UNCONSCIOUSLY we are forming habits every moment of our
lives. Some are habits of a desirable nature; some are those of a most
undesirable nature. Some, though not so bad in themselves, are
exceedingly bad in their cumulative effects, and cause us at times much
loss, much pain and anguish, while their opposites would, on the
contrary, bring as much peace and joy, as well as a continually
increasing power. Have we it within our power to determine at all times
what types of habits shall take form in our Iives? In other words, is
habit-forming, character-building, a matter of mere chance, or have we
it within our own control? We have, entirely and absolutely. "I will be
what I will to be," can be said and should be said by every human soul.
After this has been bravely and determinedly said, and not
only said, but fully inwardly realized, something yet remains.
Something remains to be said regarding the great law underlying
habit-forming, character-building; for there is a simple, natural, and
thoroughly scientific method that all should know. A method whereby
old, undesirable, earth-binding habits can be broken, and new,
desirable, heaven lifting habits can be acquired, a method whereby life
in part or in its totality can be changed, provided one is sufficiently
in earnest to know and, knowing it, to apply the law.
Thought is the force underlying all. And what do we mean by
this? Simply this: Your every act - every conscious act - is preceded
by a thought. Your dominating thoughts determine your dominating
actions. The acts repeated our own hands to determine exactly what
thoughts we entertain. In the realm of our own minds we have absolute
control, or we should have, and if at any time we have not, then there
is a method by which we can gain control, and in the realm of the mind
become thorough masters. In order to get to the very foundation of the
matter, let us look to this for a moment. For if thought is always
parent to our acts, habits, character, life, then it is first necessary
that we know fully how to control our thoughts.
Here let us refer to that law of the mind which is the same
as is the law in connection with the reflex nerve system of the body,
the law which says that whenever one does a certain thing in a certain
way it is easier to do the same thing in the same way the next time,
and still easier the next, and the next, and the next, until in time it
comes to pass that no effort is required, or no effort worth speaking
of; but on the opposite would require the effort. The mind carries with
it the power that perpetuates its own type of thought, the same as the
body carries with it through the reflex nerve system the power which
perpetuates and makes continually easier its own particular acts. Thus
a simple effort to control one's thoughts, a simple setting about it,
even if at first failure is the result, and even if for a time failure
seems to be about the only result, will in time, sooner or later, bring
him to the point of easy, full, and complete control. Each one, then,
can grow the power of determining, controlling his thought, the power
of determining what types of thought he shall and what types he shall
not entertain. For let us never part in mind with this fact, that every
earnest effort along any line makes the end aimed at just a little
easier for each succeeding effort, even if, as has been said, apparent
failure is the result of the earlier efforts. This is a case where even
failure is success, for the failure is not in the effort, and every
earnest effort adds an increment of power that will eventually
accomplish the end aimed at. We can, then, gain the full and complete
power of determining what character, what type of thoughts we entertain.
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"Character
Building Thought Power" by
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Building Thought Power
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