Learn to think constructively of all persons, all things, all events, and all circumstances. Appraise them from the ideal point of view. As you do this you will gradually transform your whole existence for the better. These are the means whereby you may steadily promote your welfare and advancement. As you train yourself to mentally look for the good, you will move towards the good; and as you form higher and larger conceptions of the good, these elements will begin to find expression in your words, acts, character, person, talents, powers, attainments, and achievements; that is, all things in your life will commence to improve as the direct result of your improved thinking. This process does not imply, however, that you are to ignore the wrongs of life, the empty places, and the undeveloped states of being; but that you are to think right through and beyond them towards the hidden Good or the Principle within that is ever seeking a higher and fuller expression. You will, therefore, cease to condemn and to criticize in a destructive manner; instead, you will seek to bring out the good in yourself and in others, and to discover and develop the greater possibilities everywhere.
Whatever we possess today is our just reward. Very often it does not make us happy; we are dissatisfied with it, but still it remains ours. This fact would prove hopelessly discouraging were it not for a great truth that teaches us how to be free from every difficulty, released from all bonds, absolved from every debt. If you want success in living life, you must exercise an intelligent discrimination of your thoughts. When you talk hard times, money scarcity, limitation, you are sowing that type of seed. What kind of harvest do you expect to get if the farmer sowed thistle seed, and then complained that his field did not bring forth wheat? You would say, "Foolish man! Didn't he know he could only expect what he had planted?" Never make an assertion, no matter how real it seems to be to you, if you do not want it reproduced or continued in your life. Do not say money is scarce; the very statement will send money away from you. Do not say times are hard; this will tighten your purse strings so tight that even God will not be able to slip in another coin. Do not say you are not loved, or not interested in other people's lives. Truly you will lose their interest and their love.
