As A Man
Thinketh
by
James Allen
Rewritten and
translated into more modern terms
by
Greg Folsom
Chapter Four
Thought and Purpose
Until thought is linked with purpose there
is no intelligent accomplishment. Most of the time, the bark of thought is
allowed to "drift" upon the ocean of life. A vice is aimless, and
such drifting must not continue for those who would steer clear of catastrophe
and destruction.
Those who have no central purpose in their
life fall an easy prey to worries, fears, troubles, and self-pitying, all of
which are indications of weakness, which lead to failure, unhappiness, and
loss. For weakness cannot persist in a power-evolving universe.
We should think of a definite purpose in our
hearts, and set out to accomplish it. We should make this purpose the main focus of our
thoughts. It may take the form of a spiritual ideal, or it may be a worldly
object, whichever it is, we should steadily focus our thought forces upon the
object that is before us. We should make this purpose our supreme duty, and
should devote ourselves to attaining it, not allowing our thoughts to wander
away into daydreams. This is the royal road to self-control and true
concentration of thought. Even if we fail again and again to accomplish this
purpose (as we must until weakness is overcome), the strength of character gained will be the measure of our true success, and this will form a new
starting point for future power and victories.
Those who are not ready for a great destiny should fix their thoughts
upon the faultless performance of their duty, no matter how insignificant their
task may appear. Only in this way can the thoughts be gathered and focused, and
power be developed. Nothing is impossible to those that accomplish this.
The weakest soul, knowing its weaknesses,
and believing this truth - that strength
can only be developed by effort and practice, will at once begin to exert
itself, and adding effort to effort, patience to patience, and strength to
strength, will never cease to develop, and will at last grow strong.
As the physically weak can become strong by
careful and patient training, the mentally weak, will become strong by
exercising proper thinking.
To put away aimlessness and weakness, and to begin to think with purpose, is to enter the ranks of those strong ones who only recognize failure as one of the roads to success. Those people make all conditions serve them, and they think strongly, attempt fearlessly, and accomplish masterfully.
Having conceived of a main purpose, we
should focus on that so strongly that we can see nothing else. Doubts and fears should be
excluded, they murk up the clear waters of effort. Thoughts of doubt and fear
never accomplish anything, and never will. They always lead to failure.
Purpose, energy, power to do, and all good thoughts cease when doubt and fear
creep in.
The will to do springs from the knowledge
that we can do. Doubt and fear are the
great enemies of knowledge, and whoever encourages them, and not defeat them,
is hindered at every step.
Those who have conquered doubt and fear have conquered failure. Their thoughts are so powerful that all difficulties are overcome. Their intentions are seasonably planted, and bloom and bring forth fruit, which does not fall prematurely to the ground.
Thought and purpose, when blended, become
creative force.
All who know this will become much more than a mere mass of wavering atoms and
fluctuating electrons. Those who mix thought with purpose will become the
creator of their reality.
