Your spirit and mine are both part of the stupendous cause. We have
always been, and always will be. First in one form, then in another.
Every thought, word and deed is helping decide your next place in the
Creator's magnificent universe. You will be beautiful or ugly, wise or
ignorant, fortunate or unfortunate, according to what use you make of
yourself here and now.
Unselfish thoughts, training your mind to desire only universal good,
the cultivation of the highest attributes, such as love, honesty,
gratitude, faith, reverence and good will, all mean a life of
usefulness and happiness in another incarnation, as well as
satisfaction and self-respect in this sphere.
Even if you escape the immediate results of the opposite course of
action here, you must face the law of _cause and effect_ in the next
state. It is inevitable. God, the maker of all things, does not
change His laws. "As you sow you reap." "As a man thinketh so is he."
There is no "revenge" in God's mind. He simply makes His laws, and we
work our destinies for good or ill according to our adherence to them
or violation of them.
Each one of us is a needed part of His great plan. Let each soul say:
"He has need of me or I would not be. I am here to strengthen the
plan." Remember that always in your most discouraged hours.
The Creator makes no mistakes.
There is a divine purpose in your being on earth. Think of yourself as
necessary to the great design. It is an inspiring thought. And then
consider the immensity of the universe and how accurately the Maker
planned it all.
Do not associate with pessimists. If you are unfortunate enough to be
the son or daughter, husband or wife of one, put cotton (either real or
spiritual) in your ears, and shut out the poison words of
discouragement and despondency.
No tie of blood or law should compel you to listen to what means
discomfort and disaster to you.
Get out and away, into the society of optimistic people.
Before you go, insist on saying cheerful, hopeful and bright things,
sowing the seed, as it were, in the mental ground behind you. But do
not sit down to see it grow.
Never feel that it is your duty to stay closely and continuously in the
atmosphere of the despondent.
You might as well think it your duty to stay in deep water with one who
would not make the least effort to swim.
Get on shore and throw out a life-line, but do not remain and be
dragged under.
If you find any one determined to talk failure and sickness and
misfortune and disaster, walk away.
You would not permit the dearest person on earth to administer slow
poison to you if you knew it. Then why think it your duty to take
mental potions which paralyze your courage and kill your ambition?
Despondency is one phase of immorality. It is blasphemous and an
insult to the Creator.
You are justified in avoiding the people who send you from their
presence with less hope and force and strength to cope with life's
problems than when you met them.
Do what you can to change their current of thought. But do not
associate intimately with them until they have learned to keep
silent--at least, if they cannot speak hopefully.
Learn how to walk, how to poise your body, how to breathe, how to hold
your head, how to focus your mind on things of universal importance.
Believe your tender, loving thoughts and wishes for good to all
humanity have power to help the struggling souls of earth to rise to
higher and better conditions. No matter how limited your sphere of
action may seem to you and how small your town appears on the map, if
you develop your mental and spiritual forces through _love thoughts_
you can be a power to move the world along. Rise up and realize your
strength. Not only will you be more useful and happy, but you will
grow more beautiful and keep your youth.