

a n y pa r t of th e l i v i n g b ody an d put i t up on

a sl i d e of t he m icr osc op e wh er e th e r e i s th e

l ea st t r a ce of n i t ro gly ceri n the c ell s qu i ckly

-
, ,

i n st in c t ively sh ri n k from c on ta c t wi th the

,

p ow erful c hem ic a l dr aw i n g them selves b a ck

,

a s fa r a s p ossi bl e from the p oi son ou s sub

sta n c e ,
wh i ch they evid en tly r ega rd a s their
fa ta l en em y .

O n th e other han d if w e brin g i t i n con

,

t a c t wi th some har ml ess drug su ch as c apsicum ,

 S EL F T H OU GHT PO IS O NIN G
-

31 9

i n stea d of sh
ri n ki n g t hey ru sh towa rds i t an d
giv e eve ry evid en ce tha t they l i k e i t .

I f w e put opiu m i n c on ta ct wi th these cell s

t hey vibr at e r a pidly a s though i n a f a t a l t r emor ,

a n d quickly su c cu mb to i t s i n flu en c e a n d be

c om e n a rc otiz ed .

We fin d thi s p ow er of sel ect i on even i n

t he l owest for m s of a n i m a l lif e suc h a s the
,

a m oeb a t h e si m pl est f or m of on e c ell st ruc t ur e

,
-
.

E v en w h er e t here i s n o bra i n st ruc t ur e wh a t

e v e r th e c ell r ec ogn izes i t s en em i es fr om ,

wh ich i t t ri es to ma k e esc ap e a n d to seek a

h idi n g pl a c e
-
.

T he wh ol e b ody i s a ma ss of c ell s a n d thi s ,

i s why the c ell s i n a n y p a r t of the body wh en ,

di sa rr a n ge d or di sease d r espon d so qu i ckly to

,

m en t a l t r ea tm en t I t i s b eca u se there i s
.

i n t elligen c e i n t hem b e c a u se they a r e a p a rt of

,
“

t h e m i n d th em selv es They h a ve a m en t a l
.

qu ali ty a n d the c ombi n ed men ta li t y of th e

,

bra i n c ell s an d al l th e other c ell s i n the body

ca n r estor e a n y gr oup o f c ell s i n a n y o rgan or

t i ssu e wh en the y b egi n to sh ri n k a n d sh riv e l ,

a s i n ol d a ge or w hen th ey b e c om e d i sea sed

,
.

M i n d i s th e gr ea t hea l er the grea t rest orer

, ,

b e c a u se i t w as the origin al cr ea t or of th ese

c ell s It i s the mi n d withi n an d b a ck of th e
.

cel l st ru ctur e t hat r esp on d s t o m ent al t rea t

32 0 M I RA C LE O F .
RIGH T TH O UGHT
men t, r
r esto es the l ost bal a n ce , an d hea l s the
di sease .

B ody an d mi n d a r e on e Un told ha rm ha s .

c om e t o the ra c e th rough the b eli e f tha t they

a r e di st i n c t .A l l the i n t elligen c e t hat i s i n us
i s d i st r i bu t e d th r ough th e c ell s of th e b ody .

These c ell s a r e a ll sp ec i a l i sts a n d a l l m ore or

l ess i n telligen t a n d the c om b i n ed i n t elligen c e
,

of a l l of the c e ll s of th e en ti r e body form s the

i n tell i gen c e of the i n divi du a l I t m a y be .

t ru e t ha t the r e i s a hi gh e r d ev el op men t of

i n telligen c e i n the bra i n c ell s but th ere i s ,

a w on derful help i n r ega rdin g your whol e

body a s a bra i n a s b ei ng perm eate d w i th
,

Divi n e i n tell i gen c e b e c a u se e very cell i s i n

,

the cl osest t ouc h W i th the D ivi n e forc e whi ch ,

c reat es su sta i n s h ea l s r estores an d r en ew s

, , , , .

A n d when w e b ec ome c on sc i ou s tha t eve ry c ell

i n our body i s a Di vi n e th i n g wh ere a l l hea l th ,

a n d ha r mon y a n d b ea u t y an d t ru t h a n d l ov e
“

r esid e w e sha ll then k n ow w hat i t i s t o t a st e

,

p ow er .

T he di ff eren t organ s a r e esp eci a lly suscep

t ibl e to c er ta i n k i n d s of m en ta l i n fluen c e .

Exc essiv e selfi shn ess an d en vy seri ou sly

a ff e c t th e l i v e r wh il e th e hea r t liver a n d
, ,

spl een a r e st r on gly i n flu en c e d by J ea l ou sy es ,

pe ci all y when ch ron ic .

 S EL F TH O UG H T PO I S O N ING 32 1
-

It i s w ell k n ow n tha t vi ol en t l on g con ti n ued

,
-
.

j ea l ou sy a ffe ct s the hea rt s a ct ion most i n

’

j u r i ou sl y a s do a l l sor ts of m en t a l di sc ord
, ,

suc h a s w orry an x i et y f ea r a n g e r esp ec i a lly

, , , ,

where th ey b ecom e c h r on i c O n e n i ght of .

men t a l a gon y has oft en c a u sed the w ell t o be

com e i n v a l i d s . C on stan t gri e f l on g stan di n g,
-

a n d bi t t e r j ea l ou sy p e rp e t u a l c a r e a n d cor r od
,

i n g a n xi et y t en d to d ev el op di sea se
, .

I k n ow a man w ho so p oi son s h i s sy st em i n a
few m i n u tes by a h ot t emp er tha t h e does n ot
get ov er i t for d a y s J ea l ou sy will so p oi son
.

the sy stem a s c om pl et ely t o c han ge the n a tur e

of i t s vi c t i m i n a v ery sh or t t i m e T he r e i s
.

n oth i n g w h ich will burn out th e lif e c ell s an d

ruin ha r mon y a n d effici en cy qui ck er tha n the

vi ol en t i n dulgen c e of the expl osi ve p a ssi on s .

I n digest i on or dy sp ep si a oft en f oll ow fi erc e

domest ic qua rr el s M ul ti tud es of p eopl e h a ve
.

d i e d from h ea r t t roubl e i n duc ed by a n c on

t r oll e d p assi on s .

I n ten se ha t r e d viol en t fits of an ger an d

, ,

som e for m s of worry ha v e a ve ry irri ta t i n g

‘

a n d p oi son i n g i n flu en c e up on the ki d n ey s a n d

materi a lly a ggr a va te c e rt a i n for ms of k idn ey

di sea se . Ja u n dic e oft en foll ow s gr eat men ta l
sh ock s a n d vi ol en t ou tbur st s of hot t emp e r .

Peopl e a r e fr equ en tly ma de bili ou s by d esp on d

 MIRACLE OF RIGH T T H O UG H T
en cy fear an d w orry whi ch i n fa ct a r e d ea dly
, , , , ,

en e m i es of the kid n ey s a n d t he sk i n a n d seri ,

ousl y pr even t the eli m i n a t i on of p oi son s .

These st ruc t ura l cha n ges i n the di fferen t

orga n s a r e d ue to ch em ic a l cha n ges i n the

dev el opm en t th r ough m en t a l i n flu en c e of

p oi son ou s sub stan c es i n the t i ssues .

When ev er there i s a n y di sturban c e i n the

m i n d from a n y c a u se ther e i s sta rva t i on i n th e
t i ssu es of th e body b eca u se p erfec t n ouri sh
,

m en t for the fu n c tion s i s i mp ossibl e when di s

c ord i s pr esen t an ywhere .

T he digest ive organ s the live r an d st om

—

a ch for i n sta n c e —
a r e so d ep en d en t up on

ha rmon y that w hen there i s the slightest

m en t a l di sturb a n ce they ca n n ot a ct n or ma lly ,

a n d dig est ion i s i n t e rfe r ed wi th .

I t d oes n ot foll ow b eca u se you ea t a great

d ea l tha t you a r e prop erly n ouri shed I t often .

h a pp en s tha t owi n g t o the i mp a irmen t of t he

effici en c y of t he dig est iv e fluid s or t h r ough ,

m en t al poi son i n g from m en ta l di scord ma n y ,

of the t i ssu es ev en when t he r e i s pl en t y of

,

food i n th e digest ive organ s su ff er seri ou sl y

,

f rom sta rvat i on .

D uri n g fits of a n ger a n d j ea l ou sy a c ute ,

w orry or wh en on e i s su ff eri n g fr om f ea r the

, ,

ga st ric j uic es for exa mpl e ar e very defi c i en t

, ,
 SEL F T H OUG HT P OI SO NI NG 323
-

in digest ive essen t i a l s become m uch d i l uted

, ,

a n d h en c e ca n on ly p a r t i a lly d i ge st th e f ood .

They a r e en t i r ely l a c k i n g i n som e of t he i n

gr edi en t s w hi ch a r e ab solu t ely n ec essa ry to
p e rf ec t d i gest i on a n d a ssi m i l a t i on .

Whi l e i t i s t rue tha t chem i ca l cha n ges i n

t he sy st em wh ic h g en er a t e p oi son a r e of ten
c a u sed by ov e r ea t i n g i rr egul a r e a t i n g a n d ea t
, ,

i n g i n com p a t i bl e thi n gs whi c h should n ev e r

be ta k en i n t o the st om a ch a t the sa m e t i m e ,

yet m a n y ca n b e t r a c ed to m en t a l c a u ses a n d ,

a r e oft en c h r on i c fr om t he c on t i n u e d pr esen c e

o f suc h p oi son a s i n t he c a se of an ha bi t u a l
,

w orri e r.

I n the fir st pl a ce when ga st ric j uic e i s se

,

cr et ed u n d e r u n fa vor a bl e c on d i t i on s duri n g ,

m en t a l d epressi on w hen the p erson i s su ff e r

,

i n g from fea r w orry j ea l ou sy r ev en ge a n ger

, , , , ,

or ha t r ed ,
i t i s o f a v ery i n f erio r qu a l i t y .

T he r e i s som eth i n g l a c k i n g ; i t i s n ot a p erfec t

dig est ive fluid T he c hemi ca l pr op orti on s a re
.

n ot n orm a l a n d i n fa c t th er e i s oft en a c t u a l
, , ,

p oi son p resen t .

S ome p eopl e so p oi son themselves men ta lly

durin g their m ea l s t hat they ca n n ot d i gest
t heir food . I t i s a d a n ger ou s thi n g t o qu a rrel
a n d t o be an gry a n d ha t e ful a t a n y t i m e but ,

esp ec ia ll y s o duri ng mea l s Whatever you do, .

32 4 MIRACLE OF RIGH T TH O UGHT
do n ot your t roubl es to the ta bl e with
ta k e

you fo r t her e i s n oth i n g wh ich will rui n di

,

g est i on quick er than a t roubl ed w orri ed min d

, .

H ow ever un c om forta bl e un ha ppy w orri ed

, , ,

o r t r oubl e d you m ay be a t other t i mes of the

da y i t i s a b solut ely i mp era t iv e t o keep a s ha ppy

,

an d a s ha rm on i ou s a s p ossibl e dur i n g mea l s

an d the d i gest iv e hour s ; otherwi se the gast r i c

fl ui d s will seri ou sly l a ck the essen t i a l digest ive
el ement ,

Peopl e w ho ca rry their c r ot chets a n d worries

t o the t abl e an d w ho bri n g their surly ugly ,

mood s t o their m ea ls p oi son ev ery th in g they

f
ea t .
l
Th i s r ea son why ch ron i c w orr i er s
is on e ,

peopl e w ho a r e c on st a n t su ff er er s fr om f ea r
a n d a n xi et y a n d the e ff ec ts of t heir e xpl osi ve

pa ssi on s a r e often semi i n valid s Ch r on ic

,
-
.

w orri e r s a r e n ev er good digestors .

I t i s w orth y ou r whi l e to ma ke a d et erm i n ed

eff or t t o f or m t he ha bit of good ch eer duri n g

mea l s a n d b e fore goi n g to sl eep b ec a u se i t will

,

ha v e a p ow erful i n flu en c e up on y our h ea lth .

We a ll kn ow how qui ckly our d i gest ion i s

a ff ec t e d by ou r mood s our m en ta l pr oc esses
, ,

our men ta l a t t i t ud e A sudd en sh ock c a u se d

.

by a t el egr a m or l ett er con t a i n i n g ba d n ew s will

oft en c ompl et ely a rr est the entir e digest i v e
 S EL F TH O UGHT PO I S O NI NG 32 5
-

p rocesses, wh i ch will n ot be r esu med un t i l the

min d i s a ga in i n comp a ra t ive ha rmon y .

I f w e could ex a mi n e the stomach a fter a

se v e r e men t a l shoc k from ba d n ew s we shoul d
,

fin d the n at ura l fl ow of d ig est iv e fluid s fr om

the di gest iv e f ollicl es su sp en d e d ; the folli c l es
w ould be p a r ch ed a n d feveri sh an d for the
t i m e ab solutely d epriv ed of their digest ive

pow er .

So c l osely i s the digestiv e a ppa r at u s con

n ect ed wi th t he bra i n tha t a n a c cid en t o f a n y

k i n d or gr eat fea r will i n stan t ly stop al l of i ts

, ,

p roc esse s j ust a s th ough th ey ha d r ec eived a n

,

i m p e r a t ive comman d to c ea se w orki n g .

Di scord a n t thought fits of an ge r j eal ou sy

, , ,

d esp on den cy u n pl easan t sen sa t i on s of ever y

,

ki n d seri ously a ff ect the digesti on

,
.

T he fin d i n g of di sgu st i n g thi n gs mi n gl ed
wi th our food will often so a ffect our stoma chs
t h a t w e ca n n ot ea t a n y thi n g for some t i me
a f t e rw a rd s O u r sen sa t i on of h u n ge r dep a rt s
.

i n stan tly a n d th e v ery though t of food n a u se

a t es u s . J ust th i n k of th e t r emen d ou s p ow er
t hought m u st ha v e t o c a u se thi s i n sta n ta n eou s
r ev ul si on a n d c om pl ete c essa t i on of a l l the

digest ive proc esses !

S in c e physi c i an s the world over n ow a dmi t
th a t dy sp ep sia like ma n y other ill s i s a men ta l
, ,
32 6 MIRACLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT
di sease, i t i s cl ea r that if you p ersi st i n hold i n g
t he cheerful ha rmon iou s, h ea l thful thought
, ,

i n stea d of the desp on den t i nha rmon i ous n u , ,

h ea l th ful thought wh i ch up set s a n d demor

,

a l i z es digest ion you will be abl e t o ov e rc ome i t

, ,

a s w ell a s ma n y other p hy si c a l ill s tha t resul t

from wron g thought .

T he digest iv e proc esses foll ow th e men tal

p roc esses an d c oi n ci de w i th them I f we
, .

p er si st en tly habi tua lly hold j oy thoughts con

, , ,

t en tmen t thoughts good will thoughts wh ich

,
-
,

a r e a lw a ys worki n g i n u s for h ea l th a n d whi ch ,

p rodu ce ha rmon y ser en i ty an d p oi se w e t en d

, , ,

t o establi sh men t al h ea l th an d when thi s i s ,

d on e the b ody w i ll fa ll i n to l i n e O n the other

, .

h an d di scord an t i n ha rmon i ou s thought s will

, ,

m an ifest themselv es i n va riou s for ms i n the

b ody n ow rheu mati sm n ow dy sp ep si a hea d
, , ,

a ch e or some othe r for m of i ll hea l th .

The c i rcul at i on of the bl ood i s a l so very

seri ou sly a ffe cted by a l l thought s wh i ch d epress

a n d di scour a ge .

M an y p eopl e a fter prol on ged fits of an ger

,
-

or a c u t e a tta ck s of j ea l ou sy an d fea r ha ve ,

c old s i n digest ion bilious atta cks si ck or

, , ,

n er v ou s h ea d a ches .

S ome ha ve p er p etual sever e heada ches which ,

ar e due to men t al p oi son i n g from vi ol en t fit s

 S EL F TH O UGHT PO IS O NING
-
32 7

of a n ge r a n d the resul t a n t gen er a l sh ock t o the

m en ta l sy st em a n d a l so to i mp a ir m en t of n erv e
,

n u t ri t i on M an y su ff er fr om p erp et u a l sel fish

.

n ess p oi son i n g
-
.

Poi son s a r e gen er ated i n the bra i n c ell s by

the ch em i c a l cha n g es of the va ri ou s thought s ,

em ot i on s a n d expl osiv e p a ssi on s n o ph y si c a l

, ,

f or c e b ei n g brought i n to pl a y When a bl a c k
‘

.
,

di scour a ge d t hough t w a v e sw eep s th rough th e

-

sy stem t he r e c om es w i t h i t a sen se of depr es

,

si on , a l m ost of t e rr or A si n gl e fit of h ot
.

t em p e r m a y somet i m e s bur n out th e n erv e

c en ter s j u st a s a short c ir c uit will bur n out
,

t he e l ec t ri c wir es .

I t i s pi t iful t o see th e wr ecka g e of h op es ,

ha ppi n ess a n d a mbi ti on i n a l i fe a fter h urr i

,

c a n es of p a ssi on ha ve sw ep t th rough the m en ta l

ki n gdom .

Why do w e l ea rn so quickly tha t on the

physi ca l pl a n e hot th i n gs burn us sha rp tool s ,

cut us brui ses m a k e u s su ff e r

, a n d en d ea vo r ,

t o a v oid the thi n g s wh ic h give p a i n a n d t o ,

u se a n d en j oy th e th i n gs th a t gi ve pl e a sur e a n d

c omf ort ; wh il e i n the m en ta l r ea l m w e a r e con

sta n t l y burn i n g our selves ga sh in g our selv es
, ,

poi son i n g our bra i n ou r bl oo d ou r secret i on s

, ,

w i th dea dly d est ru ct i ve though ts mood s a n d

, , ,

e m ot i on s ? H ow w e su ff e r from these thought

32 8 MIRACLE O F RIGHT TH O UGHT .

l a cerati on s these men ta l brui ses these bur n

, ,

in gs of p a ssi on ; a n d yet w e do n ot l ea rn to
ex clud e th e c a u ses of a ll th i s su ff eri n g !

We a r e much more suscept ibl e t o di sea se

wh en su ff eri n g from an y sort of men ta l di scord ,
”
di sc oura gemen t or the blues b eca u se of
, ,

t he c e ll d ama ge due t o the pr esen c e of chem i

ca l chan ges t he i m pa ir men t oi n ut ri t i on i m
, ,

p erfect digest ion a n d ment al self p oi son i ng

,
-
.

'

When di scorda n t from worry a n xi et y a n ger , , ,

r ev en ge or j ea lou sy you may kn ow tha t these

, ,

t hi n gs dra i n a w a y your energy w a ste y ou r ,

vi ta li ty a t a fea rful rat e an d n ot on ly do n o ,

good but a l so gri n d a wa y the d eli ca te men t a l

,

ma ch in ery i n du c i n g prema t ure age a n d short

,

cui n g the life Worry thoughts fea r thought s

.
, ,

selfi sh thought s a r e so ma n y ma li n an t forc es

g
w i th i n us dest royi n g ha rmon y a n d rui n i n g
,

effi c i en c y wh i l e the opposi t e t hought s produ ce

,

ju st the opp osite result They soothe i n st ea d .

o f irri ta te a n d i n c r ea se effi ci en cy
,
m ul t iply ,

m en ta l p ow e r Five mi n u tes of hot t emp er

.

ma y w ork such a ha voc i n the d elic a t e c ell

life of the n ervou s system that i t will ta ke
week s or mon ths t o rep a ir the i n j u r y or i t ,

may n ev er be repa ir ed .

M a n y p eopl e k eep them selves i n a sta te of

chron i c sel f p oi son in g by thei r embitte red
-
,
 S EL F TH O UGHT PO IS O NING
-
32 9

v
r e en ge ful ha t red j ea l ou s thoughts sel fish
, , ,

n ess Or by th e i r viol en t t em p e rs a n d fit s of
,

ra gin g p a ssi on These self p oi son er s not on ly

.
-

d est r oy the ir presen t ha pp i n ess a n d succ ess ,

but a l so man y y ea rs of their liv es .

When w e fully rea li z e tha t these emot i on s

,

a n d a l l for ms of a n i m a l p a ssi on a r e debi li t a t

i n g d emo ra lizi n g tha t th ey m a k e f ea rful

, ,

ha v oc i n th e m en t a l r ea l m a n d tha t the ir hid e

,

ousn ess i s outpi ctur e d i n th e body i n p a i n a n d

suff e ri n g i n corresp on di n g ugli n ess an d de

,

for m i t i es w e sha ll l ea r n to a void them a s w e

,

w ould a void physi ca l p est il en ce .

The re a r e a uth en t i c c a ses i n our medica l

record s of c h r on ic i n va lid s w ho ha v e b een
c ompl etely cur ed by som e sudden good n ew s of
rel a t i ves or fri en ds wh om they mour n e d a s
d ea d an d w ho w e re foun d t o be a live or of some ,

fortu n e wh ich w a s sudd en ly a n d un exp ecte dly

le ft them wh il e t hey w er e v ery p oor The se .

ch an ges w ere p roduc ed by cha n gi n g the

thought .

It i s w ell k n ow n tha t men a r e often seve rely

w ou n d ed i n b att l e by shot or shell yet durin g ,

the ex ci temen t th ey a r e t ota lly u n c on sc i ou s of

p a i n or of a n y seriou s i n j ury to th emselves ,

unt il p e rha p s they di sc over their bl ood

, ,

soak ed cl oth i ng or some on e t ell s them that

,
330 M I RACL E OF RIGH T T H O UGH T

t hey a re X Then a s soon a s the ex

shot .
,

ci te m en t a b a tes the v e ry con sci ou sn ess of th eir

,

c on di t i on wi th the p ow er of th e i ma gi n a ti on to
,

ex a gger a t e ca u ses them to c oll ap se B ut

,
.
,

w hi l e the m i n d w a s i n t en sely occup i ed they ,

di d n ot feel the bull et or the pi ec e of sh ell .

We ha v e a l l felt sev e re p a i n en t irely c ea se

dur i n g momen t s of gr ea t j oy when som e un ,

exp e c te d goo d luck ha s c om e t o us T he .

m i n d for the t i m e a t l ea st w as a bl e t o d omi

, ,

n a t e the b ody a n d c on qu e r p a i n .

I ha ve kn ow n hun t ers c om pl etel y exha ust ed

by a d a y s t ra m p p e rha ps i n r a i n or sn ow
’

w i thout a n y r esul t s a n d sc a rc ely abl e t o put

,

on e f oot a hea d of th e othe r w ho b e c am e ,

in sta n t ly so t ra n sfor med a t th e sight of

th e l on g l ook ed for d ee r or m oose th a t t hey
- -

forgot thei r hun ger their fat igu e a n d w ere , ,

a s l i vely a s b oy s T he chan ge of m en ta l a t
.

ti tu de en a bl ed them t o t r amp a ga i n for hour s

wi thou t r est a n d ye t w i thout fa tigue .

Wha tever i mproves the hea lth of the mi n d

i mproves the h ea l th of the b ody T he upl i ft .

i n g i n spiri n g cheerful an d op ti m i st i c thought

, ,

i s n ot on ly a grea t m en ta l t on i c but a phy si ca l ,

t on i c a l so .

H ow ca n y our b ody ha v e resi st i n g p ow er t o

wa rd off di sease when you are all the t i me
 S EL F TH O UG H T PO IS O N ING
-
33 :

a cknowl edgi n g i ts
w ea kn ess a n d i n feri or it y ?
H ow ca n you exp ect ha rmon y i n your p hy si cal
k i n gdom when you a r e con stan t ly refl ecti n g
men t a l di scord ?
N ever a ll ow your self to be con vi n ced that
you a r e n ot compl ete ma ster of y ourself .

S toutly a fli r m your ow n sup erior i t y over b odily

ill s an d do n ot a c kn owl e dge yourself the sl av e
,

of a n i n fe ri or p ow e r .

Nothi n g el se will ha sten the d evel opmen t of

a di sease so qui c kly a s th at a t t it ud e of m i n d

whi ch ten d s to l ow er the vi ta li ty by c on sta n tly

looki n g for th e thi n g w e drea d a lwa y s exp ect
,

i n g an d w a t ch in g for ev ery symp t om wh ich

h er a ld s i t b eca u se w e a r e p ow e rfully a ff e ct ed
,

by the i ma gi na t ion which builds a l l sorts of

,

h ideou s predi ct ion s a n d foreb odin gs out of the

th i n g s w e fea r a n d dr ea d
1 .

Thi s p erp etu a l exp ectan c y of somethi n g

w hi ch i s goin g t o ma k e us su ff er an d fina lly
ki ll us has a terribly d epressin g i n fluen ce be ,

c a u se i t cu ts off hop e and exp ect an c y — the

ver y th i n gs w e liv e up on I t dri es up the very
.

sour c e of lif e a n d vi ta li t y a n d c a u ses the vi ct im

,

t o fa il r a pidly .

Thin k of the i n flu en ce up on a sen sit ive

n a t ur e of c a r r yi n g for yea rs the con vi c t i on

t hat he has i nherit ed a ter ribl e ma l a dy tha t ,

332 MI RACLE O F RI GHT TH OUGHT
h e ha s lurki n g i n hi s system a n in c ipi en t di sea se
tha t will ulti ma tely k i ll hi m ! A ll of hi s secre
t ion s a r e v ery m a teri a lly i n flu en c e d a nd t he
qua li ty of the bl ood i s deteri ora ted by such a
con vi ct ion for i t i s well k n ow n tha t worry
,
'

a n x iet y fea r kill milli on s a n d milli on s of red

, ,

bl ood c orpu sc l es ever y day .

When a physi ci a n i s ta ctl ess enough to t ell

h i s p at i en t of h i s c ri t ic a l con di t i on the r e i s an
,

immedi ate si n kin g often a fa ta l c oll a p se so

, ,

ra pidly do the r ed blood gl obul es di e un d er a

-

fata l drea d a n d apprehen sion The re i s n o

.

d oubt tha t thou san d s of pati en ts ha ve b een

k i ll ed by the brutal pl ain n ess of p hysici a n s ,

when u n d e r ch ee rful hop e ful en c our a geme n t

,

th ey might h a ve rec over ed . Hop e a n d che er

a r e i n fi n i tely b ette r t on ic s tha n a n y drug s . In
fa c t there i s l i tt l e d a n ger a s l on g a s th e c our a ge
,

a n d chee rful n ess of th e p a t i en t ca n b e ma i n

fa i n ed for the r ea c tiv e i n flu en c e up on al l t he

,

fun c t i on s of the b ody i s v ery p ow erful .

Ev e ry ph y si c i an kn ow s wha t a t r emen dou s

hea li n g r estora t iv e for c e c om es t o a p a t i en t
,

w ho h a s b een i n gr eat d an ger when he i s

a ssur e d by a ph y sici an i n wh om h e ha s gr eat

c on fid en c e tha t he i s goi n g t o get w ell T he .

m er e exp ec t an cy of reli ef from suff eri n g

th rough some n ot ed sp ec i a li st or a r eme dy in
 S EL F TH O UGHT PO I S O NING
-

333

w hi ch he ha s grea t f a i th often ma te ri a lly a ffec ts

t he c hem i st ry of th e pa t i en t s body i n a ll i t s
’

p hysic a l pr oc esses a rouses the h ealin g po

,

t en ci es , c r eative en ergi es wi thi n hi m an d ,

compl etely c ha n ges h i m .

I n fa c t h i s wh ol e ou t l ook up on l ife i s oft en

,

chan ged by thi s n ew b orn hOpe th i s uplif ti n g

-
,

exp ec ta n cy w h i ch t he l on g l ook ed for pr e ci ou s

,
- -

remedy or c el ebr a ted phy si c i a n bri n gs an d the ,

p a ti en t b egin s to feel b etter even befor e the

presc rip t i on has b een fill ed .

The re i s often a ve ry m a rk ed i mprovemen t

i n the p at i en t i mmedi a t ely a ft er t a ki n g the
m e dici n e i n wh ich he i mpli c i t ly b el i eves ev en ,

b e for e i t could p ossibly ha ve b een a bsorbed an d

a ssi m il a t ed i n th e sy st em sh owi n g c on clu siv ely
,

tha t the exp ectan c y the fa i th a lon e did th e

, , ,

w ork .

I t i s exp ec tan c y i mplici t fa i th compl et e

, ,

cha n ge of at ti t ude tha t hea l s di sea se chan ges

, ,

ha bi t a n d ch a ra c te r Exp ec t an c y of r eli e f a n d
.

un qu est i on e d fa i th i n th e r emedy or the phy

si ci a n a r e mu ch more heali n g p ot en c i es th an

ei the r th e rem edy or the p h y sic i a n F a i th i n .

th e p hy sici a n i n th e r epu ta t i on of the r emedy

, ,

fa i th i n the chan ge of c l i m a te pl a y a t r e ,

m en don s pa r t i n the hea li n g restorativ e pr oc ,

esses.
334 MIRACLE O F RIGHT u
T H o GH T

Fai th has e e v r b een great m i ra cl e w or ker

th e
of the a ges .I t h a s en dow ed a sp oon ful of
wa te r a br ea d pill a bl a c k r i n g a hor se chest
, , ,
-

n ut c a rr i ed i n the p ock et wi th m a rv el ou s h ea l
,

i n g p ow er s .

Thi n k of the t r emen dou s curative forc e i n

the fa i th of th e p eopl e w ho m a k e pilgr i ma ges
of thou san d s of m il es on f oot t o som e sh ri n e ,

o ften b a r e foot ed an d l a c e r a t i n g t hemselv es

,

b ec a u se of thei r b eli ef i n the ben eficen ce of i t

t o h ea l ! T hi n k of th e p ow e r t o hea l of the
bli n d sup er st i ti ou s fa i th of those w ho sa c ri
,

fice prop ert y somet i mes ch ildren a l most lif e

, ,

i tsel f to get what they r ega rd a s the m i ra cu

l ou s p ow er of som e sa cre d heali n g w a ter as ,

of the Jord a n or some of the sa cre d Ea st e r n

river s lik e the Ga n ges !

,

Those p oor d elud ed peopl e do n ot rea liz e

tha t ther e i s n o p ow e r wha t eve r i n these
i na n i mate obj ect s to give them h eal th but tha t,

they t ak e the hea l i n g p ow e r w i th t hem i n

thei r f a i th a n d m ight j u st a s w ell ex erci se i t
up on them selves a t home .

I n ven tor s w ho for yea r s ba ttl ed wi th pov

er ty an d p oor hea l th a n d th e opp osi t i on of

those w h o di d n ot un de rsta n d them ha ve com

pl etel y recove red thei r h ea l th by a sudd en di s

cov ery of the gr ea t sec ret for which the y ha d ,
 S EL F TH O UGHT PO IS O N ING
-
335

so lon g b een st ruggli n g T he succ ess of an .

id ea the sudd en a c hi e vem en t wh ic h c omes

,

a ft e r m an y y ea r s of st ruggl i n g wi th p ov e rt y

a n d d i sc our a gem en t c om pl et ely chan ges thei r

,

w hol e ph ysic a l c on d i ti on .

S ucc ess i tself esp eci a lly a f ter gr ea t di sa p

,

p oi n tm en t fa ilur e a n d pover t y i s a t r emen

, , ,

d ou s ton ic cha n gi n g the ch em i c a l composi t i on

,

of the se cr et i on s a n d a ff ec t i n g a ll t he fun c t ion s

o f th e b ody .

I hav e kn own whol e fa m ili es wh ere di s ,

cou r a gem en t fa i lure a n d si c k n ess ha d fol

, ,

l ow e d them for yea r s t o be t r a n sfor m ed by

,

sudd en ,u n exp ec ted succ ess c omi n g to them .

T he r ev er se of th i s i s a l so t ru e Un ex .

pect ed fa ilur e sudd en r ev e r ses wh ich sw eep

,

a w a y for t u n es gr ea t sorr ow s w h ich di shea r te n

,

a n d di sc our a ge ha v e of t en b een k n own to

,

depr ess an d en t ir ely d est roy hea l th a n d ha ppi

n ess .

T he p hy sica l i s mer ely the outpi ctur i n g the ,

expressi on of t he m en ta l c on di t i on
,
T he con .

di t ion of ou r hea l th i s ou r obj ectified thought .

I t w i ll n ot be l on g b e fore m en t a l me d i ci n e
w i ll be r ec ogn iz ed a s a r ea l sci en c e i n fi n i t ely ,

mor e sci en tific tha n the pr esen t m ed i ca l sy stem .

F or a ges man h a s sea rched the ea rth for

min e ra l a n d v eget abl e r eme di es whi ch would
336 M IRACLE O F RI GHT TH O UGH T
c ure hi s ill s when
, a llwi thout kn ow
the t i m e
i n g i t he has ha d stored i n hi s ow n bra i n i n the ,

d ep ths of hi s bei n g the sovereign pa n a cea for

,

a ll h i s a ch es a n d p a i n s a d i v i n e ha rmon y wh ich
,

would an ti dot e a ll hi s di scord s .

T he com i n g phy sici a n will tea ch hi s p a t i en t

tha t l i fe d oes n ot d epen d up on ch a n c e or a cruel
fa te but tha t ther e i s on e stea dy p er si sten t
, , ,

ben eficen t purp ose l ea v en i n g a n d run n i n g

,

th rough all crea t i on a n d th at thi s pu r p ose i s

,

e ve r movi n g upwar d an d on wa rd i n on e
et er n a l progr essi on .

F or y ea rs ther e has b een a gr a dua l p er si st ,

'

en t a n d pr ogr essiv e fa lli n g off i n the u se of

,
-

drugs med i ci n e an d man y of the ol d t ime

, ,
-

remedi es S ta t i sti cs sh ow that i n one of the

.

la rgest ci ti es the prescrip t i on bu sin ess fell off

fifty per c en t w i th in a very few yea r s Peo
. .
~

pl e a r e n ot druggin g t hemselves a s for mer l y .

A maga z in e wri te r esti mat es that there a re

more than fifteen m illi on s of p eopl e w ho do n ot
b eli eve i n medici n es an d w ho r esort to drugl ess
hea li n g T en yea rs hen ce judgi n g from the
.
,

ra te of in c rea se duri n g t he l ast few year s ,

ther e will be fift y m illi on s .

Dr E S Jon es of B oston Un iver si ty says

. . .
, ,

i n the Ameri c an Journ a l of C li n i cal M edi

ci n e tha t u n l ess they a d op t the n ew t reatment ,
 S EL F TH O UGHT PO I S O N ING 337
-

t he d octors will be out of busin ess i n t wen ty

yea r s ti me
’
.

T he t r emen dous r ea c ti on fr om the ol d t i m e

X
-

m edic a l m ethod s i s a lr ea dy b e gi n n in g t o be
r efl ected i n m an y of t he b est me d i c a l school s
i n thi s cou n t ry wher e i n st ruc t i on i s b ei n g
,

given by em i n en t l ectur e r s i n m ent a l thera peu

t ic s .

T he Eur op ea n me dic a l school s a r e al so giv

i n g le ctur es an d i n st ruct i on s up on men ta l
m edici n e . I n f a c t som e of the v ery m edi c al
,

j ourn a l s wh ich ha v e show n such bi tte r hos

t i l i ty t o the drugl e ss t r ea tm en t a r e n ow seri
ousl y d eb a t i n g i t s a da pt i on .

M an y r egul a r phy si ci a n s a r e gr a du a lly

r ec ogn i zi n g m en ta l h ea li n g an d empl oyi n g i t
.

A n oted n erve sp eci ali st n ow i n st ruc t s hi s pa

t i en t to thor oughly r el a x h i s mu scl es a n d
n e rves a t c e rta i n p e ri od s ea ch da y an d i m

a gi n e a vi gor ou s li fe cur r en t flowi n g thr ough

hi s en ti r e system .

There i s mor e an d more a t en d en cy to use

t he m i n d cur e i n a str i ctly s ci en ti fic sen se .

We a r e recogn izi n g that i t i s n ot the drugs ,

but the Pow er wh ic h cr eated u s wh i ch hea l s

our w ou n d s a n d hurt s r est ores us a n d hea l s
, ,

a l l ou r ph y sic a l di sc ord .

T he more i n t elligen t phy sici a n s a r e b egi n

338 M I RA CLE OF RIGHT TH O UGHT
i g to see tha t the hea li n g of the b ody i s
n n

brought a b out by c on n ec ti n g the p at i en t w i th

t he gr ea t l i f e st ora ge b a tt er i es wi th th e v e ry ,

S ourc e of L i fe the life pri n cipl e i tself

, .

T h e fu t ur e ph ysici a n w i ll be a m a n t ra i n ed
t o h elp the su ff er e r fin d hi s God hi s good ,
.

Then he will n eed n o other r em edv .

L ove i s the n orma l l a w of our b ei n g an d a n y ,

d ep a r t ure from the l ove thought mu st r esul t

i n a n a rc h y of t h e ph y si c a l ec on omy b ec a u se ,

th e l a w of ou r b ei n g h a s b een vi ol a te d .

A ll m en ca n rid th em selves of th eir p ern i

ci ou s th ought en e m i e s
—
en em i e s of th e m i n d
,

an d b ody if t hey will t a k e the t r oubl e t o do

'

so .

It i s n ot di ffi c ul t sh
ut out p oi son ou s
to
t hought s fr om the m i n d A ll on e n eed do i s
.

t o sub st i t u te the opp osi te thought to t ha t wh i ch

pr oduc es the fa ta l p oi son for i t will a lwa ys
,

furn i sh the a n t idote Di scord can n ot exi st i n

.

t he pr esen c e of ha rmon y T he ch a ri t abl e

.

t hought the l ov e th ought will v ery qui ck ly

, ,

k ill the j ea l ou sy the hat e an d the r ev en ge

, ,

thought . I f w e force pl ea san t ch ee rful pic ,

t ures i n t o th e mi n d t he gl oom y
, blu e ,

thoughts will h ave t o get out .

When w e shall have l ea rn ed to shut out a ll

the en em i es of our hea l th of our digest i on of
, ,
 S EL F TH O UGHT P O I S O NING
-
339

our a ss i milat i on th e en emi es wh ich p oi son our

,

bl ood an d other secr eti on s ; w hen w e sha ll ha ve

l ea rn ed how to k eep the i m a gi n a t ion cl ean the ,

t hought pur e the id ea l s bright ; w h en w e sha ll

,

ha v e l ea rn e d the t r em en dou s p ow e r of a grea t

life purp ose to systemat i z e a n d purify the l i fe
-
,

t hen w e sha ll k n ow h ow to l i ve . When w e

sh a ll h a v e l ea rn ed t o a n t id ot e th e h a te t hought ,

the j ea l ou sy thought t he en vy t he re ven ge

, ,

t hought wi th th e l ove th e ch a ri t y thought ;

, ,

when w e sha ll h a ve gra sp e d th e secr et of

a n t i d ot i n g a ll di sc ord an t thought s w i th the
ha rmon y thought ; when w e sh a ll ha v e l ea rn ed
t he m ight y life givin g p ow e r i n the holdi n g
-

o f th e r ight m en t a l a tt i t ud e a n d t he a wful

t ra g edy a n d su ff e ri n g w h i ch c om e fr om hold
i n g the Wron g men t a l a tt i t ud e th en w i ll ci v i l i z
,
=

a t i on go for w a rd by l ea p s a n d b ou n ds .