The New Thought includes _concentration of thought_, in its teaching;
and he who learns that important art is not liable to frequently forget
small or large duties.
It is he who scatters, instead of concentrates his mind powers, who
keeps himself and others in a state of continual irritation by
forgetting, mislaying, and losing, three petty vices which do much to
mar domestic or business life.
Concentration is a most difficult acquirement for the mature mind which
has been allowed to grow in the habit of thought scattering.
Wise is the mother, and as sure as wise, who teaches her child to
finish each task begun before attempting another, for that is the first
step in concentration.
Prentice Mulford, that great and good pioneer in the field of practical
New Thought, tells us to apply our whole mental powers to whatever we
do, even if it is merely the tying of a shoe, and to think of nothing
else until that shoe is tied, then to utterly forget the shoe string,
when we turn to another duty or employment. The next lesson in
concentration he gives us, is to repeat the word often, to impress it
upon the mind.
And then to declare each day that "Concentration is mine" will aid
still farther in the acquisition of this great and important quality.
Meanwhile, since we can be so fortunate as to always surround ourselves
with others who have acquired it, the student of the Higher Philosophy
must learn to be serene and self-poised when he encounters life's pigmy
worries.
He must carry his religion into his bedroom and his office, and not
forget it utterly when he loses his collar-button, or misses his car,
or finds his office boy has taken a parcel to the wrong address.
To build character necessitates a constant watch upon ourselves. The
New Thought is not a religion of Sundays, but of every day.