TheDynamicLawsofProsperityForcesThatBringRichestoYou

byCatherinePonder

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Introduction

There’sGoldDustintheAirforYou!

Thisbookistheresultofseveralrecentrecessionsandmanyyearsofleanliving.Nobodylikes recessions and nobody likes lean living–and indeed nobody should like them. Forfifteen years I tried to find such a book as this one.During those years of searching thebookshelves, I found that therearemanybookswhichgivevarious ideas, but innoneofthemdidIfindasetofcompact,simplelawsforassuringsuccess.Ibegansearchingforabooksuchasthisafterhavingbeenwidowedandleftwithasmallsontorearandeducate.SinceIhadnotrainingforworkandnomeansofincome,Iwouldhavegivenanythingtohaveknownthenaboutthepowerofprosperousthinking.

ForawhileIexperienceddepression,illhealth, loneliness,financiallackandasenseofcompletefailure.Itseemedthatthewholeworldwasagainstme,andthateverythingthatIdidwentwrong. Butwithmy son to provide for, I could not settle for failure. I had tosucceed for his sake as well as for my own. Finally, when I was at my lowest ebbemotionally, physically and financially, I learned about the power of thought as aninstrument for success or failure. I came to realize that the right use ofmymind couldbecomethekeytohealthy,happy,prosperous,successfulliving.

AssoonasIgraspedthiswonderfulsuccesssecret,thetidebegantochange!

TheBirthofProsperousThinking

You’ve heardmuch in recent years about positive thinking.Out of the recessions andleanyearsanother termhasbeenborn“prosperous thinking”.Theword“prosper”means“toflourish,succeed,thrive,toexperiencefavorableresults”.

Youareprosperoustothedegreethatyouareexperiencingpeace,health,andplentyinyourworld.Whileprosperousthinkingmeansmanythingstopeople,basicallyitgivesyouthepowertomake your dreams come true, whether those dreams are concerned with better health,increasedfinancialsuccess,ahappierpersonallife,moreeducationandtravel,oradeeperspirituallife.

Thisbookplainlyshowshowprosperousthinkinghashelpedpeopleineverywalkoflifetoexperience theseresults.Furthermore, it showshowprosperous thinkingcando thesethingsforyou,too!Asyoureadthisbook,chapterbychapter,youwillautomaticallybegintodevelopthepowerofprosperousthinking,and,almostaseasily,youwillbegintoreapaharvestofprosperousresults.

TheSalesmanWiththeGoldenTouch

Years ago, a salesman used the power of prosperous thinking, although he may notconsciously have been aware of it.When people asked him, “How’s business?” he alwaysgavethisstandardanswer:“Businessiswonderfulbecausethere’sgolddustintheair!”Forhimitseemedtocertainlybeso–everycontactbecameasale.Afterawhile,wheneverhisnamewasmentioned,peoplealwayssaid,“Yes,everythinghetouchesturnstogold”.

TheLawsofProsperity

Duringmy first year in theministry, one of themost severe business recessions sinceWorldWarIIhitthiscountry.Membersofmycongregationbeganaskingforlecturesonways to survive this difficult period. It was then that these dynamic laws of prosperitybegan to take form.And,withbreathtaking rapidity, these ideasworked–for all types ofpeople!

HowtheLawsHaveWorkedforOthers

Forinstance,withinaweekafterthefirstlecture,twosecretarieshadreceivedincreasesinpay,onewithapromotionandnewtitle.Astockbrokersoonreportedthathehadmorebusiness than he had dared hope for, although most of his fellow workers werecomparatively idle. One client whom he had not seen for several years appeared andhandedhimachecktoinvestfor$200,000!Amonthafterbeginningtodeliberatelyinvokeprosperous thinking, his income was four times its usual amount. A lawyer, who hadseveral industrial clients then on strike or out of work, reported that the recession wassuddenlyoverforhim.Hisincomezoomedupwardintothe$2,000amonthbracket,whichat thetimeseemedagreat increase, though laterafterheestablishedadefinitepatternofprosperousthinking,itseemedonlynormal.

Asteelmanufacturer’sagent,whosebusinesswasaffectedbytherecession,reportedthatheunexpectedly received anorder amounting to$4,500whichhehadnot solicited.Onewomanwasasalesladyinadepartmentstorewhichemployedmorethan100people.Allofherfellowworkershadbeenthinkingandtalkinghardtimes.Attheendofthemonth,afterthiswomanbegantodeliberatelythinkprosperously,shewastheonlyoneinthestorewhoreceived a commission check for having oversold her quota for the month. The otheremployeeshaddecreedhardtimesandhadgottensuchresultsforthemselves.

The owner of an electrical business had an outstanding account of $750 owing hiscompany.Ashebegantothinkofthoseowinghimasprosperous,theaccountwasquietlypaid. A jeweler had an indebtedness owing himwhich he tried everymeans he knew tocollect,includingtheuseofunkindletters,alltonoavail.Whenhe,too,decidedtothinkinprosperous terms about himself and the one owing him, to his amazement the creditorquicklypaidup.Onefamilythatdesiredfreedomfromindebtednesssuddenlyinheritedanicesumofmoney.AgovernmentemployeereceivedaraiseinpaythathadbeenpendinginCongressforseveralyears.Atelephonecompanyemployeealsoreceivedageneralraisethathadbeenpromisedmonthsearlier.Aconstructionengineerreceivedanewassignment

toa15.5milliondollarconstructionjob,afterhavingservedonamillionandahalfdollarconstructionjob.Onecoupleevenreceivedanall-expensetripabroad!

Thesearebutafewexamplesofthepowerofprosperousthinking.

ProsperityBrings“NewLook”andNewHealth

Butmorethanfinancialreturnsappeared.AsIweeklylecturedonprosperousthinking,Ibegantorealizethatthepeopleinattendancewerebeginningtoblossomforthwitha“newlook”–a look of inner peace, poise, happiness, security and stability not previouslyapparent.Thefailurelookofdepressionanddiscouragementwasreplacedwiththelookofsuccess,self-confidenceandinnerhappiness.Thelookofdefeatwasreplacedwitha lookofdominion,authority,victory.Itwaswonderfultobehold!

Newmentalandphysicalhealthappearedforanumberofpeople,too.Onebusinessmanhadbeentoldmostofhis lifethathehadaseriousheartconditionthatwouldhavetobepampered constantly. As he began to apply the power of prosperous thinking in everyphaseofhisworld,herelaxedmoreandmoreinmindandbody.Tension,bothconsciousand unconscious, gradually eased. After a time his doctor stated that his earlier hearttroublehadvanished.Now,severalyearslater,heremainshealthierandhappierthaneverbefore.

Severalpeoplewithnervousconditionsfoundnewhealth,serenityandpeaceofmind.Ahousewife in this grouphad for years visited a series of doctorswho could findnothingorganicallywrongwithher.Asshebegandeliberatelytopracticeprosperousthinking,shebegan to think more lovingly of others–including her husband! Her new attitude ofappreciationgavehimafeelingofapprovalhehadnothadfromhiswifeinmanyayear.This,inturn,addedtohisself-confidenceandwasreflectedasnewsuccessinhiswork.Hisnewjobsuccessbroughtahappinessandsatisfactiontotheirmarriagethathadlongbeenmissing. Thiswoman’s health improved somuch that she soon appeared years younger,andherachesandpainsfadedashappinesscameintothevariousdepartmentsofherlife.

YourWholeOutlookChanges

Alonely,unhappybusinesswomanwhohadoftenthreatenedsuicidebecamesointenselyinterested in the lawsofprosperity that she found interestsoutsideherself.This led to ahappier,morebalancedlife.Thesuicidetalkstopped.Ahousewifeandalsoabusinessman,whosesecretdrinkinghadbecomeseriousproblems,foundnewhopeintheirpracticeofprosperousthinking.Theybegantorealizethattheirdrinkingproblemscouldbeovercome.Astheygainedthisvictoriousexpectation,theywereabletobeginresolvinganddissolvinginnerhostilitiesandconflicts.Theirdrinkinggraduallydiminished.Severalmarriagesweresaved, after one or another of the marriage partners began to invoke these laws ofprosperity. One person’s divorced partner returned and they were remarried. Severallonely, unmarried people were happily married, one after having been widowed for 20years.

Abusinessmanwhohadalwaysdetestedhisworkfound,ashebeganusingthese ideas,thathegotawholenewperspectiveonhisjob,andinduetimehenolongerdislikedit.

TheSalesmanWasRight

Thatsalesmanwasright.Thereisgolddustintheair–foryou,forme,foreveryone.Theeconomists know this because they declare thatwe have now entered one of the richesteras the world has ever known, which they are describing as “TheGolden Sixties”. Thescientists know that there is golddust in the air because theydeclare this universe to becomposedofnothingbut radiant substanceor ether, towhichmanhasunlimited access.Psychologistsandmetaphysiciansknowaboutthegolddust.Theydeclarethatmanformshis world from the rich, unlimited substance within him and around him through histhoughts,emotions,wordsandactions.

Andsoletusproceedinconfidence,knowingthatthereisgolddustintheair–andthatthere is gold dust everywhere. As you begin reading this book, no matter what theconditionsofyourlifemaynowbe,dosointhisattitudeofmind:Thereisgolddustintheair–forme.Throughdefinite,deliberateprosperousthinking,Inowbeginassimilatingthatgolddust.AndevennowIambeginningtoexperiencegolddustresults!

Nowproceedquicklytothefollowingpageswhereyouwilllearntheexcitinggolddustsecretsofcountlessothers.

CatherinePonder

ChapterOne

TheShockingTruthaboutProsperity

The shocking truth about prosperity is that it is shockingly right instead ofshockingly wrong for you to be prosperous! Russell H. Conwell emphasized this in hisfamous“AcresofDiamonds”lectures:

I say youought to be rich; youhaveno right to be poor.To live andnot be rich is amisfortuneandit isdoublyamisfortunebecauseyoucouldhavebeenrich justaswellasbeingpoor...Weoughttogetrichifwecanbyhonorablemethods,andthesearetheonlymethodsthatsweepusquicklytowardthegoalofriches.Pleasenotethattheword“rich”meanshavinganabundanceofgoodorlivingafuller,moresatisfyinglife.Indeed,youareprosperoustothedegreethatyouareexperiencingpeace,health,happinessandplentyinyourworld.Therearehonorablemethodsthatcancarryyouquicklytowardthatgoal.Itiseasier to accomplish than you may now think. That, too, is the shocking truth aboutprosperity.

Several decades ago a businessman predicted that the religious leaders of the futurewouldbeforcedtogivemoreattentiontohelpingtheirfollowerssolvetheireconomicandpersonalproblemsofthepresent;andthattheywouldbelessconcernedwiththedeadpastor theunborn future. I agreewith thatbusinessmanand Iwish tohelpyoudo just that–solveyoureconomicandpersonalproblemsofthepresent.Asyoudo,yourdeadpastandyourunbornfuturewillsurelybetakencareof.

YouShouldDesireProsperity

Perhaps one of the greatest shocks I ever receivedwas the one that became apparentwhenIbeganlecturingonprosperity.Isoonrealizedthatmanyofthepeopleattendingthelectureswere still trying to resolve that old conflict ofwhether they shoulddesire to beprosperous. Of course, they wanted prosperity; every normal person does. But theyappearedtosecretlywonderwhethertheyshouldseekitornot,especiallyfromaspiritualstandpoint.Mostofthebusinesspeopleattendingthelecturesseemedtofeelguiltyaboutwantingtobeprosperous,thoughofcoursetheywereworkinghardeverydayintheirjobstodoso.Thequestion,obviously,wasstillintheirminds:whetherpovertywasaspiritualvirtueoracommonvice.Thatconflictintheirthinkingwassettingupaconflictingresultintheiraffairs,whichneutralizedtheirefforts tosucceed,nomatterhowhardtheywereworking.

Soonitbecameapparentthatitwouldtaketheexpressionofsomebold,evenshocking

ideasonthesubjecttoblastoutthelimitedbeliefsthathadboundthesepeopletomediocreliving for years.Realizing this, I spent several lectureperiods explaininghowGod,man,and prosperity are all divinely related. After the initial shock of these ideas had passed,thesefinepeopleweregreatlyrelievedandveryhappythat,atlast,theynolongerhadtofeelguiltyaboutwantingtobeprosperous. Itwas then that theybegan toexperience thepreviouslydescribedresultsinrapidtime.

Since that time, in my lecturing around the country, in private counseling andcorrespondenceon the subjectwith countless people, in radio, television andnewspaperinterviews, I find that the same idea still persists. Perfectlywonderful people seem quiteconfused about whether prosperity should be considered a spiritual blessing. But howrelievedtheyarewhenshownthatitdefinitelyis.

PovertyisaSin

And so again I say: It is shockingly right instead of shockingly wrong for you to beprosperous.Obviously, you cannotbe veryhappy if you arepoor, andyouneednot bepoor. It is a sin. Poverty is a formof hell caused byman’s blindness toGod’s unlimitedgoodforhim.Povertyisadirty,uncomfortable,degradingexperience.Povertyisactuallyaformof disease, and in its acute phases, it seems to be a form of insanity. Poverty fillsprisonswiththievesandmurderers.Itdrivesmenandwomentodrink,prostitution,dopeaddiction, suicide. It drives potentially fine, talented, intelligent children to delinquencyand crime. It makes people do things they otherwise would never dream of doing.Communism,oneofthemostdreadmovementsintheworldtoday,oftengetsastrongholdas the direct result of poverty. The governments which have become Communistdominated have usually done so for financial reasons, believing it a way to financialsecurity.Thesinfulresultsofpovertyknownobounds.Thatisoneofthereasonswhy,asaminister, I have felt so strongly led to do whatever I can to help people learn how toeradicatethesinofpovertyfromtheirlives.AdoctorIknowhassaidthathewouldhavefew patients if it were not for financial problems, which cause them worry, strain andtension, all ofwhich lead to ill health.He states that ourmental hospitals are filledwithpeoplewhohavefoundthat financialstrainovera longperiodimpairedtheirmindsandbodiestothepointofincapacity.Ithasevenbeenestimatedthatnine-tenthsofmankind’sillsarecausedbythestrain,miseryandunhappinessofpoverty.

Letusbedonewiththinkingofpovertyasavirtue.Itisacommonvice.Ifyouhavebeenlivinginfinanciallackandlimitation,youhaveliterallybeenlivinginvice.That,too,istheshockingtruthaboutprosperity.Butyouneednotcontinuelivinginfinancialvice.Thereisawayout.

ProsperityIsYourDivineHeritage

TheBible is filledwithrichpromisesregardingyourpotentialprosperity,asachildofGod.Youshouldbeprosperous,wellsuppliedandhaveanabundanceofgoodbecauseitisyourdivineheritage.YourCreatorwantsyou thatway!That is the shockinglynice truthaboutprosperity.

Besides,youcan’tbemuchgoodtoyourselfortoanyoneelseunlessyouareprosperous.Thepersonwhodoesnotdesiretobeprosperousisabnormal,becausewithoutprosperityyou live abnormally. You cannot live fully on the physical plane without proper food,comfortable clothing, warm shelter and without freedom from excessive toil. Rest andrecreationarealsoneededforyourphysicallife.

You cannot live fully on themental plane without satisfying creativemental activity;withoutbooksandtimetoenjoythem;withouttimetoenjoymusic,artandotherculturalinterests;withoutopportunityandmoneyfortravelandintellectualassociationwithothersof similar interests. To live fully on the spiritual plane of life, you need time for quietcontemplation;formeditation,prayer,spiritualstudy,attendanceatchurches,lecturesandsatisfying association with others on the spiritual path. It is, therefore, of supremeimportance that you be prosperous for your physical, mental and spiritual welfare anddevelopment.

Makenoexcusesforputtingupwithlackoracceptingitasapermanentarrangementinyourlife.Donotgototheotherextremeeither,andtalkofwantingtobeprosperousforthegoodyoucando.That is secondary.Youwant tobeprosperousmainlybecause it isrightthatyoushouldbe.ProsperityisyourdivineheritageasthechildofaKing,asasonofGod.

SuccessisDivinelyOrdained

There is no reason for you to think of prosperity as something separate from yourspirituallifeor“beyondthepale”ofreligion.YoudonothavetotrytoliveintwoworldswhereyourunthingsforsixdaysandthenontheseventhgiveGodachancetoshowwhathecando.TakeGodasarich,loving,understandingFatherintoallyouraffairseachdayofyourweek. AskHis divine instruction and guidance about all your affairs, financial andotherwise,andyouwillbepleasantlysurprisedhowmuchbettereveryphaseofyour lifewillbecome.

Ananalystrecentlydeclaredtomethathehadfoundthemostcommoncauseoffailurein people is the conflicting idea about whether success is divinely ordained or divinelydamned.Forinstance,hestatedthatmanyhadassuredhimthatfailurewasmorespirituallyapprovedthansuccess,sincerichesareregardedasanobjectofworshiporasafalsegod.Thisdoctorfurtherstatedthathehasspentmanyanhourexplainingtopeoplewhoarenotsucceedingthatbeingsuccess-mindedisnotservingafalsegod,andthattheyshouldstopusingGodasanexcusefortheirfailures.

WhenyourealizethatGodwantsyoutobeprosperousandthatGod,astheCreatorofthis rich universe, is indeed the Source of your prosperity, then you are notworshipingriches. You are not making prosperity a false god. You are simply claiming yourprosperous heritage from the Source of all your blessings. God pointed out the rightspiritualattitudetowardprosperitywhenHetoldMosestoremindtheChildrenofIsrael:ButthoushahremembertheLordthyGod,foritisHethatgiveththeepowertogetwealth.(Deut.8:18ASV)Theword“wealth”meansgrandliving,andthatiswhataprosperousthinkershouldbeworkingtowardandshouldbeexpectingashisspiritualright.Perhapsyouarerecalling,atthispoint,astatementIalsoheardasachildwhichconfusedmeaboutprosperitybeinga

spiritualblessing.Peopleoften said, “I ampoorbut I’magoodChristian.”Even though Icomefromafamilythathasproducedseveralministers,IalwaysshudderedwhenIheardthat statement.My immediate reactionwas, “Why shouldChristians or any other grouphave to be poor?God isn’t poor andHe is our loving Father.” Then, too, that statementmadeitsoundasifalltherichfolkswereboundforhell.SomehowIcouldnotfigureoutwhy rich people had to go to hell just because they were prosperous. It seemed ratherinconsistenttome.

TheBibleisaProsperityTextbook

Uponenteringtheministry,IdecidedtosettletheissuewithinmyownmindbystudyingtheBiblicalviewofprosperityversuspoverty.ItwasapleasantsurprisetodiscoverthattheBibleisthegreatesttextbookonprosperityeverwritten!TheBibleclearlyshowsthatyouhavenotbeenpleasingGodbysettlingforlackandlimitationinyourlife,anymorethanyouhavebeenpleasingyourself.Theveryfirstchapterdescribestherichuniversecreatedforman;thelastbookoftheBiblesymbolicallydescribesheaveninrichterms.Mostofthegreatmenof theBiblewereeitherbornprosperous,becameprosperousorhadaccess toricheswhenevertheneedarose.AmongthemwereAbraham,Jacob,Joseph,Moses,David,Solomon,Isaiah,Jeremiah,Nehemiah,ElijahandElisha.

WhyPovertyIsNotSpiritual

Youmaywonderwhy therehas been somuch talkof sacrifice, persecution, andhardtimesasnecessaryphasesof thespiritualwayof life.Historyreveals that the inspiredyetpractical teachings of theBible continued to be observed during the early centuries, butsoon religion became more secularized, leading to variations and departures from theoriginal teachings.Later, the feudal systemsduring theMiddleAges assuredwealthonlyfortheprivilegedfew.

Duringthisperiod,theteachingof“povertyandpenance”wasofferedtothemassesasthe only way to salvation, in order to keep people in poverty, and to make lack andprivation a supposed “Christianvirtue.”Unsuspectingmillionswere led tobelieve that itwas “pious to be poor”, a belief which was useful in forestalling revolution among themasses. Someof those old feudal ideas about poverty as a spiritual virtue have persisteduntiltoday,buttheyarefalse,man-madeideasandnotGod’srichTruthforyouandme.

Thus,makenofurtherexcusestoyourselforothersforwantingtobeprosperous.Itisadivine desire that should be given divine expression. You can boldly give thanks thatprosperity isyourdivineheritage; that theFather’sdesire foryou isunlimitedgood,notmerelythemeansofameagerexistence.

RightAttitudesWillPayYourBills

Now, inorder tohelpyouestablish theall-importantprosperousattitude, thatGod istheSourceofman’ssupplyastheCreatorofthisrichuniverse,andthatGod’swillforyouisthereforethewealthoftheuniverse,IsuggestthatyouparaphrasethewordsoftheLord

toMoses:IwillremembertheLord,God,forHeitisthatgivethmepowertoexperiencewealth.

Perhapsyouarethinking,“Yes,butisthiskindofthinkingpractical?Cansuchattitudesactually help put shoes on the baby, food on the table and pay the rent?” Yes, it can!Recently,Italkedwithayoungwomanwhoseemedtohaveeverythingagainsther.Whenstrickenwithparalysis,herdrinking,gambling,non-workinghusbanddesertedher,leavingseveral children to support and educate. Though she had a roof over her head, it wasmortgaged.Thoughherhusbandwasrequiredbycourtordertoprovideasmallmonthlyallowance for support of the children, it was insufficient tomeet their needs. However,each time that I visited this woman, who for many months was bedridden and morerecently confined to awheel chair, she always joyously reportednewchannels of supplywhichhadopenedtoher.

On one visit, she stated that she had been given enough canned food to last severalmonths; that money had appeared as needed for clothes for her children from somerelativesinadistantstate;thatherownmedicalexpenseswerebeingmetbyafriendwhoisoverseas;that,indeed,everyfinancialneedwasbeingmet.Freshpainthadevenarrivedfortheoutsideofthehouseandaneighborwasbusilyrepaintingit!

WhenIaskedwhatherprosperitysecretwasandhowshehadbeenabletomeeteverybillontime,whileshewasinawheelchairwithnoampleorsteadyincome,shesaidthatoneprayerhadbeenhergreat sourceof strengthandsupply:Whenevera financialneedwasnear,shewouldquietlymeditateoverandoveruponthispromisefromthe46thPsalm:Bestill,andknowthatIamGod.

Onedaythemortgagepaymentwasdueonthehouseintheamountof$40.Shehadnotacentofthemoney,soshequietlybegantothinkonthesewords:Bestill,andknowthatIamGod.BestillandknowthatIamGodatworkinthissituationnow.Aroundnoonshegotasenseofpeaceaboutthesituationandsocompletedhermeditationperiod.Aboutanhour later, as shewasbeing served lunchbya relative, inwalkedaneighborwhoplacedsomemoney in her hand.He said, “Our Sunday School class got to thinking about you.Therewassomeextramoneyinthetreasuryandwedecidedwewouldliketoshareitwithyou.”Theamounthehandedherwas$40!Thiswoman,recognizingGodastheSourceofhersupply,hasprovedthatthisSourcewillneverfailher,evenunderextremeconditionsofillhealth,maritaldisappointmentandfinancialuncertainty.Ofcourse,hergreatdesireisto become self-supporting and financially independent of gifts from relatives, neighborsandfriends.Surelyshewillrealizethisdesireassheperseveresinprosperousthinking.Sheisnowbeginningtowalkagainforthefirst timeinseveralyearsandwillsoonbeabletowork,too.Meanwhile,sheisprovingthatGod’srichsupplycancomeinmanyunforeseenwaystomeettheneedsofthemoment,regardlessoflife’shardconditions.

ThePsalmistwas recognizingGod as the Source of his supplywhenhe declared,TheLordismyshepherd,Ishallnotwant.It isagoodprosperityprayertodeclareoften.Ahousewifeneeded$100tocovertwobillsthatwereduebytheendoftheweek.Earlythatweek,wheneverfeartriedtocreepinastohowshewouldpaythosebills,shedeclaredoverandover,TheLordismyshepherd,Ishallnotwant.OnFridaymorning,thedaythebillswere due, a check arrived in themail for $110! Itwas from a companyher husbandhadworkedforseveralyearspreviously.Theywrotealettersayingthattheyhadjust“found”in

herhusband’saccountthatthisamountwasstillduehim;andthattheywereenclosingittoclearhisrecordswiththem.Abusinessmanwithalargefamilywasgettingtowardtheendof themonth financially.Hewaspaidonceamonthand itwas still aweekuntilpayday.The groceries were getting low. His wife reminded him of these facts on Friday beforeSaturdaymorninggroceryshoppingtime.Together theyagreedto looktoGodfor theirsupplyandtoaffirmguidance.Theydidsobyconstantlyaffirming,OursufficiencyisofGod.SaturdaymorningthemailarrivedwithacheckfromtheStaterevenuedepartmentenclosingan income tax refund in theamountof$60!This couplewasexpecting severalhundreddollarsinFederalincometaxrefundsbuthadforgottenaboutapossibleStatetaxrefund.Theamountcoveredtheirneedsnicelyuntilpayday.

A saleswoman who had had a lot of financial expense and whose sales had fallen offdecidedto looktoGodas theSourceofhersupplybyaffirmingoverandover fromtheLord’sPrayer,Givemethisdaymydailybread.Itwaslikealandslide.Hersalespickeduptremendously so that the commission checks started coming in again, plus her salary.Neighborsbroughtherprepareddishesoffoodasatokenoftheiresteemforher.Shewasgivenseverallovelyitemsofnewclothingbyafriend.Someofhercustomersbroughthergifts inappreciation forher loving service to them.Anumberof invitations into friends’homesfordinnerwereextended,whichsheenjoyed.Dailyherneedsbegantobesupplied,asshehadprayedtheywouldbe.Herdailybreadappearedinmanysatisfyingforms.

HowtoStabilizeYourFinances

Ofcourse, thewonderful thingabout recognizingGodas theSourceofall riches, andtakingHim into your financial affairs and into everydepartmentof your life, is that themoreyoudoso, themorestabilizedeveryphaseofyour lifebecomes. Indue time, thereare no stringent financial emergencies to be dramatically met with instant manna fromheaven. Instead, things just get better and better financially, so that there is alwayssubstanceonhandtomeetyourneeds.

The Psalmist pointed out what happens when you consistently think of God as theSourceofyoursupply: “Buthisdelight is in the lawof theLord.Andonhis lawdothhemeditatedayandnight.AndHe shallbe like a treeplantedby the streamsofwater, thatbringeth forth its fruit in its season,whose leaf also dothnotwither; andwhatsoever hedoethshallprosper.”(1stPsalm)

Butitisgoodtoknowthat,untilyoudevelopaproperunderstandingtobringforththesubstanceoftheuniverseinanabundant,unbrokenstreamofsupply,thefinancialneedsofthemomentcanbemetbylookingtotheSourceofallriches,arich,HeavenlyFather.

TheLinkBetweenThoughtandSupply

Perhaps you are thinking, “If my prosperity comes basically from God; if He is theSource of my supply, then why all the talk about ‘prosperous thinking’? What doesprosperousthinkinghavetodowithmysupply?”

God’srichsupplyisallaroundyouuniversally,aswellasinnatelywithinyou,astalentsandabilitiesandideas longingforexpression.Butthatrichsupplyandsubstancemustbe

contactedandused.Yourmindisyourconnectinglinkwithit.Yourattitudes,yourmentalconcepts,beliefs,andoutlookareyourconnectinglinkwithGod’srichsubstanceandyouraccess to it. God can only do for you what He can do through you, by means of yourthoughtsandideaswhichleadtoyourreactions.Thus,prosperousthinkingopensthewaytoprosperousresults.Beginmakingcontactwiththerich,universalsubstancearoundyouandwiththerichsubstancewithinyoubydeclaringoften:IstirupthegiftsofGodwithinme and aroundme, and I amblessedon everyhandwith happiness, success and trueachievement. Just by declaring this idea, you will begin stirring up the riches of theuniverse,attractingthemtoyouandexpressingthemthroughyou.

SuccessAdorestheProsperousAttitude

Another of the shocking truths about prosperity is that thoughts of your mind havemadeyouwhatyouare,andthoughtsofyourmindwillmakeyouwhateveryoubecomefrom thisday forward.Themoreyou realize this, themoreyouwill come toknow thatpeople,places,conditionsandeventscannotkeepyourGod-givenprosperityandsuccessfrom you, once you decide to deliberately employ prosperous thinking as your ally forsuccess. Indeed,youwilldiscover that the things,peopleandevents thathavepreviouslyworked against youwill either begin towork for andwith you, or theywill fade out ofyourlife,andnewpeopleandeventswillappeartohelpyousucceed.Thatisthepowerofprosperousthinking.

Someauthoritiesbelievethatoneprosperousthoughtismorepowerfulthanathousandfailure thoughts; and that twoprosperous attitudes steadilyheld andexpressedaremorepowerful than ten thousand failure attitudes! Success adores the prosperous attitude, ofthatyoucanbesure.A lovingFatherseemstoadoretheprosperousattitude, too.Surelyothersadoreitandareattractedtoitandworkforit.Moreaboutthesethingsinthenextchapter.

Meanwhile, remind yourself often thatGod is the Source of all your supply and thenmake spiritual contact with Him, His rich substance and rich ideas that await yourappropriation:I am the rich childof a lovingFather. Inowaccept and claimHis richgoodformeineveryphaseofmylife.MyownGod-givensuccessintheformofrichideasandrichresultsnowappears!

Remindyourself oftenof these shocking truths aboutprosperity:That it is shockinglyrightinsteadofshockinglywrongtobeprosperous.ThatGodcreatedarichuniverseforyouandwantsyoutoenjoyit.Thatprosperitycancomequicklythroughyourdeliberateuse of prosperous thinking,which leads to the expressionof rich ideas, rich actions andrichresults.Thus,daretoaskafriendly,interested,rich,lovingFatherforguidanceoften.AndwithMoses,remembertheLord,God,forHeitisthatgiveththeepowertogetwealth.

Now launch forth happily and expectantly into the dynamic laws of prosperity–thespiritual andmental laws which can and will transform your life. Solomon realized theneed for exploring them when he explained, “Poverty and shame shall be to him thatrefusethinstruction.”(Prov.13:18)Youcan,fromthispageforward,beginfreeingyourselfoflimitation, lackandfailure.Asyouacceptanduse thesimplebutpowerful ideasgiven inthischapterandinthepagestocome,youwillfindyourselfontheroyalroadtosuccess.

Furthermore,youwillfinditapleasantexperiencethatproducessatisfyingresults.Thatisthepowerofprosperousthinkingandthatistheshockinglynicetruthaboutit.

ChapterTwo

TheBasicLawofProsperity

Ilearnedthebasiclawofprosperitythehardway.Ihavebeenearningtherighttotellyouabout it fora longtime.Fifteenyearsago, life lookedhopeless forme.Widowedandwithaninfantson,Ihadnotrainingforanytypeofworkand,therefore,nomeansofincome.My family during that periodwasnot able to offermuch financial assistance. Ifyoucouldhaveseenmethen,youwoulddoubtlesshavesaid,“Prosperousthinkingornoprosperousthinking,theregoesahopelesscase.”ItwasduringthismiserableperiodthatIlearned about the power of our thinking as an instrument for success or failure. It soonbecame plain to me that my previous failures were due largely to my previous failurethinking; but that same power of thought, when rightly directed, could be the key tohealthy,happy,successfulliving.

WhatarealizationitwasonthedayIreadthewordsofSolomon,Asamanthinkethwithinhimself,soishe(Prov.23:7)AndlaterthewordsofJob:Thoushaltdecreeathinganditshallbeestablisheduntotheeandlightshallshineuponthyway.(Job22:28)Fromthephilosopher,JamesAllen,I learned:Throughhisthoughts,manholdsthekeytoeverysituationandcontainswithinhimself that transformingandregenerativeagencybywhichhemaymakehimselfwhat he wills. I then excitedly surmised that my potential wealth, health and happinesswereactuallywithinme,waitingtoberadiatedoutwardintomyworldashealthy,wealthy,happythoughts,feelings,expectationsanddecrees,whichinturnwouldattractlikeresultsintomylife.

AssoonasIgraspedthissimplebutall-powerfulsuccesssecretandbeganapplyingit,thetidechangedandmyshipsbegantocomein!

The way soon opened for me to literally work my way through business school. IthereafterbecamesecretarytoJoeTally,ayounglawyerwhobecamemayorofourtown,acandidate for Congress, and who later expanded the Tally law firm to include severalattorneysandsecretarieswhoservedanumberofprosperousclients.More recentlyMr.TallyhasservedasPresidentofKiwanisInternational.Attheheightofmyworkwiththisattorney,Ifelt ledtogointotheministrysothatImighthelpotherstorealizeandapplythespiritualandmentalkeystohealthy,happy,prosperouslivingthathadmeantsomuchtome.Uponthinkingback,InowrealizethatconsciouslyandunconsciouslyIinvokedthebasicprosperitylawofradiationandattractioneverystepof theway.Recently,onmeetingold friends whom I had not seen for many years, they exclaimed in astonishment,“Catherine, what has happened to you? You seem so different from the very serious,unsure, unhappy person we once knew. You now seem so happy and radiant, even

victorious.Tell us your secret–howdid you get thatway?” I then explained to them thebasiclawoflifethatisdiscussedinthischapterandthroughoutthisbook.Itisbecauseofmy own personal use of this basic law that I feel so strongly about it, and emphaticallybelievethatitcanworkforyouinevengreaterwaysthanithasforme!Anumberofpeoplewhohaveattendedmyprosperitylectureshaveuseditwithastoundingsuccess.

TheLawofLaws

Trulythelawsthatgovernprosperityarejustassureandworkasthelawsthatgovernmathematics,music,physics,andtheothersciences.TheBibledescribes thatbasic law ofprosperitywhen it speaks of sowing and reaping, or giving and receiving. The scientistsdescribe it as action and reaction. By some it has been termed the law of supply anddemand.Emersondescribed it as the lawof compensation,whereby likeattracts like.Hedeclaredthatthelawofcompensationisthe“lawoflaws!”

YouCannotGetSomethingforNothing

I agreewithEmerson that it is time the law of compensationwas emphasized as life’sbasiclaw.Iliketothinkofthisbasiclawofprosperityasradiationandattraction:thatwhatyouradiateoutwardinyourthoughts,feelings,mentalpicturesandwords,youattractintoyourlifeandaffairs.Butyoucannotgetsomethingfornothing.

Thereasonwhy there is stillpoverty in thisuniverseof lavishabundance is thatmanypeoplestilldonotunderstandthisbasiclawoflife;theydonotyetrealizethat theymustradiate in order to attract, and that what they do radiate they constantly attract. Mostpeopletodaystillhavetolearnthattheycannotgetsomethingfornothing,butmustgivebefore receivingormust sowbefore reaping.When theydonot give or sow in termsofprosperity,theymakenocontactwithGod’slavishabundance,andsothereisnochannelformed through which the rich, unlimited substance of the universe can pour forth itsrichestothem.

The truthof thiswas recently brought tomy attentionwhen I had contactwith somepeopleinapoverty-strickenarea.Isoondiscoveredthatthesepeopleonlywanteda“hand-out.”Theywerenotinterestedininvokingthebasiclawofprosperitybygivingorsowingfirst.Instead,theyweretryingtogetsomethingfornothing,whichsimplycannotbedone.Thustheycontinuedtoliveinpoverty.

YouCanAlwaysGiveSomething

Perhapsyou are thinking, “What could such apersongivewhenhe seems so in lack?”Thereisalwayssomethingapersoncangive,eithertangiblyorintangibly,thatwillputhimintouchwithGod’srichsupply.Awidowwithahousefullofchildrenoncetelephonedacounselor.Shehadnomoneyorfoodforherchildren.Itwaslunchtimeandherchildrenhadnot eaten since the day before. Shewas desperate. The counselorwho took the callknewwellwhatitwasliketofindoneselfinsuchapredicament.Shehadlearnedthat thepowerofprosperousthinkingcouldliterallysupply“mannafromheaven”ata financially

desperateperiodinherownlife.Withgreatcompassionsheexplainedthemagicpowerofgivinginsomeway,whichwouldstartthesubstanceflowingbackinappropriateform.

Ofcourse,whensheexplainedthatthewidowmustgiveinordertoreceive,thewidow’sfirstreactionwasmuchthesamethatyoursorminemightbethefirsttimeweweretoldwemustgivetoreceive.Shelamented,“Butthat’sjustit–Ihavenothingtogive.”Towhichthecounselorgentlyreplied,“Mydear,ofcourseyouhavesomethingtogive.Wealwayshavesomethingtogive.Indeed,wealwayshavemoretogivethanweatfirstrealize.”Shethenurgedthisfranticwidowtolookaboutherandtoaskfordivineguidanceconcerningwhatshecouldgive.Thewidowwasassuredthatthiscounselorwouldbeprayingwithherinthefaiththatshewouldbedivinely ledastohowtogiveandhowtoreceivethereafter.Thiscounseloralsotoldherthat,afterstartingtheflowofsubstancebygiving,shewasthentogetreadytoreceivebypreparinghertableforthatmealshesowishedforherchildren;andbypreparinghergrocery listwithwhichtoshop, in theassurancethat themoneywouldmanifestverysoonforthosegroceries.

In faith thewidow sat down and prayerfully askedwhat she had that she could give.Suddenlysherememberedflowersgrowinginheryard,whichshehappilycutandgavetoasickneighborwhoseemedoverjoyedtoreceivethem.Nextshepreparedhertablewiththebestchina,silverandlinensinthehouse.Thiscausedpleasureandexcitementamongher children,who then expectantly awaited a goodmeal. Just as shewas completinghergrocerylist,someonewhohadbeenowinghermoneyforalongtime,droppedbyandpaidher$30ontheirdebt!Thirtydollarswhichshehadlongsincegivenupevergettingback...If Icouldshoutonlyonemessagetothewholeworldregarding life’ssecrets, itwouldbethis:That you cannot get something for nothing, but that you can have the best ofeverythingwhenyougive fullmeasure for thegoodyouwish to receive. Since I havebeenwritingaboutprosperity,Ihavereceivedanumberoflettersfrompeoplewhodonotyetunderstandthislawandwhoarestilltryingtogetsomethingfornothing.Onewomanaskedthat$30,0000besenttoherimmediatelytopayoffolddebts.Shedidn’twriteonceortwice,butthreetimesbeforeshewasconvincedshemustusethisbasiclawofprosperityandbringinherownsupply.

RadiateandYouWillAttract

Emersonmighthavebeendescribing this lawofgivingand receivingor radiationandattractionwhenhewrote,“Greatheartssendforthsteadilythesecretforcesthatincessantlydrawgreatevents.”Andwhoare the “greathearts”?Thosepeoplewhodare to thinkandradiategreatthoughtsandexpectanciesofsuccessandprosperityinsteadoffailure,troubleand limitation.There’snothinggreat,unusual,orpraiseworthyabout failure, troubleandlimitation.Anyonecanexperiencethosethingsbyfollowingthelineofleastresistanceandbyentertainingtheusualfailurethoughtsthatoneconstantlyhearseveryday.Howoftenonehears the complaint, “Everythinghappens tome. I just can’twin for losing.This is atough world. The other fellow gets the breaks.” This beginning usually leads into aconversation filledwithunpleasant experiencesof theday, criticismof jobs, co-workers,families, thegovernments,world leaders,war, crime, disease andhard times, hard times,hardtimes.Eachofusconstantlyusesthe lawofradiationandattractionwhetherweare

awareofitornot.Butifyouwishtoenjoymoreprosperityandsuccessinlife,youhavetoconsciously,boldlyanddeliberately takeholdofyour thoughtsand feelingsandredirectthemtowardprosperityandsuccess.Itisuptoyoutodaretochooseandradiateoutwardthroughyourthinkingwhatyoureallywishtoexperienceinlife,ratherthantogetboggeddowninunpleasantorfailureexperiencesofthemoment.Theseconditionscanchangeasquicklyasyoucanchangeyourthinkingaboutthem.

Afriendinthepublicrelationsbusinessrecentlyusedthelawofradiationandattractionwith successful results. For some time he had desired a certain out-of-state account andhadmadeeveryreasonableefforttoobtainit.Finally,hedecidedthathewoulddefinitelyentertainandmentallyradiatethedesireforthataccountstrongly,deliberatelyandboldly;feelingthatsurelyinduetimehewouldreceivethataccountorabiggerone.Hequietlysatdownandthoughtaboutthataccountasthoughhewerealreadyhandlingit.Hewentoverthataccountinhismindandthoughtofallthewayshewouldattempttoservethatclient’sbestinterestsifhewerehandlingtheirpublicrelations.Hethoughtabouttheaccountandthepeopleinvolvedforalongtimeandingreatdetail.Healsodeclaredoverandoverforatime:I amnot discouraged. I ampersistent. I go forward. I amdetermined to achievesuccess inGod’sownwonderfulwayforme.Whenasenseofpeacecameoverhim,hedismissedthematterfromhismind.

A few weeks later he attended a convention in which a number of his clients wereinvolved.Whileswimmingwithseveralof theminamotelpool,hecasuallymetthemanwhomhehadbeentryingformonthstomeetwhohadchargeofthatout-of-stateaccount.Rightthereinthepooltheynegotiated!Whenhejoyouslyrelatedhisexperiencetomehedeclared,“Itwasdoubtlessthatprosperitylawofradiationandattractionthatbroughtthehappyresults.”

I have observed in talking with hundreds of people who have gone from failure tosuccessthat it iswhatwereallythinkdeepwithinourselvesmostofthetime,ratherthanthe“bigfront”wemayputuptoothers,thatunconsciouslyattractslikeresultstous.Thereisanage-oldmaximthatsays,“Wearewherewearebecausewearewhatweare,andwearewhatwearebecauseofourhabitualthinking.”

Many people work hard to attract greater good in superficial ways without firsthabituallyradiatingitsmentalequivalent,andthentheyaresorelydisappointedwhentheirgreateffortsresultinfailureanddisappointment.OncewhenIwastalkingwithaladywhofelt she would like to be married, I suggested that she invoke the law of radiation andattraction.Afterexplainingthatshemustradiatebeforeshecouldattract,Isuggestedthatshe prayerfully radiate these ideas over and over:Divine Love expressing throughmenowdrawstomeallthatisneededtomakemehappyandmylifecomplete.

AlittlelaterIbeganreceivingreportsfrommutualfriendsthatshewasworkinghardonthe attracting angle, but was radiating nothing more than telephone calls and obviousinvitations to all themen of her acquaintance. Later she returned and reported that thesuggestedprayermethodhadnotworked.GentlyIremindedherthatshehadnotradiatedthe “prayermethod” suggested,buthadradiated the “scaremethod,”whichhadnotbeensuggested.Themethodhadworkedinreverse,becauseshehadreversedtheprocess.

Amiddle-agedwidowmore recentlydared to try the radiationandattractionmethod

for the same purpose.While floating in a swimming pool she silently affirmed over andover:DivineLoveexpressing throughmenowdraws tomeall that isneeded tomakemehappyandmylifecomplete.Presentlysheheardaman’svoicecallingtoherfromthesideofthepool,inquiringaboutthewaterwhichsheassuredhimwaswonderful.Soonhewasinthewaterandalittlelaterhewasinherlifeasherhusband.

MentalPreparationComesFirst

Whatathrillitistorealizethatallthingscanbeaccomplishedwithinthemindfirst;thatyour mind is your divine power for good! The reason all things can be accomplishedmentally first is that themind is the connecting link between the formed and unformedworld.

It’suptoyouinthiswonderfulagetoclaimyourspiritualdominionofgreatgoodovereverything,and todare to subdue,changeorreformyourworldasyouwish!Ofcourse,youhavebeengivenallof thispower toproducegoodandonlygood.Man’sdifficultiescome when he uses this power in reverse. But what a sense of freedom it gives you torealizethatwhateveryoucenteryourattentionuponsteadily,constantlyanddeliberatelyinyourthoughts,feelingsandexpectancies,formstheexperiencesofyourlife.Whenyourealizethis,lifebecomeseasier,simplerandmorerichlysatisfying.Youthennolongerfeelthat you have to argue, beg, reason, plead, or appeal to anyone for your desired good.Instead,youquietlygotoworkinyourthinkingtomentallychoose,mentallyacceptandmentallyradiatewhatyouwishtoexperienceinlife.Itgivesyouavictoriousfeelingevenbeforetherichresultsbegintopourin.

BeDeliberateAboutWealth

You’vegottoradiatedeliberatelyinordertoattractthegoodyoudesire;otherwise,youget into a limited trend of thought and produce limited results.What you do radiate ordeliberately entertain mentally, you constantly attract. It may not appear that this lawworks in this exact way when you look at people who seem to be succeeding whoapparentlydonotdeserveit,butindueseasontheirhealth,wealthandhappinesscrumbleifitisnotsupportedbyafirmfoundationofrightthoughtandfeeling.Itisjustamatterofthemillsofthegodsgrindingslowly.Insteadoffrettingaboutwhetherthelawofradiationandattractionisworkingrightlyinthelivesofothers,proceedquietlytoprovethelawsofprosperousthinkingforyourself.

A stockbroker whose business associates were watching the market reports anddeclaringhowslowthingswere,slippedintoaprivateofficeandquietlyrelaxed.Ashedidso, he began to radiate this thought: Everything and everybody prospers me now.Suddenly,thetelephonebegantoringandring.Withinashorttimehehadreceivedmorebusinessbytelephonethanhehadreceivedthroughanychannel inseveraldays.Awatchrepairman’sbusinesswasslow.Asheboardedanearlymorningbus,he,too,rememberedtheprosperitylawofradiationandattractionandbegantosilentlydeclare:Everythingandeverybodyprospersmenow. For the next fewdays he hadmanynew customers comeintohis store tohavewatchesand jewelry repaired.Soonhehadreceivedenoughrepair

worktokeephimbusyformanyweeks.

YouAreMagnetic

Eachofusisamagnet!Andasamagnet,youdonothavetoforcesuccessandprosperitytoyourself.Instead,youcandevelopthatexalted,expectant,prosperousstateofmindthatisamagnetforallgoodthingsoftheuniversetohastentoyou,ratherthanentertainingthetense,critical,anxious,depressed,unforgiving,possessivestateofmindthatisamagnetforallkindsoftroubleandfailure.

Since you can have the tangible and intangible equivalent of whatever you dare tochoose,mentally entertain and radiate, stop thinking of things as apart from or outsideyourself. Stop thinking that people, things, circumstances and conditions have power tohurtorharmyou.Start realizing thatnothingcanstandbetweenyouand thatgood thatyoudaretochoosementallyandradiateoutwardthroughyourthoughts, feelings,wordsand expectancies. Choose and radiate mentally; choose and radiate emotionally; chooseandradiateconstantlyandpersistently.Awomanrecentlytoldmethat,sinceshehadbeeninvoking the power of prosperous thinking deliberately, everyone in her family hadreceivedwonderfulblessings:Herhusbandhadreceivedseveralraisesinpay,herbrotherhas become president of his company; two sisters have retiredwith handsome incomes;anothersisterhasbecomethefirstwomanevertoholdacertaintypeexecutivepositionforher company; another brother has received a managerial position. A little leaven hasleavenedthewholeloafinthatfamily.

OuterStepsWillComeEasily

Ofcourse,Idonotmeantoimplythroughallthesepeople’sexperiencesthatyousimplyentertainandradiatethementalequivalentofthegooddesired,andthendonothingmore.Often you have to take definite external steps as well. But you will discover that, byworkingoutthementalconceptofthedesiredgoodfirst,theouterstepswillthenunfoldeasily–almostautomaticallyat times–withoutstrainedeffortonyourpart.Themoreyouturnyourmindinrichdirections,thelessyouseemtohavetoexertunduehumanefforttoproduceresults.Workyouwill,butitwillbeworkassatisfyingself-expressionratherthanwork just to survive.Your richmindpower and radiations seem tohave awayof goingforth and producing right opportunities, events and circumstances for prosperity andsuccess,sothatyoualmostunconsciouslywalkintothem.

ReleaseYourPent-UpSubstance

Weareallfilledwithpent-upsubstance,energyanddivineabilitywhichwishestoworkforus,throughusandaroundaboutus.Psychologistsdeclarethattheaveragepersonusesonlyabout10percentofhismindpower.Medicalauthoritiesclaimthattheaveragepersonusesonlyabout25percentofhisphysicalpower.Psychologistsfurtherstatethatmancanreleasemoreresult-gettingpowerinonehourofconcentrateduseofhismindthanin24hoursofphysicalwork;somepsychologistsevenbelievethatmancanreleasemoreresult-gettingpowerthroughonehourofconcentratedthoughtthanthroughamonthofphysical

work.Surelythereisgreatpowerwithinandaroundeachofusforouruse.Youcanreleasethis pent-up substance, energy and power within you for prosperous living throughreleasingdeliberatethoughts,feelingsandmentalpicturesofsuccess,prosperityandriches.Asyoudoso,yourrich thoughts, feelingsandmentalpicturesare radiatedoutward intotherich,powerfulethersofthisuniverse,wheretheymakecontactwiththerich,universalsubstance.This rich, universal substance is filledwith divine intelligence and power thatthenmovesamongandworksthroughpeople,conditionsandopportunitiestoattractthatwhichcorrespondswith the rich radiations thatyouhave sent forth, and theprosperousresults then appear. Indeed, this wonderful universe is rich and friendly to everyone. Itwishesallmankindtobeprosperous,well,andhappy,and for theaffairsofmanandtheworldtobeindivineorder.

At this point, however, don’t be too concerned about the theory of radiation andattraction. Justbeginaccepting itandusing itasaprosperitysecret.Allof theprosperitylaws stated throughout this book are but various ways of invoking this basic law ofradiationandattraction.Youwill findyouruseof themadelightful,exciting, fascinatingandrichlyrewardingprocess!Inowinviteyoutobeginsoaringforththroughthepagesofthisbook,remindingyourselfofthesetruths:

I am an irresistible magnet, with the power to attract unto myself everything that Idivinely desire, according to the thoughts, feelings and mental pictures I constantlyentertainandradiate.Iamthecenterofmyuniverse!IhavethepowertocreatewhateverIwish.IattractwhateverIradiate.IattractwhateverImentallychooseandaccept. Ibeginchoosing and mentally accepting the highest and best in life. I now choose and accepthealth, success and happiness. I now choose lavish abundance for myself and for allmankind.Thisisarich,friendlyuniverseandIdaretoacceptitsriches,itshospitality,andtoenjoythemnow!

ChapterThree

TheVacuumLawofProsperity

YouhavehearditsaidthatNatureabhorsavacuum.Itisparticularlytrueintherealmofprosperity.Thevacuumlawofprosperityisoneofthemostpowerful,thoughittakes bold, daring faith to set it into operation, as well as a sense of adventure andexpectationtoreapits fullbenefits.Whenapersonishonestlytryingtobeprosperous, isthinkingalongprosperous linesandstill fails, it isusuallybecauseheneedsto invokethevacuumlawofprosperity.

Basically,thevacuumlawofprosperityisthis:Ifyouwantgreatgood,greaterprosperityinyourlife,startformingavacuumtoreceiveit!Inotherwords,getridofwhatyoudon’twanttomakeroomforwhatyoudowant.Ifthereareclothesintheclosetorfurnitureinyour home or office that no longer seem right for you; if there are people among youracquaintances and friends that no longer seem congenial–beginmoving the tangible andintangiblesoutofyourlife,inthefaiththatyoucanhavewhatyoureallywantanddesire.Oftenitisdifficulttoknowwhatyoudowantuntilyougetridofwhatyoudonotwant.

LetGooftheLesser

Inevitably, inyour lifeexperiencesyouwill find that,whenthegoodyouwishhasnotappeared,itisusuallybecauseyouneedtoreleaseandletgoofsomethingtomakeroomforit.Newsubstancesdonotfloweasilyintoaclutteredsituation.Ifyouwantgreatergoodinyourlife,whatareyoulettinggooforgettingridoftomakeroomforit?Naturedoesabhoravacuum,andwhenyoubeginmovingoutofyourlifewhatyoudonotwant,youautomatically are making way for what you do want. By letting go of the lesser, youautomaticallymakeroomforyourgreatergoodtocomein.

Recently a couple used this vacuum law of prosperity in furnishing their new home.From their former home they brought only the furniture they really liked and feltappropriate for the new atmosphere.They fearlessly gave away a great deal of their oldfurnitureandsimplyleftbarespacesintheirnewhome,visualizingthosespacesfilledwiththekindof furniture theydefinitelywanted.For awhile, nothing seemed to happen buttheyremainedsteadfasttotheirvisionofbeautiful,appropriatenewfurniture.

Thenonedaythehusband,whoworksforalargecompany,wasplacedonameritpointsystem. As he produced certain prosperous results for his company his points of meritincreased;thesepointscouldbeappliedtowardanumberoftangiblerewards,oneofwhichwasfurniture.

Abusinessmanhadbeentryingforanumberofmonthstosellhishomebecausehewasbeing transferred to another state. He heard about the vacuum law of prosperity andrealizedthatthoughhehadearnestlydesiredtosellhishomeforanumberofmonths,hehad done nothing to form a vacuumof any kind throughwhich his desired good couldbeginmanifesting.Andsohesatdownquietlyinhisstudyonedayandmentallypicturedeachroomofthehouseasempty,justasitwouldlookafterthehousehadbeensoldandbehadmoved out. He visualized a vacuum of emptiness everywhere. He thenmade notesconcerningthefurnituremoverhedesiredtohandlethemovingandmentallyworkedoutallthedetailedplansofthemove,justasthoughthehousewasalreadysold.Withinafewdaysabuyerappearedwholikedeverythingaboutthehouseandgavehimacheckforthethousandsofdollarsequity,aswellasforthedownpaymentinvolved.

FormaVacuumforHealth

Wheneveryoudaretoformavacuum,thesubstanceoftheuniversethenrushesintofillthat empty space. This applies on the spiritual, mental and physical planes of life. Abusinessman got very sick and for weeks was under his physician’s care. Every possiblethingwasdoneforhimmedicallybyhisdoctor,averyfinephysician.Butitallseemedtonoavail;thismanjustgotweakerandweaker.Itseemedthathisbodywasfilledpoisonandnothing seemed to dissolve it. Finally, one night, perspiring from a high fever and deepcough,thismanfinallyrememberedthevacuumlawandrealizedthattheremustbesomethingheneededtorelease.Sinceheknewthatthemindandemotionshavesuchapowerfuleffectonthebody,perhapstherewassomementalattitudeoremotionalfeelingthathadtogo,tohelperadicatehispain,fever,andweakness.

He became very quiet and silently askedDivine Intelligence to reveal to himwhat heneeded to release. Suddenly he began to think of a person against whom he had beenholdingastronggrudge.Hehadsaidanumberofunkindthingsaboutthispersonandhadgonetogreatlengthstohurthim.Hethenmentallyreviewedtheeventsbetweenthemthathad caused the grudge and his later desire to hurt that person. As he honestly thoughtaboutit,herealizedthattheotherpersonmaynothaveknownthathisfeelingshadbeenhurtfromtheeventsthattookplace;andthatperhapstherewasnoreasonforhimtoholdagrudgeatall.(Thereneveris!)

Ashelayinbedwithahighfever,hebegantodeclareoverandover:Ifullyandfreelyforgiveyou.Ilooseyouandletyougo.SofarasIamconcerned,thatincidentbetweenusisfinishedforever.Idonotwishtohurtyou.Iwishyounoharm.Iamfreeandyouarefreeandallisagainwellbetweenus.Inalittlewhileafeelingofpeace,quietness,andrelease came over him. For the first time in many nights he slept peacefully. The nextmorninghis feverwasgone,andhisphysiciandeclaredthat thepoisonhadmiraculouslylefthissystemovernight.Atlonglasthewasontheroadtorecovery.Throughforgiveness,thismanhadformedthevacuumneededsothatnewlifecouldrestorehisbodytohealthandhismindtopeace.

ForgivenessistheAnswer

Most folks are afraid of the word “forgive,” thinking that it means they must dosomethingunpleasantanddramatic;butthewordsimplymeansto“givefor”–to letgoofold ideas, feelingsorconditionsand togive somethingbetter in theirplace.The “giving-for”processformsavacuumandmakeswayfornewgoodtorushin.

Ihavediscoveredfromtalkingwithhundredsofpeopleabouttheirproblemsandfromcorresponding with hundreds more that inevitably, when a stubborn problem does notyield,itisbecausethereisaneedforforgiveness.Ihavefurtherdiscoveredthatifonlyonepersonconnectedwiththeproblemwillstarttheactionofforgiveness,allconcernedwillrespond,beblessedandthesolutionwillcome.

Forinstance,averywealthywomanbecameinvolvedinalegaltangleoversomeofherdeceased husband’s business property. It was all very embarrassing to her because thedefendant in the court case whom she was suing was a former family friend. In greatdistresssheattendedaprayergrouponenightandpouredoutherplighttothosepresent.To her dismay, however, the prayer group members did not become upset about herproblem at all; nor did anyone seem particularly sympathetic. In fact, they completelysurprised her by saying that her problemwould be solved if shewould forgive themanwhomshewas suing.Aghast, shereplied, “Forgivehim? Ionlywantedyou topray that Iwouldwinagainsthiminthiscourtcase.Hehasdonesuchterriblethings!”Buttheprayergroupstoodfirm.Sheleftindisgustbutreturnedthenextweekandwasagainassuredthatforgiveness could solve everything. For many days after that she began to considerseriouslythepowerofforgiveness.Onedayasshewasdrivingalonginhercarthinkingofthisformerfamilyfriendwithwhomshewasnowatlaw,shecriedout,“Lord,Ihumanlycannotforgivethatman.ButifYoucan,pleaseforgivehimthroughme.”Suddenlyafeelingof great peace came, and she then gave thanks for it and dismissed thematter fromhermind.

A few days later thisman came into town andwent to see her lawyer. He asked herlawyerifhemightpayherapersonalvisit.Hesitantly,thelawyerreplied,“Isupposeso,butitwilldoyounogood.Ifyouwanttosettlethiscase,youwillhavetodealwithmeasherattorney.”Thedefendantreplied,“Oh,Idonotwishtovisitthisladytotalkaboutthecourtcase.Iwishtovisithersimplybecausewewereoncefriends,andIalwaysgreatlyadmiredherhusband.Iwouldjustliketoseeherasinformertimesandtalkofoldtimes.”Andsoina friendlywayhepaidhis call, during the course ofwhich, the subject of the court casefinallyarose.Theyamicablyagreedtosettlethematterquietlyoutofcourttothemutualsatisfaction of all concerned. Thus, the power of letting go of fixed ideas, attitudes andopinions,whichmakewayformorepleasantexperiences.

AForgivenessTechnique

Here is a forgiveness technique that can form a vacuum for whatever good your lifeseemstoneedjustnow:Sitforhalfanhoureverydayandmentallyforgiveeveryonethatyou are out of harmony with, feel badly toward or are concerned about. If you haveaccusedanyoneofinjustice, ifyouhavediscussedanyoneunkindly, ifyouhavecriticizedor gossiped about anyone, if you are legally involved with anyone, mentally ask theirforgiveness.Subconsciously,theywillrespond.Inlikemanner,ifyouhaveaccusedyourself

offailureormistakes,forgiveyourself.Forgivenesscanformthevacuumthatwillundamyourprosperityand success.Mentallydeclare toothers:God’s forgiving lovehas set usfree.DivineLovenowproducesperfectresultsandallisagainwellbetweenus.IbeholdyouwiththeeyesofloveandIgloryinyoursuccess,prosperityandcompletegood.Itisgoodtodeclareforyourself:IamforgivenandgovernedbyGod’sLovealoneandalliswell. I once talked with a lady who was having great difficulty in her marriage. Herhusbandwasonthebrinkof losingaveryfine jobbecauseofhisdrinkingandinstability.When I suggested that she let go those ideas about her husband and form a vacuum forgreater good to come to themby forgiveness, she self-righteouslydeclared, “There is noreasonformetotryforgiveness.Thereisnothingtoforgive.Ilovemyhusband!”

ButIsuggestedthatsomekindofvacuumobviouslyneededtobeformed;thattherewasmuchabouttheirsituationthatshewouldliketobefreeof;andthatperhapsitwasnotherhusband she needed to forgive, but that all of us need to practice forgiveness every daybecauseofmanynegative,subconsciousattitudesstoredinouremotionsofwhichwearearenotevenconsciouslyaware.

Rather reluctantly, she finally agreed to sit for half an hour every day and practiceforgiveness. Later, she declared in amazement that the names of people she had longforgottencametoherduringthosetimes,andthatunpleasantorunhappyexperiencesofthe past floated up in hermemory. To all of these she declaredwords and thoughts offreedom, release and forgiveness, as well as for and concerning her husband’s recentbehavior. As she began to feel relieved and freed of a lot of old, half-buried, hostileemotionsandattitudes,herhusband’sdrinkingceased.Hebegantoworkveryhardinhisjobagain.Andsuccesscameinsuchabigwaythatshewasevenabletostopworkingandprovide a beautiful home for her husband, which had long been their desire. Thus, thepowerofforgiveness.

ReleasingisMagnetic

Areyouclingingtothethoughtofhowsometroublesomesituationinyour lifecanbemade right, what shape and form the solution should take? Then release, loose, let go.Declaretothesituationorpersonalitiesinvolved:Irelease, loose, letgoand letGod.Donot be fearful of letting go.Nothing can ever be lost through spiritual release. Instead,your own good and the good of all concerned is much freer to move into your life.Throughrelease,yourpowerofattractinggoodisgreatlyincreased.Onewordofcautionhereaboutattitudestowardthetangiblethingsyourelease.Ioncefeltledtogothroughmyclosetandgiveawaymostoftheclothesthereintomysister.TheseclotheswereperfectlygoodbutIhadtiredofthem,andnonewclotheshadrecentlyappeared,soIfeltbypassingthemon,Iwasmakingwayforthenewclothes.

Aftermailingtheseclothestoher,IfelthappyandexpectantaboutthenewclothesIwasso surewouldmanifest.But for anumberofweeksnothinghappened.Finally I realizedthat Iwas stillmentally hangingon to the clothes I had sent her, thinking, “If I had thatdressorsuit I sentSis, Iwouldwear it today.” Itwas thennecessary forme to re-releasewhatIthoughtIhadalreadyreleased.InmymindIwentovereveryitemIhadsentheranddeclared to each individual piece of clothingmentally: I fully and freely release you. I

completely loose you and let you go. So far as I am concerned you have served yourpurposeinmywardrobeandInolongerneedyou.Youarenowinyourperfectplace.Thereafter,newandmorebeautifulclothesappearedveryfastinmycloset!

Itwasas thougha “magnetic influence”hadgone towork forme.A friendwhoknewnothingofmy empty closet, quietly came tome and said, “I have somemoney Iwish toshare with you.When I prayed about what to do with this particular amount, the onlythoughtthatkeptcomingtomewasthatIshouldgiveittoyou,perhapsforsomeclothes.Youappearwell-suppliedwithclothes,butthethoughtpersistedandsohereitiswithmyblessing.”Thatstartedtheflowofsubstancewhichthencametomefromhere,thereandeverywhere. Some articles I hadwrittenhadnot been accepted and so in a doubtful buthopefulmind I had revised them,weeks earlier, and re-submitted them.Now they wereacceptedandIwaspaid.Severalpeoplesawitemswhileshoppingandthought,“Thatlookslike Catherine.” They purchased them for me as gifts. In each instance, it was items ofclothingIhadbeenmentallyimagingashanginginthatcloset!Onefriendbackhomewentonashoppingtripthere.Wehadnotcorrespondedinsometime,soshehadnoconsciousway of knowing about the empty closet. Nevertheless, packages arrived with gifts ofclothingformeresultingfromhershoppingtrip.Shewrote later, “I justkept ‘gettingthefeeling’youcouldusethosevariousitems,andsomehowIcouldnotresistgettingthemforyou. I shall be very happy if you can use them.” I learned quite a lesson from thisexperience.NoneofthishappeneduntilIfreelyreleasedtheclothesIhadsentmysister.Agiftthatisnotfreelyreleasedafterbeinggivenisnotagiftatall.Ifyoucannotgivefreely,don’t bother. But if you do give, be sure you graciously release what you have given.Otherwise,nogoodhasbeendone;novacuumhasbeenformed.

UsetheSubstanceatHand

Anotherwayofinvokingthevacuumlawofprosperityisbyusingyourpresentvisiblesubstancewithoutwithholdingit, therebymakingwayfornewprosperitytoflowtoyou.However,youhavetodothisinacertainattitudeofmindinordertoproducerichresults.

When theredoesnot seemenoughprosperityonhand tomeetpresentneedsorwhenyouseemblockedinattaininggreaterprosperity,takecontrolofthesituation;takecontrolin your thoughts and feelings. Rather than feeling helpless, defenseless, or sorry foryourself,declaretothosefinancialappearances:Peace,bestill.

Take your wallet, checkbook or other tangible evidences of financial supply in yourhandsanddeclareconcerningthem:YouareevennowfilledwiththerichbountyofGodwho supplies my every need now. Then is the time to fearlessly and boldly use thesubstance they contain as far as itwill go in the present situation. If there are bills to bepaid,donotwaituntil“enoughmoney”comesintopayallofthem,butgorightaheadinfaithandpaythoseyoucan.Thatisbreakingthesubstanceonhandandsendingitforth,sothatitcanmultiply.

LookUp!TowardProsperity

Establishing and maintaining a prosperous attitude just as though your bounty was

already completely visible is important at this point.This is not the time to talk lack, towithhold,ortopracticestringenteconomy.Instead,thisisthetimetouseuptothelastofyour financial assets to the last penny–if necessary. If youwithhold, talk about financiallackatthispoint,itwillcostyoudouble.Instead,lookupmentallyandgivethanksforthesubstanceyoualreadyhavetosendout.Thenboldlysenditforthwitharichflourishandarichblessing.Joyouslydeclare:ThisisthebountyofGodandIsenditforthwithwisdomand joy.When you “lookup,” regardless of appearances to the contrary, you are alwaysprovidedfor!

Perhaps the person who taught me the most about this phase of the vacuum law ofprosperity is a quiet, unassuming housewife who constantly “looks up,” boldly sendingforththemoneyinherpocketbookwitharichflourish.Unfailingly,sheisprovidedforinopulentways.

Severalyears ago shebecame interested inbeautifying thechurch inwhich Iwas thenserving.Quietly, she came tome and suggested various improvements shewould like tomake,assuringmethatshehad“privatefunds”todothis.ItwasmonthslaterthatIlearnedthe“private funds“shehadwereherowngrocerymoney,whichshegenerouslyused forsomelovelyitemsforthechurch.

In that way she began to send forth with a rich flourish the money she had. As shecontinuedto“lookup,”hereveryprivateneedwasmet.Newchannelsofsupplyopenedtoher and her husband inmost unexpectedways, so that for the first time in her life sheemployedamaid,receivedgiftsofanewcarandamonthlyallowance.

As for the church redecoration, it “snow-balled” and many rich gifts then came, allbecause one housewife dared to quietly “look up” and use the substance at hand boldly,fearlessly, richly–even if that substancewas her own grocerymoney. It overwhelmsmeevennowtorealizewhatfaithshehashadinthevacuumlawofprosperity,andwhatrichresults shecontinues toexperience.Shehasoftensaid that shehashadno financialneedthathasnotbeenmet,sinceshebeganformingavacuum.

PutYourBestFootForward

Anotherway to “look up” regardless of financial appearances is to put your best footforward.Wear yourbest clothes; ‘lookyourbest’. Live as richly as possibleonwhat youalreadyhave.IrecallonceneedingnewclothesforaconferenceIwasrequiredtoattend,butthereseemednomoneyonhandfornewclothes.WhenIprayedaboutthematter,IgotthefeelingthatIshouldbeginwearingmyverybestclothesinordertohelpmefeelrich.EverydayforalmostaweekIworemybestdress,overandover.Onedayagiftofmoneywas sent to me for some services I had rendered in the past. Of course, I immediatelyshoppedforthedesirednewclothes.

When you have released, let go, and formed a vacuum for newprosperity, that is thetimetodowhateveryoucantoeffecttherichfeeling,therichatmosphere,therichlookwithyourpresentsubstance.Mentiontheapparentlackorvacuumtonoone.Speakingofeconomiclackandlimitationkeepsmanypeopleinthepoorhousefinancially.Neverthinkof yourself as poor or needy. Do not talk about hard times or the necessity for strict

economy.Donotthinkhowlittleyouhave,buthowmuchyouhave.

As you form a vacuum and let go ofwhat you do notwant; as you use your presentvisiblesupplytomeettheimmediateneedsasbestyoucan,notwithholdingit;andasyouliveasrichlyaspossibleinthefaceofappearances–therichresultswillbegintocomeforth.Almost mysteriously, new channels of supply will appear to meet your needs. You willdiscover other financial assets in yourmidst, ofwhich youwere previously unaware, tomeetyourneeds.Otherpeoplewillunknowinglydothingstoaddtoyoursupply,too.

Inquietnessandconfidenceisyourstrengthwhenthereisaneedforgreaterprosperity,ifyoudareto“lookup,”bless,andbreakthesubstanceathandinwhateverwaysseembest.Always ask for divine guidance concerning the practical as well as the spiritual ways inwhichyoumayformavacuumfornewprosperitywhenthesefinancialneedsloomuponyou.Don’tgetpanicky; this is just furtheropportunityforyoutoprovethat the invisiblelawsofprosperitycanproducevisible,satisfyingresults.This is justyour initiationinthepowerofprosperousthinking.

Ifyoulearnhowtoformavacuumfornewgoodearlyinyourconsciousdevelopmentofprosperous thinking, thenyoudonotpanic at financial challenges,butknowyoucanand shallmeet themvictoriously andbemuch richer in the long run forhaving learnedhowtousetheinvisiblelawsofsupplytomeetvisibleneeds.

Oftenwhenyouareformingavacuumbyusingwhatyouhave,youfindthattheamountonhandissufficient;thattoomuchiswastedorspoiled;andthatthatamountwhichatfirstseemssmalloreveninsufficient,becomesadequateasyouuseitfearlessly.Itevenseemstosupply you during that period when no more substance immediately appears, if youcontinuetouseitfearlessly,andinthefaiththateveryneedisbeingmet.

MakeRoomforYourGood

We all want better financial conditions andwe should have them.Here is theway toobtain them: Do not talk about financial lack, but begin thinking in terms of the rich,universalabundancethatiseverywhere.Thenlearntoletgo,togiveup,tomakeroomforthethingsyouhaveprayedfor,workedforandsostronglydesire.Asyougiveupandcastawayoldideas,attitudes,oldpossessions,andputintheirplacenewideasofprosperityandprogressive achievement, your conditions will steadily improve. You always wantsomethingbetter thanyounowhave. It is theurgeofprogress. Just as childrenoutgrowtheirclothes,yououtgrowformerideals,broadeningyourhorizonsoflifeasyouadvance.

Theremustbeconstanteliminationoftheoldtokeeppacewiththisgrowth.Whenyouclingtotheold,youhinderyouradvanceorstopitaltogether.

Whynotdare to formavacuumnow,and invite thatcompleteprosperityandsuccesswhichyouhavesoyearnedtoexperienceandwhichisdivinelymeantforyou?

ChapterFour

TheCreativeLawofProsperity

Letusgetdowntobusinessaboutprosperity.Nowthatyouhaveformedavacuum,you are ready to fill that vacuum with rich, new good through the creative law ofprosperity.Actually,thecreativelawofprosperityconcernsthethreebasicstepsgiveninthischapterandthenexttwo: (1)Havingaplan,writingoutone’sdesiresconcerningthatplan, and constantly expanding thatplan; (2)Mentally imaging thatplan and those plansdesiredasfulfilled;(3)Constantlyaffirmingtheirperfectfulfillment.However,thefirstpartofthecreativelaw,asdiscussedinthischapter,isall-important,becausewithoutaplanandnotesconcerningit,theothertwostepsareineffective.

StrongDesireIsSuccessPower

Thefirststepinthecreativelawofprosperityisdesire,andtheabilitytodosomethingconstructive about that desire. Recently a businessman toldme he has discovered in hisworkthatwhenacustomercomestohimgreatlydesiringcertainproducts,hehasfounditbest always to sell that customerwhat he really desires.This businessman said that eventhough he personallymay feel that there are other products thatwould better serve hiscustomer, if his customer has already made up his mind and strongly desires certainproducts,henevertriestochangethatdesire,becausedesireissoimpelling.Hestatedthatstrong desire denotes faith in the product, which almost inevitably brings satisfaction.There is nothing weak or lukewarm about true desire. It is intense and powerful. Ifproperly developed and expressed, a strong desire always carries with it the power forsuccess. The stronger your desires for good, the greater the power of your desires toproducethatgoodforyou.

Ihavediscoveredincounselingpeoplewhohavevariousproblemsthattherightkindofdesirewilldissolveanythingthathasstood in thewayof fulfillment.Rightdesire is trulythe first step in solving problems and getting on the road to prosperity. How can youreleaseyourdeep-seateddesiresforprosperityandsuccess?Bycenteringyourattentionononebiggoalatatime.

Onebiggoalalwaysincludesanumberofsmallerdesiresthatareautomaticallyfulfilledwhenthebigone isachieved.Psychologistsagree thatwe influencepeopleandeventsbyhaving great desires and great goals. It is as though everything and everybodysubconsciously tunes inonourbigdesiresandgoals,andgetsbusyhelpingus toachievethem. The amazing thing is that, of the millions of people who think they want to be

successful,fewofthemhaveanyreallystrong,impellingdesires.Theyhavebeencontenttoidlydriftinastreamofsmalleventsandsmallexpectations.Whenyoumeetapersonwhoisreallygoingplacesinthisworld,usuallyitisapersonofintensedesireforthehighestandbestinlife.OneofthebasicstatementsIhaveoftenaskedpeopletousetohelpexpandandintensifytheirconstructivedesiresis:Idesirethehighestandbestinlife,andInowdrawthehighestandbesttome.

WriteDownYourDesires

The law of creative prosperity is to take your deep-seated desires and, instead ofsuppressing them as impossible dreams, begin expressing them constructively throughdecidingwhat they really are, and then doing something very simple but very powerfulaboutthem:Write themdown!That is,makea listordrawupsomekindofpotentialplan,whichyoushouldfeelfreetochange,revise,reformandrearrangeasyour ideasabout itunfold.Thisideaofwritingoutyourdesiresandformulatingaplanonpaperclarifiesthedesires inyourmind,andthemindproducesdefiniteresultsonlywhenithasbeengivendefiniteideasthroughwhichtowork.

Manypeopleworkhardatprosperityinexternalways,buttheymissthemarkbecausetheyareafraidtogetdefiniteintheirthoughtsanddesires.Theywanttolivebetterandtohavemoremoney,buttheynevergetdefiniteintheirdesiresabouthowtheywanttolivebetter or how much more money they need. In fact, many people hesitate to get definite,fearingthattheyaretellingGodwhattodo.ButasDr.EmilieCadyoncewrote:“DesireisGod tappingat thedoorof yourmind, trying to give yougreater good!’ If you suppressthose deep desires, they have no constructive outlet and often turn into destructivechannelsexpressedasneurotictendencies,phobias,tension,orperhapsassuppressionthatfindsoutlet throughalcoholism,mental illness,dopeaddition, sexual imbalance,orothernegativeactions.Thepowerofwritingoutone’sdesiresandplanswasfirstprovedtomebymyformerboss,JoeTally,anumberofyearsago.Oneday,justafterhehadbeendefeatedin a Congressional race, instead of feeling sorry for himself, he immediately got busyformulating a new plan. He stated his desire for larger law offices; his desire for theexpansionfromatwo-manfirmtoafive-orsix-manfirm;andthedesireto increasetheannualincomehewishedthefirmtoattainyearbyyearforthenextfiveyears.

Atthattime,Ididnotknowthatthiswasoneofthemostpowerfulmethodsforattainingsuccess. It seemed so simple!Nevertheless, Iwatchedhis scribbledplan come to life andfruition. The law firm gradually expanded into a five-man arrangement in which eachattorney specialized in certain phases of legal practice. The firmmoved from two smalloffices into spaciousnewquarters that occupied the entire floorof amodern, new bankbuilding.

“Nothingsucceedslikesuccess”wassurelymanifestedforJoeTallyafterheformulatedaplan,daredtoputitinwriting,andstartedmovingtowardit.

ProsperityIsaPlannedResult

Astockbroker’sstoryfurtherprovesthepowerofformulatingplansforprosperityand

success.Afewyearsago,thepresidentofalargecorporationdied.Atthetimeofhisdeath,thiscorporationwasinfinancialdifficulties.Thevice-president,whohadbeenconsideredoutstandinginafinancialway,thentookthehelm.Immediatelythiscorporationbegantoprosper,andtodayitsstockisoneofthebestonthemarket.Itssalesrecordsduringrecentyearshave superceded thoseofallof itswell-knowncompetitors.Theprosperity secret?Well, it seems that thisvice-presidenthad foryearsworkedonaplanhe feltwise for thegrowthandprosperityofthiscorporation.Thedayhebecamepresident,hetookthatplanout of his desk drawer and began executing it. Today his corporation is no longer amediocreonewithindebtnesspullingitdown.Instead,itisoneofthemostprosperousinthecountry!Heprovedthatprosperityisaplannedresult.

Prosperity is the resultofdeliberate thoughtandaction.There isnothinghit andmissabout prosperous living. It is a planned result, just as a bridge or building is a plannedresult. Without deliberate, prosperous plans, there will be no prosperous results on aconsistent,permanentbasis.

Thislawofcreativeprosperitywasonethathassurely“clicked”withthestudentsinmyprosperity classes.Manyof the business peoplewho attended toldme that this one ideaturnedtheirpreviousfalteringeffortstowardprosperityintoamazinglysuccessfulresults.Theyhadworkedlongandhard,butnotindefiniteorspecificways.Thentheydiscoveredtherewasnoreasontobeafraidtoaskforwhattheyreallydesired.TheBiblepromises,Askanditshallbegivenyou;seekandyeshallfind;knockandthedoorshallbeopened.

Perhapsyouarethinkingthatyoudonotreallyknowwhatyouwant;thatyourdesiresarenotthatdefiniteasyet.Inthatcase,simplybeginthinkingaboutandevenmakinglistsofwhatyoudon’twant inyour life that is there.List the thingsyouwishclearedupanderadicatedfromyourlife.Tothatlistdeclare,Thistooshallpass,or,Bethoudissolved.

I knowof aman in the electrical businesswhodid this.His business partnerhaddiedmonthsearlier, leavinghisshareof thebusiness in thehandsofuncooperativeheirswhowouldneitherbuynorsell. Itwasalmost indesperation that thesurvivingpartner beganapplying prosperous thinking. His main desire was either to buy the other half of thebusinessorsellhishalf.Hesimplywantedtodissolvethedeadlockwhichwascostingthebusinessmoney;andhewantedtoeradicatetheunpleasantness,confusionanduncertaintyofhisbusinesssituation.Withinamonthafterhewroteoutnotesabouttheunpleasantnessanduncertainty beingdissolved, he receivedword from a lawyer that his partner’s heirswouldsell!Theydidimmediatelywithnofurtherado.

AProsperityFormula

Onegroupofbusinesspeoplethatexperimentedwithmeonprosperousthinkingduringarecentrecessiondidthis:Theyfirstwroteouttheirdesiresforsixmonthshence,andthenwroteouttheirdesiredachievementsforeachmonthofthesix.Eachweektheyaddedtotheir list or changed their list of desired results, as they felt led. In some instances, theychangedthelistcompletely,expandingtheirdesiresorcrossingoffdesiresthatnolongerappealedtothem.

Theneachweektheclassmembersbroughttheselisteddesirestoclass.Nooneeversaw

these individual listsexcepteachstudent.Webeganeachclassperiodbyprivately takingourlistsinhandandverballydeclaringtogetherconcerningthem:IamtherichchildofalovingFather.AllthattheFatherhasisminetoshareandtoexperience.DivineIntelligenceisnowshowingmehowtoclaimmyownGod-givenwealth,healthandhappiness.DivineIntelligenceisevennowopeningthewayformyimmediateblessings.Ihavefaiththatallthatisminebydivinerightnowcomestomeinrichabundance.Myrichblessingsdonotinterferewithanyoneelse’sgood,sinceGod’srichsubstanceisunlimitedandeverywhereforalltouse.Thereisnodelay!Thatwhichisnotformyhighestgoodnowfadesfrommeand I no longer desire it. My God-given desires are richly fulfilled now in God’s ownwonderfulway.

Thestudentswerealsoinstructedtospendatleast15minutesadaypouringtheirverbalprayers and blessings (which we will talk about in the sixth chapter) upon their listeddesires, and daily towork on their lists, revising, changing, expanding them. Theywereaskedtodoverydefinitethings,suchaslistingtheamountofmoneytheywishedtomakefortheday,weekormonth.Theywerealsoaskedtoplaceatimelimitanddefinitedatesbywhich they wished the fulfillment of their desires. They were further instructed not towonder,doubtorquestionhowtheir richgoodwas tobe fulfilled,but theywere to staybusyputting the creative lawsofprosperity into action in these simpleways.The resultstheyattainedwerefabulousandIhavereceivedlettersfrompeopleallovertheworldwhoreadofthiscreativemethodofprosperity,andwhotriedit,withsimilarprosperousresults!As the groupworkedwith their lists, revising and changing them,weoften affirmed thewordsofGoethe,“Whatyoucandoordreamyoucan,beginit.Boldnesshasgenius,powerandmagicinit.”Weoftendeclared,Whatwecanconceive,wecanachievewiththehelpofGod.Andweoftenremindedourselvesofthistruth:Everyobstaclerushestogetoutofthewayofthemanwhoknowswhereheisgoing;andalltheworldseemsonthesideofthemanwhotriestorise.Thereseemstobealmostmagicalpowerinthinkingofone’sdesires,expressingthemconstructivelybywritingthemdown,statingthetimebywhichonewishestheirfulfillment,andthenprayingthatGod’sgoodwillbedoneinthematter.Doesitsoundtoosimple towork?Great truthsandpowerfulsecretsoftenappearsimple.Sosimple, infact,thattheaveragepersonoverlooksthemintryingtofindamoredifficultway.

WriteaLettertoGod

One businesswoman invoked the creativemethod of prosperity in a slightly differentway.Atthefirstoftheyear,insteadofmakingalotofNewYear’sresolutions,shewrotealetter toGod inwhich she honestly listed all of her desires for theNewYear. She thenplacedthesealedletterinherBible.Towardtheendoftheyear,sheshowedmethatletter,whichhadspecificallylistedmanythings.Allofthebigdesiresshehadexpressedhadbeenfulfilled:Shewaswidowedandhadexpressedadesiretomarryhappilyagain.Towardtheend of the year, I performed a private wedding ceremony for her and the bridegroom,whomshehadmetthroughfriendsafterwritingoutthatdesire.Shealsohadstatedintheletterherdesireforabetterhome.

The bridegroom gave it to her!Her other big desire had been for a better job. In themiddleoftheyear,thattoohadcomeforthasapleasant,satisfying,higher-payingposition.

ButImustcautionyou:Behonestwithyourselfwhenyouwriteoutyourdesires.Express,asdidthiswoman,yourreallydeepfeelings.Don’twriteoutwhatsomebodyelsewantsforyou,orwhatyouthinkyoushoulddesire.BehonestwithyourselfandyourMaker,ifyoureallywanthappyresults.

Iknowofanotherbusinesswomanwhowroteasimilar letter toGodat the firstof theyear, but instead ofwriting out her deep and big desires, she listed in a lukewarm, half-heartedwaysomeofhersurfaceandsmallerdesires.Thethingsreallygnawingatherheartwerenot evenmentioned.Andnothing happened.Because she hadkept her really deepdesires locked within her, there had been no opened channel through which God’ssubstancecouldpourforthitsrichgoodforher.AlovingFatheralwayswantsyoutohavebetterthanthebestthatyouarenowexperiencing.Because“thekingdomofheavenisathand,”ifyouwishGod’shelpinexperiencingit, theleastyoucandois tobehonestwithHimandwithyourself.Otherwise,youblockanypossibilityoffulfillment.

Perhapsyouarethinking,“Yes...butwhatifmydesiresarenotofthehighest?ShouldIstill behonest and list them?’Certainly, becausebybeinghonest, you are releasing theminsteadofsuppressingthem;andasyoureleaseandfacethem,alovingFathercanhelpyoureadjust them for good. I have observed this principle work in counseling people whowantedspiritualhelp,butwhowouldperhapsfeelthattheirproblemwasembarrassingorshocking.Theywouldspeakoftheirlesserproblems,butwouldkeepthethingwhichwasreally bothering them tightwithin them. Itwas onlywhen they got at the heart of theirproblemsthattheansweranddivinesolutioncouldcomeforth.

MakeaDailyList

Thecreativemethodofwritingoutone’sdesiresprovedsoeffectiveforafriendwhohasa modeling school that she recorded on tape specific instructions about making lists,revising them daily, etc. She plays that tape as a part of hermodeling school course ofinstruction.Theresult?Scoresofherstudentshaveobtainedjobsoftheirchoiceinfashionmodelingaswellasintelevisionandradiowork,afterfaithfullymakingspecificlistsoftheworktheydesired,thepaytheydesired,thehourstheywantedtoworkandtheworkingconditionstheyhopedfor.Anothersimplebuteffectivewayofinvokingthecreativelawofprosperity isbybeginningandendingyourdaymakingnotes and lists. In themorning Ialwayssitquietlyforafewminutes,oftenwithacupofcoffee,whileIthinkofmydayandthemanybigandlittlethingsIwishtoseeaccomplishedbymyselfandothers.Imakelistsof thosedesired accomplishments. It takes only a fewminutes,which is timewell spent,becauseIthenfeelincontrolofmyday.IusuallywriteanoteofthankstoGodattheendofthatlistforthe“divinefulfillmentandthedivineachievements.”Itisamazinghowmanythings are taken care of forme,withoutmy doing anythingmore than listing them andgivingthanksfortheirdivinefulfillment.

Inlikemanner,attheendofthedayItakeanotherfewminutes,gobackoverthedayandwrite“thankyou”notestoGodfortheblessingsreceivedandthegoodaccomplished.Iusually also begin thinking of the following day and make some notes concerning itsperfect fulfillment. It seems to assureme of a peacefulmind and a restful night. I havefound this practice ofmakingmorning and evening lists so satisfying and enlightening–

becausetherearealwaysmoreblessingstolistthanexpected–thatInowfeelsomethingisamissifIdonotobservethisdailyritual.ThingsrarelygowronginmydayifIsticktomylist-making.

ManyPeopleUseThisMethod

In case this list-making technique is beginning to sound slightly trivial to you, let meassureyouthatitisasuccesstechniqueusedbyanumberofsuccessfulpeople–morethanmost of us realize because they do not advertise their success secrets. Two prominentengineershaveconfidentiallyshownmelittlebooksthattheykeepinaninsidecoatpocket,which they take outwhen things becomehectic during their business day, and inwhichtheyquicklymakenotationsofthewaytheywishthingstoworkout.Noonesuspectswhattheyaredoing,andsointhemidstofpeopleallaroundthem,theyquicklygaincontrolofthevariousproblemsthatconfrontthemwiththeirlist-making.

Recentlyamotherinoneofmyclassesaskedhersonwhoisayoungbusinessexecutiveaboutaspecialcourseofinstructionthathewascurrentlystudyingwithhiscompany.Heexplainedthathehadbeeninstructedtouseanewpsychologicaltechniqueinsolvinghisexecutive problems. This course had taught him that the proper modem method forsolving problems was to sit down quietly, write out the problem, write out what heconsideredthehighestandbestsolution,thentearuphisnotesandrelax,knowingthathissolutionorsomethingbetterwouldworkout,sincehehadbeenabletoworkoutapossiblesolution in hismind and on paper! This executivewas quite surprisedwhen hismotherinformedhimshehadbeenusingthatmethodformanymonths,havinglearneditatourstudyclass.

Adoctor’sfinancialincomewasboostedconsiderablywithinafewweeksafterhebegantowriteoutthefinancialsumthathewishedhispracticetobringineachweek.Previously,hehadtriedthinkingintermsofboostedmonthlyincome,butthefigureshadseemedtoolarge for him to acceptmentally.Whenhe brought it down to aweekly level, it seemedeasierforhismindtoaccepttheideaoftheweeklyincrease,andsoitquicklymanifested.

IagreewiththewriteroftheBookofProverbswhenheinstructedus,Letnotkindnessandtruthforsakethee;bindthemaboutthyneck;writethemuponthetabletofthyheart;soshaltthoufindfavorandgoodunderstanding,inthesightofGodandman.(Proverbs3:3,4)Whenyouaretryingto find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man, the writing-outtechniqueisindeedpowerful.

WritetoTheirAngel

If you seek understanding regarding financialmatters, it is good to secretlywrite outnotestothose involved,seal thosenotesandplacetheminyourBibleforthetimebeing.Themysticsused to teach that everyonehas an “angel” orhigher self, and thatwhenwecannotreachthatangelintheusualways,weshouldsecretlywritetoit.Infact,themysticseven went so far as to describe seven types of people with whom it is easier to dealsatisfactorily,bywritingtheir“angel,”thanbytryingtoreasonwiththemintheusualways.

Perhaps you are thinking, “I am sure that is fine mysticism, but how practical is this

angel-writingmethod?”Well,youshouldrealizethatanyoneyouarehavingdifficultywith,youhavenotbeenable to reach in theusualways.Sowhathaveyou to lose,by secretlytryingtoreachthemthroughtheirhigherselfor“angel”?

A businessman was having difficulty closing a business matter which had long beenpending. Everyone involved was quite congenial and wished to conclude this matter,except one man who kept changing his mind and who seemed quite unsure abouteverything.Thismankeptthingsunsettled.Indesperationthisbusinessmandecidedtotrytheangel-writingmethod.Itseemsthatthemangivingthetroublewastimid,apprehensive,alwaysfearfulaboutsomething.Thebusinessmansecretlywroteoutjusttheopposite:“Totheangelof(letussay)JohnBrown,Iblessyouandgivethanksthatyouarebringingtoaperfectconclusionthisbusinessmatter,andthatallconcernedaresatisfiedandblessedbyit.”Thisbusinessmanwroteoutthisstatementfifteentimes,becausehehadlearnedthattheancients believed in using the number fifteen to break up and dissolve hard conditions.Withinafewdaysthisbusinessmantelephonedmelongdistancetoreportthatthepersoncausing the difficulty had visited his office and had said, “Come down to my officetomorrowmorning and the papers will be ready for signatures. This situation has beendelayedtoolong,andIamanxioustoconcludeit.”Thetransactionwasquicklycompleted.

Note-WritingGetstheBillsPaid

Anothernote-writingtechniquethatisparticularlyhelpfulingettingthebillspaidisthis:Whenthosebillsbegintoarriveinthemail,insteadofsilentlyresentingthem,writeontheenvelopes, I give thanks for your immediate and complete payment. You areimmediately and completely paid through the rich avenues ofDivine Substance. It isalso good, when the bills have already piled up, to make a list of those owed and theamountowing,andbesideorbeneatheachonetowriteoutthesamestatementconcerningtheir immediatepayment.Abusinessmanoncebrought a file folder full of bills and said,“HowcanIpossiblyusethepowerofprosperousthinkingtogetthesepaid?Someofthemareseveralmonthsold.”Wethensatforanhourorso,makingalistoftheamountsowedandtowhom, listing first thoseowedthe longestand thosewhichwere themosturgent.We thenwroteout the above statement about their immediatepayment. Since it seemedhumanlyimpossibletopayallthesebillsimmediately,wethenmadeasecondlist,showingtheones that shouldbeabsolutelypaidwithin thenextweek,alongwith the statement, Igivethanksthatyouareimmediatelyandcompletelypaidby_________andlistedthedateaweekhence.

Onceaweekthisbusinessmancamewithhisfilefolderofbillsandwewatchedthemgetpaidstep-by-step.Ittookabouttwomonthstocompletelybringhisfinancialaffairsup-to-date.Whenhedid,itwasagreedthathewouldusethissametechniqueatthefirstofeachmonthtogetcurrentbillspaidontime.Thismethodseemedtohelphimgaincontrol inthis thinkingabouthis financial affairs.Oncehegainedmentaldominion,hewas able tomeethisfinancialobligationsontime.

WoeUntoThemThatWriteAboutTheirTroubles

ItwasIsaiahwhoadvisedus,Woeuntothemthatdecreeunrighteousdecrees,andtowritersthatwriteperverseness.(Isaiah10:1)Thissurelyappliestoone’sfinancialaffairs.AmanIknowwashaving business difficulties. At the start, theywere not too urgent andwith a change ofattitudescoulddoubtlesshavebeensolvedeasily.Butnotrealizingthis,inhisworriedstateofmind,thismanbeganwritingabouthisdifficultiesindetailtoanumberofhisfriends.Ashemagnifiedthedifficultyinhismindandinthemindsofothers,itliterallymultipliedinhisaffairs.Afterhebegantoapplyprosperousthinkingtothesituation,ittookhimseveralmonthstoclearitup.Hefounditnecessarytostoptalkingabouthistroublestoothersandto stop putting anything negative inwriting.When he started reversing the process andsecretly writing out how he wished his business affairs to be, his difficulties began todiminishforthefirsttimeinmonths.

In likemanner, it isgood inthe faceofadverseappearances tosecretlywriteouteachdayhowyouwishyouraffairs,mightbe, in contrast tohow theyappear.Notonly doesthathelpyourmindtoaccepttheimprovementyoudesire;butitisasthoughyourwrittenout desire goes out into the ethers and is subconsciously tuned in on and everyoneconcernedbegins to cooperate andhelp.Again, itmay seemamysticalmethod, but if itproducespractical,helpfulresultsforyou,whynotdaretobeamodernmystic?

GainControlofYourPastandFuture

Itisalsogoodtogaincontrolofthepastorfuturebywritingoutstatementsconcerningthem.I find incounselingpeople thatmanyarestill living in thepastandregrettingpastmistakes;but thebackward lookkeepsyou fromgoing forwardandmakingpresentandfutureprogress.Ialsorealizethatmanyfinepeopleareafraidofthefuture.Ineitherevent,writeouthowyouwishthingsmighthavebeenconcerningsomepastmistake;orhowyouwishyourlifetobeinthepresentandinthefuture.Whenyouwriteoutnotesabouthowyouwishpasteventsmighthavebeenthathaveproveddisappointing,itseemstotakethe“sting”outofthememoryofthoseevents.Ihaveknownofseveral instanceswherethoseinvolvedinpastunhappyexperienceswouldwrite,telephoneorappeartosaytheincidentno longer mattered, and that all were forgiven concerning it. In some instances, betterrelationshipsthaneverwerehappilyreestablishedbetweenthosewhohadexperiencedpastbittergrievancesandmisunderstandings.

Inlikemanner,ifthereissomefutureeventthatseemstothreatenyou,takecontrolofitinyourthinkingbymakinglistsconcerningthewayyouwishittobe.Ifthereisabusinessconferenceaboutwhichyouareunsure,writeoutthenamesofallinvolvedandwriteoutdefinite statements of harmony, understanding and perfect results that you desire to seecomeforth.Sincethereisnotimefactorinthementalrealm,yourmindcanprojectitselfintoafutureexperienceandcanprepareharmonyandrightresultsaheadoftime,sothateverythingwillmoveeasily,quicklyandsuccessfully.Themindisman’swonderfulservant,whenherealizesthisandtrainshismindtoworkforhim.

OneofthemostsuccessfulyoungexecutivesIhaveevermettoldmethat,whilehewasstill in his teens, he wrote out a twelve year plan of progress for himself, which hasamazingly manifested itself for him. Although he is still under thirty, he is consideredwealthy,andithasbeenpredictedthathewillsurelybecomeamillionairewithinthenext

tenyears.

ThisMethodIsAllPowerful!

Thecreativelawofprosperitycanbeall-powerfulforproducingsuccessandhappinessconcerningyourpast,yourpresentandevenyourfuture.Therearedesires thatallof uswish to see come into visible expression and to grow into fine results. Why not beginquietly joining countless others in producing greater good in your life through thesecreativemethodsforprosperity?Beginnowbyfirstaskingyourselfjustwhatitisthatyouhonestlydesiremost inyour life.Bespecific,bedefinite,andsincerewithyourself.Thenwritedownyourdominantdesires.Thereafter,declareinprivacy,withouttellinganyonewhatyouaredoing, thedivine fulfillmentofyourdesires.Declare:I give thanks for theimmediate, complete, divine fulfillment of these desires. This or something bettercomesforthwithperfecttiming,accordingtoGod’srichgoodforme.Thendailychangeandreviseyourlistsasyoufeelled.Spendatleastfifteenminutesadayonyourlist.Daretopersistinthissimpleprocedureandthengetreadyfora landslideofhappyresults.Morethan you have dreamed possible will come your way because God’s friendly universewishesyoutobeprosperedandblessed.

AgainIwishtoremindyouofthepromiseofGoethe,“Whatyoucandoordreamyoucan,begin it;boldnesshasgenius,powerandmagic in it.”Whynotprove itnow?As oneprosperousthinkerhasoftensaidtome,“Ifindtheresultsreallybegintocomeforthonlyafter I start toward them.” The creative methods I have presented here are simple butprovablewaysofhelpingyoustarttowardyourgood.Afteryoudostarttowardyourgood,however,don’tbesurprisedifitrushesforthtomeetyoumorethanhalfway!

ChapterFive

TheImagingLawofProsperity

Onceyouhavemadeyourlists,workedwiththemdailyinchanging,expandingandrevisingthem,thereisanotherstepyouarereadytotake.Atthispoint,theimagingpowerofthemind,whichhasanalmostmagicalpower,shouldbeinvokedtoworkforyou.

Wearetoldinthismodemagebyauthoritieswhoaremakingastudyofthemindthatmancancreateanythinghecanimagine;thatthementalimagedoesmaketheconditionsandexperiencesofman’slifeandaffairs;thatman’sonlylimitationliesinthenegativeuseofhisimagination.Inotherwords,ifthereisfailureandlackinyourlife,itisbecauseyoufirst imagined it in your mind. You first set up life’s limitations in your mind and it islikewise inmind that you canbegindissolving those limitations and re-making your lifeintowhatyouwishittobe.ItwastheFrenchdoctorEmileCouéwhofirstdeclaredthattheimaginationisamuchstrongerforcethanwillpower;andthatwhentheimaginationandwillareinconflict,theimaginationalwayswinsout.

Wehaveseenthisprovedinhypnosis.Oftenwhenamentalpictureisfirstsuggested,thewill does not want to accept that picture. But when the mental picture is repeatedsufficiently,theimaginationhasnochoicebuttoacceptitandtobringittopass,nomatterhowunlikely thementalpictureappears to the reasoningpowerof thewill.Aswe studythesevariouslawsofprosperousthinking,wearenotbeinghypnotized,however. Instead,wearebeingde-hypnotizedfromtheignorant,superstitious,limitedbeliefsofcenturiesofpovertythinking.Sinceyouarehopingforgreatergoodinyourlife,youshouldbegintoformthemental imageofit inyourmind.Yourreasoningpowermaytellyouthatitcanneverbe,but thatdoesn’tmatter.Yourwillmaysayyourdream is toobig tocome true;thatitisimpossibletofulfill.Butifyoujustdaretocontinueimagingitanyway,thenyourimaginationwillgotoworkforyoutoproducethevisibleresultyouhavebeenimaging,and indue timeyourwillcanwork foryoualso.Whatever themind is taught toexpect,thatitwillbuild,produce,andbringforthforyou.Sinceyouarehopingforgreatergoodinyour life,youshouldbegin to formthemental imageof it inyourmind.Yourreasoningpowermay tellyou that it canneverbe,but thatdoesn’tmatter.Yourwillmay sayyourdreamistoobigtocometrue;thatitisimpossibletofulfill.Butifyoujustdaretocontinueimaginingitanyway,thenyourimaginationwillgotoworkforyoutoproducethevisibleresultyouhavebeenimagining,andinduetimeyourwillcanworkforyoualso.Whateverthemindistaughttoexpect,thatitwillbuild,produce,andbringforthforyou.

HistoryProvesthePowerofImaging

History has proved this many times. Perhaps you recall the facts connected with thePeloponnesianWar of ancient Greece. This war was significant because it lasted for 27years.Youwillprobablyrememberwhyitisbelievedtohavelastedsolong.Historianssaythatbothsideslackedpurposeorstrategy.Theyhadnoparticularplanforvictoryandsotheyjustdriftedalongindefinitely,neverquitelosing,yetneverquitewinningthewar–justfighting.

Finally, a Spartan of foresight and ability, obviously a man who knew how to imagevictory and success, appeared on the scene,went into action and led his side to victory.Historianswritethatinonesinglehourhebroughtthelongwartoanend.Andhowdidhedo it?Was it throughbattle andbloodshed?Absolutelynot. Instead,he led the enemy tobelievethattheyhadhisshipsandmencorneredattheentranceoftheDardanelles.Therehewaitedpatientlyforfourdaysuntiltheenemybecamesureofthemselves,thinkingthathissilencesignifiedweaknessandinabilitytofight.Onthefifthday,whentheysentmostoftheir crew ashore to get food, Admiral Lysander suddenly came to life, sailed out andcapturedalmosttheentirefleetof180shipswithoutasingleblow.

OftenwehavebeenlikethoseancientGreeks.Wehadnoplanorimageofvictoryandsowejustwentalongneverquitewinning,neverquitelosinginlife–justfighting.Itwasin500B.C.thatSunTzewrote,“Inallfightingthedirectmethodmaybeusedfor joiningbattle,butindirectmethodswillbeneededinordertosecurevictory.”

Whenyouusetheall-powerfulimagingpowerofthemindtoenvisionyourgood,youare using the indirect method that will secure the victory over life’s problems for you.Insteadofbattlingwithpoverty,failureandfinanciallack,whichoftenonlymultiplesyourproblems, begin using the indirect method–that of quietly, deliberately and persistentlyimagingyourgood.

SuccessCreatedMentallyFirst

IntheBookofGenesis,wearetoldhowJosephprovedthepoweroftheimaginationforsuccess and prosperity. From him we learn what to do and what not to do with ourimagination.InJoseph’sdreamsattheageof17,hehaddominionoverthesituationsaboutwhichhedreamed.Inonedreamhisbrothers’sheaveswerebowingdowntoJoseph’ssheaf.In another dream, the sun, moon and stars were honoring Joseph. These dreams weresymbolicofthedominionJosephwastohavelaterasprimeministerofEgypt.

Josephdreamedofdominion,andsomustyou. Josephdreamedofdominionwhenheseemedtohavenone,andsomustyou.Successiscreatedmentallyfirst.ButJosephmadethe mistake of telling his dreams to his jealous brothers, who resented his claims ofdominion,sotheysoldhimfor20piecesofsilver,tosomeIshmaelitemerchantsontheirwaytoEgypt.UnlikeJoseph,youshouldnottellyourdreamsandmentalimagesofgreatergoodtoothers,whowillonlytrytoteardownyourpicturesofgrandeurwiththeirdoubtandunbelief.

After Josephwas sold into Egyptian slavery, he apparently continued to image betterthanthebesthewasthenexperiencing.Heprovedthatvisionisvictory;healsoprovedthat

thevictimcanbecomethevictor!WhenhearrivedinEgypt,hehadtomeetanumberofunjust experiences before the tide turned for him.Only after years in prison andmanytribulationsdidJosephbecomeprimeministerofallEgypt,secondincommandofthemostpowerfulempireofthatage.

PersistinPicturingSuccess

Sometimes the imagingpowerof themindproduces immediate results for you.But if(like Joseph) it takes longer,youcanbeassured that theresultswillbeevenbiggerwhentheydocome,providedyoudonotgetdiscouragedandgiveup.Thelongerittakesyourmentalimagestoproduceresults,thebiggertheywillbe,ifyouholdontothem.

Thetruthofthiswasrecentlybroughttomyattentionbyabusinessmanwhorevealedtome how the imaging law of prosperity took him from a truck driver’s job to wealthyretirementintenyears!In1940thismanwasatruckdriver.Helivedarentedhousewithhiswifeandchildren;theydidnotevenownacar.Hewasmaking$25aweekandbarelygettingby.Thenheheardabouttheimagingpowerofthemind,andhedecidedtofindoutifitreallyworked.

Hebeganmentallytoimagethestandardoflivinghewantedforhimselfandhisfamily.Hedecidedthathewantedhisownbusiness;thathewantedtobefinanciallyindependent;thathewantedtoownhisownspacious,comfortablehome;thathewantedtoownatleasttwo cars; that he wanted his wife to feel completely free to shop any time she wished,withouthavingtopinchpenniesoutofthegrocerymoneyorrunupchargeaccountsallovertown.Ineverypossiblewayhementallyimagedahighstandardoflivingandincomeforhimselfandhisfamily.Withinayearhehadbeenmadesalesmanagerinsteadofatruckdriverforhiscompany!

Buthestilldidnothavethehouse,cars,orhisownbusinessandfinancialindependence.WhenChristmascamethatyearhesaidhisfamily,“Ibelievethatbynextyearatthisseasonwewillhaveownhomeandourowncarsittinginthedriveway.”Butatthenextholidayseason,ayear later, theywerestill living inarentedhousewithnocarof theirown.Hischildrenthenremindedhimofhispreviouspredictionandhereplied,“Don’tgiveuphope.PerhapsImadethatpredictionalittletoosoon,butwewillhavethoseblessings,andsoon.”

Bythenextholidayseasontheyhadmovedintoanewhomeandtherewasnotonebuttwonewcarsinthedriveway!Thismanstatedthatafterhebeganimagingtheprosperousstandardoflivinghewished,whilestilla$25-a-weektruckdriver,itactuallytookhimtwoyearstoconvincehisownthinkingthatitwaspossible,andtogethismindtoacceptthoserichmental pictures. But he declared that, after hismindwas fully convinced he couldbecomeprosperous, itwas likebreakingahardshell; suddenlysuccessbegan to come sofasthecouldhardlykeepupwithit.Itwasthenthatthehouseandtwocarsappeared.Thisman further stated that it took him six years from the time he began to image a highstandard of living to completely achieve his goal. But within six years after he beganimagingprosperityonagrandscale,hehadattaineditintheinsurancebusiness.Withintenyears he had made so much money he retired! In fact, he concluded his story on theimagingpowerofprosperitybysaying:

“Iwentfromapennilesstruckdrivertoafortuneininsuranceintenyears.Butthatwasonlymyfirstfortune.Ihavenowtiredofretirement,andplantomakemysecondfortuneduringthisnextten-yearperiodthroughthesamemethod–byimagingit!”

ThePowerofaMasterPlan

Charles Fillmore once described the terrific power of imagination when he wrote,“Imaginationgivesmantheabilitytoprojecthimselfthroughtimeandspaceandriseabovealllimitations.”OneofMr.Fillmore’ssons,whoisanarchitectandofficialofUnitySchoolofChristianity, proved that this canbe done. In 1926Rickert Fillmoredrewup amasterplan for the growth of Unity Village. In this master plan he drew all of the buildings,walkways, fountains and even the shrubs that were to beautify Unity School. Finally, in1929,twoofthebuildings,theUnityTowerandtheSilentUnitybuilding,werecompleted.Becauseofeconomicconditionsduringthedepressionerathatfollowed,nomorebuildingwasundertakenforelevenyears.ButRickertFillmorepersistedinhisvisionbygoingrightaheadandlandscapingthegrounds,evenfillinginshrubsaroundthefuturebuildings.

IrememberhearinghimtellataMinisters’ConferencehowhesatinhisofficelocatedintheUnityTowerduringthoseyearsofnon-building,andhowhewouldlookoutovertheUnitygroundswheretheprospectivebuildingsweretobeerected.Hewouldimagethemasalreadythere,picturinghowtheywouldlookineverydetail.Afteryearsofhis faithfulimaging, beginning in 1940, a numberof other beautiful buildingswere constructed. ThebeautyofUnityVillageisnowenjoyedbyvisitorsfromallovertheworld,whocanbeholdwhattheimagingpowerofthemindhasaccomplishedthere.

MakeaWheelofFortune

Truly, nothing is impossible for the imagination to accomplish. But perhaps you arethinking,“Iamnotyetwellversedenoughintheimagingpowerofthemindtogetresultsasyouhavedescribed.Isn’ttheresomesimplewayIcanbegintrainingmyimaginationtoproducesuchresultsforme?”Yes,thereis!

An engineer in my last prosperity class devised a practical method for training theimagination toproduce rich results.Hedesigneda “wheelof fortune” tohelpprojecthismindthroughtimeandspace,therebyrisingabovepresent limitationsandbringingforthhappyresults.Afterthisengineerbegantousetheimagingpowerofthemindthroughhis“wheelof fortune,”hewent into amulti-milliondollar construction job,whichhe is stillworkingonintheMidwest.

This “wheel of fortune” he designed has fascinated and helped scores of people. Forinstance,someministerialfriendsofminetoldmethattheyusedhiswheeloffortuneideaforashortperiod,andrealizedalife-timedreambytakingatriptoEurope.

Anotherministerialfriendtoldmethataftershemadeavacationwheeloffortune,shewasabletotakehersickmothertoFloridainthemiddleofwinterforthewarmsunshinewhich thedoctorshadprescribed forher.Througha seriesof events thatbrought aboutthatFloridatrip,theywereofferedafriend’shouseonthebeachattheheightofthewinterseason,freeofcharge!Theretheymadefriendswithneighborswhoinvitedthemintotheir

homesforhappysocialeventsduringtheirstay.Anotherresultwasthatthisministerwasgivenabeautifulfurcoatbyoneofthesenewfriends,justbeforeshereturnedhometothecoldweather.

Actually,thewheeloffortuneideaisaverysimplemethodforputtingtheimaginationtoworkforyou.Theengineermadehiswheeloffortuneinthisway:

Onalargepieceofposterboard,hedrewaroundcirclethatencompassedmostofthespace. In thecenterof thiscircleheplacedapictureofsomereligious ideaor scene thatdenotes a Higher Power. (This could be a picture of the Bible, the Lord’s Prayer, orwhatever religious symbol means most to you.) Under this center circle he typed thefollowingwords:Divine Intelligence is inchargeofmy life. Iamnowopen,receptive,andobedienttoitsrichinstructionandguidance.Thisformedtheinnermostpartofhiswheeloffortune.Thisideawasits“hub.”

For this innermost part, he drew four lines to the circumference of the circle. Afterdividinghiswheel into fourparts,he then labeled the fourparts:business, family, spiritual,socialandrecreational. Ineachof these fourpartshe thenplacedpicturesof the resultshedesired to achieve in those four phases of his life. For instance, in the business phase heplaced pictures concerning the “perfect engineering job” he wished as a result of a jobtransferwhichwaspending.Underthispicture,beplacedthesewords:IamnowactivatedbyDivineIntelligence,motivatedbyDivineLoveandguidedbyDivinePowerintomyrightwork,whichIperforminaperfectwayforperfectpay.Thedivineplanofmylifenowtakesshape indefiniteconcreteexperiences, leading toperfecthealth,happiness,successandprosperity.

Inthefamilyphaseofhiswheeloffortune,heplacedapictureofhispresenthome,andunder it these words, since it would be necessary to sell that house because of his jobtransfer: Divine Intelligence directs the right buyer to this property. Everyoneconcernedisblessedbyajustandorderlyexchangeofvalues.Healsoplacedthepictureof a new home and under it thesewords:Divine Intelligence knows our need, knowswheretherighthouseisandknowshowtomanifestittousattherighttime.Tohelphiswife through the transition period ofmoving and readjustment thatwould come as theresultofthisjobtransfer,heplacedherpictureinthisarea,too,andunderitthesewords:MywifeisnowmotivatedbyDivineIntelligenceandDivineLove.SheisalsoguidedbyDivine Power which now manifests in her every experience as perfect health,happiness,abundanceandsuccess.Fortheirabilitytogoforthtonewexperiencesinfaith,heplacedontheirwheeloffortunethepictureofadoorandunderitthesewords:Asonedoorcloses,anotherbiggerandbetterdooropens.

Inthesocialandrecreationalphaseofhiswheeloffortune,heplacedthepictureofasandybeachwithanoceanbackground,underwhichwenttheprayers:Wegive thanks for thedivinely planned vacation, under divinely planned conditions with the divinelyplannedanddivinelymanifestsupply.Forhisgeneralprosperityheaddedthesewords:Iam now guided by Divine Intelligence, so that Divine Order is established andmaintainedinallmyfinancialaffairs.

In the last part of hiswheel of fortune, the spiritual phase, he placed the picture of achurchunderwhichhewrote:Iamgratefulthatfaithabidesinmyheart,andthatIam

divinelyguidedtotherightchurchinmynewsurroundings.Nearthesewordshealsoplaced the picture of a Bible.He then placed thiswheel of fortunewith its pictures andwords in a spotwherehe couldprivatelyview it andgoover it everyday.These simplewordsandpictureshelpedhisimagingpowerofthemindtogotoworkforhim.Inafewweekshewas informedthathis job transferwouldbe thebiggestpromotionhehadeverreceived!Forthefirsttimeinhisengineeringcareer,hewouldenjoycompletefreedomofaction,withresponsibilityonlytothevice-presidentofthecompany.

Ashecontinuedtoviewhiswheeloffortune,hebecamesoconfidentthattheirpresenthome would be sold on time that he and his wife went to the new job assignment in adistantstate,andimmediatelyfoundtheperfectplacetolive.Theythenproceededtosetadatetocomebackandarrangetomovetheir furniture,adatebywhichtheyconfidentlyexpectedtheirhousetobesold.Theywentsofarinfaithastomakeplanereservationsonthatdatetoflyback,soastobepresentforthesaleoftheirhouse.

Aftertheyconfidentlysetthedatesandmadetheirplans,everythingtheyhadexpectedbeganworkingoutontime.Theirhousewassoldontime,andtheirfurniturewasmovedto their new home on the dates they had planned. After getting settled in their newlocation, they took a vacation in a lovely tropical areawhere therewere sandy beachesalongtheocean,astheirwheeloffortunehadindicated.

Later,theywereguidedtotheperfectchurchforthemintheirnewlocation,aspicturedon their wheel of fortune. Thus did this engineer prove, in working with the imagingpower of themind,what he already knew to be true in his engineering profession fromworkingwith blueprints–results have to be planned and then visualized before they canbecomealivingreality.

NapoleonUsedtheImagingLaw

Beforeyoucandiscountthisasjustoneman’swayofmakinghisimaginationworkforhim,letmeassureyouthatoneofthemostpowerfulfiguresinhistoryusedthewheeloffortuneideatowinmanyabattleandtoachieveworldfame.Napoleonkeptahugemapbeforehimwith colored flags indicating the variousmoveshe planned for his armies totake,monthsinadvance.Heevenusedtheprosperitytechniqueofwritingdownhisdesiresandplans,soastoclarifythemandstartthemintoactionfromtheinvisiblerealm.Inoneinstance,historianssaythathedictatedindetail theorderand lengthof themarches, themeetingplaces of the two armies, the attack, themovements of the enemy and even theblunders he expected the enemy to make all two months before it happened and at adistance of six or seven hundred miles away from the scene! But Napoleon met hisWaterloo,becauseheinagreatmeasureuseddestructivelytheverytechniquesthataresopowerfulforgoodwhenusedinapositive,constructivemanner.

ThisTurnstheTideofYourThinking

Thus, if you want something very much that seems completely out of reach, make awheelof fortune!They are powerful because they turn the current of your thought andexpectationfrom“Ican’thave”to“Icanhave”;fromdespairtohope,fromdiscouragement

toencouragement;fromfailuretosuccess.Ifyoudonotwishtomakeawheeloffortuneforallthedepartmentsofyourlife,makeitforyourmaindesire–perhapsfortheonebigthingyouwould liketoexperiencein life,whichsofarhasevadedyou.Afriendofminemakeswhatshecalls“quickie”wheelsoffortuneforaperiodofonemouth,onwhichsheplacespicturesandphrasesconcerningthethingsneededforthatshortperiodoftime.Shesaysthatbyexpectingimmediateresults,hermindseemstogotoworkforhermuchfastertoproduceanimmediateresult;whereas,ifshemakeswheelsoffortuneforlongerperiods,somehowherimaginationisn’tsufficientlystimulatedtodomuchaboutit.

MakeaNotebookofYourDesires

If you are not free tomake a largewheel of fortune to help you change yourmentalimages,perhapsyouwouldliketodoasdidaschoolteacherIknow,whomadeanotebooksimilar to the kind she constantly carries around in her work. Only this notebookcontainedpicturesshehadcutfrommagazinesofthegoodshedesired,alongwithcatchyphrasesshehadclippedandpastedaboutthem.Whenshehadalullinherday,shewouldbrowse through her notebook of desires, which kept her imaging power uplifted,expectant,andatworkforherhighestgood.Noonearoundherwasawareofwhatshewasdoing, and in this simpleway shewas able to avoidbecomingdepressed,discouragedordoubtful.

ImageinDetail

Ahousewifewhohasusedtheimagingpowerofthemindwithamazingresultshasoftentoldme that shehas towork fora long time togethermind to image indetail a desiredresult.Butshedeclaresthatonceshecanpicturethecomplete,detailedresult,shecanthendismiss the matter from her mind completely, knowing it will soon manifest itself. Shestates that she has found it isworth the time and effort to daily picture asmuch of herdesiresaspossible.Graduallyherimaginationisabletoimagethewholepictureindetail.Asitdoes,soshestatesthatoftenshepersonallyneedstotakelittleornophysicalactiontoproducethatresult.Moreoften,itisaccomplishedforher,sincehergreatestworkinthematterhadalreadybeendone.Iamdiscoveringthattheimaginglawofprosperityisoneofthemost fascinating. Themore you develop it, themore it seems that the whole worldrushestowardyouinafriendlyfashion,onlytoohappytograntyourdesires.

YouConstantlyImage

Avery“self-righteous”typeofwomanonceindignantlysaidtomeafteralectureIhadgiven on the imagination, “I don’t believe in making mental images–that’s nothing butmentalforce.”Itriedtoexplainthatshewasconstantlymakingmentalimageswhethershewantedtoornot,becausethemindthinksthroughmentalpictures.Itisthenaturalactionofthemind.Butthisindignantwomanjustrushedout.Later,Ibegantoreceivereportsofwhatahardtimeshewashavingfinancially.Finally,shespoketoachurchcounselorabouther financial difficulties, and the counselor said, “You will continue to have financialproblemsuntilyouchangeyourmentalimages.Youarethinkingabout,talkingabout,and

picturingfinancial lack,andyourmindisproducingwhatyouare imaging.Changeyourimagesandthink,talkandpictureplentyandyoushallhaveit.”Thistimethewomanwasdesperate, and so she began to image prosperous results. Soon she began to experiencethem. In due time her attitude had changed completely and she became a beautiful,harmonious, prosperous individual whom everyone loved; whereas, she previously hadbeenavoidedoneveryhandbecauseofherconstantrecitationoffinancialwoe.

Iagreewiththatladythatwecanusetheimaginglawofprosperityasmentalforce,ifwetrytoforcegoodtousthatbelongstosomeoneelse.Ifwementallyimagewhatbelongstosomeone else asours,we are asking for trouble.Weneverneed to image someone else’sgoodasbeingtakenfromthemandcomingtous.Whatbelongstoanotherisnotoursbydivineright.Ifitwas,itwouldhavebeengivenusinthefirstplace.Andsinceitisnotoursbydivineright,itwoulddousnogoodifwegotit.

HowtoImageUnselfishly

Youneednotcovetanotherperson’sblessingsbecausehisblessingswouldnotsatisfyyouevenifyouhadthem.Whatbelongstoanotherneverquitefitsyourneeds.Instead,whenyouseesomethinganotherhasthatyouwouldliketohave,donotcovetitormentallytrytoimageandforceittoyou.Youshouldrealizethathisgoodthatappealstoyouissimplyanindicationthatsimilargoodisonthewaytoyouandthatyoucanhaveit.Tohelpbringit to pass, declare to yourself: I, too, am in contact with the source of that good. Thedivine equivalent of that good isnowon itsway tome, and I gratefully accept it.Myownsimilar,God-appointedblessingsnowappear.Theyaresatisfyingandappropriateand for this I give thanks. Truly, there is no danger in using the imaging power of themindunselfishly.Itisonlywhenyouuseitselfishly,totrytoforcefromanotherthatwhichyoudesire,thatyourunintodifficulties.Inlikemanner,youshouldnevermentallyimageforanotherthatwhichyouwouldnotwanttoexperienceyourself,sincethementalimageyousendout inevitablycomesbacktoyou. Instead,youshould imagehealth,wealthandhappinessforothers,aswellasforyourself.

ImageSuccessinFamilyProblems

Adistraughtmother,whoseson’sbehaviorhadbeenespeciallydisturbing,begansittingquietlyeverydayandmentallyimaginghimasshewishedhimtobe.Shethoughtofhimasstandinginapooloflightandlove,asbeingcalm,peaceful,confident,harmonious,happy.

Shestoppedtryingtomakehimthatwayinanyofherouteractionsorwords.Gradually,hebegantoexpressthosequalitiesandbecamecalm,peaceful,confidentandharmonious,sothatinafewmonthshehardlyseemedthesamechild.

Ihavenoted intalkingwithanumberofwomenwhosehusbandswouldgoastrayandgetinterestedin“otherwomen”thatalmostinevitablyithappenedafterthewifebegantoimageherhusbandas“interestedinanotherwoman.”Onewife,whosehusbandhadstrayedearly in theirmarriage, came tome feeling very sorry forherself because shewas goingthroughthethird“otherwoman”experience.AsIcloselyquestionedher,Irealizedthatshehadbeguntowonderwhatshewoulddoifsuchathinghappenedearlyintheirmarriage;

and soon itdidhappen. Ithappened three timesbefore she realized that shehad imagedeachexperience forherhusband,andthusshehadhelpedbring it forth.Becarefulwhatyou image foryourselfor thosewhoarereceptive toyourmental images,because itwillsurelyhappen!

Youshouldalwaysgiveothersthebenefitofonlygoodmentalimages.Oftenlife’sresultsare thedifferencebetweenconstructiveanddestructivemental images thatyou entertainforyourselfandothers.Thewritermighthavebeendescribingthepowerofmentalimageswhenhewrote,“Twomenlookedoutfromprisonbars;onesawthemud,theothersawthestars.”Whatweseedependsmainlyonwhatwelookfor.

ImageSuccessinFinancialAffairs

Iwouldalsosuggestthatyoubegindailydevelopingyourimagingpowerforprosperityandsuccessbytakingalittletimeatthebeginningorendoftheday–perhapswhenyouarewritingoutyourplansandnotes–toimagethemindefiniteformmentally.Inotherwords,iftherearebillsyouarelistingtobepaid,aftermakingyournotes,sitquietlyandimagethechecks already written to those owed in the specific amount. Mentally image yourselfputtingthosechecksinenvelopesanddroppingtheminthemailbox.Ifthereisadefiniteneed for some specific amount of money, mentally image a check written out to you,showing a current date, and showing the amount of money needed as received on thatcheck.Your imagination loves tobegivendefinitepictures tobuildand form,which thesubconsciousmindthengratefullyaccepts,andgetsbusyproducingasdefiniteresultsforyou.

Actually,youhavebeenusingyourimagingpowerallthetime,andperhapsyouusedittoimagelackofmoney,lackofsuccessandallthethingsyoudon’treallywantinlife.Takeyour wallet and checkbook in your hands during your quiet time. Closing your eyes,mentally imagebillsof largedenominationbulgingfromthewallet.Mentally imageyourdeposit slips showing large amounts ofmoney being deposited into your bank account.Image,image,image,allthegoodthatyouwishtoexperience.

I knowof a businessmanwhohad gone through a periodof severe financial lack andwho felt he could no longer endure the privations. Realizing the imaging power of themind,hepurchasedsome “playmoney”andplaced thebillsof largedenomination in hiswallet so that every time he opened it, his eyeswould first see those large amounts. Hedeclaredthatsoonhisimagingpowerhadacceptedthepictureoflargeamountsofmoneyinhiswallet,ratherthanthepreviousimageoflack.Hefurtherstatedthatneveragaindidhefindhimselfwithoutsufficientmoneyinhiswallettomeethisneeds.

ImageforTravel

Afriendofminerememberedtheimagingpowerofthemindwhenshewishedtotravelaroundtheworld.Shepurchasedadress,thepatternofwhichdepictedamapoftheworld.Sheworethisdressoften,thinkingofthetripsshewouldtake.Verysoonsomeonestarteda“travelfund”forherwithagiftofmoney.Asthefundgraduallyincreased,shetalkedwithatravelbureau,andtentativelydecideduponatriptoEurope.Withinsixmonthsfromthe

timeshebeganwearingherdressoftheworld,hertriptoEuropecameabout.Sheisstillwearingthatdress,though,becauseshenowismentallyimagingothertripstootherpartsoftheworld!

ImageBeautyandWell-Being

Mentallyimagethewayyoupersonallywishtodress,look,act,react.Giveotherpeopleasuccessandbeautytreatmentbypicturingthemasprosperousandsuccessful.Ioftengivepeople a private beauty treatment by mentally viewing them as wearingmore beautifulclothes. It is amazing howoften they appear soon in the very clothes I had pictured forthem.Thisisagoodwayforamantogethiswifetowearbetter-lookinghats–insteadoffussingabouttheonesshecurrentlywears,heshouldimageherhatsandappearanceashewishesthemtobe.Itwillsurprisehimhowfastshewillsubconsciouslyrespond!

Themoreyouusetheimagingpowerofthemind,themoredelightfullywillitworkforyou.Youareconstantlyimagingwhetheryouhavebeenawareofitornot.Sowhynottakeconscious control of your imaging power and produce the health,wealth and happinessthatisyoursbydivineright?

ImageYourTrueDesires

Letme remind youof somethingmentioned in the last chapter:Don’t compromise inyourmentalimages.Imagewhatyoureallywant,notjustwhatyouthinkyoucanprobablyhave. Pay no attention to your will and reason, which will try to talk you out of yourmentalimages.Youractiveimaginationwillsoontakecontrolofyourwillandputitinitsplace, ifyouwill first takecontroloftheimaginationbyfeedingit thementalpicturesofwhatyoudeeplyandsincerelywant.Ifyoufeedyourimaginationhalf-hearted,lukewarm,mentalpictures, that’s thekindofresultsyouwillget.Since theywillnotbe satisfactory,then youwill have to start all over again, imagingwhat you reallywant. So do it in thebeginningandsaveyourselfdoublework.

Truly the image does make the condition, but it is up to you to make the image.Realizingthis,youcannowknowthatthereisnoneedtofightorforceyourgoodtoyou.Instead, just get busy and quietly image it indetail as youwish it to be, and then declareconcerningthoseimages:Thisorsomethingbetter,Father;Thyunlimitedgoodwillbedone!

Itistruethatmanbecomeswhatheimagines,andthatman’scontinuousimaginationissufficienttoremoldorcreateanything!Butdon’tjusttakemywordforit.Instead,joinwithmeandmanyotherswhoarediscoveringthattheimagingpowerofprosperityisoneofthemostdelightfulandpowerfulofall.

ChapterSix

TheProsperityLaworCommand

Shakespearewrote,“Thereisatideintheaffairsofmenwhich,takenattheflood,leadsontofortune.”It is throughthe lawofcommandthatyoureleasethis flood-tideofgoodwhichhasbeenbuiltupthroughyourlist-makingandmentalimages.Theprosperitylawofcommandisyourkeytodominion.Theworldcommandmeans“tohaveauthorityorcontrol.”Throughanattitudeofauthority,youcantakecontrolofthegoodwhichyouwish to experience in life. Many people look “up” at life, as though it is a mountaintowering over their insignificance. The law of command helps you to move up to thesummitandlookoutoveryourworldwithafeelingofauthorityandcontrol,whichthenproduceslikeresults.

Thesecretof the lawofcommandis this:Apositiveassertionof thegoodyouwish toexperience is often all that isneeded to turn the tideof events toproducegood for youswiftlyandeasily.It’samazinghowfastdoorsopentouswhenwedaretotakecontrolofasituationandcommandourhighexpectationstomanifestthemselves.Butthere’snothingnew about the law of command. In Genesis we are told that God created the earth bycommanding,Lettherebe...andtherewas.

Actuallythelawofcommandisoneoftheeasiesttouse.Afterhavingmadelistsofyourdesires and after havingmentally imaged them as fulfilled, it is then time to release thesubstance of them into words of decree and commandwhich canmove the ethers intoaction.

Whatyoudecreeyouget,astheBiblepromises,forThoushaltdecreeathinganditshallbeestablisheduntotheeandlightshallshineuponthyways.(Job22:28)

YouCommandThroughWords

You are now using the law of command because you are constantlymaking decrees,though often they are thewrong kind of decrees, producingwhat you do not desire. Abusinessman recently toldme of an acquaintancewho had been having troublewith hisright arm. Doctors examined it and said there was nothing organically wrong with it.Finally,thisman,whoknewthepowerofwords,realizedthathehadbeenexclaiming,“I’dgivemyrightarmifIcould_________.”Hestoppedusingthisexpressionandhisarmgotwell. Itwas Isaiahwhowarnedus,Woeunto them thatdecreeunrighteousdecrees. (Isaiah 10:1)Ourwoescanoftenbetracedtoourthoughtlessremarks.

OnceIprayedwithawomanwhowashavingtroublewithherfeetand legs.Herneedforhealingseemedacute.Herphysiciantoldherthathehaddoneeverythingpossibleforher.Afterwebeganpraying,herconditionimproved,butacompletehealingdidnotseemtocome.Onedayinourprayertime,Isaidtoher,“Nowjustask,‘Father,whatisthetruthaboutthissituation?WhatdoIneedtodotobehealedcompletely?’“Andshedid.Inalittlewhileshequietlysaid:

Ihavetheanswer!IrecentlywentintoanewbusinessventureandIhavenotyetmadeasuccessofit.Ihavebeenfoolishlysaying,“IfonlyIcouldgetonmyfeetfinancially.”IwasonmyfeetphysicallywhenIbeganmakingthatstatement,butsoonmyfeetbegangivingmetrouble.Mysubconsciousmindmusthavetakenmywordsseriouslyandgotmeoffmyfeet,whichiswhatIwasdecreeingthroughmyidlewords.

Shethendeclared,“IamgoingtochangethatstatementanddeclarethatIamfinanciallysecure; that I amonmy feet financially.” Soon shewas, bothphysically and financially! Iknow of a woman who is quite deaf in one ear. She constantly declares concerninganythingshedoesnotwishtohearabout,“I’mgoingtoturnadeafeartothat.”

Studentsofthemindhavealwaysbeentaughtthepowerofwords.ThespiritualleadersofEgypt, India,Persia,ChinaandTibetall taught theirstudents tospeakonlywhentheyhadsomethingconstructivetosay.Knowingthedangerofidletalk,theysetupastandardtodeterminewhetheritwaswisetosayathing:“Isittrue?Isitkind?Isitneedful?”Evenifitistrue,ifitisnotkind,thensurelyitisnotneedful!

Fromcounselinghundredsofpeoplewithfinancialproblems,havefoundthat99timesoutof100theydonotsolvetheirproblemsuntiltheynotonlyknow,butfullyusethelawofcommand.Whentheybegindaily,consciously,anddeliberatelytoassertthegoodtheywant,theircommandsseemtocallitforth.

AffirmationsAreaFormofCommand

Inmodem timeswe are hearing about “affirmations,” which are a form of command.Manyareprovingthatthedailypracticeofverbalandsilentaffirmationisthesimplestwayof invoking the lawofcommandtocreategood. In fact, theuseofaffirmations is suchasimplewayofbringingforthrichresultsthatmanypeoplemistrustit,lookingforamorecomplicatedpathtoprosperity.Theword“affirm”meansto“makefirm.”Throughverballyaffirmingordeclaringthegoodyouwant,ratherthancontinuingtotalkaboutwhatyoudon’twant,youbegin tomake firm in themindand in the invisibleethers the goodyoudesire.Asyoucontinuetoaffirmthedesiredgood,itrushesforthasavisibleresult.

YouMakeYourWorldWithWords

Neverunderestimatethepowerofwords.Youmakeyourworldwithyourwords,asdidtheLordinthebeginning.Butifyoudonotliketheworldyouhavepreviouslymadewithwordsofdiscord, lack, limitationandhardtimes,youcanbeginbuildinganewworld oflimitlessgoodandprosperitybychangingyourwordsofcommandanddecree.

Thepeople inmyprosperityclasses found the lawofcommandoneof theeasiestand

fastest to produce rich results for them.They took affirmative statements thatmet theirneedsanddeclaredthemoverandoververballyforatleast15minutesaday;perhapsfor5minutesthreetimesaday.Iftheywerenotincircumstancesthatgavethemtheprivacytospeakaloud the statements, then theywouldwrite themoutdozensof times.Oneof thestatementsofcommand theyusedoftenwas: I love thehighest andbest in all people. Inowdrawthehighestandbestpeople(customers,clients,patients,etc.)tome.

Asalesmandiscoveredthatbyusingthisstatement,heattractedintohisdepartmentonlypeople who really intended to buy his merchandise. Daily, consistent use of thiscommanding statement also helped him to make a number of sales that he previouslythoughthehadlost.

Inanother instance, a salesladyused this statement for 15minutes eachday for severalweekswith suchsuccess that shebecame the leading salesperson in theentire store.Shewas honored by her employers for having sold $44,000 worth of merchandise within ashort period.Only three other salespeople (allmen) sold $30,000worth ofmerchandiseduringthesameperiod.Thislady’sdepartmentincludedmostlylower-pricedmerchandise,whichrequiredthatshemakemanymoresalesbycomparisonwithotherdepartmentsales.

Another statement of command that people inmy prosperity classes found especiallypowerfulwas:Everything and everybody prospersme now and I prosper everythingand everybodynow. By the daily, consistent verbal use of this statement, a governmentemployeesoonwasinformedofaninheritancethathadbeenavailable,butunclaimedforseveralyears.Anotherstudent,whousedthisstatementofcommand,becameoneofelevenheirstoinheritagravelpit.Becauseofthenumberofheirs,theamounttoberealizedfromthis inheritance was predicted to be quite small. But as this person continued to dailydeclare, Everything and everybody prospers me now and I prosper everything andeverybodynow,theincomechecksreceivedfromthisgravelpitbeganarrivingmonthlyinsubstantialamounts.Duringthewintermonthswhenthegravelbusinesswassupposedto“slump,”thisstudentreceivedthelargestchecksofall!

CommandYourGoodtoAppear!

There arehundredsof affirmative statements you canuse thatwill commandgood toappear,butdefinitedeclarationsofcommandshouldbeusedtomeetdefiniteneeds.Youshouldnothesitatetousethem.Forinstance,ifyourmoneysupplyisloworifyourpurseseems empty, take it in your hands anddeclare aloud a number of times, (in privacy, ofcourse):IblessyouandblessyoufortherichesofGodthatarenowbeingdemonstratedinandthroughyou.Asyouenjoyyourmeals,itisgoodtothinkstatementsofblessingandappreciation for them, along with the old-fashioned habit of table blessing. When youdress,itisgoodtothinkthoughtsofappreciationandblessingforyourclothing.

Inarecent lectureIgavethefollowingstatementsfordefiniteuses,andwasamazedathow many business people commented on them afterwards, and asked for their exactwording. For the perfect clothes and wardrobe which every prosperous thinker shouldhave: I give thanks that I am beautifully and appropriately clothed with the richsubstanceofGod.Fortheperfect,beautiful,comfortablehome,whetheritbeoneroom,anapartmentorahouse:IgivethanksthatIambeautifullyandappropriatelyhousedwith

therichsubstanceofGod.

Andfortheperfecttransportation,whicheveryprosperousthinkershouldhave:Igivethanks that I ambeautifully and appropriately transportedwith the rich substanceofGod. The ladies especially liked this statement of command: I give thanks for ever-increasinghealth,youthandbeauty.IsupposeImightbeconsideredanextremistonthesubjectofaffirmativestatementsbecauseIhavethemscotch-tapedinvariousspots inmyhome. Some of the neighborhood children have been so fascinatedwith them that theydropbyoccasionallyjusttoseeifIhavechangedthestatements,andtoaskforcopies.Theabovestatementaboutclothesisattachedtomyclosetdoor.Theoneonhealth,youthandbeautyistapedtomymirror.TheoneIkeeptapedonthepantrydooris:IrejoiceinthebountyofGod, constantlymanifestingasover-flowingsupplyhereandnow.Tokeepdownunnecessarytelephonecalls,whichcanbesuchawasteoftime,nearmytelephoneisthis declaration of command: Divine Order is now established and maintained.Harmonyreignssupreme.

Itisgoodtobeginthedaywithaffirmativestatementswhichhelpyoutogaincontrolofyourday.Isuggestthisone:Withpraiseandthanksgiving,IsettherichesofGodbeforeme this day to guide, govern, protect, and prosper me. All things needful are nowprovided. My rich good becomes visible this day! So that you will speak words ofprosperityandsuccesseachday,whichisaformofcommandingittocomeforth,Isuggestthisaffirmation:Mywordsarechargedwithprosperingpower.

Otherfavoritestatementsofcommandinsomeofmyprosperityclasseshavebeen:Forincreased income: I give thanks that my financial income now increases mightilythroughthedirectactionofGod’srichgood.Forthepaymentofbills, indebtednessandfinancialobligations:Igivethanksfortheimmediate,completepaymentofallfinancialobligations, in God’s ownwonderful way. For increased success along all lines: I givethanksthateverydayineverywayIamgrowingricherandricher.

A statement of command that the business people found helpful for harmony in theirhomesandbusinesseswasthis:Lettherebepeacewithinmywallsandprosperitywithinmypalaces.(SeePsalms122:7)

AffirmationsAreHelpfultoYourWork

Arailroademployeetoldmehowheusedstatementsofcommandtohelpinhiswork.Hewas asked to repair a train engine thatnoone elsehadbeen able to adjust.Whenheheard of the various mechanics who had failed to repair this engine, he becameapprehensive.Butthenherememberedtheprosperitylawofcommand.Beforebeginningwork on the train engine, he went aside to a quiet place. From his wallet he took thisstatementandwentoveritanumberoftimes:IamachildoftheLivingGod,thereforeIamonewithHisWisdom.ThatWisdomnowleadsmeinpathsofrighteousness,peace,and true success. As hewas thinking of thesewords and letting them fill hismindwithpeaceandconfidence,anotherrailroademployeepassedthroughtheshopandaskedwhathewasdoing.Herepliedthathewasgoingover“aplan”heintendedtouseinrepairingthetrain engine. Shortly thereafter, he returned to his work and quickly repaired thetroublesometrainengine.Soontheotheremployeeagainapproachedhimandaskedfora

copyof“thatplan”hehadusedwithsuchsuccess!

Apostalemployeewasrequiredtotakeanefficiencytest.Hedecidedtotakecontrolofthe experience rather than to fear it. He declared over and over, Divine IntelligenceknowsallIneedtoknowandDivineIntelligencenowshowsmeallIneedtoknow.Histestprovedthathewasmostefficient,anditwasaneasyexperienceforhim.

Recently a man in New York City used a number of the foregoing statements ofcommand. After reading an article that I had written on the subject, he reported theseresults:AtthetimeIreadoftheaffirmativepowerofcommand,mybusinesswasinastateofgreatuncertainty. ItsoondevelopedthatIwasgoingtohavetomoveoutof therent-freeofficeIhadbeenoccupying.Throughgrace,Ifoundanewandconvenientofficeatareasonablerate.Buttherewasnonewbusinessinsight.ItbecamecleartomethatImusthaveabsolute faith inGodandgoaheadwith the radioproduction I hadbeenplanning,though Ihadnot the faintest ideawhere the capitalwould come from to finance it.Andtherewerepersonalandbusinessdebtstobepaidaswell.

Then, in the subway, on theway towork, I read your article containing a number ofdefiniteaffirmativestatementsonprosperityandsuccess.Ibeganusingalltheaffirmationsinthearticle,andwhenIgottotheofficeIcopiedthemoffandcontinuedusingthem.

ThenextdayIwasledtocallanacquaintanceinthefinancialworldwhohadsuggestedayearbefore(inwhatIhadtakentobeanoffhandremark)thatIcomearoundandseehimsometime.WhenIcalledhim,hewantedtoseemeimmediately.Wehadlunch,andI laidbeforehimmyplansandtoldhimhowmuchmoneyIwouldneed.Heimmediatelyagreedtoallmyproposals,except thatherefused to takeas largea shareof theprofitsas Iwasreadytogivehim;andtheloanIneeded,heinsisted,mustbeinterestfree.

Exactlyaweeklater,ourcharterhavingbeenfiledinAlbany,andacheckreceivedforinitialworkingcapital,Iwassigningstockcertificatesaspresidentofmynewcompany!

Thus,onebusinessman’sproofofthelawofcommand.

AffirmationsProduceSatisfyingResults

Ihaveneverknownapersontoconscientiouslyfollowthemethodofdailyaffirmationand command for even a short timewithout producing satisfying results in his life.NorhaveIeverknownastudenttoreallysucceedifheomittedthedailyuseofverbalandsilentdeclarationsofcommand.OftenIhavemetstudentswhocouldtellmeallaboutthetheoryof successful living, but they were demonstrating little of it. Upon questioning them, Iinvariablyfoundthattheydidnotusethelawofcommand.Manyofthemthoughtitwas“beneaththeirdignity”tosaydefiniteprosperousstatementsanddefinitewordsofsuccessfor15minuteseachday,althoughtheydidnotfinditbeneaththeirdignitytospeakdefinitewordsofhard times, lackand financialdifficulty the restof theday;nordid they find itbeneaththeirdignitytoliveinindebtednessandfinancialembarrassment.

Youcantakeyourchoice,andfollowthehighroadorthelowroadof life.Thelawofprosperouscommandleadsyoutothehighroad,theroyalroadofsuccess.Amindthathasbeensteepedinpovertyandfailurethinkingforyearsneedsdailyhelpinrisingintoricherthoughts,attitudesandexpectations.Oftenittakesspecialmethodstobringresults inthe

faceofextremecircumstances.Ifsayingdefinitewordsofsuccessandprosperityseemsanunusualmethod, then sobe it.Butgoaheadand try it, if youwish to change the tideofyourthinkingfrompovertyandfailuretoprosperityandsuccess.

Inthemidstofextraordinaryexperiences,youwilloftenfinditnecessarytoexertalittleadded effort to produce satisfactory results. Jacob found it necessary towrestlewith theangeluntilthebreakofday,oruntilthebreakingforthofgoodinthesituation,inordertoobtainhisblessing.Sometimesyouwillfinditnecessarytodolikewise.

AffirmationsCanSolveYourProblems

Dr.EmilieCady,formerlyaphysicianinNewYorkCity,haswrittenthatwhenshefacedextremesituations,shealwaysstruckoutandusedtheboldest,mostdaringstatementsofcommand she could thinkof.Onlyafter she tookcommanddid she find relief fromherproblems.

In one instance the statement of command which she used to be freed of the strongpersonalityofanotherwhohadtormentedherwas:Thereisnopersonalitysuchasthis intheuniverse.ThereisnothingbutGod.Inanotherinstance,shehadasprainedanklethatwasbadlyswollenandpainful.Finallysheshutherselfupintheprivacyofherownroomandaffirmedoverandover:ThereisonlyGod.Allseemingelseisalie.Immediatelythepainandswellingsubsided,andherhealingcamequickly.

Atonepoint,shehadbeentryingfortwoyearstoprovethatGodwasthesourceofhersupply, regardless of her patients’ financial response to her treatment. In prayer it wasfinally revealed toher that shehadnotused the lawof command; shehadnotmade thepositive assertion of prosperity. She then began affirming, It is done. God is nowmanifestedasmysupply.Shewritesthatthisthoughtprovedtobeherdeliverancefrompoverty, and thatnever again did she have a financial need thatwas notmet. (Dr.CadyrecordstheseexperiencesinherbookHOWIUSEDTRUTH,publishedbyUnitySchoolofChristianity.)

Mere knowing about the power of prosperous thinking isn’t enough. Youmust put itintoaction.Thedaily,verbaluseofpositivestatementshelpsyoutodothat.

AffirmationsCanWorkWonders

Recentlyaprospectivemotheraskedforapositivestatementofcommandtousewhenshewentintothedeliveryroom.Thoughshedidnotanticipatedifficultiesingivingbirthtoherchild, itwaspossible,sinceshewas40yearsoldandhadnothadababy inseveralyears.Thestatementofcommandgiventoherwasthis:Godinthemidstofmeismightyinlife,healthandstrength.InjoyandwitheaseIbringforthmyperfectchild.Overandovershedeclaredthesewordswhentheactivityofbirthbegan.Shewaspleasedtodiscoverthat though there was the usual activity which accompanies childbirth, there waspracticallynopain.

Thenalittlelaterthedoctordeclaredthatshewouldnotgivebirthintheusualway,butthat the position of the babymade it necessary for a breech birth. Instead of becoming

fearful,thismothercontinuedtoaffirmoverandover:Godinthemidstofmeismightyinlife,healthandstrength.InjoyandwitheaseIbringforthmyperfectchild.A littlelaterthedoctordeclared,“Wemustwaitafewminutes.Itseemsthatthebabyischangingitspositionandthatperhapsyouwillgivebirthinthenormalway,afterall.”Andshedid,normallyandalmostpainlessly.

Mostofushavebeenhumanpygmieswhenwemighthavebeenspiritualgiants,hadwedaredtocommandGod’sgoodtomanifestasHeempoweredustodo,asstatedinthefirstbookoftheBible.Dr.LewisL.Dunnington,aMethodistminister,hasdescribedthelawofcommand as the “great affirmations that work such wonders in human lives.” (In theforewordofhisbook“THEINNERSPLENDOR,”publishedbytheMacmillanCo.,N.Y.)

Healsorelateshowhediscoveredsomeyearsagothatthemostpoised, integratedandwell-balanced people in his congregation were those who were using the affirmativeapproachtolife.Dr.Dunningtonstatesthatmanyinhiscongregationwereconvincedthattheyreceivedmoreconcretehelpfromtheuseofgreataffirmationsoffaiththanfromanyothertechnique.Learningoftheirsuccess,hetooinvestigatedthepowerofaffirmationandbegan using it. He writes that after he began applying the technique of affirmationconsistently,hiscongregationgrewfrom400tomorethan2,000.Icanreadilyunderstandwhy thiswould happen because I discovered,while in the businessworld and later as aminister, that themasses today are lonely–lonely for a spiritualwayof life that isn’t justtheory and doctrine, but one thatworks to produce health, harmony and abundance intheirlives.

JoininAffirmingWithAnother

Itisgoodtohaveatleastoneotherpersonusethepowerofaffirmativecommandwithyou, especially when situations do not seem to respond immediately to your owncommands.Besure,ofcourse,thatitissomeonethatisinagreementwithyou,withwhatyouaretryingtoaccomplish,andthatthatpersonalsobelievesinthissuccesstechnique. Ioftenaskedmembersofthechurchstafftousethelawofcommandwithmeaboutvarioussituations.MysecretaryandIaffirmedoftenfortheperfectresultsofourworkday:Thisisatimeofdivinecompletion.Thefinishedworksofdivineloveandwisdomappearthisday.

OftenthebookkeeperandIaffirmedforthefinancialministry:Thisisatimeofdivinecompletion.Thefinishedresultsofdivinesubstanceandsupplynowappear.Oftenthechurchboardmembersunitedwithmeinaffirmingfortheentireministry:God’skingdomis come and God’s supreme good will is now done in every phase of this ministry.Alwaysourperiodsofaffirmativecommandbroughtsatisfyingresults.

WriteOutYourAffirmation

Perhapsyouareinasituationwherethereseemslittleprivacyforverbaluseofthe lawofcommand.Inthatevent,writeoutyouraffirmationsoverandoveragain.Asuccessfulbusinessman,lecturerandwriteroncetoldmehowhehadhandledsuchasituationyearsagoafterhe learnedof the lawofcommand.Hewasdoingwork thatgreatly dissatisfied

him.Hewishedtoexpandintootherfields,toreceivegreatercompensation,andtobefreetowrite, lectureandtravel inconnectionwithhiswork.Furthermore,at thetimehewasverythinandinpoorhealth.Hishomelifewasinharmoniousanddissatisfying,too.Indeed,every phase of this man’s world needed uplifting. He was convinced that the law ofcommandcouldchangeallthis,butbecausehisfamilywasnotinterestedintryingsucha“newfangledidea,”herealizeditwouldbenecessarytomakehisaffirmationssilently.

Sincehefelt thatthiswouldnotbecompletelysuccessful,hehitonthe ideaofwritingthemout.Quietlyeachnighthewouldretiretohisroomwithsharpenedpencilsandsheetsof paper.There hewouldwrite out one statement,withwhich hewished to impress hismind, hundreds of times. He wrote statements concerning his health, wealth, andhappiness. At the conclusion of one day that had seemed unusually hectic, he wrote anaffirmationhundredsof timesconcerningtheperfectsolutiontoabusinessdisagreementthat had arisen between him and his business partner. Over and over he wrote: Thissituationdoesnotdismayme,forGod,theverySpiritofLoveandWisdom,iswithmetoupholdandsustainme,andtomakeallthingsright. I trusteverything inmylife tothe tender care of the Father, because I know His Will for me is health, happiness,prosperity,spiritualunfoldmentandallthatisgood.

Ashewenttosleepthatnight,hesilentlyaffirmedoverandover,Nothingbutgoodcancomeintomylife,forGodisincharge.

Thenextmorning,veryearly,hisbusinesspartnertelephonedtosaythathewishedtobuyout thisman’sportionof thebusiness.They thenamicably agreedupona saleprice.The transaction was quickly concluded, and this man was then free to begin building abetterlifeforhimselfandhisfamily.Hishealthsoonimproved,ashebegantogainweight,and later he even had to diet. Hiswife foundwork similar to that she had done beforemarriage; as she resumedworkingwith her husband’s consent, the new activity led to asense of freedom, fulfillment and harmony between them. Through hiswriting, lecturesandfinancialtransactions,manyothersarebeingblessedwithhealth,wealthandhappiness.Itallbeganwhenhedaredeachnighttowriteouthundredsoftimessomesimplewordsasto how he wished things to be, rather than fretting about how they appeared at themoment.

AffirmYourWaytoHealth

Recentlyafriendrelatedtomehowthepowerofaffirmativecommandshadhelpedhertoregainherhealth.Itseemsthatshehadundergoneaveryseriousoperation,afterwhichherdoctor informedherandherhusband that shewouldprobably liveonlyabout threemonths.However,herhusbandknewhowsensitive thebody is to thepowerof thought,andhowitrespondspositivelyornegativelytoone’sattitudesaboutit.

Whenshereturnedhome,hesaidtoher,“Youheardthethree-monthdiagnosis.Youcanaccept it anddie,oryoucan reject it and live.But if youwant to live, youmust do twothings:First,youmuststoptalkingaboutyouroperationandhospitalexperience.Itisover;forget it. Second, you must think about Me, affirm Me, and expect to live.” He thensuggested that she affirmdaily:Let divine healthmanifest forme and inmenow. Shebeganusingthesesimplewordsofcommanduntilitbecameasubconscioushabitwithher

to think themmany times a day.When friends or neighbors came to call, her husbandalwayssaid,“Wearenotdiscussingheroperationorhospitalexperience.Thatisover.Sheisenjoyinggoodhealthnow.”Thatwas22yearsago.Thatladytoldmeshehasneverhadanothersickdaysincethattime!

Perhaps you wonder why I write about healing in a book on prosperity. The word“prosper”meanstothriveorsucceedinanygivengoalordesiredobjective.WhenIwriteaboutprosperity, Iwriteof thedesire forwholeness andbalance inone’s life andaffairs.Truly, Me is worth little without health or the ability to produce it. Psychosomaticmedicine,aswellaspsychologyandpsychiatry,allagreeontheremarkablepowerwhichthemindhasoverthebodyforillnessorforhealth.

AffirmationsFascinateandInspire

Thewholeworlddesiresandisfascinatedbytheprosperitylawofcommand.Recentlywhen I spoke toagroupof college students, I showed them thevarious typesofprintedstatementsofcommandwhichspiritualcounselorsgivetopeoplewhocomeforspiritualhelp in solving their problems. I showed this college group perhaps a dozen differentaffirmativestatements,explainingthateachstatementappliedtospecifictypesofsituationsandproblems.

At the close of my lecture, I left the affirmative statements on the lecture table andinvited the students to inspect themmore carefully, and to take themwith them if theywished.Iwasastonishedhowfastthosestudentsrushedforthafterthelectureandpickedupeveryaffirmation!Whenonestudentmentionedhowconcernedshewasabout aquizthatafternoon,Iofferedheranaffirmationtouse.

All of the other students who had attended the lecture remained and wrote out theaffirmation, too. It was: “I am letting divine intelligence think through me, I know. Iremember.Iunderstand.Iexpressmyselfperfectly.

A businessman once came to me to discuss the various ways that affirmations havehelped in his life and affairs. He declared: I think the power of affirmation has literallysavedmylife.SixmonthsagoIwascontemplatingsuicidewhenIfoundmywaytooneofyourlecturesandfirstheardofthepowerofcommand.Itsoundedtoogoodtobetrue,butbeingindesperatecircumstancesfinanciallyaswellasinmymarriage,Idecidedtotrytheaffirmativeway–afterall,whatcouldIlose?Today,Iamontopoftheworldagain,thankstoaffirmations.Itreallyworks!OnlyafewweeksagoImetanoldfriendwhoseemedaslowasIhadfeltsixmonthsago.Hesaid,“Youknow,Idon’tseehowIcangoon.Suicideseemstheonlywayoutforme.NowifIhadyourhappy,optimistic,victoriousoutlookonlife,howhappyIwouldbe.”

Ireplied:AfewmonthsagoIalmostdidwhatyou’retalkingabout,butI learnedabouttheaffirmativewayofthinkingandacting.ItpulledmeupbymybootstrapsandnowIamon the road to success again. I thengavemydepressed friend someprinted affirmationsthathadhelpedhimtoachievesuccess.Thoughtheywereslightlyfrayedaroundtheedgesfrommuchuse,thefriendseemedgratefulforthem.RecentlyIagainmetmyfriendwhosaid, “Thanks for those statements.Theypulledmeupby thebootstraps, too. I don’t see

howafewwordscanchangeafellow’swholelife,buttheycertainlyhavechangedmine.”

YoucanhaveanyofGod’srichgoodforwhichyouarewillingtopaythepriceofdailyaffirmation and command. There is no easier ormore delightful way of changing yourthinkingandgettingontheroyalroadtosuccess.You,indeed,becomewhatyouwanttobebyaffirmingthatyoualreadyare!Isuggestthatyoumakethisthelastphaseofathree-stepformulaforprosperity:First,dailywriteoutyournotesofdesiredgood.Second,mentallyimage the successful results. Third, boldly and deliberately affirm and command thosesuccessfulresults toappear. Ifyoupersistdaily infollowingthesethreesimplesteps,youwillnotbeabletostopthefloodtideofyourgoodfromoverflowingyourlife!

ChapterSeven

TheProsperityLawofIncrease

The time has now come to relax and enjoy what you have already learned in theprevious chapters. Indeed, the time has come to act as though you are a full-fledged“prosperous thinker,”because by the time youhave gotten to this chapter, you are trulybeginningtobe!Andyouarenowreadyfortheprosperitylawofincrease.Theuseofthelaw of increase is easy and pleasant. It consists first in establishing and maintaining anattitudeofrichincreasetowardeverythingandeverybody.Inotherwords, letyourmainthoughtwhenthinkingofyourselfandothersbethethoughtofriches,prosperity,successandvictoriousgood.Justbythinkingofyourselfandothersasrich,successful,prosperousandvictorious,youhelpmakeitso.Asyoucontactothersbymail,telephoneandinperson,letyourthoughtaboutthembeoneof increasedgood. Justbygivingthemthebenefitofyour rich thoughts is agiant step inhelping them tobecome thatway.Theymaynotbeconsciouslyawareofyourprosperous thinkingabout them,but theywill subconsciouslyreceiveandberichlyblessed.Oftentheywillrespondtoyouinsomerichandhappyway!

ThoughtofIncreaseTurnstheTide

I do not believe that jail is quite the proper place for a prosperous thinker but,nevertheless, amanwhoonce foundhimself imprisoneddecided tomake thebestof thesituation. After he was made a “trusty” in the jail, he was allowed to make occasionaltelephone calls and sometimes hewould telephoneme, reporting his progress. Once hecalledveryexcitedly,declaringthatforsometimethemainofficeofthejailhadneededtobeair-conditioned.Hehadvisualized,affirmedandgiventhanksthatitwouldbe,sincethepeopleworking therehadbeenkind tohimandhewished to see themcomfortable andhappy.He said that at last the office had received air-conditioning; and that if no othergoodcameoutofhisjailexperience,atleasthefeltthatthisincreasedgoodfortheofficeforcewasanindicationofhowprosperousthinkingcouldbringhappyresults.

How quickly affairs change for people after they begin thinking prosperously aboutthemselves and others! A woman who had been married 18 years began to apply theprosperitylawofincreaseinherworld.Shereceivedaletterfromamanshehadworkedfor prior to hermarriage. He declared that when shemarried, he had been in financialstraitsandhadnotbeenabletogiveheradecentweddinggift.Nowthathewassuccessfulhedecided the timehadcome todosomethingabout thematter.He toldher thataniceweddinggiftwasbeingmailedherandherbridegroomof18years!

Awoman inapoor sectionof the cityheardaboutprosperous thinking, andbegan togiveherneighborsthebenefitofthethoughtofincreaseaswellasherself.Inafewdaysacheckcame in themail for$125,whichseemeda tremendous sumtoher. Itwas fromaninsurancecompany,whichexplained that itwasabalancedueher fromtheestateofhersisterwhohaddiedeightyearspreviously.

Abusinessmanwhoknowsthelawofincreaseusesitconstantlyinhisworkasacreditmanager to collect accounts owed his company. Little wonder that last year he led incollections for the entire company, which has offices all over the South. One customerowed his company thousands of dollars, which no one had been able to collect. Theaccount was so large that one of the company’s officials came from the home office inanotherstatetoinvestigatethecollectionofthisaccount.

Thecreditmanagerstatedtothecompanyofficialbeforetheyvisitedthecustomer,“Theonlywaywewill ever collect all thismoney is by being kind, courteous and positive intalkingwithhim.We’vegottorestorehisfaithinhimself;we’vegottoshowhimthatwebelieve hewill soon be able to pay this amount in full.We’ve got to use the thought ofincreaseonhim.Criticismwillgetusnowhere.”Thus,whentheytalkedwiththiscustomer,theyspokeoftheirfaithinhimandtheirbeliefthathecouldandwouldpaythedebthehadcontractedingoodfaith.Severaldayslater,thiscustomerrushedintothecreditmanager’sofficewithhis first paymenton his account, aftermonths of non-payment.He declared,“Theothermorningwhenyouwalkedintomyoffice,Iwasfeelingsolowandsuchafailureinmybusinessaffairs,thatifyouhadcriticizedme,Iwouldhaveimmediatelygivenupandgonetomy lawyer’sofficeanddeclaredbankruptcy.Butyouwere sokind tomeandsopositiveinyourfaiththatmybusinesscouldbesaved,itgavemethecouragetobelieveit,too.Andalready,theturningpointhascome!”

YouAlwaysUsetheLawofIncreaseorDecrease

All people are seeking an increase in food, clothes, better homes, more beauty,knowledge, leisure, pleasure, luxury, more satisfaction in their work, more increase ofgood in everything. And rightly so, for it is a divine desire. Thus, the normal desire forincreasedgoodshouldnotbecondemnedorsuppressed. It isdivine,andcanbe lifted todivinelevelsofexpressionthroughthespirituallawsofprosperousthinking.

Howwonderfultousethelawofincreaseratherthanthenegativelawofdecrease.Oftenwhenpeoplecriticize,condemnandbelittleothers,theydonotrealizethatthroughthelawofmindaction,theyareaskingforthesamethingstohappentothem.Neverwasteyourtime giving yourself or others the thought of decrease. Like bread cast upon the water,what you send out comes back to you multiplied, and it will produce correspondingexperiencesinyourownlife.

During a steel strike, two professional men proved the law of increase. One, achiropractor, refused to talk hard times or listen to such talk from his patients. Eventhoughhisofficeandmuchofhispracticewas locatedinthestrikeareanotfarfromthesteelmills,heconstantly talked increase,prosperityandsuccess.Onenightheattendedamonthly meeting of the local chiropractors association, and most of the men presentdescribed what a tough time they were having in their practice “because of the strike.”

Finally,someoneaskedhimabouthispracticeandheamazedthegroupbyreplying,“Mypracticehasneverbeenbetter.Irefusetotalkofhardtimesduringasteelstrikeoratanyother time. I have found that the power of prosperous thinking can change all that.” Alawyer in the strike area also used the law of increase during this same period. Hisassociatesinthelegalprofessionwereconstantlydeclaringhowbadbusinesswasandthattheir practice was off. This man decided that to avoid falling into that limited state ofthought,hehadbetterbefirminhisthinking.

Onenight inhisprayersessionhesaid, “Lord, Ibelieve thatYouaremyshepherdandthatIneednotwant. Iknowthosesteelmillshavebeenmymainclients,butIalsoknowthatYouhavemanyequallyprosperousclientswhoneedmylegalhelp.IamtrustingYoutoprovidenewprosperousclientswhomImayserve.”

Atthistimehehadfourbigcorporationclientswhowerehislargestchannelsofincome.Soon three of these corporation clients were giving himmore business that brought inadditionalincome.Severalothercorporationclientsprovidedhimwithmorelegalbusinessthanthesteelmillseverhad!Thus,hewasrichlyprovidedforduringaperiodwhenmosteveryonewastalkingthelawofdecreaseandgettingthatresult.

InvoketheLawofIncreaseinSimpleWays

Youcan invoke the lawof increase inanumberof simpleways:Youshouldspeak thelawofincreaseaboutyourselfandothersboldyandpositively.Youshouldlookandactoutthe law of increase. You should write out notes of increase and image and affirm richincrease It wasNehemiah of the Bible who used the law of increase to get the walls ofJerusalemrebuiltaftertheJewsreturnedfromBabylonia.Cup-bearertotheKingofPersia,Nehemiah secured from the King the materials and manpower to rebuild the walls ofJerusalem,buthesoondiscoveredthathostiletribeshadoccupiedJerusalemwhiletheJewswere inexile. Itwasnecessary forNehemiah toorganize twocrewsofworkmen,one tobuildthewallsofJerusalemandonetofightofftheenemytribes.Thewallswererebuiltin52days,afterNehemiahaffirmed,TheGodofheaven,Hewillprosperus.(Nehemiah2:20)

Oftenwehaveusedthe lawofdecreaserather thanthe lawof increase,andhaveonlydelayed our prosperity.We have been like the Children of Israel who remained on theborderofthePromisedLandfor40years,whentheymighthavegoneforthintothelandreportedly“flowingwithmilkandhoney.”PerhapsJoshuaandCalebaretwoofthemostprosperousthinkersoftheBible.OfthetwelvemessengerswhomMosessentintoinspectthePromisedLand, theywere theonly twowhoreturnedwithproofof its riches, in theformofanenormousbunchofgrapes.Whentheothermessengersreportedthatthelandwas rich, but inhabitedbywarlike tribes, Joshua andCaleb confidently added the law ofincreasetothesituationbydeclaring,Letusgoupatonceandpossessit;forwearewellabletoovercomeit.(Numbers13:30)

But themajoritywere against this plan, and theHebrews remained in thewilderness.Yearslater,whentheyfinallydidgointothePromisedLand,theydiscoveredthosewarliketribeswerenotasbigasgiants,aspreviouslyreported,andtheydiscoveredthatthepeopleofJerichohadbeenasafraidofthemastheyhadbeenofthepeopleofJericho.

ThesepeoplehadseenthesmokefromtheircampfiresacrosstheJordanRiver,andhadfearedtheremustbehundredsofthousandsofthem,ratherthanonlyabout40thousand.Thus, theHebrewsdiscovered that thepeople they fearedwere afraidof them.Throughtheir hesitation to go in and claim their good, theyhadonlyprolonged their stay in thewilderness. Eventually they had to face the situation and master it anyway. The sameapplies to eachof us. If youuse the lawof decrease and limit your good, you are neversatisfiedwiththelimitedresult.Eventuallyyouhavetobeginapplyingthelawofincreaseanyway.Sowhynotdoitinthebeginning,andgetonintoyourPromisedLandofgreatergood,ratherthanremaininginthewildernessofwant,lackandprivation?

GiveOthersThoughtofIncrease

Youshouldconveytheimpressionofincreasewitheverythingyoudo,sothatallpeoplewill receive that rich impression.Whenwriting, telephoning, thinking about ormeetingothers, give your family, social acquaintances, business acquaintances, friends, worldleaders,allpeoplethethoughtofincreasedgood.Declareforthem:IblessyouwitharichincreaseofGod’sAlmightyGood.Speakboldwordsoffaith,confidenceandincreasetothemdirectlyaswell.Justafewwordscanworkwondersforanother.

AretiredArmyofficerrecentlysaidtome,“You’llneverknowhowmuchyouhelpedmeseveral years agowhen Iwas feeling low andwas actually on the brink of suicide. Yourwordsturnedthetideofmythinkingandofmylife.”WhenIthoughtback,Irealizedthattheonly thing Ihad said to thatmanwas, “Youaren’t tooold tobegin life anew.You’vebeenasuccessinthepastandyoucanbeasuccessagain.Takeanewleaseonlife,becauseyouhavewhat it takes to succeed.” Speakwordsof increased good to others often.Youmayneverknowhowmuchitmeans,buttheresultswillshowforth.

When speaking of someone, speak in terms of their success only. If you know ofsomeonewhohasbeenmakingacomebackfrompastmistakes,contributetohisunfoldingsuccessbyignoringhispastandemphasizingonlyhispresentgood.Notonlywillyouaddto his increased good, but you can be assured the skeletons in your own closet will berattledless.

GiveYourselfThoughtofIncrease

Give yourself an equal thought of increase. You can do it just by feeling that you arebecomingmoresuccessfulandthatyouarehelpingotherstodoso.Youreveryact, toneand look should express a quiet, rich assurance of success.Words to convince others ofyoursuccessarenotsonecessarywhenyouget thefeelingofrichness implanted inyourmental atmosphere. It is then radiated from you and subconsciously communicated toothers.Theywillwanttobeassociatedwithyouinbusinesstransactionsandotherwise,forthey are subconsciously and consciouslybenefitedby the feelingof richness, success andprosperitythatyouradiate.

Just by quietlyworking to get the feeling of richness, success andprosperity, youwilldrawtoyouprosperous-mindedpeopleyouhaveneverseenbeforewhowillbecomeyourcustomers, business associates and friends. People unconsciously go where there is an

atmosphere of increase. It is thus that business expands rapidly, andmany rich blessingsflowforth.Asyougivethethoughtofincreasetoothersandentertainitquietlyinthedeeprecessesofyourownmind,othersareattractedtoyouandautomaticallyprosperyou.

Dare to invoke the lawof increase ineveryway it reveals itself toyou,both largeandsmall.Ahousewiferecentlyspokeofhowshehelpedtopullherhusbandoutofafinancialslumpbysayingtohimeverydaywhenhereturnedhomefromwork,“Now,tellme,dear,everygoodthingthathappenedtoday.”Theywerebothsurprisedtoseehowmuchgoodcametopassandhowmuchtheyhadtobethankfulfor.Thewholetideoftheirthinkingturned from failure to success. Anything you can say to help yourself or others get thefeelingofprosperityisworththetimeandeffort.

AvoidHardTimesTalk

Donotthink,talkoractanywaybutprosperously.Donotallowotherstotalktoyouinanywaybutprosperously.Donotreadanythingortakeseriouslyanythingthatisprintedorsaidthatseemscontrarytoprosperousthinking.Ifyoumixupyourtrendof thought,you set up cross-currents that neutralize your efforts for prosperity. In order to bepermanentlyprosperous,daretobedifferent!

Youshouldnotbecomeupsetwhenpeopletalkhardtimes.Neithershouldyoujoinintheirsadchorusunlessyouwanttoexperiencehardtimesyourself.Instead,declareintheface of apparent hard times:Divine restoration is taking place. The good which thelocusts of lack have eaten is being divinely restored. The divine law of balance andequilibrium is doing its perfect work. The law of divine adjustment and balance is auniversal law, and you can help that balancing factor work for good through yourprosperousstateofmind.Thiscanbeatimeofrichblessingsandgreatprosperityforyou,because,asthesalesmandeclared,“There’sgolddustintheair!”

Asaleswomanrecentlypointedoutwhathardtimes talkcando.Shespokeofa fellowemployeewhoconstantlytalkedlack,recession,hardtimes.Understandably,thisemployeewasnotmakingherquotaofsales.Insteadofthinkingofprosperity,shewasspendingherlunch hour roaming about town, talking with other failure-minded people. When shereturnedtohersalesjobafterluncheachday,shealwayssaidthesamething,“I’vebeeninstoresallover town.Business is terrible.Nobody is sellinga thing!”Theresult?Well, thewomantowhomshesooftensaidthesethingsrefusedtoaccepttheseideasofhardtimes,forsheknewthepowerofprosperousthinking.Assheinvokedit,hersalesremainedhighandhercommissionchecksappearedregularly.Butthewomandoingallthe“hardtimes”talkgotanunwantedresult.Onedaythemanagerofthestorecalledherinandplacedheron part-time work, although she wanted to work full time. You can and do producetangibleresultswithyourattitudes.Thisladyproveditbutinthewrongdirection.

ThinkUponPlentyIdeas

CharlesFillmoreshowedushowtousethelawofincreasewhenthoseaboutusmaybeusing the lawof decrease:The spiritual substance fromwhich comes all visiblewealth isneverdepleted. It isrightwithyouall the timeandrespondstoyourfaith in it andyour

demands upon it. It is not affected by our ignorant talk of hard times, though we areaffected because our thoughts and words govern our demonstration. The unfailingresource is always ready to give. Pour your living words of faith into the omnipresentethersandyouwillbeprosperedthoughallthebanksintheworldclosetheirdoors.Turnthegreatenergyofyourthinkingupon“plenty”ideasandyouwillhaveplentyregardlessofwhatmenaboutyouaresayingordoing.

A businessman recently said to a banker, who was trying to talk hard times to him,“There’s plenty ofmoney in theworld; there’s plenty ofwealth; and there are plenty ofwealthyresources tobedevelopedand tapped. I refuse tobelieve inanythingbutwealthandprosperityformyself,foryou,forallmankind.”Thebankershookhisheadandsaid,“YouarethemostoptimisticpersonIknow.”Hethenproceededtolendthisbusinessmanasizableamountofmoney,withwhichthismanprovedthatthereiswealthandprosperityforanyonewhothinksprosperously,andwhouseswordsexpectingprosperity.

Conserve and rightly use the substance of your being for prosperity by concentratingyour thoughts, feelings; relationships and activities on prosperity, not failure or lack.Expect to become prosperous; start thinking and speaking in those terms and no other.Remind yourself often that scattered, idle thoughts, words and expectations bringscattered,idle,poverty-strickenresults.Hitchyourmentalimageofprosperitytotherichstarofsuccess,andkeepitthere.

OvercomeDiscouragementandDisappointment

Whenyouaretemptedtobecomediscouragedinyoureffortstowardgreaterprosperity,remindyourself that to thinkaccording to thegeneralbeliefsof thehumanrace iseasy–and useless. But to think prosperously in spite of appearances to the contrary is wortheveryeffort,becauseitproducesrichresults.Oneeditorhasoftensaidtome,“Remember,Catherine,themajorityisalwayswrong!”

Another way to invoke the law of increase, and thus to avoid the pettiness anddestructivenessofthelawofdecrease,isbytrainingyourmindnevertobedisappointed.Ifcertain things do not come at certain expected times in the way you wished, do notconsideritafailure.Sinceyouhavenotreceivedthatthing,youcaninsteadstandfirminthefaiththatsomethingmuchbetterisonthewayandwillappearattherighttime.Whenyouseemtofail,remindyourselfthatitisbecauseyouhavenotaskedbigenough.Expandyourviewpoint andexpectation, anda largeranswer thanyouoriginally anticipatedwillsurelycome.Failureisnothingbutsuccesstryingtobeborninabiggerway.Mostseemingfailuresarejustinstallmentstowardvictory!

AvoidHurry

Asyouinvokethelawofincrease,rememberthatthereisnohurry,forceorpushontheprosperousplaneof life,and there isno lackofopportunity.Doall thatyoucando inasuccessfulmannereveryday,butdoitascalmlyaspossiblewithoutunduehaste,worryorfear.Goasfastasyoucan,butdonothurry.Themomentyoubegintohurry,youceasetobe prosperous in your thinking and become fearful, which is the prologue to failure.

Whenever you find yourself hurrying along trying to force a result, call a halt. Fix yourattentiononthementalimageofthethingyouareworkingtoward,andthenbegintogivethanksyouarereceivingitandaccomplishingitinGod’sownwonderfulway.

AsalesladyIknowsaysthatwhenshegetsthefeelingthatshehas“somuchtodo,”shedoesnothing.Instead,shegoesoffforalittlewhiletorelax,haveacupofcoffeeandregainherequilibrium,afterwhichshecanusuallyaccomplishtwiceasmuchinhalfthetime.

“But,”youmayobject,“howcanIdothiswhenIamlivinginthemidstofpeoplewhodonotknowthese lawsofprosperous thinking,andwhoareconstantly trying torushme?”WhenIworkedasasecretaryinthebusinessworld,Iknewwhatitwasliketobeinsuchasituation.ButIalsodiscoveredthatonepersonwhousesthepowerofprosperousthinkinghasmorecontrolofasituationthanawholearmyofhurried,harriedpeoplewhoscattertheirpower in futile rushingaround.At such timesmentallydeclare,Peace, be still, andobservetheatmospherearoundyoucalmdowntoareasonablepace.

FreeYourselfFromPettyThinking

Donotwaste timeholdinggrudges,even toward thosewhohave treatedyouunjustly.Youwillmeetsuchpeoplealongtheway,asyourisetowardsuccess.Otherswhoarenotmakingthegradewill trytoholdyoudowntotheirmediocre level,buttheycan’t ifyourefuse to be bothered by what they say or do. Nobody can keep your success andprosperityfromyoubutyourself.

If somepeople seem to tryandeven to succeed todissuadeyou fora time, rememberthatsuccesshasendlessdoorsreadytoopentoyou,endlesswaysandmeansofprovidingyourgood.Ifonedoorcloses,justknowtherearebiggerandbetterdoorstryingtoopen.Don’tgetjammedinthehalf-closeddoor.Letitclose.Bereadyforthenewdoorsthatwishtoopenallthewayforyou.

Youcanalsofreeyourselfofpettythinkinginregardtoothers’successandfreeyourselffromtheirpettythinkingbydeclaring:Refusing tocriticizeanother’sprosperity, I turntoGod,askHisDirectionandIamprospered.Inlikemanner,othersrefusetocriticizemyprosperity.Instead,theyturntoGod,askHisDirectionandthey,too,areprospered.Thereisplentyofsuccessandprosperityforall.

Neverbecomedisappointed,discouragedorupsetbywhatotherssayordoinanefforttoholdyoudownor takeyourgood fromyou,asyoubegin to rise throughprosperousthinking. In the long run, they cannot hurt you, only themselves. Instead, feel flatteredwhenpeopletrytoholdyoudownor“downyou”inanyway.It’sasuresignthatatlastyouaresucceedingandthatothersrealizeit.Atsuchtimes,takeadeepbreath,givethanksthatyour success is now manifesting, and consider it a compliment that others bother tocriticize or try to pull you down. There is doubtless something about you they secretlyadmire and feel is lacking in themselves; otherwise, theywould not feel the lack keenlyenoughtoresentfindingitsoppositeinyou.

MaketheLawofIncreaseYourNewFrontier

Allof thesemethods andattitudes are apartof theprosperity lawof increase.Asyouthinkvitallyaboutthisfascinatinglaw,itwillrevealitsown“waysandmeans”ofexpressiontoyoufurther,inregardtoyourownindividualcircumstances.

I suggest you begin invoking the law of increase fully with these ideas: I am nowexperiencing perfect health, abundant prosperity and complete and utter happiness.Thisistruebecausetheworldisfullofcharmingpeoplewhonowlovinglyhelpmeineveryway.Iamnowcomeintoaninnumerablecompanyofangels.Iamnowlivingadelightful,interestingandsatisfyinglifeofthemostwidelyusefulkind.Becauseofmyown increased health, wealth and happiness, I am now able to help others live adelightful, interestingandsatisfying lifeof themostwidelyusefulkind.Mygood–ourgood–isuniversal.

Yourgoodiscreatedasfastasyourgoodwordsareuttered!Daretobegininvokingthelawofincreaseinthepracticalwaysmentionedherein.Asyoudo,yourthoughts,prayers,wordsandexpectationsof increasedgoodshallcircle theglobeandmayevenreach into“outerspace.”Indeed,youshallbecomeapartofthe“newfrontier”foruniversalgoodthatisnowspanningthisplanet!

ChapterEight

ProsperousAttitudes

Recentlyafriendsentmeacomicpostcardwhichread,“Richorpoor,it’sgoodtohavemoney!” I’m sure most of us would agree. All sorts of wonderful things are beingwrittenaboutmoney,andofourpotentialforhavingandenjoyingmoreofit.Forinstance,ithasbeenpredicted thatournational economycanbe 50percent richerby 1970,whichsurelyreflectspossibilitiesforincreaseinourindividualprosperity.

It has also been pointed out recently thatmore fortunes have beenmade sinceWorldWar II than in any comparable period. Fortunes are still being made, according to thefiguresoftheInternalRevenueService.Onewriterrecentlydeclared,“Youcanstillmakeamillion!” Another boldly stated, “Your chances of making a million are better than youthink.”

Asyoustudythelivesandexperiencesofprosperous-mindedpeople,youwillfindthatthey have a friendly attitude toward money. Whereas, you will discover that the moregeneralattitudeisthatthere’ssomethingwrongwithhavingmoneyandbeingprosperous.

SomemonthsagoIwasguestspeakerataclub luncheonatwhichahospitalexecutivewasgivenachecktoaidinfurnishinganewwingofhishospital.Inresponsetoreceivingthe check, this executive declared, “It isn’t themoney that is so important. It is the clubmembers’loveandinterestinthisnewhospitalwingthatreallycounts.”

SomehowIwonderedifherealizedwhathewasreallysaying,becausemyfirstreaction(which I suspect was the silent reaction of a number of others) was, “If the money isn’timportant,whyisthismanhere?Heisaveryfineandbusyexecutive,andIwonder ifhewouldhavecometolunchwiththeseladieshadtheymerelysenthimwordthattheywereimpressedwithhishospitalexpansionprogram.”Surelythismanwastaughtasachildwhatmanyofuswereerroneouslytaught–todislikemoney.

Ifyoulistencloselytotheconversationsofpeopleaboutyou,youwilldiscoverthatthisisageneralattitude.Peopleoftendiscounttheimportanceofmoneyinonebreath,andyettheyadmit that theyareworkingveryhard toget it in thenext.Theydonot realize thecross-currenttheyaresettingupintheirthinking,whichinturnvoidsmostoftheirefforts.Throughsuchcrossed-upthinkingaboutmoney,theyareworkingatcross-purposes,andoftentheywillexperienceacrossed-upresult.

MoneyIsDivine

I shall never forget the first time that, as a minister, I lectured on the importance ofmoneyforsuccessfulliving.WhenIdeclaredthatmoneyiswonderfulbecauseitisdivinesubstance;thatmoneyisgoodwhenrightlyused,aladysittingonthefrontrowgaspedandalmostfelloutofherchair.WhenIstated,“moneyisdivine,becausemoneyisGod’sgoodin expression,” she almost passed out. She had come to this lecture because she wasinterested in having greater prosperity in her life. Yet when I mentioned money as alegitimateformofprosperity,itshockedhercompletely.

Afterthelecture,oneofthemembersofthechurchhoardcorneredmeandsaid,“Don’tyouthinkyouputitalittletoostronglyaboutmoneybeinggoodbecauseitisasymbolofdivinesubstance?”AndIfoundmyselfreplying,“IhopeIputitstrongly;Isurelymeantto.”Theboardmember then said, “Yes,butyou shocked that ladyon the front rowsomuchthat she may never come back.” And my reply was, “If I shocked her, it was doubtlessbecause she needed to have some old, erroneous ideas aboutmoney shocked out of herthinking,aswealldo.”

Ithenpointedoutthatmywholepurposeinteachingthespiritualandmentalprinciplesof prosperitywas to help people to learnGod’s good truth about prosperity being theirdivineheritage,sothattheymightbefreedfromfailure,povertyandalltheothersinsoflack. I realized that sometimes theprocesswasa shock.At thenext lecture that ladywasback,sittinginafrontseat.TheonlydifferenceIcoulddetectinherattitudewasthatshehadpulledherchairupalittleclosertowardthelectureplatform,happilyawaitingfurthershockingtruthsaboutprosperity!

Aftersheattendedanumberofthelectures,shecalmeddownconsiderablyinherstrongattitudes regarding thepros andconsofprosperity. Indue time she came to seemeandconfessed that,whenshe firstbeganattending theprosperity lectures,her lifeand affairshadbeen indire shape, financiallyandotherwise.Herhusbandhad lefther;her childrenseemedtohaveturnedagainsther;herphysicianpredictedthatshewasnearinganervouscollapse;shehadagoodjob,buthermoneyneverseemedtogoveryfar,andshecouldnotget along with her fellow workers; she was even involved in a lawsuit concerning herpreviousjob.

Butweek-by-weekasshebegantoentertainnewideasaboutprosperityandsuccessfulliving, her whole attitude changed, as did her way of life. Before long her husbandreturned; she gradually was able to establish a more harmonious relationship with herchildren; she did not have a nervous collapse; the lawsuit regarding her former job wasquietlyandamicablysettledoutofcourt;andshebegantofindjoyandsatisfactioninherwork.Indeed,beforelongsheseemedatransformedindividual,anditallbeganthenightshedaredtochangeherthinkingaboutmoney.

Most people are sensitive about their capacity to earn money. In most instances, aperson’scapacitytoearnmoneywouldincreaseifhisattitudestowardmoneywerepositiveand friendly. Itwas the lateMikeToddwhohasbeenquoted as saying, “I’venever beenpoor,onlybroke.Beingpoorisaframeofmind.Beingbrokeisatemporarysituation.”

TheGoodNewsAboutMoney

Manypeopleseemconfusedaboutthecorrectspiritualattitudetowardmoney,so let’sgettherecordstraight:There’snothingwrongwithmoney,orinourwantingmoney.ItisaGod-givenmediumofexchange,andthere’snothingevilaboutthat.Themomentweletgoofthosefalseideasthatsomeoneignorantlytaughtusyearsago–thatmoneyisevil–wewillfindthatmoneycirculatesinourfinancialaffairsmuchmoreeasilyandmoresatisfyingly.

AppreciatingMoneyCanProsperYou

One lady recently toldme that since she had released the vague notion that she wassupposed to think of money as evil, she had much more of it to enjoy. She said thatpreviously all hermoneywas gone within three days after pay day, but that now thereseemed enough to share and to spare regularly. Truly she is one of the most generouspeopleIknow.Anotherladyrecentlydeclared,“OneofthethingsIhavelearnedsovividlyis to stop saying, ‘Oh, it’s just money.’ She then went on to say that since she had beenappreciating rather than depreciating money, she had gotten a wonderful new job at amuchhigherrateofpay.Sheisnowenjoyingbothhernewworkandhernewsalary.

Perhapsyouwonderwhyitisimportanttocultivateasincerelyfavorableattitudeaboutmoney, in order to attract happier financial situations. Well, money is filled with theintelligence of the universe, from which it was created.Money reacts to your attitudesabout it.Since it is the lawofmindaction thatyouattractwhateveryouappreciate, andrepelwhateveryoudepreciate,moneyrespondsaccordingly.Ifyouthinkfavorablyaboutmoney,youmultiplyandincreaseitinyourmidst;whereas,ifyoucriticizeandcondemnitinanyform,eitheryourownmoneyoranother’s,youdissipateandrepelitfromyou.

Perhaps you have noticed how this lawworks in regard to yourmoods. Notice howmuchmoreyouareabletopurchaseforyourmoneywhenyouareinagoodmood.Butifyou shop in haste or while in low spirits, everything seems to go wrong, including thepurchasingpowerofyourmoney.

Since your thoughts make your world, your thoughts about money have to beappreciativeinorderformoneytoappreciateyouandbeattractedtoyou.Intalkingwithhundredsofpeopleabouttheirfinancialaffairs,Ihavediscoveredthatoftenwhentheydonothaveenoughmoneytomeet life’sdemands, it isbecause theyhavebeenscoffingandcondemningmoneyinfinancialmatters,theirownoranother’s.

Amanoncetalkedwithmewhowas“downandout”ineveryway.Hewasinillhealth,out of work, and extremely lonely and unhappy. As he talked I tried to discover whatattitudeofmindhadbroughthimintosuchpatheticcircumstances.Hetoldmehowhardlifehadbeen forhimandhowdifficult people, situations and eventshadbeen along theway.Ashisconversationprogressed,hebegantalkingabout“thepoliticiansinWashingtonandtheterriblewaytheywerespendingthecountry’smoney.”AsgentlyasIknewhow,IthensuggestedthathetryreworkinghisattitudestowardpeopleingeneralandtowardtheWashingtonpoliticiansinparticular,ifhewishedhealth,prosperityandhappinesstocometohim.Aftergivingmeapenetratinglookwhichseemeddoubtfulofmysanity,hefinallyagreedtotrytheprosperousthinkingapproach.

Months later when he returned, he had to remind me who he was, because his

appearancehadimprovedsomuch.Hethenradiantlydescribedthatpreviouscoldwinterafternoon,whenhehad leftmystudyandwalkedall thewaybacktohisboardinghousebecauseof lackof funds forbus fare.By the timehegothomehediscovered that, inhisabsorptionofsomeoftheideaswehaddiscussed,allpainhadlefthisbody.Thatnighthesleptpeacefullyforthefirsttimeinmonths.

Ashebegantouseprosperousthinkingeveryday,wonderfulthingsbegantohappen.Hefully regained his health and soon a new field ofwork opened to him that he had longwanted to enter. At the boarding house he met a lady who was also in ill health andfinancialdespair,andhebegantopassontohersomeideasaboutprosperousthinkingthathadmeantmuchtohim.Ashedid,herwholeoutlooktowardlifechanged.Whentheybothbegan to appreciate rather thandepreciate, in due time their appreciation involved eachother.Onhissecondvisit toseeme, thismansaid thathenowwishedtomarry this finelittlelady.Soonhebroughthertoseemeandshewasasradiantasanybride-to-behalfherage!

Thisman thendeclared thatallofhis lifehehadbeenscoffingatmoneyand financialmatters, and at peoplewho hadwealth. He now realized howmuch destruction he haddoubtlesscausedinhisownlifeasaresult.Thismanhadlearnedatlastthat,whenwedonothaveenoughmoneytomeet life’sdemands, it isoftenbecauseofourdepreciationofmoney,ourownoranother’s.

TheGoldenRuleofProsperity

People sometimes bring financial hardship upon themselves by declaring that theypersonallyareprosperousandblessed,butthatMr.andMrs.So-and-sohaven’tacenttotheirname. Suchpeopleoften triumphantlydiscuss thedifficulties of others at length. Ifyouthinkofyourselfasprosperousbutofothersaslivinginlack,throughthelawofactionand reaction you are inviting the same thing to happen to you. The golden rule ofprosperous thinking is that you should not think or say anything concerning another’sfinancialaffairsthatyouwouldnotwanttoexperienceinyourown.

Anunusualexampleofthistruthwasdemonstratedinacourtcasewheretwopartnersweredissolvingtheirbusiness.Onepartnerkeptdeclaringthatshewouldgeteverything;that the court and judge would doubtless favor her completely; and she triumphantlydeclared that the other partnerwould be leftwith nothing. But the other partnerwas apraying, positive, fair-minded individualwho put thematter inHigherHands, affirmingthattheDivineLawoflove,justiceandperfectequitywouldmanifestforthehighestgoodofallconcernedinthesituation.Theaccusingpartnerwentsofarastotakeherlawyertolookoverallthepropertyandfinancialassetsthatshewasconvincedthecourtwouldgiveher.She constantly thoughtofherself asprosperous,butdeclared that theotherpartnerwouldbeleftinutterfinancialruin.

However,whenthejudgeheardthefactsincourt,hedecidedthattheaccusingpartnerwasentitledtoonlyonesmallpieceofproperty.Heawardedtherestofthefinancialassets,whichincludedahousingproject,acleaningplant,andseveralotherpiecesofrealestate,tothepartnerwhohadprayedfordivinejustice.Thus,thiswomanprovedthatifyouthinkofyourselfasprosperousbutofothersasinfinanciallack,youareunconsciouslyinviting

thesamethingtohappentoyou.

HowtoMakeMoneyYourServant

Ontheotherhand,toenvyanother’smoneyindicatesabeliefinlackofsufficientsupplyfor everyone. Remember that you will experience what you most strongly give yourattention to. When you hear of another’s good fortune, rich inheritance or wealthypossessions,youshoulddosowithgreatjoyandappreciation.Another’sdemonstrationofriches is but further proof of a loving Father’s divine bounty, which is available to allmankind.Youshouldrejoiceinitseveryrichevidence.

Moneyseemssochargedwithdivineintelligencethatitseemstotuneinonwhatyousayorthinkaboutit,anditrespondsaccordingly.Afriendhasrelatedatvarioustimeshowtheappreciativeattitudetowardmoneyhelpedtokeepfoodonhertableduringthedepressionyears.Heryoungsonseemedtoknowhowtogetthemostfortheirmoneyatthegrocerystore.When themoney supplywas low, shewould send him grocery shoppingwith thesubstanceonhand.Regularlyhewouldcomehomewithmuchmore thananyoneelse inthefamilycouldhavepurchasedforthesameamount.Perhapsitwasbecauseanyamountofmoneyseemedtoworkovertimeforhim!

Through positive, appreciative attitudes toward money, you can make money yourservant,insteadofbecomingitsslave.Youshouldmastermoneyratherthanbeenslavedbyit,becauseyouwereplacedinthisuniversetoachievemasteryanddominionofsubstanceinitseveryform,asispointedoutinthefirstchapterofGenesis.Deliberatelycultivatethehabitofappreciatingmoney,andmakenoexcusesaboutyourappreciation.

Ifyoudomakeexcusesanddepreciatemoney,itseemstoknowitandtoberepelledbyyour depreciation. I shall never forget the first time I made this statement in a lecture:“AppreciatemoneyastherichsubstanceofGodandmakenoexcuseforyourappreciationofit,forifyoudo,moneywillberepelledfromyoubyyourfoolishexcusemaking.”Aladycarryingabigpursewassittingintheaudience.Suddenlyherpurseflewopenandmoneyfell out all over the floor, making a lot of noise.We all had a good laugh while othershelpedhertocollecthermoney.Ofcourse,wepassedtheexperienceoffasajokeforthesakeof thiswoman’s feelings.But laterwhen Imet her personally, I gave her some richstatementswithwhichtochargehermind,becausesheseemedtoradiateadeepfeelingoffinanciallimitation.Itwasasthoughhermoneyhadheardwhatshehadbeensayingaboutit,andwastryingtogetawayfromher!

CharlesFillmorehaswritten:

Watch your thoughts when you are handling your money, because your money isattachedthroughyourmindto theonesourceofall substanceandallmoney.Whenyouthinkofyourmoney,whichisvisible,assomethingdirectlyattachedtoaninvisiblesourcethatisgivingorwithholdingaccordingtoyourthought,youhavethekeytoallrichesandthereasonforalllack.PerhapsyouhaveheardthestoryaboutthecarelessScotwhotossedacrown,thinkingitapenny,intothecollectionplate.Whenhesawhismistake,heaskedtohaveitback,butthedeacontakingtheofferingrefused.TheScotgrunted, “Aweel,aweel,I’llgetcreditforthecrowninheaven.”“Na,na,”repliedthedeacon,“ye’llgetcreditforthe

penny.”

GiveUpMixedAttitudes

Let’sgiveupourmixedattitudesaboutmoneywhichcanonlybringmixedresults.JohnD.Rockefeller,Jr.oncedescribedthewonderandgloryofmoneybysayingthatmancoulduse money to feed the hungry, cure the diseased, make desert places bloom, and bringbeautyintotheworld.Andhowrightheis!AsSolomononcedeclared,Therichman’swealthishisstrongcity:thedestructionofthepooristheirpoverty. (Prov.10:15)Indeed,moneyisgood,andweshouldhavemoreofitthaneverinthisricherawehavenowentered.

Aneditorialrecentlypointedoutthepowerofmoneyforworldpeace,insuggestingthatthepresidentof theWorldBankbenominated for theNobelPeacePrizebecauseof theexcellentworkhehasdoneinproducingfinancialpeaceinseveralcountries.Theeditorialconcluded: “Wouldn’t it be timely to recognize that the proper use of cash can be a bigfactorforpeaceintheworld?”

Justasyoushouldnotturnupyournoseatmoney,neithershouldyoumakeagodofit.Moneyisfilledwiththedesireforlife,movement,expansionandactivity.Itdoesnot liketo be grasped, clutched or restrained in idleness. Indeed, it is the active circulation ofmoneythatbringsprosperity,whereasdepressionsandrecessionsarecausedbythemiserlyhoardingofmoney.Evenasournationaleconomydependsupontheactivecirculationofmoney,soyourindividualprosperitydependsupontheactivecirculationofmoney.Thisdoesnotmeanthatyoushouldnotsavemoney,butyoushouldnotabusemoneybymisuse.

Several other attitudes toward money are especially helpful too: For instance, neverdeclare,“Ican’taffordthis”or“putonapoormouth”(aswesaydownSouth)aboutthings.Suchstatementssowseedsofpovertyand limitationwhichwillproduceafter their kind.Instead, it isbetter todeclare that it isnot “wisdom’sway” toundertakecertain financialmatters; or at least it is better to phrase your financial “no” in a more positive andprosperousmanner. Affirm often: I use the positive power of God’s rich substance inwisdom, loveandgoodjudgment inallmyfinancialaffairs,andIamprospered inallmyways.

Itisalsounwisetomagnifyfinancialdifficulties.Ifyoubragaboutyourfinancialtroubles(andsomepeopleactuallydosotogainsympathyandattention),thenyouwillalwayshavefinancial troubles to brag about. A businessman who has achieved independent wealththrough his stock market transactions said that early in his stock market ventures heinvestedheavilyandlostheavily.Inonetransactionalonehelost$20,000.Butneveroncedidhementionhisfinanciallossestoanyone,noteventohiswife.Instead,theycontinuedtoliveprosperously,andsoonthesituationchangedsothathewasabletocompensateinrich gains for the lessons he learned through previous heavy losses. To this day he hasneveropenlydiscussedthoseearlylosses,andheisnowenjoyingfinancial independence.Indifficultfinancialperiods,itisgoodtoaffirm:Ihavefaiththatthistooshallpass,andthen continue holding to the high financial vision of success toward which you areworking.

Anotherattitude towardmoneytobewareof is this:Whenyougivemoneytoanother

personor toanorganization,donotgive itwiththethoughtofneedorobligation.Suchthoughtsonlyattractmoreneedsandobligationstobefinanciallymet.Instead,giveto“addto their prosperity.” This applies to the money you pass out to your husband, wife,children,employees,club,church,tothegrocer,thebankerandthecandlestickmaker,aswellastothegovernmentandeveryoneelse.Thisattitudemakesthegiverandthereceiverfeelricher.

Your thinking concerning the receipt of money or other financial supply is alsoimportant.Theprosperouswayistograciouslyreceiveyourgoodinallforms,andmakeno excuse for your acceptance. It is an offense to both the gift and the giver for therecipienttodeclare,“Oh,youshouldn’thavedoneit.”Welcomemoneyanddivinesupplyfrom all directions, if it is being freely given and incurs no sense of obligation. Declareoften:All financialdoorsareopen;all financialchannelsare free,andendlessbountynowcomestome.Andthenjoyouslyletitcome!

I knowof awomanwhodesperately prayed for greater prosperity, yet she constantlyrefusedgiftsor favors thatwere lovinglyextended toher, thusclosingmanychannelsofherprosperity.Ifyoucannotusethegiftsthatarebestoweduponyou,donotsayso;simplyacceptthemforthegenerousthoughttheyrepresent,andthenpass themgladlyalongtosomeonewhocanusethem.

Theonlytimethisattitudedoesnotapplyiswhensomeoneistryingtobribeyouorbuyyour friendship with his favors, so that a sense of obligation is being incurred. Truegenerosity has no strings attached. There are no bribes, unspoken favors or obligationsinvolvedintruegiving.Ifyousensesuchapurposebehindagift,youshouldfeelfreetosay“no”tofalsegenerosity.

PrayAboutYourFinancialAffairs

Anotherattitudetowardmoneythatneedstobeclarifiedisthis:Don’tbeafraidtoprayaboutmoneyor toget specificaboutyour financial affairs.TheancientHebrewsdid nothesitatetopraytoGodforexactlywhattheywanted;manyofthegreatleadersoftheBibleprayed specifically for prosperity when it was needed. Elijah, for example, prayedpersistently for rain to end a three year drought, so that theHebrews could again havecrops,foodandprosperity.

A rich Father never intendedmen to suffer along in this lavish universe, and we arefoolingonlyourselves ifwe think thatwemust live in lack. Ifyouhavea financialneed,dare toprayabout it specifically, andaskyour lovingFather tohelpyoumeet that needrichlyandcompletely.Thepromise,Ask,anditshallbegivenyoucontainsnohiddenclauses.NordoesthispromisefromtheBookofJob,iftheyobeyandserveHim,theyshallspendtheirdaysinprosperityandtheiryearsinpleasure.(Job36:11)Wehavenationaldaysofthanksgiving,andwesaygracedailyatourtables,tohelpremindourselvesthatGodisthesourceofoursupplyineveryform.

In regard to prayer for riches, you have probably read of the late GeorgeMuller ofBristol, England, who established orphanages for children many years ago through hisbeliefintheprosperingpowerofprayer.Hehasbeendescribedasamanoffaithtowhom

Godgavemillions.Hehasalsobeencalledaprinceofprayer,becauseofhishabitofaskingGoddirectlyforwhateverwasneeded,ratherthanspeakingofhisneedstopeople.

Mr.Mulleroncesaidthatthegreatfaultofmostofusisthatwedonotaskbigenough,andwedonotcontinue inprayeruntil itcomes.Healsoadvised, “Expectgreat thingsofGodandgreatthingsyouwillhave.”Heoncetoldafriend,“IhavepraisedGodmanytimeswhenHesentme tencentsand IhavepraisedHimwhenHesentme$60,000.” Solely inanswer to prayers for prosperity, $7,500,000 was given to him for the building andmaintenanceofhisorphanages.

The story has often been related of how Charles Fillmore, the co-founder of UnitySchoolofChristianityinLee’sSummit,Missouri,oftenprayedconcerningUnity’sfinancialaffairs in the early years of the movement. One time a payment was overdue on theprintingpresses, and the sheriff came to repossess themachines.ButwhenMr. Fillmoreconfidentlydeclared, “I have a richFatherWho is going to take careof this”, the sheriffbelievedhimliterallyandreplied,“Well,inthatcasewewillgiveyoualittlemoretime.”

Mr. Fillmore then continued to pray for prosperity and the money came in. Thoseprinting presses were never repossessed. Later, during the depression years, the loveofferingsthatcameinfromallovertheworldtosupportUnitySchoolweremuchlessthanusual.Again,thefoundersofUnityprayedspecifically,boldlyanddeliberatelyformoney,financialsupplyandrichprosperity.OnedayastheworkersonUnityFarmweredrillingforwater,theystruckoil!Thatoilwellprovedanadequateanswertotheirfinancialneedsthroughoutthedepression.

Ofcourse,theUnitymovementisnowworldwideinitsscope.InrecentyearsappraisershavestatedthatthefinancialvalueofUnityVillage,whichisnowincorporated,issorichthatitstruevaluecanscarcelybeestimated,butthatitwouldrunintothemillions.

HowToDemonstrateMoney

Oneof the secret teachings of the occult religions of the pastwas their knowledge ofhow todemonstratemoney.Those privileged to learn this secretwere taught tomake aconcretementalpictureoftheamounttheywanted,thedenominationofmoney,andhowit looked.Aftermaking a picture of a definite amount, theywere then taught to hold itdistinctly in mind as though it was already visible, and they could mentally see it veryplainly.Theywerethentaughttocommandtherichsubstanceoftheuniversetogiveittothem.Theywereinstructedtoaffirm,“Givemethis”andtorepeatthisdemandmanytimesdayafterdayuntil itmanifested.Since themind isallpowerful,youhave the same rightandprivilegeofmentallyclaimingmoney, financial assets and rich supply if youwish touse a strictly mental method. Many successful people have either consciously orunconsciously used this method. A powerful statement with which to charge the mind,along with charging it with the mental picture of the specific amount desired, is: Allfinancial doors are open, all financial channels are free and (then name the specificamount)__________now comes tome. It is alsowise to affirm that itmanifests throughdivinechannelsinGod’sownwonderfulway.Alongwithmentallyvisualizingandmentallyclaimingspecificamountsofmoney;andalongwithprayingdefinitelyaboutmoney, it isalso good to speak specific words of riches for yourself and to your possessions. For

yourself declare often, I give thanks that I am now rich,well and happy and thatmyfinancialaffairsareindivineorder.Everyday ineverywayIamgrowingricherandricher. For your wallet, checkbook or other channels of financial supply, it is well toaffirm:Money,money,money,manifestthyselfhereandnowinrichabundance.Don’tbeafraidtodeclarethat“largesumsofmoney,”“richpleasantfinancialsurprises,”and“richappropriategifts,”aremanifestingforyou.Donotbevagueaboutmoney,unlessyouwantmoneytobevagueinitsresponsetoyou.

Awoman on theWest Coast, who had read some ofmy ideas aboutmoney, recentlywrotemeinappreciation.Shesaid,“Iamgladtoatlastfindaministerwhoisn’tafraidtospeakplainlyofmoneyasablessing.AministerIknowhasoftenspokentomeintermsof‘plenty to share and to spare,’ and I found out what thisministermeant last Christmas,when I received four fruitcakes. I had been affirming ‘plenty to share and to spare’ forChristmas.IhadsomanyfruitcakestoshareandtosparethatIgavethreeofthemaway.HowniceitwouldhavebeentohavereceivedsomethingforChristmasbesidefruitcakes!ThatexperiencetaughtmetobedefiniteaboutwhatIwanted,ifIexpectedtogetdefiniteandsatisfyingresults.”

Thinkingindefinitetermsopensthewayfordefiniteresults.Don’tlimityourincomebydecreeing“justenoughtogetby.”Thisisapauper’sprayer.Atoneperiodinmylifewhenmyfinancialincomewasinadequate,Icutthesewordsoutofamagazine,pastedthemonacardandplacedthemonmybedsidetablewhereIviewedthemdaily:Yourmoneystartsgrowingnow.Yourearningsdouble!Iwasastoundedwhenmyfinancialincomedidstartgrowing immediately through a remarkable series of events that occurred.Within a fewmonths I suddenly realized thatmy income had doubled!Money adores the prosperousattitudeandrichlyrespondstoit.

Substance,theSourceofMoney

Alongwithanappreciationofmoney,youshouldalsounderstandandfullyappreciatesubstance, out ofwhichmoney and all tangible objects are formed. Times of depressionbringoutthefactthatindaysofprosperitymaneitherforgottheprayersandstrugglesthatbroughthimtosuccessandapparentsafety,orelsehefailedtobuildhisfortuneonafirmfinancial foundation. If he had thoughtmore about the source of life and substance, hewould have escaped the needless grind of poverty he has endured right in themidst of.abundance.

The scientists say that substance is thatwhich stands under and supports every visibleandtangibleobject. Ifyoudonothavemoneyand if itdoesnotseemtomanifestas youthinkprosperouslyaboutit,thenperhapsthedivineequivalentofmoneywishestocometoyou.Asyouappreciatesubstanceandknowthatitiseverywhereuniversallypresentintheethersaboutyou;asyourealizethatitispassive,andwaitstobeformedandbroughtintovisibilitybyyourthoughtsandwords,youwillrealizethatyouhavecontroloftheinvisibleworldofrichsubstanceandrichsupply,aswellasthevisibleworldofriches.

ItwasEinsteinwhofirststirredupthescientificworldwhenheclaimedthatsubstanceandmatter(whichincludesmoneyandallvisibleobjects)areconvertible.Hedeclaredthattheformedandunformedworldaremadeoutofthesameenergy,ether,orsubstance.He

saidthatthevisibleandinvisiblerealmsarerelative,convertible,andinterchangeable.

From a financial standpoint, we can use his theory of relativity. If the formed andunformedworldsarerelative,thenwhathaveyoutoworryabout,ifyourfinancesgetlow?Youcanusethelawofrelativitytoproduceeithermoneyoritsfinancialequivalenttomeetyour needs! If substance hasn’tmanifested asmoney, don’t get panicky. Instead, declarethat,Divine substance is the one and only reality in this situation. Divine substancedoesnot fail tomanifest inrichappropriate formhereandnow.Thescientistsdeclarethat substance is filledwith life, and. the ability to take visible form. As you affirm thatsubstanceisdoingwhateverisbestinthesituation,youreleaseitsuniversalintelligenceanditsability to takevisible form.Your financialgoodmaycome forth toyou incompletelyunforeseenways;perhapsfromhalfwayaroundtheworld,orthroughstrangersyouhavenevermet.Butitwillcomewhenyougiveityourattention,andfreeittoworkinitsownwiseway.

Iftheusualchannelsofsupplyhavenotopened,theninviteunusualchannelsofsupplyto open by recognizing that divine substance stands under every visible form of supply,withendlesswaysinwhichtomanifestitsrichesforyou.Substanceisfriendlytoyouandwishestosupplyyourichly.Giveityourattentionandappreciation;placeyourfaithinit,thoughitseemsinvisible;andthenletproveitspowertoprosperandcareforyou.

Never underestimate the powerof substance as the one andonly reality,whichneverfails. It will thenmanifest as money or in themost appropriate financial form, perhapsthroughpeopleyou’veneverseen.

Asyouinvokethevariousprosperousattitudesaboutmoneyandsubstancecontainedinthischapter,confidentlydosowiththesewordsofEmersonringinginyourfinancialear:“Manwasborntoberich,orinevitablytogrowrich,throughtheuseofhisfaculties.”

Andthengetreadyforrichresults!Asthoserichresultsappear,perhapsyouwouldliketoberemindedofthistruthayoungmaninthearmedforcesrecentlywrotehismother:“Yesterday is a cancelled check.Tomorrow is a promissorynote.Today is the only cashyouhave.Spenditwisely.”Whetherintermsoftimeormoney,itstillapplies,doesn’tit?

ChapterNine

Work:AMightyChannelforProsperity

Perhapsyouwonderwhy this chapteronworkdidnot come earlier in the book,sinceworkisconsideredamightychannelforprosperity.

Theanswerbecomesmoreapparent,whenwelookaboutusandrealizethattheworldisfilledwithpeoplewhoareworkinghardtobecomemoreprosperouseveryday;yetmanyof them are not becoming prosperous at all.Why?Often because they are not thinkingaboutprosperityandsuccess,alongwithworkingat it.Theirattitude isnotright.For allthehardwork theydo that shouldproduceprosperity, theyneutralize itby their failuretalk, by their associationwith failureminded people, and perhaps by their criticism andcondemnationofotherswhoaremovinguptheladderofsuccess.Theyhavenotrealizedthattheremustbeaninworkingofprosperousideasbeforetherecanbeanoutworkingofprosperousresults.Thus,theprecedingchapterswerenecessarytoconditionattitudesfortherichgood,theexpandingprosperityandtheenduringsatisfactionthatshouldbeyoursintheprocessofwork.

AttitudesCanMaketheDifference

Onceasecretarywasworkingvigorously toattainprosperity.Shewasheavily indebt,had been fired from several jobs, and was in dire need of steady employment. She wasadequately educated, since she held two college degrees, along with business schooltraining.Atfirstglance,sheseemedeasyenoughtoworkwith.Butasothersbecamebetteracquaintedwithher,theyrealizedthatshesecretlyheldgrudgesagainstthewholeworld,and all her past employers in particular. It became apparent that she constantly soughtsympathyforher“hopelessfinancialaffairs.”

When itwas suggested that a change of emphasis from failure to prosperous thinkingmightbetheanswer,shebecamefurious.Shewantedtokeepherprejudices,grudges,andfailureattitudes,which filled theatmospherearoundherwithsuchheavypessimismthatpeoplewererepelledbyher.Withhermindsoclutteredwithhostility, it is littlewonderherworkwasunsatisfactory,herinefficiencyatanall-time-high,andthatshedislikedhervariousjobsandemployers.

Conversely, another working lady seemed to realize that the prosperous, victoriousattitudepavesthewayforsatisfying,productivework.Toallappearances,thisladyhadnoreasontofeelvictoriousorpositive.Shewaspastthehalf-centurymark.Manypeople inheragegroupwouldsaythattheyweregettingtooold,whichalonewasreasonenoughfor

their lack and unhappiness. Furthermore, shewas awidow and verymuch alone in theworld,havingnochildrenorothercloserelatives.Butshedidnotusethisasanexcuseforfailure.Instead,shewasaveryhappyandsuccessfulperson.

Evenmore challenging, her sales productwas one thatmost of uswould not care toattempt selling–she sold cemetery burial lots! Yet she sold them in large numbers andseemedveryhappyaboutherproduct.Shealsoseemedtoconveyherenthusiasmtothosewhopurchasedthem,thoughmostofusliketoputoffthinkingofthisparticularitemaslong as possible. The result was that she enjoyed most of life’s comforts: a lovely,comfortable, spacious home inwhich she often entertained her host of friends; financialsecurity such as rental property, stocks, bonds, and other investments, aswell as a high,steadyincomefromhersaleswork.Shehadtimeforsocial,church,andculturalactivities,aswellasforvacationsandtravel.

Toher,workwasdivine,eventhoughshesoldthelastproductintheworldmostofuswanttobuy.

WorkIsDivine

Theword“work”meansdifferentthingstopeople.InthedictionaryIfoundahalf-pageof definitions.A prosperous thinkermight thinkofwork as divine or sublime; or as thecreative activity of good in some satisfying formwhich is balanced with play, rest, andharmonioussurroundings.KahlilGibranhaswrittenthatworkislovemadevisible.

Perhaps you do not agree that work is divine, sublime or even a satisfying innerexpressionofyour talents andabilities.Theworkyouaredoingat themomentmaynotseemdivine;ifnot,thereisareasonandthatreasonisgood.Butletusgobackoftheresulttothecause.WilliamJamesoncestatedthat90percentofusareusingonly10percentofourmindpower.Psychologistsbelievethateveryhumanbeingadynamoofconcentrated,creativeenergywhichiseverseekingnewavenuesofexpression.

Thedesireforprosperityandforbeneficialself-expressioninworkisbutapartof thatcreative energy trying to express in our lives.When the right avenues are found for theconstructiveoutletof that creativeenergy, and the right attitudesare established,man ishappy,well-adjusted,andconsidershisworkdivine.Butwhenrightavenuesofexpressionhavenotbeenfound,andtherightattitudesarenotestablished,thatsamecreativeenergyisrestricted to expressing inmediocre ways. Thenman is unhappy and considers work acurse,insteadofthedivineblessingitisintendedtobe.

Manypeoplefindthemselvesinworkthattheyconsiderunpleasantwhiletheyarestillnearthebottomof the ladderofsuccess. It is theirattitudeandreactiontotheirwork atthis pointwhichdetermineswhether they remain at the bottomand goon cursing theirwork,orwhethertheygoonupthesuccessladder,stepbystep.Dissatisfactioncanbegoodbecauseitoftenprodsonetoaimhigher,andthentodowhateverisnecessarytogetthere.

YourPresentCircumstancesAreforaPurpose

Letusfacetheissuesquarely!Youmaydiscoverthatyouarewhereyouarenowforthe

purpose of redeeming certain character traits or certain attitudes of mind which haveimpeded your progress in the past. If you are in uncongenialwork, realize that you arethereforapurpose,whichmaybetodevelopdivinequalitiesthatwilleventuallyallyaddtoyourgeneralprogress,andadvanceyoufurtheruptheladderofsuccess.AfterenteringtheministryIrealizedthateveryjob,bigandlittle,thatIhadheldalongthewaywasapartof my training for the lecture platform, for the counseling room, and for my writingministry.

Yourimmediateneedisthereforetodisciplineyourattitudesandactions,soastogleanthegood fromyourpresentexperiences, andpassbeyond them tohigherphasesof self-expression in satisfying work as soon as possible. In other words, when the pressure ofdesiringmoregoodisuponyou,whendissatisfactionwithyourpresentwayoflifeassailsyou,orwhenthepressureoffinancialstraindisturbsyou,itisthenthatyouarefeelingtheactualpressureofyour talentsandabilities,whichare straining to expressorpress forththroughricherdegreesofsuccessandprosperity.

PerfectYourAttitudesTowardWork

Concerning how to discipline or perfect your attitudes and reactions, here are a fewsuggestions:Yourentireoutlookmaybewrong.Likethatunfortunatesecretary,youmayresent everything and thereby poison yourselfwith the thought of bitter injustice. Folkswhoarestillatthebottomofthesuccessladdercanusuallyexplainhowothershavekeptthem from succeeding. They often go into detail about things that happened years ago,which they still claimare the causeof their troubles. JamesAllenhaswritten that amanonlybeginstobeamanwhenheceasestowhineandrevile,andcommencestosearchforthe“hiddenjustice”whichregulateshislife.Inlikemanner,youmaybegoingaroundinanegativerutbecauseyoudonotmakesufficientmentalefforttobefreefromit,ortoriseaboveit.Atsuchtimes,youcandeclareoften,AllthatwhichtheFatherhasgivenmenowcomes tome. Remind yourself that there is a divine plan for every life, a plan thatwillmakemanhealthier,happierandmoresuccessful thanhehaseverbeen.Knowthatyourpresentexperiencescanleadyouintothedivineplan,andthenopenthedoorbydeclaringoften:The divine plan ofmy life now unfolds, step by step. I happily recognize eachphaseofit,acceptitinmypresentandfuture,andletitshowmehowtomakethemostofmy life. Concerning your present experiences, it is good to affirm the words of thePsalmist,IdelighttodoThywill,OmyGod.(Psalms40:8)YoucanknowthatGod’swillforyouissupremegoodinyourpresentandinyourfuture.

WhatAreYouDoingAboutDissatisfaction?

Ifyouarenotsatisfiedwithyourpresentlot,whatareyoudoingtoprepareyourselfforbettercircumstances?Doyouhaveaconcretegoalinmind?Areyouwillingtospendyourleisuretimetakingnightcoursesorattendingspeciallecturesorreadingparticularbooksor engaging in constructive activities that would prepare you for greater success?Mostfolksaren’t.Areyoutheexception?

Insteadofdoingthesethings,manypeopleprefertospendtheirleisurehoursspeaking

in critical terms of theirwork, their associates, the boss, and theworld in general.Theybelievethatbytearingdowntheotherfellow,theirownfailuresanddissatisfactionwon’tshowquitesomuch.Whenyoufindyourselftemptedtodolikewise,changeyourthinking.To help do that, affirm: Neither do I condemn thee. The divine law of justice andfreedomisatworkforall,inall,throughall,andIrejoiceinthis.Nobodyornosetofcircumstances can keep my God-given good away from me and I rejoice in thisknowledge.

Asecretarywhosebosshasapoliticaljobrecentlydescribedtheinjusticeshefacedinheroffice.Anotheremployeewithmuchlesssenioritywasgivenanassignmentwithregardtotheboss’scampaignwork,whichthissecretaryfeltthatshealonewasentitledtodo.Itwasinteresting,excitingwork,whereasherowndutieswereheavierandmoretechnical.Whenshe began using the above prayer statements to recondition her attitudes fromcondemnationandinjusticetofreedomanddivinejustice,thewholepicturechanged.Theotherworkerwastransferredoutoftheoffice,andthissecretarythengainedtheseniorityandjobwhichshefeltwerehers!

Inanother instance,awomanwhowasworkingpart-timetoldofall the injusticesthatwereevidentinherlife.Herhealthwasnotgood;shefeltburdenedwithhermotherwhodidnottrustherandwhoevensteamedopenhermail;shewasdissatisfiedwithherwork,butfeltshewasnotqualifiedforanythingbetter.Shewasindebt;shehadpropertyshehadbeenunabletorentandonepieceofrealestateshehadnotbeenabletosell.Thiswomanwasaspinsterwhofeltthatitwasunjustthatshehadnevermarried.Everyphaseofherlifewas beclouded by her attitude of bitter injustice. As she began to declare divine justice,freedom and satisfaction for all phases of her world, her whole way of life improvedremarkably.Shecametorealizeshehadbeenherownworstenemy throughher limitedideas.

DirectYourEnergiesTowardaGoal

Whenyourenergiesareconstructivelydirectedtoaspecificend,non-essentialshaveawayoffallingaside.Pettythoughts,uselessrelationships,illtempers,destructiveemotionsthat often result in ill health, discouragement and failureneed findnoplace in your lifewhenyoubeginthinkingofhowyouwantyourlifetoreallybe.

Thingscannotimproveinanouterwayuntilthingschangeinaninnerway,becausetheinnerprocessesofthemindcontrolalltheouterexperiencesofourlives.Ifyouareinthemidstofapparentfailure,financialdifficulties,orrestlessnessanddissatisfactionwithyourwork, none of these conditions need prevent you from entertaining ideas of abundance,plansforriches,andmental imagesof thesuccesswhichyouseek.Nothingcanstopyoufrommoving towardyourgoalsmentally, asyouaskDivine Intelligencewhatnext stepsyouaretotaketobringforthyourdesires.

We live in a sea of energy and intelligence, according to the scientists, and we haveconstantaccesstoitsbenefits, ifweaskforthem.Yourshipscomeinonlyafteryouhavesentthemout.

ThereIsanAnswer

Manyfolks“sufferalong”inthemidstofconfusionanddissatisfactionbecausetheydonotrealizethatthisisafriendlyuniverse,filledwithsupremeintelligencethatwilllovinglyanswertheircall forguidance, if theyonlyaskfor it.Concerningyourpresentworkandhow to improve it, you should seek wisdom: Divine Intelligence, what positive,constructive,creativethought,attitudeoractionismynextsteptoimprovemypresentwork?What is thenextstepintotheabundance,satisfactionandfreedomthat isminebydivineright?

Aseekingmindisahealthymindthatgetsanswerstoitsinquirieswhichleadtohealthy,progressive,satisfyingresults.Itismucheasiertoentertainandworkwithrich,expandedideas and to experience vital, valuable results than it is to compromise with failure bydwellinguponsmallideasandexpectations.

Recently an engineer explained tome how thinking big and expecting big results hadhelpedhimto find thathisworkwas trulydivine, sublimeandmostsatisfying,aswell asfinancially remunerative. In the past he had been assigned tomuch smaller engineeringjobs, butwhen through the application of prosperous thinking, his really big dream jobcamealong,hewasreadytohandleit.Hehadpreparedforitmentallyandemotionallyforalongtime,andsoitdidnotstartleorunbalancehim.

Themethodwhichthismanhadusedtogetoutofajobthatnolongersatisfiedhim,andtobe able tohandle the reallybigdream jobwas this:Hebought a little blackbook andbeganputtingintoitthebiggest,richest,mostsuccessfulideasandstatementshecouldfind.

Thishelpedexpandhisthinkingandhelpedhimremainpeaceful,poisedandinspiredinthefaceofjobdissatisfaction.Itwasthereafterthatthebiggestjobofhislifeopenedtohim.

Forinstance,hebeganhisdaybyopeninghislittleblackbookandmeditatingontheseideashefoundthere:This isGod’sday, a goodday. Ipronounce thisdayandallof itsactivitiesgood! As he thought of the various activities of the day, he affirmed,Myownright and perfect work awaitsme this day. For the long-rangework picture, he oftenaffirmed, I demonstrate my right work now. For new ideas in handling various workproblems,heaffirmed,I amnowopenandreceptive to the rich,divine ideas thatnowperfectly inaugurate and sustain my business affairs. When discouragement or someupsetting experience arose, he affirmed,Nothing can defeat me. I give thanks for theperfect,immediaterightresults.IrejoicethatIamnowsuccessfulinallmyways.Whenthefeelingofpressureoruncertaintytriedtoappear,heaffirmed,Myyokeiseasyandmyburdenis light.Myaccomplishmentsaremany.Iamdivinelyequippedtoaccomplishgreat thingswithease.Forbusinessconferences,heaffirmed,Ipronounce thisbusinessconferenceandeverythingconnectedwithitgood.Satisfyingresultsquicklyappear.Attheendoftheday,insteadofrehashingitsevents,heaffirmed,Thisisatimeofsatisfyingcompletion.I looseandletgothisday.DivineIntelligenceestablishesonlygoodfromit.Allelsefadesaway.Foranightofrestandinpreparationforasuccessfultomorrow,heaffirmed:AsIliedowntopeacefulsleep,IthankGodformysuccessfulday.Iresteasily,knowingthatDivineIntelligenceisrenewingmymindandbody,andpreparingmeforanevenmoresuccessfuldaytomorrow.

YourRealWorkLiesBeforeYou

Youcanknowthatyourrealworkliesinastraightlinebeforeyou.Anewopportunitywillopenwheneveryouhavegainedallthedisciplineandknowledgethattheoldworkhastoofferyou.Meanwhile,remindyourselfthatthereisnoworkthatishighorlow,solongasitisessentialtothewelfareofanyone.Soperformitasefficientlyasyoucan,aslongasyouareactiveinit.

Whenasking for guidancewhileholding expanded ideas, it helps to face yourpresentexperiences,remindingyourself,Thistooshallpass.

Youshouldendeavorto livenormally inthemidstofpresent jobdissatisfaction,at thesame time making the most of your present work. This helps you to remain steady inworking toward greater good. Of course, everyone who tries to be true to the highest,especially in his work, has periods of intense discouragement. There is no disgrace inbecomingdiscouraged;itisdisgracefultoletdiscouragementoverwhelmyou,possessyouandrobyourmindofitswonderfulvisionsofsuccesswhichyouarestrivingtoward.

Inthefaceofdiscouragement,yourfunctionistoconcentrateonyourhigheridealsofmore satisfying work, and then to declare a divine solution for the experiences of themoment.JamesAllenexplains,“Yourcircumstancesmaybeuncongenial,buttheyshallnotlongremainsoifyouperceiveanidealandstrivetoreachit.Youcannottravelwithinandstandstillwithout.”

When you seem downcast, it is helpful to remember that it is darkest just before thedawnofnewgood.Despairisusuallyanemotionalindicationthatthetideisturning,andthat the dawn is coming sooner than you think. As you continue to travel within, thewithoutwilltakecareofitself.

Ifnecessary,usethementallawofreversalonthesituation.Someonehassaidthatinthemental realm, thought can conceive of opposites and produce them more easily thanthoughtcanacceptagradualdegreeofgoodandproduceit.Aradicalchangeofviewoftenclears themind of cluttered, limited ideas, so that themental swing to the opposite canproduceanoppositeresultquickly.

Daretobeaspiritualarchitectandtobuildpicturesoflargergood;daretoenjoythesepictures of increased goodmentally as you go about your daily tasks. Feel and visualizesuccess right in the midst of dissatisfaction. Dare to affirm rich, unlimited success foryourself,nomatterwhatishappeningtoyouoraroundyouatthemoment.Declare:Thisorsomethingbetter,Father;ThySupremeGoodWillbedone.

ExpectChangesfortheBetter

Thenremindyourself thatyoudonotmake thingsbetterby fightingpresentunhappyworking conditions. You do not make things better by blaming others for yourdisappointments and failure experiences. Take a non-resistant attitude toward presentconditions,andseethattheyalreadyarechangingforthebetter!Whenthingsappearatastand-still, remember the principle of physics which states that the entire universe is inconstantmotion; thatwe live,moveandhaveourbeing inan “oceanofmotion,” thoughwith our five outer senses we do not fully realize it. Nothing stands still; everything is

constantlychanging,whetheritseemstobeornot.Ifyouexpectsuchchangestobeforthebetter,theywillsurelycome.

Inperiodswhenyouknowchangesareworkingbutarenotyetapparent,don’tbemisledbyfearthoughtswhichtrytoconvinceyouthatyourhigherideasaretoogoodtobetrue,toowonderfultohappen,ortoogoodtolast.Whenfearordoubtarise,putyourbestfootforwardanddosomethingdefinitetoeffectthesuccessfulfeelingandthesuccessfullook,soastoconvincenotonlyyourselfbutothersthatyouaresucceeding!Onewhoconquersdoubt and fear conquers failure. It helps tremendously for others to think that you aresucceeding,whetheryoursuccessseemsevidenttoyouatthemomentornot.Youreaptherealbenefitsofothers’thoughtsandexpectanciesforyoursuccess;coupledwithyourowntheycanexpeditetheresultsofsuccessinyourlife.

TheSaturationTechnique

Saturate yourself in atmospheres of plenty and in associationswith successful people.Whentrying toconvinceyourself thatgreater successandprosperitycanbeandshallbeyours, but there seemsno evidence of it at present, that is the time towalk through thebanksofyourcity,observingallthesuccessfulpeoplewhohaveplentyofmoneytoworkwith. That is the time to visit lovely surroundings in beautiful new buildings and stores.Move through the richest sectionsofyourcityandcountrysidewhere the richesofGodandmanareinevidence.

Associatewithcreativeindividualsofrichtalent,suchasartistsandintellectuals,if thatbrings you an enriched feeling. If attending operas and concerts or visiting art galleriesmakesyoufeelrich,doso.Itmightbethatlisteningtomusicrecordingsorhearinglectureson cultural subjects will inspire you. I find it helpful to read the success stories andautobiographiesoffamouspeople.Whenwerealizethechallengeswhichcelebratedpeoplehavemetandovercome,ourownslackperiodsseemslightbycomparison, andweget arenewedfeelingthatwedefinitelycanandshallsucceed.

Duringonedifficultperiodinmylife,Ifoundthat,bytakingartlessonsanddoingsomepainting,mydiscouragementwassoontransformedintohopeforabetterfuture.Iknowofaladywhoconquereddespondencybyworkingdailyinherlovelyrosegarden.

If it is theout-of-doors thatgivesyoua feelingof richness, thenenjoymoresunshine,freshairandthepeacefulnessofMotherNature.Attendanceatsportseventscanrechargeyourmentalbatteries.Activeparticipationinsportssuchasgolf,horsebackriding,fishingorswimmingcanhelptorelievementalsluggishness.Atothertimesalongwalkorrideinthecountrygivesyoutheliftyouneed.Abusinessmanrecentlywrotemethatthishadlongbeen his method for overcoming discouragement. The beauty of antiques, interiordecorating,preparationofexoticfoodsorthecreationofspecialclothescanaddtoyourfeelingor richness.At still another tenseperiod inmy life, I found great joy inworkingwith a dressmaker toward thedesign and creationofmy clothes. It turnedmy attentionawayfrommypresentjobdissatisfactionlongenoughfortheproblemtoworkout,andachangeinjobscame.

Perhaps reading the classics or the Bible, or participation in certain quiet games will

upliftyou.Havingquiettimestoabsorbnewideasishelpful.I liketoreadSundaypapersfrom all over the nation. Just by browsing through them, studying the ads showingbeautiful clothes, far away places and reports of new books, art and music, I derive aheightenedsenseoffreedomandrichness.

It is never a waste of time to saturate yourmind, body and affairs in rich ideas, richassociations,richatmospheres,andinanyactivity,innerorouter,whichbringsafeelingofrichnesstoyourinnerbeing,especiallyduringthoseperiodswhenitseemsthatsuccessisslow inmanifesting. Especially,make good use of your free time. In the course of yourdailyactivities,youmaynotbe free tosaturateyourselfwith those things thatmakeyoufeelrich.Butinyouroffhours,youcansurelyfindupliftinnewdiversions,althoughsomefree time should be devoted to additional study and self-improvement so that you canuncovergreaterjobsatisfaction.

Yearsago,whenmylifewasburdenedbylimitation,theonlywayIcouldgainasenseoffreedom and the vision of possible success was to slip away for a quiet, leisurely walkaroundtheblocktowardtheendofeachday.Yetthatsimpleactenabledmeto“holdon”tomyhighervisionsofgoodsothattheywerelaterabletomanifest.Thisisarichuniversewith countlessways to shower its blessingsuponuswhenwekeepour expectancy high.Dailyremindyourselfthatyourcupisreallyhalf-full,ratherthanhalf-empty.

MaketheMostofYourPresentSituation

Whether it ismore satisfaction inyourpresentwork,oranother stepup the ladder inyourwork;orwhether it isawholenewcareeryoudesire,orfinancial freedomfromallorganizedwork–inany event, yourgoal canbe attained.Youneednot feel “trapped” bypresentconditions.Thereisalwayssomethingyoucandoaboutit.Agoodstatementtouseincallingforththerightresult,whetheritwouldmeanremaininginyourpresentplaceorgoingon tootherwork, is this:Divine Intelligencenowworks inme andmy life andaffairs, to will and to do whatever is for my highest good, and Divine Intelligencecannotfail!

Ifyouareconvincedthatyourpresentworkisnotsatisfyingandcannotbecomeso,setaboutchangingthesituationbydeclaring:Iamnowshownnewwaysoflivingandnewmethodsofwork.Iamnotconfinedtothewaysandmethodsofthepast.Iexperiencemy perfect work in the perfect way, which now rendersme perfect satisfaction andperfectpay.

Followthroughonwhateverideasoreventsthatpresentthemselvestoyouforchange.Stopthinkingaboutortalkingaboutpresentdissatisfaction.Forgetit;letitgo.Thenbeginbringingaboutorder,harmonyandbeautyintoyourpresentjob.Ifyouaredissatisfied,setaboutdoingeverythingpossibletomakeyourjobmorepleasantandorderly.Cleanoutfiledrawers, straighten up your desk. Add a plant or something of beauty, which you andothers can view often for a “quick lift.”Give fellowworkers the benefit of your spokenpraise,sincereappreciation,wordsofkindness,aswellasyoursilentprayersandblessings.Aboveall,remindyourself thatyouareamentalpartofwhateversituationinwhichyounow find yourself. As you give any situation the benefit of your highest thoughts andactions,youhelptoestablishorder,harmonyandsatisfactionforallconcerned.Whenyou

makethebestofyourpresentsituation,youcanbeassured thatgreatergoodwill revealitself.Meanwhile,asiswrittenintheBookofEcclesiastes,Whatsoeverthyhandfindethtodo,doitwithallthymight(Ecclesiastes9:10ASV).

Inotherwords,asa friendofminehasoftensaid, “Whenyougothroughhell,makeitpaywithgreaterunderstandingthanyoupreviouslyhad,andtheresultofgoodfromthatexperiencewillbelasting.”

FreeYourselfofCriticism

Daretothink,act,andreactdifferentlyfromthosewhoarepoverty-prone,unlessyouwanttoremainwiththem,atthebottomoftheladder.Thereisplentyofroomatthetopinanylineofworkorprofessionforthosewhodaretofreethemselvesoftheusualthoughtsof bickering, jealousies, and petty criticisms entertained bymany people.When you aretemptedtojoininthechorusofsuchmassnegativethought,declareinstead:There isnocriticisminme,formeoragainstme.Thesupremelawofgoodisnowinchargeofmylife,anddivineharmonynowreignssupremeinmeandinmyworld.Thisrealizationprotects you from the negative thoughts of others. Give them in turn the blessing andprotectionofyourconstructiveattitudes.

Are you thinking, “But is thisworthwhile?”Listen!The greatest knowledgewhich youcan gain about yourself and your fellow beings is that one person thinking and actingconstructivelyinanysituation,cannotfailtoproducegoodresults.Allmankindishungryforconstructiveattitudes,actions,andreactionsandquicklyrespondstothem.

Ionceobservedthishappeninasituationinvolvingtwojuniormembersofalargelawfirm. Known for its belief in hard work and productive results, their firm was veryprosperous,aswereallofitsmembers.Oneofthejuniorlawfirmmemberswasahappy,optimistic,joyousindividual.Hedidnothesitatetopayacomplimentwhenitwasdue,ortoshowkindnessandcourtesytoeveryonehemet.Noonewastooinsignificanttoreceivekindattentionfromhim.Thisyoungmanapparentlydidnotknowwhatitwastocriticize,condemnor complain. The other lawyerwas actually better qualified for thework theywerebothdoing.Becauseheheldonemorecollegedegreethanthefirstman,thelawfirmwaspayinghim several hundreddollarsmorepermonth.Thus, he had every advantageoverthefirstman,orsoonewouldsuppose.

Butthishigh-paidlawyerwasa“quietcomplainer”andnothingcouldpleasehim.Detailsupsethim;peopleupsethim;anunexpectedassignmentupsethim;everythingupsethim.Within a yearhewasno longer employedby this firm.Within that sameyear, the otherattorneyhadbeenpromotedintohispositionandsalary.Laterthisjuniorpartnerbecameafull-fledgedmember of the firm.Never in the history of that firm had any lawyer beenadvancedsorapidlyintoresponsibilityorinfinancialcompensation.

TakeaNewLeaseonLife

Ithasbeensaidthatworkisthehighestformofpay.Whetherworkispleasantactivityorlaborioustoildependsuponyourattitudesaboutyourself,others,andabouttheworld ingeneral. Be assured that work is divine, and that your true work and your true

compensationseekyouasmuchasyouseekthem!Man’strueworkisthatwhichhedoesbest,andfromwhichhederivesdeepsatisfaction.

Takeanewleaseonliferightnow,nomatterwhatyour lifesituation.Beginbyboldlydeclaring,asdidCharlesFillmoreattheageofninety-three:I fairlysizzlewithzealandenthusiasm,andspringforthwithamightyfaithtodothethingsthatoughttobedonebyme.

Joincountlessothersingettingintoworkorself-expressioninsomeformthatsatisfiesyoubyusingthissuccessformula:

1.Asnearlyasyoucan,formamentalpictureofwhatyouwantyourlifetobelike.

2.After formingapictureofwhatyoudesire,begindevelopingand livingyourdesirementally.Beginthinkingofthedesiredresultsasthoughtheywerealreadyobtained.Youtherebytakementalpossessionofyourdesiregoodandquickenitsmanifestation.

3.Askdivineintelligencetoshowyouthenextsteptowardattainingyourdesiredpictureofgood.Youwillbeshown;whether itmeansgoing tonight school formorecourses ofstudy, making drastic changes in your work and way of life, or developing a moreconstructiveattitudeaboutyourpresent joband itspotential.Asyouare shown thenextstep,boldlyfollowitinfaith,knowingthatitcanleadonlytorichersatisfaction.

4.Persistandpersevereinknowingthatcongenialworkcanandshallbeyours.Emersonhas said that everything has a price and if that price is not paid, thennot that thing butsomethingelse isobtained.Sopersist inpaying theprice in innerandouterways so thatyoushallhavefromlifewhatyoutrulydesire.

5.Continuegivingyourbestinyourpresentsituation,eventhoughyoumaybementallylivingbeyondit.Andaboveall,keepyourspiritshighthroughthelawofsaturation.

Truly,asyoutravelwithininthesevariousways,youcannotstandstillwithout!

ChapterTen

FinancialIndependenceCanBeYours

One of the desires of all prosperous-minded people is to be self-supporting andfinanciallyindependent.Povertyisauniversalfearofmankind,andmanypeopletodayareexperiencingfinancial lack,despite theunprecedentedprosperityofourtimes.Onceyoulearn the powerwhich you release through prosperous thinking, itwill dawn upon youthat thepossibilityof financial independence isn’t so far-fetchedafterall;youwill realizethatitisn’tjustmeantfortheotherfellow,butthatitismeantforyoutoo!

The term “financial independence” does not necessarily mean the same thing toeveryone. Basically, to be financially independent means to be financially free. To oneperson financial independence might simply suggest a well-paying, dependable job,throughwhichhecouldconsistentlymeethisfinancialobligationsandfeelfreefromdailyfinancialdemands.Anotherpersonmightbethinkinginmillionaireterms.Asyouprogressfinancially, your ideas of your ideas of financial independence expand so that youwishgreaterandgreaterfinancialfreedom.

Thus,thedesiretobeself-supportingandfinanciallyindependentisadivinedesirethathasbeenimplantedintheintellectualandemotionalnatureofmantohelphimtoprogress,to achieve, and to build a worthwhile life for himself. The desire for financialindependence,whether itbe foradecentweekly incomeor foramillionaire’s status, is adivinedesirethatshouldnotbesuppressed,butexpressedconstructivelythroughthemindof man. When it is so expressed, man is then able to experience the satisfaction andfulfillmentthatGodwantshimtohave.

Don’tAcceptThingsasTheyAre

Perhapsoneofthegreatsecretsofattainingfinancialindependencewasshownusbythemayor of a New England town. Several years ago a news story related the remarkableresultsof thisman’s firstyearasmayor.At the timehe tookoffice, everyonewas saying,“Thisisadyingcityandnobodycansaveit”,andtheyhadfactstoproveit.Slumsinfestedthedowntownarea, thecitypopulationwasnotgrowing,andbusinesswas leaving town.Prosperity seemed to be ancient history for this town. However, within a year the newmayorhadinspiredhisco-workerstoadoptaboldprogramofcleaningupthecity.Aslumclearanceprojectwenttoworktocleanoutdowntownslumsandmakewayforapartmenthouses,shoppingareas,parkinglots,newofficebuildingsandnewbusinessareas.Howwasthisonemanabletoinspiresomuchprogressandnewprosperitysofast?Hestatedthatthe

menonhiscitycouncilweremenwhodaredto“thinkbig,”whichgottheballrolling.Themayoralsomentionedthateachnightheprayedforguidance.Hisbasicattitudewasthis:“Iwon’tacceptthingsastheyare.Justbecausethey’vealwaysbeenthatwaydoesn’tmeantheycan’tbechanged!”

Thus, dissatisfactionwithpresent financial conditions is the first step toward attainingfinancialindependence.Ifyoucan’tsettleforthingsastheyare–good!Youhavethepower,through prosperous thought and action, to change them into something far better andmoresatisfying.Thisisyourkeytofinancialindependence,ifyoudaretouseit.

Ionceobservedanacquaintancegofromanunpleasantjobintohisownbusiness,whichrepresented financial independence to him, by boldly following through on “divinedissatisfaction.”ThismanhadbeenemployedsincetheWorldWarina jewelrystore,butalwaysinthebackofhismindwasthedreamofowninghisownstore.Finally,disharmonyand disorder arosewhere hewas employed.After long and faithful service, he suddenlyquit his job, although his employers assured him he would not be able to do as wellelsewhere.Thisman silently remindedhimself that he hadno intention of doing aswellelsewhere as an “employee,” but that he intended to become independent of bosses andotherpeople’sideas,forhewouldbeanemployerhimself.

At the timethismanquithis job,hehadonlyasmallamountofmoneysaved.Healsohadafamilyandtheusualfinancialresponsibilities.Nevertheless,assoonasthismanletgoof the unsatisfactory financial situation, he began to feel better,more content and freersomehow. Word soon got around. A friend who had a jewelry store in another townofferedhima jobuntilhecoulddecideaboutpermanentwork.Hetookthe jobtoassuresomeincomewhilehequietlymadelong-rangeplans.

Alittlelater,stillanotherbusinessfriendinformedhimthathewasalsodissatisfiedwithjustbeingasalariedemployee.Hewantedtogointothejewelrybusinessonapartnershipbasis.Thismanhadacomfortable savingsbalance.Together these twomenwere able toproducethefinancialassetsandcreditstandingneededtogointotheirfinancialventure.

Neitherofthesemencouldhavemanagedthisfinancialventurealone,buttogethertheywere able to pool their resources, financial assets, talents, and abilities. They formed apartnership and opened their own jewelry store, which has since made them bothprosperous. But the first man had to let go, refuse to accept an unsatisfactory businesssituationfirst,beforetherightdoorsopened.

EmotionsAreYourGo-Power

Anothersecretoffinancialindependence,afterwedecidewewillnotsettleforlessthanthe best in life, is the law of concentration and conservation. Conservation of thought,energy and emotional drive are all greatly needed for financial independence.You haveperhapsobservedthatsomepeopleseemtoprosperforaperiod.Theirbusinessesmayeven“boom,”butsuddenlythebottomdropsout,andtheyexperiencedirefinancialfailure,fromwhichtheyseemunabletorecover.Inalmosteveryinstance,ifyoulookclosely,youwilldiscoverthatthosepeople’semotions,attitudesandwayoflifebecamescattered,thusdepletingthemoftheirpreviousfineabilitytoprosper.

Mostmen’sbusinessactivitiesprosperaslongastheirpersonallivessucceed.Butwhenmarital difficulties arise, their businesses go on the rocks, too. I recently talked with abrilliant man who has made several fortunes and lost them each time his home lifedisrupted,ashisemotionsbecameupsetandscattered.

Weareallcreaturesofemotionanddeepfeeling,andourdeepfeelingscan“makeusorbreak us” financially. They are yourGod-power and your go-power. You should guardthemasyouwouldagoldmine,becauseyouremotionsareinrealitytherichestgoldmineyou will ever own. Scattered thinking, scattered emotions, scattered actions lead to ascatteringofyourmindpower.Thisinturndepletesyourphysicalenergythatisessentialfor prosperity; it depletes your brain energy that is needed for an intelligent course ofaction or plan for prosperity; it saps your emotional drive that is needed to put yourprosperityplanstowork.

DaretoBeDifferent

Conservation of thought, energy and emotional drive are all necessary for financialindependence.Inotherwords,inordertobecomepermanentlyprosperous,youmustdaretobedifferent!Atleast, forawhile.ItwasGeneralMaxwellD.Taylor,thefamous leaderwhoparachuted intoNormandyonD-Day,whooncesaidthat thetimefordaring is themomentwhenthestakesarehigh.Heremindedusthatwemustbewillingtoriskmuchinordertowinmuch;thatindeedwemustbewillingtoputalltothetest.

Butunderstand–thisdoesn’tleadtoadulllifeofwithdrawalfromtheworld.Instead,itleadstoajoyous,satisfyinglifefilledwithcongenialassociationsandrichexperiences,alifefreefromnon-essentialactivities.Whenyoudecidetobecomefinanciallyindependent,youimmediately make up your mind to cease caring “what people think” and to dare toconcentrateonyourgoal.Asyoubecomemoreprosperous,youwillnotcarewhatyourprevious associates think anyway, because you will doubtless be forming new, moresatisfying,andmorecongenialrelationshipsinkeepingwithyourexpandingvision.

ThinkBig

Themostsuccessfulpeoplethinkbig,notlimitingthemselvesortheirassociatesto theirideasandopinions.Ifyoudesiretobefreeofalotoflimitedthoughtsandpettyopinions,begin to think big. Concentrate on financial independence and youwill “lose” the pettythinkers along theway.Youwill also cultivate enduring, satisfying friendswhowill helpyouuptheladderofsuccess.

I once met a quiet little lady who is now president of a large housing project, anapartmentproject,andahugesuburbanshoppingcenter.Twentyyearsago, thesitenowoccupiedbythesehomes,apartmentsandstores,was justa largepasture, locatedaboutamilefromthenearesthighwayandfivemilesfromthenearesttown.

Butthislittleladyhadadreamaboutherproperty.Twentyyearsagothishadseemedaratherfoolishdream.Shekeptbuildingthevisioninhermindthatonedayherlandwouldhouseoneofthemostbeautifulsuburbanshoppingcentersinthecountry.Shejustquietlyandboldlyheldthatvisioninmind,impossiblethoughitseemed.Ofcourse,suchafulfilled

dreamwouldautomaticallymakeherfinanciallyindependent.

Ina fewyears, anearbymilitarybasewasenlarged.Asa resultof the increased trafficfromthemilitarybasetothenearesttown,anewfour-lanehighwaywasbuilt.Ithappenedthatthisfour-lanehighwayborderedonthislady’spasture.

Almost immediately, realestateagentsby thedozensbeganmaking this ladyoffers forthe sale of her land, but she refused to sell. From a practical standpoint, it might haveseemed the thing to do because the land was still undeveloped and as such almostworthless.Unliketherealtorswhowantedtobuy,shehadnotthemoneynorthefinancialassetsnecessarytodevelopherland.Butstillshehadherdream,andshecourageouslyheldthatvisionofprosperousfinancialindependence.

The years passed; the nearby town grew and grew. One day this lady noticed acontractor with his equipment and men on the property adjoining hers. Soon she wasintroducedtothiscontractorandtheybecamefriends.Theytalkedaboutallherpropertyand of its possibilities for development. She related her dream of owning a beautifulshoppingcenterwherethetownspeopleandthemilitarypersonnelcouldshopwithease,withouthaving toget involved indowntowntraffic.Thiscontractorwasquite impressedbyherdream.Heexplained toher that itwasquitepossible forherdreamtocometrue,withoutherhavingtosellanypartofherbelovedland,whichwasstillusedasapasture.

Hepointedoutthepossibilities fortheformationofacorporationinwhichshewouldfurnish the land, while he would furnish the services of his contracting company:equipment, personnel for building and supervising the work. He advised that he had amillionaire contractor friend who would be willing to furnish the necessary cash andcollateraluntilthebuildingwascompletedandcouldbeapprovedforlong-termfinancing.

In due time they formed a corporation. Upon the advice of her two corporationpartners, theyfirstbuiltanapartmentproject torelievethecriticalhousingshortagethathadoccurredinthatarea.Later,theybuilthomesforrentalandsale.Stilllater,theybuiltabeautiful, colonial-style shopping center that includes everything froma dime store to adrive-inbank.Thus,thiswoman’slowlypasturelandprovidedfortheneedsofhundredsofpeopleoccupyingapartmentsandhomes.Herhugeshoppingcenter isconsideredoneofthemostbeautifulintheSouth.Allbecauseshequietlyandboldlyheldtoalargeimageofsuccess,prosperityandfinancialindependenceuntilothersoflikemindcamealongtohelphermakeitcometrue.

DustOffYourDreams

If you have unfilled dreams and visions of greater prosperity and success tucked in acornerofyourmind,don’tkeepthemthereanylonger.Daretobringthemoutanddustthemoff.Daretobeginthinkingofthepossibilitiesoffinancialindependenceevenif,atthispoint,theyseemimpossibleoffulfillment.Shouldthatolddefeatingelementoffeartrytowhisper that there’snopossibleway foryourdreamsof financial independence to cometrue,remindyourselfoftherichBiblicalpromises.

Oftenyoumaynothavesucceededbecauseyoufelt thatsomehowyouhadtosucceedaloneandthethoughtoverwhelmedyou;itseemedeasiertosettleforfailure.Butasavery

successfulengineersaidtomerecentlywhenIaskedhimwhathissuccesssecretwas:

IwasneversuccessfuluntilIwentinto“partnership.”GodismypartnerandthebestOneIhaveeverhad.Hisguidanceaboutmy financial affairsnever leadsmeanywherebut togreater prosperity. I begin and end my day by asking for, listening for, and expectingspecificguidanceaboutallmyengineeringprojects,andthatguidancealwayscomes.

Recently,when thepresidentofoneof this country’s leading corporations said tome,“Howdoyoudoit?Howdoyoumanagetodoallthatyoudoandneverbecomeruffledorupset in themidstofsuchgreatdemandsandexpectations?”heseemedratheramazedatmy answer that it’s simple.God ismy partner and I leave all the stress, strain and harddecisionstoHim.Themananswered,“Youmeanitreallyworkstodosuchathing?Thatit’spracticaltotrustGodinsuchlargefinancialmatters?”Myreplywas,“Look,ifyoucan’ttrustGodWhoisallintelligence,hasall-powerandWhorunsthisrichuniverse,justwhomcanyoutrust?”

Truly,Godopenswayswheretohumansensethereseemstobenoway.Graspthistruthandholdfasttoit.Businesseshavebeensaved,fortunesbuilt,discoveriesmade,inventionsperfected and the dead restored to life, after the sentence of defeat has been passed byhumanity.ThankGodthatHisgoodnessdoesnotstopat the limitsofourhumanvision.Keepsteady,keepyourfaith,keepyourcourage;rememberthatGodopenswayswheretohumansensethereisnoway!

VisualizeFinancialIndependence

Inotherwords,youneednotundertakethefulfillmentofanydesirealone.Youhavethepromise,Askanditshallbegivenyou;seekandyeshallfind;knockanditshallbeopeneduntoyou;for everyone that asketh receiveth; andhe that seeketh findeth; and tohim that knocketh it shall beopened.Mostfolksoverlookthisasaprosperitysecret.Oftentheyletrichespassthemby,justbecausetheydonotaskthehelpofaHigherPowertolearnhowtoattaintheirgood.

Beginnowtovisualizeyourself,notasjustbecomingmoreprosperous,butasbecomingfinancially independent.EmmaCurtisHopkinshaswritten, “Whatever is oftenest viewedwiththeinnereyereveals itssecretsandhandsout itsgifts.”It isadelightfulprocessandverystimulatingtothemind,anditreallyisnotday-dreamingifyoudaretogetdefiniteinyour thinking.Mrs.Hopkinshas furtherpointedout, “Success lies in beingone-pointed,and in rejecting all that distracts from one’s victorious objective.” Why be mildlyprosperous when, by being mentally “one-pointed,” you can be completely free fromfinancialcare,sothatyouwillhavetimeandmoneytodevelopotherphasesofyourbeingthatcanbeacredit toyouandtoallmankind?ATexasoilmanoncemadea fortune inawaynooneexpected.Hewent intooil fields thathadalreadybeendrilled foroil andbydrilling“deeper”hemadea fortune inoil thatnoonebelievedwas there! In therealmofprosperousthinking,youcantoo!

You are actually equipped to master life in its every phase! You do not have tocompromise in life, if you are willing to let go of the idea of compromise. By ceasingneedlessactivities,associationsandrelationships;byceasing tobebotheredwithneedlesschatter with scatter-minded people, you will find that financial independence is right

aroundthecomer,muchnearerthanyoupreviouslyassumed.

ConserveYourTimeandEnergy

Begin todiscipline yourselfmore; conserve your time and energy; associateonlywithotherprosperous-mindedpeoplewithwhomyouhave compatible interests.Asyou turnfromall that isunproductiveorunrelatedtoyourhighvisionofprosperity;asyouceasetrying to please others anddare to please the “still, small voice” of progresswithin yourownheart,youarewellonthewaytofinancialindependence!

Manypeoplewant to become financially independent, but theynevermake the gradebecausetheyrefuse todisciplinethemselvesandtheirwayof life,evenfora time. Itmayseemanextremeideatoyouthatyoumustconcentrate,concentrate,andconcentrateonprosperity to exclusion of all else; that you should discard negative, failure-mindedbusiness associates; that you should begin fearlessly to weed out all undesirablerelationships; thatyoushouldbecarefulwithwhomandhowyouspendyour time,evenyourleisuretime.Onceyoudecidetotrythismethod,youwilldiscoverthatitisasthoughyouarebreakingahardshellof limitedthought, feeling,andactivity.Whenyougetpastthat point, you can begin enjoying a more balanced way of life again. But there is thattransitionperiodofhavinga“one-trackmind”thatthinksonlyofsuccessandprosperity,afterwhichyoufindyourselfinamuchhigherfinancialbracket.Youwilldiscoveranewzestinlife,andyouwillbeabletorelaxandreallyhavefun,becauseyouhaveearnedit.Butunlessyouconserveandconcentratepriortothatpoint,you’llneverattainit.

Thetruthofthiswasrecentlybroughttomyattentionbyanewsstoryreportingthatayoungman,whoisstilllessthan30yearsofage,hasbecomevice-presidentofaninsurancecompany.Thisyoungmandecidedseveralyearsagoonanobjective,andhequietlystartedworking toward it through prosperous thinking. He spent all of his spare time readingbooksonsuccess,associatingonlywithothersoflikemind.Foraperiodhiswifefeltthatperhapshewasrestrictinghimself fromsocialaffairswhich theybothhadenjoyed in thepast.Butwhenheexplainedtoherwhyhewasdevotinghistimetoconcentrationuponhispresent and future success, shewaswilling to foregomost social events thatwere time-consuming.Afterseveralyearsofhardworkandstudy,thisyoungmanhasreachedsuchheightsthatheandhiswifecanagainleadamoresociallife.Nowtheycantrulyaffordtheenjoyablecontactswithprosperous-mindedpeoplewhoaretheirnewfriends.

AssumeYourFinancialIndependenceNow!

A good way to begin cultivating the expectation of financial independence, and thehappyexperiences itcanbring, isbybeginningtobefinancially independentforthe day,weekormonthnowbeforeyou.Itisalwayseasierforthemindtoproduceresultsthatareexpected in thepresentor immediate future.For instance,beginyourday theprosperityway by affirming lavish abundance for that day, even before arising. Put prosperousthinking first, aswell as last, inyourday.Asyouawakeneachmorning and emotionallyprepare tomeet thenewday,eitherbeforearisingorwithyourmorningcoffee,prepareyourselfbywritingout,verballyaffirming,orsilentlydeclaringanumberoftimes:Iexpect

lavishabundanceeverydayineverywayinmylifeandaffairs.Ispecificallyexpectandgivethanksforlavishabundancetoday!Inthiswayyouaresendingprosperousthinkingbeforeyoutoprepareadelightful,satisfying,andworthwhiledaythatwillruntomeetyou,hourbyhour,withitsdelightfulsurprisesandsatisfactions.

Asyoudailydevelopastateofmindthatbelievesin,expects,andexperiencesfinancialindependence one day at a time, your state ofmind then automatically expands, so thatfinancial independence becomes a weekly, monthly, yearly habit. But you must startsometime in your thinking, and the daily basis is the easiest, most immediate and mostsatisfying,becauseitgivesyouproofpositivethatyourprosperityisathand,awaitingyourrecognitionandacceptanceofit.

Abusinessmanrecentlytoldmethathisbusinessdoubledafterhebegantoconcentratehisattentiononthethoughtandexpectancyoffinancialindependence,ratherthanonthethought of how hard he had towork and how useless it all seemed. A young insuranceexecutive,hediscoveredthatthinkingofandexpectinglavishabundanceforonedayatatimewasagreatsecrettowardfinancialindependence.Severalyearsagohebeganspendinganhour eachmorningmentally planninghis day as hewished it to be.Heheld inmindfigures of sales hewished to obtain. Laterwhenhewas named supervisor of a group ofinsurancesalesmen,hespenttimeeachmorningthinkingofthemandtheamountofsaleshe wished them to make for the day. It was by this daily process of thinking of lavishabundanceforhimselfandhissalesmenthatheworkedhiswayuptoanexecutivecapacityinhiscompany.

YouCanOvercomeSeriousObstacles

Inordertobecomefinanciallyindependent,totheextentofhavingaconstantfinancialincome,itisnecessarytodiscardanumberofnegativeattitudes.Mostpeoplecantellyouin a hurry all the reasons why they cannot succeed. Yet as we look about us, we aresurprisedathowoftenthepeoplewhosucceedseemtohaveobstaclestoovercome.

There is a ladywho isapoliovictimwhogoes toherworkasaprivate secretary in awheelchaireveryday.Toall appearances, she shouldhavegivenupyearsagowhen shewasstrickenwithparalysis.Butshewasrehabilitatedandnowdrivesherowncar.Shehasan interesting,worthwhile job.Throughherattitudeofrefusing togive in todisease, shehasbecomeindependentofthesickbedandmakesherownwayfinanciallyaswell.ThelasttimeIheardfromhershewasalsothinkingofgettingmarried!

One Spring day several years ago a young store clerk talked with me about howdiscouragedanduncertainhewasabouthis future. Iaskedhimwhathereallywantedtodo, andhe shyly replied, as thoughhehadnever dared to talk about it, “Iwould like toattend college so that I may teach.” I suggested to him that, through the power ofprosperousthinking,allthingsarepossible.Ifurthersuggestedthatheconsiderbecomingindependent, that he should positively work toward getting further education, that heshouldnotsettleforaclerk’sjob,ifhereallywishedtobecomeateacher.

HeagreedtobeginvisualizinghimselfasattendingcollegeintheFall,andtoconstantlythinkoflavishabundancebecomingvisibletomeethiseveryneed.Atthesuggestionthat

hemakeplansasthoughhewouldattendcollegeintheFall,heimmediatelyregisteredatthecollegewhichhewishedtoattend.Hestudiedcarefullythecollegecatalog,selectingthesubjectshewishedtotake,andmemorizingeverythinginthatcatalogaboutthecollege,itshistory,curriculum,facultyandotherfeatures.

Ashecontinuedtoenvisionhimselfasfreefromwhathedidnotwanttodo,andasbeingactive inwhathewished todo, an interesting thinghappened. Inmid-summera relativecame to him and explained that for some time he had observed him, and felt that hispotentialwasmuch greater than his presentwork allowed.This relative then offered tomakefinancialarrangementsforthisyoungmantoattendcollegethatFall.Withgreatjoythisyoungmanthenconfidedallofhishopesanddreamstotherelative,whowashappytolearnofhisforesight.

Recently that young man informed me that he will receive his degree within a fewmonths.Allthiscameaboutbecausehedaredtobecomeindependentinhisthinking,andtovisiongreatgoodaspossibleforhim.

TechniquesforBecomingFinanciallyIndependent

Beginnowtomentallyacceptthevisionoffinancialindependenceforyourselfandthoseyouholddearbyfillingyourmindwithpicturesofthelifeyouwouldliketo lead,ratherthanbeinghypnotizedby the life you seem to be leading at themoment.But keep yourhighvisionsoffinancialindependencetoyourself.Startdoingwhateverlittleorbigthingyoucantohelpyourhighvisiontocometrue.

Letme sharewithyoua simple,practical technique forhelpingyou tobegin today tobecomemoreprosperous.Ifyoukeepupthepracticeofthisonesimpletechnique,itwillleadtogreaterprosperity,anditcansurelyleadtofinancialindependenceaswell!Itisthis:The ancients believed the number “ten” had amagic power of increase. Thus, beginningrightnow,wheneveryouthinkaboutmoney,whetheritbeincome,outgo,theamount inyour checking account, the amount in your wallet, the amount in your savings orinvestments–beginmentally increasingyour supplyby thinkingof ten times that amountcomingtoyou.Thisisadelightfulandfascinatingtechniqueforincreasingyourmoney.

Forinstance,lookinyourwallet.Supposethereis$5there.Lookatitanddeclare:Igivethanksthatthis$5isbutasymboloftheinexhaustiblesubstanceoftheuniverse.Igivethanksthattentimesthismuchor$50isnowonitswaytomeandquicklymanifestsinperfectways.Multiplyeveryfigurethatpresentsitselftoyoubyten,andbeginexpectingthemultipliedamounttocometoyou.Inthatway,youbegintothinkofhowmuchyouhave and how much is coming, rather than the usual deadly thought that you haven’tenough.Bymultiplyingeverythingbyten,yourthinkingautomaticallyshiftsfromlacktoprosperity. Since the mind quickly responds to definite figures, it will seem as thoughheavenandearthareworkingtopropelmoneyinyourdirection.

Lookatthebalanceinyourcheckbook.Perhaps$50isthere.Insteadofthinking,“Thisisn’t enough to pay the bills,” change the thought to:This is but a symbol of the richsubstanceoftheuniversethatisavailabletome.Igivethanksthattentimesthismuch,or$500, isnowon itsway tomeandquicklymanifests tomeeteverydemand. In like

manner,whenthebillsbeginflowinginaroundthefirstofthemonth,donotthink,“Thisbillof$20ismuchtoohighthismonth.Wesimplymustcutdownonexpenses.”Changethe thought to:$20 is but a symbol of the rich substance of the universe that is nowavailabletome.Igivethanksthattentimesthismuch,or$200,isnowonitswaytomeanditquicklyappears,sothateveryfinancialobligationisimmediatelyandcompletelymetwiththerichsubstanceoftheuniverse.

Aftermultiplyingyourmoneybytenmentally,ifthereisafinancialneed,itisgoodtogoaheadsendingforthwhateversubstanceisonhandtomeetit.Thatopensthewayforthemultipliedamountstobeginflowingin.Theoutflowmakeswayfortheinflow.

With every financial transaction that presents itself to you, multiply it by ten, givingthanks that ten times thatmuch is coming toyou foryourprivateuse. It is the quickest,surest,mostdelightfulwaytogetyourPh.D.inprosperousthinking!

Asaleswomanwhoheardaboutthisprosperousprincipledecidedtoimmediatelyputittowork.Thenightshehearditexplained,shehadadollarinherpocket.Shetookitout,lookedatit,andthought,“Tentimesthismuchisimmediatelycomingtome.Tendollarsnowmanifests.”Shethengavethedollarasanofferingatthecloseofthelecture.Thenextdayshecontinuedmultiplyingthetotalfigureofeverysaleshemadebyten.Theresultwasthatshesoldmoreduringthatonedaythandidall theemployeesontwootherfloorsofthe same store.Thatnightwhen she arrivedhome, therewere two $5 checkswhich hadarrived in the mail. They were gifts that were totally unexpected. Thus, her dollar hadproducedtendollarsforher,andhersellingpowerhadmushroomedthatdaythroughheruseofthemagicnumberten.

Youcantakethissameideaevenfurther,onceyougetitfullyestablishedinyourmindandworkingforyou.Adoctorwhoheardthisprincipleexplained,thoughtquietly,“WhyshouldIsettleforthemultiplyingpoweroften?Whywouldn’t thenumberonehundred,whichistentimesten,beevenmorepowerfulinmultiplyingpower?”Andsohedecidedtotestitout.He,too,gaveadollarloveofferingattheconclusionofalectureheheardonthissubject, thinking, “I amgiving; thereby invoking the lawof receiving. I expect to receiveonehundredtimesthisamount,or$100.Igivethanksthatitappearsinperfectways.”Thenextafternoon,awomanwalkedintohisoffice,handedhimacheckandsaid,“Idonotoweyou anymoney because I have not needed treatment from you recently.However, I amgreatlyimpressedwiththehelpyouhavebeenabletogiveseveralmembersofmyfamilyrecently. They have been completely restored to health through your treatment. Inappreciation I would like to share a portion of some money that recently came to meunexpectedly!”Thecheckshegavehimwasfor$100!

Ahousewife,uponhearingof themultiplyingpowerof ten, thoughtasdid thedoctor,anddecided tomultiply thedollar inherpocketbookbyonehundred, insteadofby ten.Withintwodays,shereceivedacheckfor$100fromabusinessassociatewhohadlongbeenowingherthemoney!

Whatfreedomthisonesimpletechniquegivesyoufromthethoughtoflack,povertyand“notenough”! It completelychangesyourattitude to: “This isa richuniverse, and there’splentyforyouandforme.”

FurtherAidsinEstablishingFinancialIndependence

Alongwithmultiplyingeveryfinancial figurebyten,orbytentimesten,Isuggestthatyou do a number of other things to aid in establishing your vision of financialindependence.Beginnowfillingyourmindwithpicturesofthelifeyouwouldliketoleadwhen you are financially able. Study newspapers and magazines carrying luxuriousadvertisementsof the clothes, thehomes, thehobbies, andother things in lifewhichyouwishtohaveandexperience.Build,build,buildyourinnermentalpicturesofyourlifefreefromfinancialworry,freefortravel,hobbies,worthwhileaccomplishmentsandcongenialassociations.Asforthetalentsandabilitiesyouwouldliketodevelop,beginstudyingbooksand filling your mind with the pictures of fulfillment along that line. Think of theorganizations you would like to help, and the good you would like your riches toaccomplish.

Buildthementalpictureoffinancialindependencealsoforyourlovedones,inyourownthinking. Mentally behold the whole world financially independent. Free yourself, andbegin to freemass thought all that is less than rich, financial independence.Millions ofpeople all over the world are slaves to war, crime, delinquency, ill health, and thegodlessnessofCommunismbecause they ignorantlybelieve that theirwealth lies outsidethemselves,leavingthemwhollydependentuponothers.

Dissolvethisignorant,destructive,hypnoticbeliefforothers,aswellasforyourself,bydaring to accept the glorious truth that financial independence is one of theGod-givenrightsofallmankind,whichyoucanhelptobringforthbyyourownattitudes,actions,andreactions.

Youshouldalsobeginbuildingyourexpectancyandfaithinfinancialindependencebystudyingthesubjectoffinance,economics,andinvestments.Youshouldalsoliterallyprayforfinancialindependence.Realizeinyourthinkingthatyouarenotboundtothewheelofwork,dayinanddayout.Youarenotaservanttoriches,butaradiantsonoftheGodofuniversalabundance!

YourTenLuckySteps

Tohelpyougainfinancialindependenceonasteadybasis,Iwishtosharewithyouthefollowing formula, which I like to call the “ten lucky steps” to prosperous thinking andfinancialindependence:

1.Getquiet,meditate,andaskyourlovingFatherifthereIisanyreasonwhyyoushouldnotbecomefinanciallyindependent.(Thisactwillremovealluncertaintyfromyourmind,foritisuncertaintythatdelaysyoursuccess.)

2.HavingdecidedtoachievefinancialindependenceandhavinggottenasenseofpeaceabouttheTightnessofitforyou,makeamentalpictureofthehighestdegreeofitthatyouwishtoexperience.Mentallyimagetheamountofincomeyouwishandhowyouwilllivewhenyouareindependent.Buildasdetailedamentalpictureoffinancialindependenceaspossible.Themoreyouthinkaboutit,themoredetailedyourmentalpicturewillbecome.Thinkofthekindofhomeyouwish,thetypeofclothesyouwishtowear,theactivitiesyouwishtoexperience,theplacesyouwishtovisit.

3.Buildthementalpictureofwhatyoureallywant,notwhatsomeoneelsewantsyoutohave, orwhat you think it is yourduty tohave–butwhat you reallywant.Manypeopleleadmiserablelivesoffailurebecausetheytrytopleaseothers.Yourlifeisadivinegiftforyoutolive,notforsomeoneelsetoliveforyou.Onlywhatyousincerelywantcanmakeyouhappy.Buildmentalpicturesuponthatandnothingless.

4. Say little to anyone about your innerplans, becauseothers can always tell youhowtheythinkyoushould liveyour life,but theycan’t live it foryousuccessfully.Keep yoursuccess plans to yourself. Do not dissipate them, or subject them to a crosscurrent, bygivingothersachancetotearthemapart.

5.Proceedasyoufeelledtotakethefirststepstowardyourmentalpicturesoffinancialindependence. Dowhatever little or big things you can to gain the feeling that you arealreadyonthewaytowardit.Setatimelimitandplantoachievecertainthingswithinsixmonths, otherswithin a year, and otherswithin two years. Set a datewhen you plan toachievecompletefinancialindependence.

6.Donot become anxious, excited, or emotionally upset if affairs donot immediatelybeginproducingtheresultsyoudesire.Donottrytoforceorhurryyourmentalimageintofulfillment. Anxious, excited, emotional, hurried, forced states of mind produce violentresultsthatareseldomsatisfactory,andtheycanbemostdiscouraginganddestructive.

7. Insteadof caringwhatpeople sayor think,quietly continue topersevere inmakingyourmentalimageoffinancialindependencecomeforth,inwhateverwaysarerevealedtoyou.Remindyourselfoften thatyouareworkingwith therich substanceof theuniversethroughprosperousthinking,andthatyoucannotfail,becausethelawsoftheuniverseareimmutable and cannot fail. Thus, nothing can prevent your success frommanifesting, asyoukeepthinkingandworkingtowardit.

8.Realizethatyourdreamsoffinancialindependencehavealreadybecometrueonthementalplane,bythetimeyoudesirethemorbecomeawareofthem.Thus,yourgreatgoodisasmuchyoursbeforeitbecomesvisibleasitisafterwards,butitisuptoyoutobringitinto visibility. You can do so by declaring:Divine Substance, giveme this now in ThineOwnPerfectWay,orDivineSubstance,nowmeetthisdemandinThineOwnPerfectWay.It isminenowandquicklymanifestsinsatisfyingways.Neversay,“Itcanneverhappen,”but,“This,orsomethingbetter,nowmanifests.”

9.Remindyourselfoftenthatifothershaveattainedfinancialindependence,socanyou.Whatonehasdone,manycando.Whatcanbedoneinsmalldegreecan,withpersistence,frequency,andearnestnessbedoneinanunlimiteddegree.It’suptoyou.

10.Remindyourselfoftenthateverygoodthingalreadyexistsintherealmofsubstance.Through your high expectancy,mental images, and prosperous thought and action, youbecomemasteroftherealmofsubstance,andcanbringforthwhateveryouwishfromit.The history of the world shows that everymental demand ofman has beenmet.Makeyoursnow,sticktoit,andyoushallsucceed!

Itmaynothappenovernight,yetitcan.Itwillhappenifyoudaretopersistinexpecting,envisioning,andmentallyacceptingtheideaoffinancialindependenceforyourselfandallpeople. At first, it may take some effort on your part to begin believing success is

prosperousthoughtheld,everyvisionentertained,everyrichmentalpossibleforyou,butthe fruits of that effort willmake it worth every prosperous thought held, every visionentertained,everyrichmentalpictureyouhavebuilt.Declareoften:Every day in everywayIambecomingfinanciallyindependent,withthehelpofGod.Itwillsurelycome!

ChapterEleven

TheProsperityLawofLoveandGoodWill

Recentlyabusinessmansaidtome,“Ibelievethatthegreatestprosperitylawofallis theprosperity lawof love and impersonal goodwill.”He then toldmeof someof hisexperiences in businesswhere love, as impersonal goodwill, hadwon out in the face ofinharmonyandapparentfailure.

Hecitedtheinstanceofawealthyladycustomerwhomhecouldalwayspleasewhenhermood was high. But when she was in low spirits, he often received caustic letters ortelephonecalls,inwhichshewouldmakecaustic,unkindremarksabouthismishandlingofherbusinessinterests.

His antidote for this woman was: Using love as impersonal good will. He stated thatwhenthiscustomer(oranyothers)“actedup”duringthecourseofhisbusinessday,hehaddevelopedaspecialmethodfor“straighteningthemout.”Insteadofretaliatingorofferingadefensewheninharmony,criticismorpersonalityconflictsarose,hewouldsitquietlyforafewminutes,thinkaboutthepersoninquestionanddeliberatelythink lovingthoughtsofgoodwillaboutthem.Heworkedinhisownthinkingtovisualizethatpersonsurroundedand infoldedwith love,a senseof security,calmness,goodhumor, impersonalgoodwill.Theresult?Hestatesthattheresultshavebeensofastandsopronouncedthatithasoftenbeenbreath-taking. For instance, thatwealthy,moodywoman has often telephoned himlong-distancetoexpressherprofoundapologieswithinanhourafterhehasvisualizedherinaloving,kindway.Ifatelephonecalldidnotcome,thenshewouldusuallywriteanote,datingitandtimingitwithinanhourorsoafterhisthoughtsandblessingswererealizedconcerningher.

Wheninharmonyarisesinbusinesstransactionswhereseveralpeopleareinvolved,thismangoesovereachone inhismindandblesseseachonewith impersonalgoodwill.Hethen mentally sees harmony restored in the situation. Soon tempers cool,misunderstandingsfadeaway,andsuccessfultransactionsproceed.

Itisgoodtousethismethodatthebeginningandendofeachday.Asyoulookbackoveryour day mentally, for all unpleasantness that occurred, dare to mentally recast thatexperience. See all concerned as loving, understanding andharmonious, and youwill besurprised how often those involvedwill do an “about-face,” andmake amends for theirpreviousattitudes.

Dare to begin your day by mentally going over the planned events for that day,visualizingthemaspleasant,harmoniousandsuccessful.Youwillbegintoexperiencepaths

ofprosperity, pleasantness andpeace, ofwhich Solomonwrote.Usually, if youmentallyplan,visualizeandexpectasuccessfuldayintheearlymorninghours,therewillbelittletoundomentallyatday’send.

LoveNeverFails

Nomatterhowmanyprosperity lawsyouknowabout, if youarenot able to live andworkharmoniouslywithothers,allelseseemsoflittlevalue.Ithasbeenestimatedthatyourfinancialsuccessisdueonlyto15%ofyourtechnicalability,and85%toyourabilitytogetalongwithpeople.

Thetalentforgettingalongwithotherpeoplethroughexercisingimpersonalgoodwill,whichisloveinaction,cannotbeoveremphasized.Perhapsyoumayhavewonderedaboutthe cause of firing most employees–is it due to incompetence, tardiness, dishonesty?Personnelmanagersseemtoagreethatmorethantwo-thirdsofthepeoplewholosetheirjobs do so because “they cannot get along with people.” Approximately ten percent aredischargedbecauseofinadequatepreparationfortheskillsneeded.Therestaredischargedbecauseof“personalityproblems.”

Doyouwonderwhy impersonalgoodwill and theability togetalongwithothershassuchpower?Doyouwonderwhyitisthat,unlessyouareabletogetalongwithothersineitherabusinesswayorathome,allyourothertraining,abilitiesandeffortsaregenerallyfutile?

Lovehasunequaledpower,becauseloveisthepowerthatunifiesthewholeworldandeverything in it. For instance, the lawof gravity is love in action.Love is the equalizing,harmonizing, balancing, adjusting force that is ever at work throughout the universe.Workingintheseways,lovecandoforyouwhatyoucannothumanlydoforyourself.

AtHarvardUniversity,world-renownedsociologistsconductedresearchstudiesonthepoweroflove.Theuniversityestablishedaresearchcenter,staffedwithseriousscientists,whospent theirvaluable timestudying thesubjectof love.Their findingswere that love,likeothergoodthings,canbedeliberatelyproducedbyhumanbeings!Accordingtotheirfindings, there is no reasonwhywe can’t learn to generate love as we do other naturalforces.

LoveIsPersonalandImpersonal

Buthowdoyouproduceandgeneratelove?First,byrealizingthatloveisbothpersonalandimpersonal.Onthepersonallevel,youcangenerateloveastheexpressionofdevotion,tenderness,kindness,approval,andappreciationofthoseinyourfamilyandcircleofclosefriends.

Love,ontheimpersonallevel,istheabilitytogetalongwithotherpeople,orgoodwilltoward all otherswithout personal attachment. For this purpose, affirmoften: I love allpeopleandallpeopleloveme,withoutattachment.

AChinese doctor now living inMalaya is especially interested in helpingmankind torealizethe impersonalpowerof loveforsolvingallour ills.Hehassentoutover150,000

copies of a statement about the power of love. In this statement he invites people of allraces and creeds to simply think about divine love for fiveminutes every day. He thenprovides a synchronizing timetable, in case people in various countrieswish tomeditateupon divine love at the same time. That is one man’s belief in the power of love forharmony,justice,andworldpeace.

HowtoGenerateLove

Ifyouwillanalyzethisthingcalledlove,youwilldiscoverthatlifeisaprocessofgivingandreceivingofloveinitsmanyphases,andthatitisthoseindividualswhoarenotlivinginthestreamoflovethatfeelitslackasadifficultyinmind,bodyoraffairs.Throughthedeliberatedevelopmentof love, you canget into the streamof life’s goodness, aswell ashelpotherstoexperienceit.

Is itnotwonderful torealize,asdid theHarvardscientists, thatyouno longerhave tolookoutsideyourself,waitingandhopingthatsomehow,atsomefuturetime,perhapslovewillfindyou?YoucanbeginnowdeliberatelygeneratingloveforGod,foryourselfandformankind,fromwithinyourownbeing.Bydoingso,youwillunfailinglydrawtheperfectexpressionsofloveintoyourownlife.

I have discovered that some people feel guilty about their desire for love in itsmanyphases,thinkingtheyshouldsuppressthatdesire.Thetimehascomeforyoutorealizethatyou shouldexpress thedesire for love–fromwithinout, towardGod,yourself, andyourfellowman.AlovingFathercanonlydoforyouwhatHecandothroughyou.Itisthroughyourownthoughts,feelingsandexpectationsthatloveisborn.Asyoudeliberatelyexpresslove,itcomesbacktoyoumultiplied.

Take conscious control of your thoughts and feelings, and begin now to develop animpersonal consciousnessof love,knowing that it is thequickestway to solveyourownproblems,aswellasapowerfulwayofhelpingmankind.Youcandothisinaverysimpleway:

Begin spending a few minutes each day deliberately generating love. In those timesaffirm:With God’s help, I am now deliberately and joyously radiating divine love tomyself,myworld, and to allmankind.Askdaily thatdivine lovebemadealive inyou.Form the mental picture of yourself as healthy, prosperous, illumined, harmonized,blessed,unfetteredandunbound.Quietlylovethatmentalpicturebyaffirming:Iletdivinelovenowbemadealiveinme.

Intheseperiodswhenyoudeliberatelybringaliveandgeneratelove,dosointhisway:Think of love as being a radiant light that unfolds, brightens, illumines and uplifts you.Think of love as permeating, penetrating, and saturating yourwhole being. If there aredark, troublesomeareas in your life, deliberately thinkof themas coming alivewith thelightofdivineloveandbeingdivinelyadjusted.

Continueinyourmeditationperiodtopourforththethought,feeling,andenlightenedpictureof loveuponyourselfandyourworld.Thereisnoreasonforfeelingguiltyaboutlovingyourself.Youcannotloveothersorradiateloveoutwarduntilyouloveyourselfandfeel itwithin.Lovebegins at home,withinyou.Psychiatry emphasizes the need for self-

loveandappreciation.

Daretoconsciouslyloveyourself,loveyourlifeandaffairs,loveeverylittlebitofgoodinall.Inyourtimeofgeneratinglove,particularlydaretoloveanypartofthebodythatiscryingoutforhealing.Boldlydeclaretoit,Iloveyou.Daretodirectlovetoanysituationinyourlifethatseemsdifficult.Thinkofthesituationandaffirm:Letdivinelovebemadealiveintheenow.

Whenyouhavesufficientlygainedamentalpictureorsatisfying feelingof the lightoflove floodingyourwholebeing,youcanknowthatyouhavegeneratedandreleased thegreatestpoweronearthintoeveryphaseofyourmind,bodyandaffairs.Thelightof loveshallshineforthasnewenergy,newpeaceofmind,newpoweranddominion,newpoise,newbeauty,newprosperity,newharmony;indeed,asnewgoodineveryphaseofyourlife.

TurningonLoveBringsPracticalResults

TheHarvardscientistsalsodiscoveredthatyoucanactuallybombardpeople,situations,and conditions with love, thereby producing miraculous changes. They predicted that“turningonlove”mightsoonbecomeauniversalprescriptionforhealingtheworld’sills.

There is practical, result-getting power in generating and turning on love. A friendrecently spoke of witnessing her complexion clean up after daily thinking of it inmeditation,andgentlylovingitwiththethoughtofbeautyandradiance.Herskinisnowradiantlycleanandbeautiful.Alecturerrecentlyspokeoffeelingfatiguedduringalectureseries. Then he remembers to love his body in his meditation periods, and it quicklyrespondedwithnewlife,energyandvitality.

Notonlyisitgoodtomeditateuponlove,butasyougoaboutdailyliving,itisgoodtoaffirmsilentlytoeverythinginyourworld:Letdivinelovebemadealiveinthee.Totheclothesyouwear:thecaryoudrive,theinanimateobjectsinyourhomeoroffice,thebillsyoupay,theincomeyoureceive,affirmdivinelove.Eventotheemptyspacesinyourlife,andtothegoodyouseekthathasnotyetappeared,affirmlove.

Everythingseemstorespondtoyourthoughtsof love.Tothepeopleyoumeetduringtheday,strangersandfriends,aswellastothoseinyourfamilygroup,itisgoodtosilentlydeclare:Letdivinelovebemadealiveinthee.

Recently I talked with a secretary concerning the friction and jealousy in her office.Becauseshewas“easy-going,”shewasbeingaskedtodoalargepartoftheworknormallydonebytwoothersecretaries,forwhichtheywerereceivinghighpraiseandpayincreases.

She had tried at various times to talkwith her boss about the unfairness of her extrawork,buthehadrefusedtolisten.Indesperationshecametome,notknowingwhethertoquitherjob,whichwasgenerallypleasantandconvenient,ortotryto“stickitout,”unjustthoughitwas.

I suggested that sheuse this affirmation:Letdivine lovemanifestnow. I pointed outthatitwasnotnecessarytotrytoappeasepersonalities,ortocompromiseone’sbeliefs tosatisfy others; that every sign of weakness and insecurity would only lead to furtherdissatisfactionandmistreatment. Instead, she shouldbegin radiatingpeace, power, poise,

innerstability,andfirmnessinwhatshewouldandwouldnotdo;andasshedid,herco-workerswouldrespondwithpeace,poiseandinnerstability.Withinaweek,thesituationbegan to change. Her fellow workers began to respect her new attitude; they stoppedimposingonher,andbegantodotheirownwork.Theirattitudetowardherbecameoneofharmony and respect.Her boss began to treat hermore kindly.Harmony and goodwillgraduallyreplacedtheformertension,bickeringandjealousy.

EllaWheelerWilcoxoncesaidthatGodmeasuressoulsbytheircapacityforentertainingHisbestangel,Love.Truly,loveneverfails.

LoveShallBeVictorious

Aftercertainpointsinalawsuitweredecidedagainstaman,hewasfacedwithfinancialruin,andhecomplainedthatitwasunjustandunlawful.“Thereisnojustice,”hemoanedbitterly.Hethentalkedwithaspiritualcounselorwhosuggestedthatheusethepowerofdivineloveonthesituation,byaffirminghisownrightattitudesandemotionalreactions:Ilivebythelawoflove,andloveshallbevictorious.Itwassuggestedthateverytimehethoughtoftheotherpartyinthelawsuitthatheaffirmforhim:Youlivebythelawofloveandloveshallbevictorious.

After beginning to think in this way, he felt much better about every aspect of thesituation. Hostility, resentment, and the desire to get even left him. Suddenly came anunexpected opportunity to do a real favor for his legal opponent. He did it, andimmediately he felt better. As his attitude continued to change, he discovered that hisopponent’s attitude changed also. Each conceded certain points, and soon the case wassettledoutofcourtfairlyandhappilyforall.

A woman in a large city opened a restaurant and candy shop in a place where twoownershad failedmiserablybeforeher.Shewasabrilliant success.Whenaskedhowshehad succeeded in the same location where others had failed, she said, “I just loved andblessed all my customers.When customers leavemy place not only do I invite them tocomeback, but I silently send themablessingof love, andpray for their prosperity andhappiness.Whennocustomersareinthestore,Iviewthepeoplepassingbyonthestreetswithlove.”

TheHealingPowerofLove

Youcandeliberatelyproducedivinelovebythinkinglovingthoughtsaboutyourselfandothers,andbyaffirmingdivinelove.ButIhavealsofounditawonderfulsuccesssecret tospeakappreciative,kind,understandingwordstopeople.Kindwordsproduceresultsaftertheirkind,thekindofresultsthatmeannewlife,increase,andrealhappinessforyou!

Abusinessmanwashospitalizedwithaveryhighfever,whichmedicalremediesdidnotseemtoreduce.Thismanwasreportedtohaveaheartconditionof longstanding,anditwasassumedthat ithadactivelyreappeared.A friendwhoknewof thehealingpower oflovevisitedhiminthehospital.Hesoonrealizedthatthismanfeltgreatlyunlovedbecauseofsometangledrelationshipsinhislife.

The friend dared to say to this patient:God loves you,God is guiding you, God isshowingyoutheway.YouaregreatlylovedbyGodandman.TogethertheyaffirmedthatGod’s lovewasdoing its perfectwork in thisman’smind, body and affairs. Suddenly anintensefeelingofheatpassedthroughthesickman’sbody,andthenit lefthim.Thehighfeverwasgone.Later,hisphysiciandeclaredthathisheartseemedfineagain.Todayheisinthefinesthealthever,andtheointmentoflovehassmoothedouthispreviouslytangledfamilyrelationshipsaswell.

A nurse was assigned to a case in which the patient had been suffering frommentalillnessforanumberofmonths.Shocktreatmentsanddrugshadbeenadministered,buthadnotcleareduphercondition.Finally,itwassuggestedthatperhapsacompleterestmightbehelpful.Thepatientwastakentohersummerhomeonthecoast.

The private nurse assigned to her case had learned about generating love to others.Immediatelythisnursebegandailymeditatinguponherpatientasloving,kind,whole,wellandcompletelyhappyagain.Whensheaccompaniedthepatienttothebeachandintothewater, she would think of her as being immersed in God’s healing love. As the patientplayedinthewater,thenursewouldgooffadistanceonthebeach,andsilentlysurroundthepatientwiththethoughtofloveanditshealingpower.

Often the patient pathetically asked this nurse, “Do you think I really can getwell? Isthere any hope formy condition?” Always the nurse, who knew the power of speakingwordsoflove,declared,“Mydear,youaregettingwell.God’sloveisdoingitsperfectworkinyourmind,bodyandaffairsnow, andyouarebeinghealed.”Overandoverdaily shereassuredthepatientinthisway.Withinsixweeksthenursewasdismissedfromthecasebecausethepatienthadrespondedsobeautifullytolove’shealingpower.

Itiseasytospeakwordsoflove,ortomeditatelovinglyuponthosepeoplewithwhomyouare inharmony.But it is thosepeoplewhoseemmostdifficult,whomayevenseemhostile,thatneedyourradiationoflovemost.Theirveryhostilityisbuttheirsoul’scryforlovingrecognition.Whenyougeneratesufficientlovetothem,thediscordwillfadeaway.

ShootThemintheBack-withLove!

A businessman told me that he has a special way of radiating love. In his work as agovernment employee, his job is tomeet the public, handle their complaints, andmakethingsright for themandforhisemployer,UncleSam.Theonly thinghehas todo is tokeepeverybodysatisfied!Foranyoneelseitmightseemimpossible.

But thisman has learned that “love never fails.”Hemeets the publicwith a smile, nomatterwhattheydo.Hecontinuestobecourteousandkind,nomatterwhattheysay.Allthe timehesilentlyaffirms:Divine love is in control andall iswell.Whenpeoplewithproblemsleavehim,hesaysthatiswhenhereally“letsthemhaveit.”Hedeclares,“Ishootthemintheback–withlove!”

Doesitpaytoshootpeopleinthebackwithlove?Thismanclaimsthattheattitudeandbehaviorofmanycomplainantswhocametohisofficeseemedtochangemarkedlyasheaffirmeddivinelove.

I can vouch that this government employee must be successful, because recently a

businessmancametomeandsaid,“IwouldsurelyliketoknowMr.Black’ssuccesssecret.Healwaysseems sohappyandcalm, andyethehasoneof themostdifficult jobs in thistown.”HewasdelightedwhenItoldhimthatIknewthisman’ssuccesssecretwastoshootpeopleinthebackwithlove!Ihadthefeeling,fromthelookinhiseye,thathewentforthtodolikewise.

LoveProtects

AwomaninKansasCityprotectedherself fromassaultbyspeaking lovingwords.Onenight shewaswalking down a dark street near the oldUnity Society building onTracyAvenue,whenamansteppedoutoftheshadowsandputaguninherribs,saying,“Givemeyourpurseor I’llplugyou!”She turnedand lookedhimright in the face, andsaid, “Youcan’tharmme,becauseyouareGod’schildandIloveyou.”Aftertwicerepeatinghisthreat,eachtimegettingthesamereply,hefinallyshookhishead,mumbledsomethingabout“thiscrazy woman,” dropped his gun, and fled. This woman met an extreme situation in anextremeway–throughtheexpressionoflove.

InvokeLoveImpersonally

Butyoushouldnotgoaroundsayingtopeopleoutsideyourfamilygroup,“Iloveyou!”Most people would think you meant it in a personal manner, and it could causeembarrassmentandmisinterpretation.Iknowofaprofessionalmanwhomadethemistakeoftellinganumberofhisladyclients,“Iloveyou,”andheisstilltryingtoexplainwhathemeanttotheirhusbands.

In less personal terms, you can assure people of your interest, approval, and sincereappreciationofthem.Kindnessandcourtesyarealwaysingoodtaste; insuchimpersonalways,youcanradiateloveasgoodwilltoothers.

Apublicrelationsdirectorforaworldwideinsurancecompanyrecentlytoldmethat,inhisworkwithhundredsofemployees,hehadfoundthattheirgreatestneediskindness.Hebelievesthatyoucansatisfytheneedforkindnessinothersjustbybeing“decenttothem.”

WriteOutStatementsofLove

Alongwithmeditationuponlove,affirminglove,andspeakingwordsoflove,itisgoodto write out statements of love, as a method of generating it. A lady once heard that aformer friend was viciously gossiping about her. The criticism was severe andunwarranted.Anumberofpeoplewerebeingtelephonedandvisitedinanefforttocausethisladytoloseherjob.Whenshelearnedofthenegativeactivitieswhichwerespreading,shebegantoaffirmthatdivine lovewasatworkinthesituation.Soona friend,whohadjust learnedof furthercriticalcomments, insistedtoher, “Thissituationmustbestopped.Youmusttakeaction!”Allafternoon,thisladysatquietlyandwroteoverandover:Divinelove is doing its perfectwork in this situationnow, and all iswell.Thatwas the onlyactionshetook.

Withinafewdaysshereceivedagiftfromthewomanwhohadseverelycriticizedher,

along with a note expressing words of love and appreciation for her. Divine love hadturnedthetide.Thedeliberateradiatingofdivineloveisespeciallyhelpfulconcerningthe“little things” in life that canbequite irritating.A seriesof little things, little events, littlechanges often mold your day and your world. When you master them, you areapproachingmasteryofyourlife.

PersonalExpressionsofLoveAreImportant

Wehavementioned a number ofways to generate and radiate love in the impersonalphasesoflife,butletusnotoverlookthefactthatthepersonalaspectsofloveneedtobeexpressedregularlyineveryfamily.Psychologiststellusthateveryoneneedstofeelloved,appreciated and important; it is a basic need of all mankind. Often those troublesomesituations at home, in the family group, result from lack of love being expressed on apersonalbasis.

Forinstance,Irecentlyaskedaladywhowashavingtroubleinhermarriage,“Whenwasthelasttimeyoulookedyourhusbandstraightintheeyeandsincerelydeclaredtohim,‘IloveyouandIthinkyou’rewonderful!’Startled,shereplied,“YoumeanIhavetotalklikethat to savemymarriage?” I foundmyself saying, “Well, isn’t that theway you got yourhusbandinthefirstplace?”Wivesshouldmaketheirhusbandsfeelimportantandneeded.Ihavecounseledwithbusinessmenwhowereinvolvedwith“otherwomen.”Tomyquestion,“Whyareyouseeinganotherwoman,sinceyouhavealovelywifeandawonderfulhome?”theusualreplywas,“Theotherwomanmakesmefeelimportantandneeded,butmywifedoesn’t.”

Sex,anImportantExpressionofLove

Thesexualrelationshipinmarriageisalsoanimportantwayofexpressinglove.Indeed,whenrightlyunderstood,sexisavitalpartoftheholysacramentofmarriage.Initsfullestmeaning, sex isbeautifulbeyondcompare.Theexpressionof sex inmarriage can deeplyenhancethebondoflove.

ExpressLovetoChildren

Childrenaswellasadultsneedtofeelwantedandappreciated.Recentlyaseventhgradescienceteachermadeaninterestingexperimentwiththe12-and13-year-oldstudentsinherclasses.Shegave190boysandgirlsslipsofpaperonwhichsheaskedthemanonymouslytowriteouttheirgreatestproblemsinlife.Shereadmostoftheiranswerstome.One12-year-old-boywrote:

Mybrotherisateenagerandallofhisfriendsareteenagerswhoconstantlypickonme.My problem is that I am allergic to teenagers.What can I do about it? Another studentwrote:

MymotherandfathergivemeeverythingIwantinthewayofclothes,moneyandgifts.Buttheyneverhavetimetotalkorvisitwithme.MyfriendssaythatIamveryfortunateto

havesuchgenerousparents.ButIwouldmuchratherhavemoreoftheirtimeandlessoftheirmoney.

In counseling parents about their so-called “problem children” one quickly discoversthatoftentheparent’sattitudetowardthechildistheproblem.Achangeofattitudeonthepart of the parent toward the child is often all that is needed to bring about a happyrelationship. Inrecentconversation,averysuccessfulbusinessmanseemedquite troubledabouthisnon-conformistteenageson.Thismanhadtwosons,oneofwhomhadgrownupto be all that his father had desired as a loving, obedient individual. The other son hadsimplyrefusedtobemoldedtohisfather’sopinionofthetypeofpersonheshouldbe.

Thisyoungersonpossessedahighlycreativenature,andwasinterestedintheworldofart,musicandwriting.However,thefatherhadcondemnedtheseartistictalentsinhisson,ratherthanrecognizingthattheywereGod-given.Whenthefatherrealizedthattherewasnothing “wrong”with this son, thathewas simplyadifferent type from theolder sonorfromanyoneelse in the family, the father seemedrelievedandagreed to praise his son’screativeabilities.Laterheencouragedhisyoungsontotaketheartcourseshehadalwayswanted.

One of the most loving things you can do for children, your own or another’s, whoseemstobehavingdifficulties, istoaffirmoftenforthem:Ibeholdyouwiththeeyesoflove,andIgloryinyourGod-givenperfection.YouareGod’schildandHelovesyou.Itisalsogoodtoaffirm:DivineLove,manifestthyselfforthischildnow.

ChildrenThriveonEncouragement

Children, as well as adults, especially thrive on sincere appreciation, praise andencouragement; it is a tonic to them. I know of an instance of a little boywhowas notresponding in school at all. His mother became disgusted with him and made anappointment with a psychiatrist, which was scheduled some weeks later. In casualconversationshementionedhersontome,andIpointedouthissensitivityandhiscreativeabilities. I explained that his differentness, which had so greatly disturbed her, was hispotential power for success. I suggested that she take time from her crowded businessschedule to daily sit down and talkwith him about anything thatwas on hismind, andespeciallythatshepraisehiseveryimprovementandhiseverygoodattitude.

She immediately began praising him sincerely and daily, and his schoolworkimmediatelyresponded.Hismusicalabilityalsoblossomedforth.Soonhewasselectedasone of six children in his age group from the entire city to perform at a special bandconcert.Thepreviouslyplannedpsychiatrictreatmentwascanceled.

DisciplinewithLove

Thisdoesnotmeanyoushouldnotwork tocorrectnegativebehavioror todisciplinechildren.Youshouldbefirmbutlovinginyourdiscipline.Theworddisciplineinitsrootmeaning signifies “to perfect.” Yourmethods of correction and discipline should lead toperfectionratherthantorebellion,resistance,orfurthernegativebehavior.Ihavefounditbest to pray for divine guidance concerning each child, rather than to seek advice from

otherpeople,ortoclutterthemindwithtoomuchtheoryonthesubject.

Parents have long believed that they personally had the difficult task of training theirchildrenbyingraftingknowledgeontothemfromtheoutside,whichtheyfeltwouldequiptheir children for adult living.When you attempt to rear children from this standpointalone,itcanprovedifficultanddisappointingforallconcerned.

Intellectual educationhas its place, but it is only apart of a child’s real education anddevelopment. The word “educate” truly means to “draw out” that which innately existswithin.Dr.EmilieCadyhaswritten, “Godas infinite love lieswithineveryhuman being,onlywaitingtobeledforthintomanifestation.Thisistrueeducation.”

AnotherwaytolovechildrenistoteachthemthatGodneverintendedthemtofailortobe in lack. I know of one family group in which the children are developing real self-confidencebecausetheirparentsconstantlytellthemtheycansucceed,andthat failure isnot necessary. These children are gathered together at bedtime for their prayers. Alongwith the usual prayers for children, these parents also affirm prosperity statements withtheirchildren.Theyareabsorbingtheideaofwealthandprosperityastheirnaturalright.Every gift that comes to them is received as a “prosperity gift”; every item of clothingbecomes their “prosperity clothes.” Small wonder that these children are constantlyattractinggiftsandprosperitytothem.

BeginWhereYouAre,ExpressingLove

Remember that love functions on both the personal and impersonal phases of life. Ifthere seems to be a lack of love in your personal life, you can be assured that youwillexperienceloveinthatdepartment,whenyoupersevereinrenderingloveimpersonallyasserviceandgoodwill.Ifloveseemstobemissingintheimpersonalphasesofyourlife,youcanbeassuredthatyouwillexperienceunderstanding,happinessandsuccessthere,whenyoupersevereinusingGod’sloveinyourpersonallifeandrelationships.

Beginwhereyouare,withthelovenowoperatinginyourlife.Blessit,givethanksforitin either the personal department of your life as happy family relationships, or in theimpersonalphasesofyourlifeasjobsuccess.Asyougivethanksforeverysmallandlargeexpressionofloveinyourlife,youreleaseitsmultiplyingpowerwhichcanfilleveryvoid.

CharlesFillmorecommentedonthepowerofloveasfollows:Youmaytrustlovetogetyououtofyourdifficulties.Thereisnothingtoohardforittoaccomplishforyou,ifyouputyourconfidenceinit.

Promise yourself now that you will also begin to deliberately generate God’s love toyourself,tofamily,andtoallmankind.Asyoudo,yourproblemswillturnintosolutions,and your prosperitywillmultiply.You canbring this to pass by affirmingoften:DivineLove foresees everything and richly provides everything now. The perfect results ofDivineLovenowappear.

ChapterTwelve

TheProsperityLawofPrayer

Inthesemodern times you hearmuch about the power of prayer. Prayer is oftendescribed as the mightiest force in the universe. You frequently hear such phrases as“prayerchangesthings”or“thefamilywhopraystogetherstaystogether.”Mailthatcomesto youmay be stamped “pray for peace” or “spiritual action is constructive–U.N. needsyourprayers.”Everywhere thepowerofprayer isbeingwrittenabout, talkedabout, andused asnever before. Someone succinctlydescribed thepowerof prayer in thismanner:“Prayerisprofoundlysimpleandsimplyprofound!”

Recentlythevice-presidentofalargerealestatefirmtalkedwithmeatlengthaboutthepower of prayer. He declared, “This is a more spiritual world than many folks realize.People often wear a mask, hesitating to speak of their belief in prayer or of their ownansweredprayers.”Hethenrelatedhow,duringarecentperiodofillhealth,hissupposedly“hard-boiledbusinessfriends”quietlyvisitedhiminthehospitalandlaterathome,totalkwith him about the power of prayer for restoring his health. Even after he returned towork,severalbusinessfriendsspenttheirentirelunchperiodswithhim,relatingnumerousansweredprayersintheirownlifeexperiences.

PrayerIsNaturaltoMan

Prayerhasbeendescribedasman’ssteadyeffort toknowGod.Quitecontrarytowhatmost people think, prayer is natural toman, rather than a strange,mysterious practice.Men have always prayed and alwayswill. In his primitive understanding, primitivemanprayed to the sun and stars, to the fire andwater, to animals and plants, to images andmyths,butprimitivemancertainlyprayed.

Later, as the intellect ofman evolved, his ideas advanced ashe conceivedofGod as apersonaldeitywhohadhumansentimentsandemotions,justasdidprimitiveman.Allmenin all ages haveprayed in onewayor another.At long last,mankind is comingout of aprimitiveandpurely intellectual approach toGod into true spiritualunderstanding.Ourmethods of prayer are now changing, expanding, and improving. Mankind is finallyrealizingthatGodisnotahostileBeingwithasplitpersonalityofgoodandevil,but thatGod is a God of love, the unchanging principle of supreme good which pervades theordereduniverse.ItiseasytopraytoandcommunewiththiskindofGod!

PrayforResults

Even though various prosperity laws are discussed in this book, the power of prayercannot be over-emphasized for permanent, satisfying prosperity. The personwho praysdaily is certain to succeed, because he is attuning himself to the richest,most successfulforceintheuniverse.

The Bible promisesmake it plain that there’s nothingwrongwith praying for things.Manypeoplehavenotemployedthepowerofprayerbecausetheyhavetheerroneousideathatitiswrongtoprayforthings.

Thestoryistoldofawomanwhoprayeddefinitelyforahusband,andshegothiminsixweeks.Shethenprayedsixyears togetridofhim!What thatwomandidnotrealizewasthat,whenyouprayforthings,youshouldstipulatethe“divineselection,”whichisalwaystheright,sublimeanswertoyourspecificneed.Itisrightandjustthatyoushouldprayforthingsifyouneedthem,becauseyouarelivinginarichuniversethatdesires tofulfillallyourneeds.AmongBiblicalfigureswhoprayedfordefinitethingswereAbraham,Daniel,David, Elijah, Ezekiel, Habakkuk, Hannah, Jehoshaphat, Jeremiah, Jonah, Joshua,Moses,Nehemiah,Samson,andSolomon.

Tennysonpoeticallyexpressedthepowerofprayingforthingsinhisline:“Morethingsarewroughtbyprayerthanthisworlddreams.”

EmmetFoxoncedescribedthepowerofprayingforthings:Prayerdoeschangethings.Prayerdoesmake things tohappenquiteotherwise than theywouldhavehappenedhadtheprayernotbeenmade.Itmakesnodifferenceatallwhatsortofdifficultyyoumaybein.Itdoesnotmatterwhatthecausesmayhavebeenthatleduptoit.Enoughprayerwillgetyououtofyourdifficulty,ifonlyyouwillbepersistentenoughinyourappealtoGod.TheSermonontheMount(NewYork:Harper&Brothers),p.11

Perhapsyouhaveheardthewell-wornphrase,“Prayaboutitandeverythingwillbeallright.”But letmesharewithyoufourbasicwaysofprayingsothateverythingwillbeallright:

1.GeneralPrayer

First, there is general prayer. General prayer is praying to God as a loving,understanding Father in your own private way. It can be on your knees, or in anycomfortableposition.Itcanbeexpressedinspokenwordsorinsilentcommunion.Itcanbewithaprayerbookbeforeyou,or itcanbebybrowsingthroughyourBible,dwellinguponfavoritepassages,orparaphrasingthemtomeetyourneed.

SpecialMethodsofGeneralPrayer

AgoodwaytobeginusingageneralprayeristotaketheLord’sPrayerandtoconsidereach lineof it silently andverbally.Theancientsbelieved that theLord’sPrayerwas all-powerful; they often declared it over and over from twelve to fifteen times withoutstopping.At thehealingshrineatLourdes, thoseseekinghealingwere taught topray theLord’sPrayerfifteentimes,whiletheyenteredthewaters.Thenumberfifteenwasbelieved

tohavethepowertodissolveafflictionandadversity.

Frommy own experience I know that deep spiritual power is contacted and broughtalivewhenonerepeatstheLord’sPrayeroverandover,eithersilentlyorverbally.

Sometimesoneformofgeneralprayerwillaidyou,andatothertimessomeotherformwillmeetyourneed.Inthisagewhenwe’rehearingagreatdealaboutaffirmativeprayer,whichisoftendescribedas“scientificprayer,”aswellasaboutmeditationandsilentprayer,itisgoodtorememberthatgood,old-fashionedearnestprayer,usedinageneralway,hasnotgoneoutofstyleandstillcontainsgreatspiritualpower.

PrayerHeals

Ionceheardabusinessmanrelatehowgeneralprayermetaneedinhisfamily.Hislittlesonhadbeenillforseveralweekswithaseriouscough.Medicalattentionhadbeenofnoavailandthecoughpersisted.Onenightindesperationthismantookhispajama-cladsoninto thedenofhishomeandsank into thenearestchair.He thenoffereda short, simplegeneralprayerofthanksthathissonwashealedofthecoughandinfection.Inanyevent,the child coughedonly twice after that, and completely recovered!That is the power ofgeneralprayer.

PrayerDissolvesBitterness

Ahousewiferecentlywrotemeofsomeofherexperienceswithgeneralprayer.Sheandher husband desperately wished to have a child. For three years they prayed daily thatGod’swill bedone concerning it.Theirprayerwas then answered, and theynowhave alovelylittlegirl.

In another instance, a housewife had long been estranged from her father who haddivorcedhermotherwhenshewas small.Oneday,afteryearsofnothavingheard fromhim,aletterarrivedsayinghewouldliketocomeforavisit.Atfirst,theoldbitternessfromthepastwelledupwithinthiswomanasshethoughtofseeingherfatheragain.Thensheknelt beside her bed and prayed that God’s good will be done in thematter. She got afeeling of peace and calm, andwas led towrite him to come.When he arrived, shewasamazedathowcongenialheseemedwithher,herhusbandandchild.Shedeclared,“Hewasthe best house guest I’ve ever had.” They laughed, shared many things, and were quitehappyduringhisten-dayvisit.Sixmonthslater,shereceivedwordthathehadpassedawayinadistantcity,andshewassogratefulshehadprayedforguidance,andhadenjoyedthelasthappyvisitwithhim.

PrayingforMarriage

Theassistant secretary-treasurerof a savingsbankonce remarked that itwas time shewas gettingmarried. Shewas an attractive personwho hadmany friends and enjoyed awiderangeofactivities,hutshejustneverhadmetthe“rightman.”Thejanitorheardherremark,andinformedherthatitwasquitepossibleforhertomeettherightpersonandtomarryhappily.He advisedher topray about thematter. She informedhim that she had

already prayed many times, hut to no avail. Doubtfully, she agreed to pray again if hewould alsopraywithherdaily,whichhedid.Onemorning a fewmonths later, shewaswearing a lovely diamond as she rushed into the bank and announced to her fellowworkers that she would be gettingmarried very soon. She hadmet her future husbandwhileplayinggolfatthecountryclub,andithadbeen“loveatfirstsight.”Eversince,shehasinsistedthatherhappymarriageistheresultofprayer.

PrayingforWork

Amusicianwasoutofa job.Thebandwithwhichheworkedhadbeenasked togo toFlorida. Upon arrival there, the job promised them did not materialize, and they werestranded.ThismusicianprayedageneralprayerthatGod’sgoodwillbedoneinthematter.One day he and the othermembers of the handwere at the union headquarters hopingsomethingwould turnup,when theiragent telephoned fromNewYorkandsaidhe hadlocatedajobfortheminTexas.Nooneelseinthegroupknewthatthismusicianbelievedinandpracticed thepowerofprayer.Nevertheless,he felt theprayersof the group hadbeenansweredastheyproceededtoTexasforalong,successfulengagement.

PrayingforProtection

Ahousewifewasinherfarmhouseinadenseforestarea.Whileherhusbandwasawayona business trip, a great forest fire arose and raged all around her property. As the firesurroundedher,shecouldnotleavetonotifyherhusband,whowastravelingbetweentwopointsandcouldnotbereachedanyway.Sosheprayed,“Father,it’suptoYoutosavemeandourhouseandproperty.There’snothingIcando.”Shethenreleasedthematter,wenttobedforthenight,andsleptwell.Thenextmorningsheawokeearlytofindonlyafewstumps still burning here and there. Upon investigation, she realized that the fire hadburnedrightuptoherproperty lines,andhadstopped! It seemedamiracle.Later in thedaywhenaforestrangerarrived,hesaid,“There’sonlyoneexplanationforthis.Youmusthavebeenpraying.”

PrayerIsDynamic

Nowperhapsyouare thinking justnowasdidoncemy son.A friendmethimon thestreetandaskedhimaboutme.HerepliedthatIwasfine,withoneexception:“There’sjustone thing wrong with my mother.” Alarmed, the friend inquired what was wrong. Theemphaticreplywas,“Shepraystoomuch!’Thefriendthenasked,“Doesanythinghappenwhenyourmotherprays?”towhichhereplied,“Ohyes,somethingalwayshappenswhenmymotherprays!’

Ifyoufeelthatperhapsyourprayerexperiencehasnotbeensatisfyingorpowerful,andthatnothingmuchhappenedasaresultofyourprayers,perhaps it isbecauseyouwouldliketodevelopmorespecifictypesofprayerthangeneralprayer.

2.PrayersofDenial

Thesecondtypeofprayerisonelittleknownorunderstood.Itistheprayerofdenial.

Manypeoplecringeattheword“denial,”believingthatitsonlymeaningis“totakeawayorwithhold.” But the word “deny” alsomeans “to dissolve, to erase or be free from, torefusetoacceptastrueorrightthatwhichisreportedtobetrue.”Prayersofdenialareforthelatterpurposetorefusetoacceptasnecessary,true,lasting,orrightanythingwhichisnotsatisfyingorgood.

Prayersofdenialareyour“no”prayers.Theyhelpyoutorejectthingsastheyare,andtodissolveyournegativethoughtsaboutthem,andmakewayforsomethingbetter.Prayersofdenialhelpyoutoerase,tobefreefromlessthanthebestinyourlife.Prayersofdenialareexpressedinthoseattitudesthatthink,“Iwillnotputupwithortoleratethisexperienceasnecessary,lastingorright.Irefusetoacceptthingsastheyare.IamGod’schildandIwillacceptnothingbutHiscompletegoodnessforme.”

Mankindgreatlyneedstouseprayersofdenialor“no”prayers.Somanypeopleleadapygmyexistenceof fear, compromise,anddissatisfaction,when theymightbeenjoyingalife of gigantic good, if they only knew how to say “no” to less than the best in theirexperiences.

It isgood to followup thoughtsofwhatyoudon’twantwithwhatyoudowant; afterclaiming “no, Iwillnotaccept this,”youshouldadd, “yes, Iwill accept thisor somethingbetter.”Longago,theEgyptiansfollowedthecommandtotakeawayall iniquitythroughthepowerofdenial.TheEgyptiansusedthesignofthecrosstoindicateacrossingoutorblottingoutofevil,aformofdenialwhichstillisusedbysomechurches.

Daniel in the lions’dendoubtlessusedprayersofdenial toassurehis safety.A famouspicture shows Daniel not looking at the lions, but with his back to them, he is shownlookingoutofthewindowtowardJerusalem.WhentheKinginquiredwhyDanielhadnotbeentorntopiecesbythelions,Danieldeclared,MyGodsentHisangelandshutthemouthsofthelions,andtheyhavenothurtme(Daniel6).

HowtoDissolveFear,Worry,Tension

Prayers of denial dissolve fear, worry, sorrow, sickness, tension, and other negativeemotions.“No”prayersseemtoneutralizetheeffectsofnegation.Forinstance,amanoncetalkedwithme aboutmarrying awomanwho had just been released from prison. Theywere verymuch in love; shehad served a long sentence, andhadbeenhim if anyof hisfriendsknewofherprisonrecord,andhereplied theydidnot,buthe feared theymightfindout.Afterprayingwithhim,Ihadthefeelingitwasindivineorderforhimtomarrythiswoman,whowascertainlyduea secondchance in society, afterhavingpaid forhermistake.IsuggestedthatheuseDaniel’sprayerofdenial.Whenanyfearorworrytriedtocomeuponhim,hewastodenyitbydeclaring:MyGodhathsenthisangelsandshutthemouths of the lions. They cannot hurt us. He used this prayer, and never had anyunfavorablereactiontohismarriage.

Inspeakingof thesesecondand third typesofprayer,denialandaffirmation–Ishouldpointoutthattheyareasmuchattitudesofmindasformalmethodsofprayer.Youcanuse

them silently or verbally wherever you are, either as formal prayers, or informally asattitudesofmind.

Any secretary knows the feeling when she is hurriedly called in for dictation, andinformedthatshemustproducequickresults.Itcanbeconfusingandupsettingunlessoneknowshowtouse “no”attitudesofmind. I recallonce,while stilla legal secretary,beinginformed that a long legal contractwhichhadbeendictated tomehad tobe transcribedimmediately(ifnotsooner!)foroneoftheboss’sprominentclients.Itseemedanimpossibletask, andso Ibegan thinkingoverandover:There isnoneed to rush.DivineOrder isnow established and maintained in this situation. Within a few minutes, this clientchangedhismindabouttheurgencyofthismatter,andinformedthebosshewouldreturnthenextdaytosignthepapers.Thisallowedtimetopreparethemproperly.

Somany people get the erroneous idea that somebody else can keep their good fromthem,andsotheyunhappilygothroughlifebelievingit.Prayersofdenialcandissolvesuchfalsity.Whenyoucatchyourself thinking in sucha limitedvein, change the thought anddeclare,Nothing can opposemy good. As you do, youwill find that,where people andaffairsseemedtoworkagainstyou,everythingwillshiftandbeginworkingforyou.

Oneof thegreatestproblemsofmankind ishowtoovercomeanddissolve fear.Whenyoucanovercomeyour fearof anyproblem, youhavegained controlof it; itno longercontrolsyou;andyouarewellonthewaytosolvingit.Apowerfulprayertodenyfear is:Perfectlovecastsoutfear.

Say“No”toUnhappiness

Aforeignwarbridecame to thiscountrywithherAmericanhusband.Fora fewyearstheyseemedhappy,butthentheoldmemoriesofherwarexperiencesbeganwellingupinhermind. She became very unhappy, depressed, and confused. Finally, her husband hadherconfinedtoamentalhospital.Later,hedivorcedherandremarried.

In the midst of all this unhappiness, far from her homeland, among strangers, thiswoman learned of the “no” attitude of mind. She had only one friend outside of thehospital,towhomshebegantowrite,“Iamnotgoingtoremaininmypresentcondition.Iknow I canbehelped. I know I amgoing to getwell.”Gradually, shebegan to improve.Soonshewasreleasedfromthehospitalandwenttoworkinanotherhospital.Whenshedid, she declared to her friend, “You see, I told you I had what it takes.” She was soonhappilymarriedtoadoctorwhomshemetathernewjob.

Ifpeopleonlyknewhowtosay“no”tounhappyexperiences,ratherthantobowdowntothem!TheHebrewswerewarnedrepeatedlynottobowdownandworshipfalseidolsorgods.Thegodsofunhappiness,lackandlimitationare“heathengods”whicharestillwithus.TheycauseusasmuchhavocasdidtheHebrews’worshipoffalsegods.

Todeclare,Thereisnothingformetofear.God’sspiritofgoodisatworkandDivineResults are coming forth is to dissolve fear, worry, tension, anxiety. To declare (as thescientistsknow),Thereisnoabsenceoflife,substanceorintelligenceanywhere,sothereisnoabsenceof life, substance or intelligence in this situationor inmy life dissolvesuncertainty,confusionandmanytimesdissipatespsychosomaticsicknessorfinanciallack.

SeveralyearsagowhentheAsiaticfluseemedprevalent,Iconstantlydeclared,Thereisnoabsence of life, substance or intelligence anywhere.One daymy son camehome fromschool and said, ‘Mother, I was the only boy to appear for football practice today.EverybodyelsewashomewithAsiaticflu.Whatisit?”

ImmunizeYourselfAgainstNegation

Thedenialattitudeofminddoesnotinvitetroublebydiscussingit.Thedenialattitudeofmindmentallysays“no”totalkofotherswhichemphasizeslessthanthebest,orthatgivesattention to what you don’t want to experience. Instead of multiplying problems bydiscussingthemloudandlong;insteadoffrettingaboutworldconditionsortheproblemsofothers,dowhateveryouconstructivelycantomakethemright.Usethe“No,Iwillnotacceptthisaslasting,permanent,ornecessary”attitudetowardall.

Whenpeopletrytoupsetorbotheryouwithalotofnegativetalk,mentallysay,“No,no,no, I do notwish to hear this. I do not accept this as true or necessary.” Soon theywilleitherswitchtomoreconstructivetopics,orleave!

Inlikemanner,insteadofthinkingthatyouhaveto“putupwith”dissatisfactioninyourlifeasapermanentarrangement,useyour“no”powerbydeclaringoften:No,Idonothaveto accept this situation. God in his almighty goodness is dissolving and removing allnegationfrommyworld.Nosituationdismaysme,forGodtheSpiritofGoodiswithme,upholdingandsustainingmeandmakingallthingsright.

Forfinancialaffairs,hereisaprayerofdenial:Regardlessof taxes,highcostof livingor thehigh rateofunemployment,my financial income can anddoes increase richlynowthroughthedirectactionofGod.

Whenyoudaretouseyour“no”powerofmindonaloud,boisterous,unhappysituation,youthengainmentalandemotionalcontrolofit,ratherthanlettingitcontrolyou.Youarethenshownwhatouter,positivestepstotaketomeetitvictoriously.

3.PrayersofAffirmation

Thethirdtypeofprayeraffirmationsshouldbeusedwithdenials.Whenyouusedenials,youerase,dissolve,liquidate.Youthenwishtomakefirmnewgood,whichisdonethroughaffirmativeprayers.

Atravelingsalesmanoncetoldmehowhedidthis.Hehadbeenheavilyindebtandhadattempted to get a loan from a bank to pay off his debts. Because he lacked adequatesecurity,hehadnotbeenabletoobtainaloan.Indesperation,hedecidedtosay“no”tohisindebtedness and “yes” to prosperity. So he constantly affirmed:God prospersme now.Withinafewdaysafterhebegandeclaringthis,hemadethelargestsalehehadevermade,afterwhichhewas able to pay off all his debts,with ample supply left over. AffirmativeprayerisfullydiscussedinChapter6,“TheProsperityLawofCommand”.

4.PrayersofMeditationandSilence

Thefourthtypeofprayeristheprayerofmeditationandsilence.Itisofteninmeditationand silent, contemplative prayer that you feel the presence of God’s goodness moststrongly.Inthistypeofprayer,youtakeafewmeaningfulwordsandthinkaboutthemandfeeduponthemsilently.Asyouthinkaboutthemandcontemplatethem,theygrowinyourmind as expanded ideas thatmove you to right action, or perhaps as peaceful assurancethatalliswellandnoactionisneeded.Ifnothingseemstohappeninmeditation,youhavenevertheless made the mind receptive to God’s good and at the right time, ideas andopportunitieswillberevealedasaresultofyourspiritualexerciseinmeditation.

Perhapsyouare thinking, “This is allprettygood spiritual theory,buthowdo Iknowthatmeditationandsilentprayerwillproducetangible,satisfyingresultsinmywork-a-dayworld?” Moses and other Biblical leaders proved the practical, result-getting power ofsilentmeditation.

Perhapsyouarethinking,“ButI’mnoMoses,andIfranklyamnotsurehowtopracticemeditationandsilentprayer.”Thetruthis,thatyoumeditatewhetheryou’vebeenawareofit or not. Everyone does. The word “meditate” means “to think about, contemplate, toconsiderdeeplyandcontinuously.”

HowtoMeditate

Whateveryouthinkaboutconstantlyisthesubjectofyourmeditation.Insilentprayeritisgoodtomeditateuponthedivinesolutionofanyproblem.Youcanbeginbyjusttakingtheterm“divinesolution”andlettingthethoughtgrowinyourmind.Youcantakesomespiritualwordorphrase, thinkabout it,and let itunfoldtoyou,oryoucan simply clearyourmind,closeyoureyes,turnyourattentionwithinyourownbeing,andthinkof“God”,“love”,“Godislove”,“peace”,oranysuchideathatgivesyouafeelingofonenesswithgoodinarelaxedway.

I often go into silent meditation to get guidance or the feeling of renewal, uplift,encouragement and new energy. If I retire to my room for silent meditation arounddinnertime, after a busy day, I find that, after about a half hour of silent meditation, Ibecomerenewedandreadyforaneveningoffurtherworkorotheractivity.Someonehassaidthat“prayerfeeds.”Icanaffirmthatmeditationfeedsmeemotionallywithasenseofharmony,upliftandpeace;thatmeditationfeedsmeintellectuallywithnewideas,oroftenflashes into my mind something I need to know about a current situation; and thatmeditationfeedsmephysicallywithasenseofbodyrenewal,newenergy,andwell-being,dissolvingfatigueandtension.

MeditationSolvesProblems

ItisthroughsilentmeditationthatIoftenplanmydays,mylectures,mywriting.Itisnotnecessary to be highly developed spiritually to use the power of silent meditationeffectively.Iusedthepowerofmeditationoftenwhileinthebusinessworld.

Someofthemostthrillingresultsarerealizedwhenwetakeupaproblem,sitaloneandmeditateasfollows:TheDivineSolutionisthesublimesolution.IacceptandclaimtheDivineSolutioninthissituationnow.Gentlyletyourmindexpandonthatthought.The

“fear energy” spent inworry andbattlingwith the problemwill thenbe transmuted into“faith energy,” givingyou the right ideas and the right answer.Always,whenyouhave aproblem,ifyouwillgo intosilentmeditationandcontemplatethesolutionfromadivinestandpoint,youwillbeshownwhattodo.

Anengineeringexecutiveoncetoldmethatheusesthismethod:Whenhismenrunintodifficulty on an engineering project, he privately takes the problem, goes into his study,silentlymeditates upon it from a divine standpoint, and inevitably receives the solution.Oneofhisjuniorexecutivesonceaskedhimhowhealwaysmanagedtohaverightanswersjust when they were needed most. When he explained his simple method, the juniorexecutiveskepticallydeclared,“Youmeanyoujustmeditateuponthesolution,ratherthanfighttheproblem?”Thebusinessworldisfullofharried,tensepeoplewhobecamethatwaythrough trying to solve their problems in externalways, rather than through the “innershort-cut.”

Everyoneshouldtaketimedailyforquietandmeditation.Indailymeditationliesyoursecret ofpower.Youmaybe sobusywithmanyactivities anddemands, that you feelyou have no time to go apart. It is the only way in which you will ever gain definiteknowledge,newnessofexperience,steadinessofpurpose,orpowertomeettheunknownindailylivingvictoriously.Asyoubegintodailypracticemeditating,youwilldiscoverthatsomeofyouractivitiesanddemandsarenolongernecessary,andthatitisbesttoletthemgo,ratherthanneglectyourquiettimeofmeditationandalonenesswithyourselfandyourcreator.

When you withdraw from the world for meditation, it is best not to think of yourfailures. Instead, calm yourself and center your attention on God and his almightygoodness.Ifpossible,letallthelittleannoyingcaresgoforawhile,andturnyourthoughtstosomeofthesimplewordsofthePsalmist.Holdinmindsomethoughtsthathelpyou,beiteversosimple: “IandtheFatherareone”, “Thywillbedone inme”, “I loveyou,God”,“Thankyou,Father”,“Iaminthypresence,Lord”,“ThisisthedaythattheLordhathmade,Iwill rejoiceandbeglad in it”, “Peace,be still”.Untilyouhavepracticed thepresenceofGodinthesimpleway,youcanhavenoideahowitquietsallphysicalnervousness,allfear,alloversensitiveness,all the little raspingsof everyday life.A timeof calm,quietwaiting,alonewithGod,isoneofrestfulnessandrenewal.Thisisthe“secretplaceofthemostHigh”ofwhichthePsalmistspeaks.

Ofthefourtypesofprayer:general,denial,affirmative,ormeditative,usewhatevertypeseems appropriate to you at the moment, or perhaps blend the several types. But prayoften!Itcanbethesecretofpeace,powerandplenty.

ChapterThirteen

TheProsperityLawofSelf-Confidence

Astockbrokerreportedthathehadstudiedtheprosperitylawsfromeveryangle;thathehadobservedthemanyprosperous-mindedpeoplewhobuyandsellstocks;thathehad read many biographies of successful people; and that from these observations andstudieshehaddecidedthatifprosperitycouldbedescribedinoneexpression,itwouldbe“self-confidence,”whichmeansfaithinone’sinnateabilitiesandtalents,andfaithinGod’shelptodevelopthem.

Psychologists state that there is a tremendouspower in self-confidencewhichdoublesyour powers and multiplies your abilities. My stockbroker friend told me that, aftergaining confidence in the laws of prosperity and using them in his work, his incomezoomedupward.Onemonthafterhebeganinvokingtheprosperitylawspresentedinthisbook, his incomewas four times its previous level.His success is evenmore remarkablewhenwerealizethatithappenedduringarecessionperiod!

TheSecretofSelf-Confidence

Perhapsthemostimportantsecretofself-confidenceisthis:Coursesaregivenandbooksarewritten tohelpyouattain self-confidence, andyetyoualreadyhave it! It is apartofyourspiritualnature,withwhichyouwereendowedwhenyouwerecreatedintheimageand likenessofGod.ThePsalmist remindsyou that youweremade little lower than theangelsandcrownedwithgloryandhonor.

Thetruththatwearebornwithconfidencecanbeviewedbytheactionsandreactionsofmostchildren,beforetheybecomefilledwiththefears,phobias,andinhibitionsofthought.Childrenhavethedelightfulhabitofconfidentlysayinganddoingwhatevertheyfeelledtosayanddo.

Abrilliantchildwhohasnoself-confidencedoesnotpossesshalfthepotentialforlivingsuccessfully as does the average child with a good degree of self-confidence. I know aSunday School teacher, who, realizing this, leads her students each Sunday morning inaffirming:God lovesme,God lives inme,Godbreathes throughme, I amGod’s childandHe loves andhelpsme all the time! It is interesting towatch her students blossomforthwithnew courage and confidence,which are reflected in their schoolwork, homelife,andsocialsuccess,aswell.

Quite different is the case of awomanwithwhom I recently talked. She claimed that

years ago she employed the powerof prosperous thinkingwithdecidedly happy results.Butafriendhadtoldherthatsuchthinkingwasoddandwrong,andthatsheshouldhavenothingmoretodowithit.Sheplacedmoretrust intheadviceofherwell-meaning,butmisguidedfriendthaninherownGod-givenconvictions.Theresultisthatshemustnowreturn to prosperous thinking to restore her home life with her husband, to keep thefinancialwolfawayfromherdoor,andtoregainherhealth.LackofconfidenceinherownGod-givenconvictionsalmostruinedherlife.

Admittedly,thereisadifferencebetweenegotismandsincereself-confidence.Egotismistheattitude,“NotThywill,butminebedone,Lord;IappreciateYourhelp,butIprefertohandlethingsmyway.”Self-confidencemeanshumblefaithinyourinnateGod-Self,andinyoursincereinnerconvictions.Whyshouldn’tyouhavegreatfaithandconfidenceinyourdeepconvictions?Afterall,thescientistsdeclarethatyouarefilledwithinnateintelligence.Everyatomofyourbeingthrobswithactiveintelligence.Theveryairyoubreatheandtheworldinwhichyouliveisathrillwithdivineintelligence,whichseekstoimparttoyouallyouwish toknowabout everything.That samedivine intelligencewill performwondersforyou,ifyoumakecontactwithitinfaith.

YouMustHaveSelf-ConfidencetoSucceed

Perhapsyouhavewonderedattimes,ashaveI,whysomepeopleadvancetohighlypaidpositionswhile others,whohave equal or better training, arenot promoted.Upon closestudy, youwill observe that thosewho advance really believe in themselves and in theirabilitytosucceed.Theyseemtohaveaninnerearwithwhichtheylistenforguidanceandknowledge.Theyseemtoknowthatwithinthemissomethingspecial,towhichtheyhaveconstantaccessforwisdomandexpandedvision.Youwillusuallynoticethattheyradiatepoiseandassurance,sothatothersaroundthemjustnaturallybelieve inthemandfollowtheirideas.

One of the superb reasons for developing self-confidence is that it is contagious! Itimpelsandpersuadesothers.Joshua,thefirstofficialcommandinggeneraloftheHebrews,provedthis.EventhoughtheHebrewshadbeenwanderinginthewildernessfor40years,when Joshua took command after the death of Moses, his first act was to assure theHebrews that theywouldpassover the Jordan into thePromisedLand in just threedaysandtheydid!Itisinterestingthattheword“success”isfoundonlytwiceintheBible,bothtimesintheBookofJoshua.

No one paysmuch attention to the personwho lacks confidence.He does not attractothers or convince them of his worth, because his mind is a negative force that repelsratherthanattracts.Oneofthestatementswehaveusedinourprosperityclasseshundredsof times to call forth innate intelligenceas self-confidence is this:Nothing succeeds likesuccess.InowgofromsuccesstogreatersuccesswithGod’srichhelp.Igivethanksthatmysuccess,powerfulandirresistible,appearsnow!

Self-ConfidenceDissolvesInferiority

Youcauseyourself toperformdivine featsofgood justbyconfidence inyourdivinity

and recognizing it often. It is good todeclare daily for yourself a statement of faith andconfidence such a this: “___________(state yourname), Ihave confidence in yourGod-givenguidanceandabilities. I seeyounowgoing fromsuccess togreater successwithGod’srichhelp.Yoursuccessisbig,powerfulandirresistibleanditnowappears!Ihaveknown of several cases where inferiority complexes have been dissolved and self-confidencerestored,asthepersonconsistentlyfilledhismindwithbold,daring,reassuringaffirmations.

Shouldyouwonderifspokenwordsofgoodcanhavesuchpower,youwillbeinterestedto know this: One positive statement of good is more powerful than 1,000 negativethoughts; and two positive statements of good are more powerful than 10,000 negativethoughts.

Thus,whendiscouragement,doubt,or fearof failure tryoverwhelmyou,affirm:I amstrong in the Lord and in the power of HisMight. All power has been givenme forsupremegoodinmind,bodyandaffairs.Iclaimandexperienceitnow.

BuildConfidenceThoughtsBeforeSleeping

A powerful way to develop self-confidence, which is your attracting power forprosperity, is to feed your mind confidence-filled thoughts as you drop off to sleep atnight. Psychologists believe that your last waking thoughts are the ones on which yoursubconscious mind feeds and acts while you sleep. If you fill your mind with happy,expectant thoughts of success, prosperity and good results, your subconscious will takethemasordersfromyou.During sleep,your subconsciouswillobedientlygo towork toproduceaprosperoustomorrowforyou.Thus,youcangaincontrolofeachdaythenightbefore,bygettingintothethoughtandmoodofhowyouwanttomorrowtobeforyou.

Abeautifulyoungmodelonce toldmeof theresults sheobtained in thisway.Shewaslow, depressed, and unsure of herself because of a love affair that had ended unhappily.Feelingquitediscouragedonenight,shepickedupabookthatsomeonehadsentheraboutthe power of the subconscious mind in sleep. Realizing her power to transform herunhappy situation by changing her dominantmood and thoughts, she began to think ofhow thrilled she would be if she met someone nice and congenial. Quietly she beganthinkingofthetypeofmanshewouldliketomeet.Inthatmoodsherelaxedintoadeepsleep. Next morning she was awakened by the telephone ringing. A little conversationrevealed that the callwas from a bachelormillionairewho had been asked by amutualfriend to call her on his next visit to town. He proved to be the answer to her maritaldreams!

Afriendofmine,Dr.JohnLeeBaughman,recommendsthispowerfulaffirmationtousebeforesleeping:I shall go to sleepbutGod inmeremainsawake,bringingmypresentproblemtoasuccessfulconclusion,indivineorder.Itisgoodtogiveyourselfassurancebyaffirmingoften:Godlovesme,Godisguidingme,Godisshowingmetheway.Donotwait for others to assure you, praise you, or express their confidence in you. Instead offrettingbecausetheydon’t,assureyourselfthat“someonecares”–thatOneWhomadeyouandWhoiseverinterestedinhelpingyou.

AffirmationsDevelopYourConfidence

Todevelopyourinnateself-confidenceinyourabilitytosucceed,Isuggestthatyoure-read Chapter 6, “The Prosperity Law of Command,” and use the words of commandcontained therein.Use affirmations to release your self-confidence in threeways: Speakforthaffirmations–verbally–atleastfiveminutesaday,somewhereinprivacy.

At other times during the day, look at affirmations that youmayhavewritten out oncardsorinabook.Getthemoutandlookatthemwhenfearoruncertaintyseemtogripyou.Youcandothisinthemidstofpeople,ringingtelephonesandbustlingactivity,andnooneneedeverknowwhereyour“boostershots”ofconfidencecamefrom.

Asupervisorinchargeofagroupofbooksalesmenduringarecessionperiodsoughttotrain them to sell encyclopedias, but they regularly returned from attempted sales tocomplain that times were hard and that nobody was buying. Since he had to remainpositive and appear confident, the supervisor toldme that the only way he was able toneutralize their pessimism and to convince them that they could sell was by going intoanotheroffice,gettingouthisaffirmations,andreadingthemoverandover.

He would then square his shoulders, take a deep breath, return and make positivestatementsconcerninghis faith inhismen, in theirsalesability, in their fineproductandthecustomers’needforit,regardlessofeconomicconditions.Inthiswayherestoredtheirconfidenceintheirsalesability,andtheybegantosellagain.

At least once a day, write out 15 times (or more) a favorite affirmation on success,confidence,andperfectresults.Bywritingoutwordsofconfidenceyouhelp implanttheidea more firmly in your subconscious mind, which then works harder and faster toproducehappyresults.Affirmationsareyourstrongestconfidencebuilders.

Whendoubtorfearconcerningyourabilitytosucceedseemtocomeuponyou,perhapsyouwouldliketousethisseriesofaffirmationsthatIhaveusedtoovercometimidityandafeelingofinadequacy:God’sgoodisforme,Ioughttohaveit,andIclaimitnow!

Concerninganysituation,problem,orpersonalitythattriestoteardownyourfaithandconfidenceinGod’sgoodness,affirm:Ihaveunshakablefaithintheperfectoutcomeofeverysituationinmylife,forGodisinabsolutecontrol.

After using affirmations, develop your self-confidence by bracing yourself, and thendaringtodothethingsyouwanttoattemptbuthavepreviouslyfearedtrying.Declarefirst:God’salmightyPowergoesbeforeme,makingeasy,successful,anddelightfulmyway.Ifyoubegin to feel shakyalong theway,upliftyourselfbyaffirming:I cando all thingsthroughHimWho strengthensme. I am strong in the Lord and in the power of Hismight.Theperfectresultnowappears!

StandFirminYourConfidenceThinking

Anotherpowerful thoughtwithwhich to fillyourmindforself-confidence is:InfiniteWisdom guides me, Divine Love prospers me, and I am successful in everything Iundertake.

A businessman recently pointed out that often after he has affirmed success and thentaken outer steps toward it, his faith and confidence are then tested. He has found, forinstance,thatoftenafterhebuysanewstock,itspricewillgodownforaperiod,sothatitappears he has invested unwisely.During such testing periods, he always affirmed thesewords.Thisgavehimthefaithandconfidence inhisdecisionstoholdon, and invariablythestockwouldrise,andhewouldrealizeagoodprofitfromit.

Thisisanimportantpointtorememberafteryouhavedaredtofollowyourconvictions.It isasthoughyouarechallengedbyaninvisibleforcethattestsyourconfidenceinyourdecisions.Oftenpeoplewilltrytodiscourageyou.Thisisthetimetoholdontowhatyousincerely believe is right. You have already laid the inner foundation through affirmingsuccessandperfectresults.Youmustnowprovetoyourselfandothersthatyouhavewhatit takes to followthroughonyourconvictions.Asyoudo, the tidemust surely turn,andyourconfidenceismultiplied;whiletheconfidenceofothersinyouisoftentripled.Itisatthispointthatyoucantrulyaffirm,Nothingsucceedslikesuccess.

Whenyou findyourself in fearful circumstances, it isgood tocall forthconfidencebyaffirming: God has given His angels charge over me, to keep me in all my ways. Abusinessmanrecentlytoldmehowitseemshedidhaveaguardianangelforprotectiononedarknight.Havingjustcashedhischeck,hehadapocketfulofmoney.Sinceafriendhadpromisedtorepayhimsomemoney,heproceededintoadimlylitareaoftowntocollectit.Ashepassedthecornerofadarkenedbuilding,twomenstoodintheshadows,onewithhisarmprojectingfromthebuildinginsuchawaythathecouldreachoutandgrabapasserby.Thesecondmanstoodnearbyashisaccomplice.However,asthisbusinessmanroundedthecomer of the building, these two men stood perfectly still and let him pass unharmed,thoughhispocketswerefilledwithcash.Thismansilentlyrememberedthesewordsfromthe23rdPsalmashehadenteredthisarea:Iwillfearnoevil,forThouartwithme.

DevelopYourConfidenceThroughImaging

TohelpdevelopyourconfidenceinyourGod-givensuccess,Ialsosuggestthatyoure-readChapter 5, “The ImagingLawofProsperity,” and thatyoumakeawheelof fortune,placingonitpicturesofthevisiblegoodyouwishtoobtain.Asyoudailyviewthepicturedresultsonyourwheelof fortune,youarefilling,yourmindwithconfident imagesof thegoodyouwish.

OneofthestatementsIonceplacedonmywheeloffortunewas:Goodthingsbegintohappen now, and a series of happy results came forth. Another statement I have foundpowerfultoviewonmywheeloffortunedailyisthis:ThisisatimeofDivineFulfillment.Miraclesnowfollowmiracles,andGod’sblessingsnevercease.Byfillingyourmindwithmental images,yourmindthenisgiventheconfidencetomakethosemental images intovisibleresults.

Truly,theimagemakestheconditionifyouwillmakethementalimage.Ifyoudonotconsciouslyhaveconfidencethatyourdesirescancometrue,placeapictureofthedesiredresult where you can daily view it. Your subconscious mind will make it so, and yourconvictionswillcometopass.

Anothersimplewaytodevelopself-confidence is toaskdirectlyofa lovingFatherforguidance about anything that concerns you. As we have previously stated, the divinesolutionisthesublimesolution!

AssociateWithSelf-ConfidentPeople

Another delightful way to develop your self-confidence is to link yourself with self-confident people. You will subconsciously begin to absorb their air of assurance, whichsoonwill come alive in you. By making contact with one or two success-minded, self-confidentindividuals, theywillsubconsciouslyinspireyouandliftyoutohigherlevelsofthoughtandexpectation.

DevelopYourDeeperPowersforSelf-Confidence

Therearestillotherwaysinwhichyoucanbegindevelopingyourself-confidence.Youshouldknowaboutthesemethodsinthisexcitingagewearenowentering,becausethesearescientificmethodsforachievement.

Two of thesemethods for building self-confidencewill be explained fully in the nextchapters, and they concern the development of your intuition and your creativeimagination.Yourintuitionisthat“still,smallvoice”withinyou,filledwithinnerknowing,thatwillguideyouintowardgreatergood,ifyoulearntolistenandperceiveitsguidance.Thiswillbeshownyouinthenextchapter.

Yourcreative imaginationisdevelopedbytalkingwithat leastoneotherpersonaboutanything that concerns you, and in confidence asking thatperson to agree toworkwithyou toward the perfect result. This releases multiplied mind power into the situation.Scientistshavedescribedintuitionandcreativeimaginationasyourgeniuspowers.Andsotheyare,whenrightlyunderstoodanddeveloped,aswillbediscussedinthenextchapter.

Scientists also declare that you have five special powers or super-senses that can bedeveloped for prosperity and success. When you understand these special powers andbegintostirthemup,theywilladdimmenselytoyourself-confidenceandsuccesspower.These five special powers will be described in Chapter 15, as telepathy, clairvoyance,extrasensoryperception,precognition,andpsychokinesis.

CallForththeGoodinOthers

Letusconsideronefinalwayyoucandevelopyourownself-confidenceandhelpbringitforthinothers.Beginappreciating,praising,andcallingforththegoodinothers.Speakconfidentlytoothersoftheirgoodpoints.Daretopraisethem.Speakwordsofkindness,upliftandsuccesstothem.Iknowofonebusinessmanwhosepreviousfailureturnedintosuccess,afterhiswifegainednewconfidence inhisbusinessabilities,and lethimknowitdaily.

I recently heard of a commercial photographer who stated that his great success inphotographingprominentmodelsinthefashionworldcameasaresultofhisexpressingtothosemodels,beforehebegantakingpictures,hisconfidenceintheirabilitytophotograph

well. He said that just by assuring them of his confidence in them, they became radiantbefore the camera, and he could do twice the work in half the time. Few retakes werenecessary.

Ifyouthinksomethinggoodaboutsomeone,tellthemaboutit!Ifyouhaveconfidenceinapersonwhoisstillstrugglingtosucceed,lethimknowit.Don’twaituntilafterapersonhassucceededtosayinaback-slappingway,“John,howproudIamofyou,butthenIknewyoucoulddoitallthetime.”Expresswordsofpraiseandconfidenceinhissuccessbeforehehassucceeded.That’swhenhereallyneedsit.

Most peoplewear amask. If you could see behind themaskof their lives, youwouldrealize what a tonic your kind words can often mean. It’s like throwing a lifeline to adrowningman.It’sbettertooverdoit,ifsuchathingispossible,thantoletanopportunityto praise another pass by. It could be the turning point in a man’s rise to success. Andsomeonewilldo thesame foryouwhenyouneed itmost.Evenpeoplewhomtheworldconsiders highly successful cravewords of confidence, thoughtfulness, and appreciation.Wholeheartedconfidenceinourselvesandothershasamiraclepowerwhenitisexpressed.Thetruthofthiswasrecentlyreportedbyahousewifewhowrote:

Surelynooneknowsbetter than I thepotencyofwordsofpraise andappreciationofothers.BeforeIrealizedthispowerIwasachronicgrumbler,andthewholeatmosphereabout me was steeped in fault finding and complaining. I discovered that words ofconfidence, thoughtfulness, and appreciation not only helped others, but also eliminatedpainfrommybodyandtroublefrommymind.

SinceIhaveadoptedthemethodofexpressingpraiseandconfidenceinothers,therehasbeenagreatchange inmyhousehold;especially is this trueofmydomestichelpandmychildren. I no longer censuremy help for apparent carelessness and for accidents, but Ipraisethemfortheirgoodintentions, their faithfulness,andtheirgoodness. Ihavefoundthattheveryactofspeakingconfidentlytothemandaboutthemcallsintoactivitytheveryqualitiesthatareneeded.Ihavewatchedthismethodworkwhatsomewouldcallamiracle.

ThePowerofSpeakingWordsofPraise

I recently observed the power of spokenwords of confidencewhen I visited a happyfamilygroup,consistingofthehusband,wifeandtheirfivechildren.Imarveledatthefivewell-adjusted, well-behaved children. I could not resist asking, “What is your secret forhavingfivesuchhappy,well-adjustedchildreninthisageofcommonmaladjustment?”Thewife, who is a quiet introvert, quickly declared, “My husband is the secret. He is sowonderfulwiththechildren.”Ithought,“Howcanyourhusbandbesowonderfulwiththechildrenwhenheisawayatworktenhoursaday,sixdaysaweek?”ButInoticedalookofadorationonherhusband’sface.Hehonestlythoughthewasthatgoodwiththechildren!

Later, inpreparingforacookout,thewifesaidtoherhusbandinsincereappreciation,“Mydear,whatawonderfulfireyoubuild!”AgainIthought,‘Whoeverheardofpraisingamanforbuildingafire!”Butitworked–healmostbuiltabonfire!Ihaveafeelingthatifhehadbuiltoneandset thewholeyardablaze,hiswifewouldprobablyhave responded bydeclaring, “Isn’t my husband the most wonderful fire-fighter?” Small wonder that that

familyissohappy.

CallForthConfidenceSilently

Along with deliberate words of praise, kindness, consideration, and appreciation ofanother, it is good to silently declare to him and for him:_______(call his name), I haveconfidenceinyourGod-givenguidanceandabilities.IseeyounowgoingfromsuccesstogreatersuccesswithGod’srichhelp.Yoursuccessisbig,powerfulandirresistible.Itappearsnow.

Thisdoesnotmeanyouaretryingtogainhypnoticcontrolofanother’smind.Youaresimplygivinghimthebenefitofyourhighthoughtsofsuccess.Togaincontrolofanother’smind is never the object of a prosperous thinker.Hypnosis has its place inmedical andscientificresearch,butisnotforgeneraluse.Onepersonneverhasaspiritualrighttotakecontrolofanother’s thinking.Suchactionsusuallybringonlyconfusionandunhappinesstoallconcerned.

Freedomisoneofthegreatmentallawsoftheuniverse,andaprosperousthinkerknowsit.Aslongasyousimplydeclareideasofgeneralsuccessandgoodforanother,thereisnodangerof trying tomentallycontrol them.Controlcomeswhenone tries toget specific,andmentally forcesanother’sactionstohisownselfishwayof thinking.Affirmations foryourselfdonothypnotizeyou.Instead,theyde-hypnotizeyoufromthoughtsoffailureandnegationwhichyouhavehabituallyacceptedbeforeyourealizedthepowerofthought.

A popular business executive for a large corporation attained his success throughspeaking sincerewords of praise, appreciation, and confidence to his employees. In oneinstance,ayoungprisoneronparolewasbroughttohimasaprospectiveemployee.Thisexecutiveexpressedhisfaithinthisex-prisoner’sabilitytomakegood.Hethenhiredhim.Over theyearshe constantly spokewordsof confidenceandexpectationof good to thisemployee.Todaythatformerprisonerisanexecutiveforthesamecompany!

YourSelfConfidenceWillMultiply

Youmayneverknowjusthowmuchgoodyourwordsofconfidencecanmean,norhowfar they can go to produce good for others. The age-old truth applies:when you speakwords of confidence concerning others, you cannot help attracting it to yourself, sincewhatyousendoutcomesbackmultiplied.

Along with these various methods for developing your self-confidence, and with themorescientificmethodsgivenyouinthenexttwochapters,thereisoneotherthatshouldnever be underestimated. Psychologists declare that prayer is one of the greatestconfidence builders in theworld, and I believe it. I suggest that you re-readChapter 12,which gives you the four basicmethods of prayer. Through prayer, you tap that divinesomethingwithin you and aroundyou that releases great power and faith.You are thenfilledwithconfidenceandthezealtoproceed.

Someonehas said that it is theman “who thinkshe can” that succeeds.Remember thepowerofputtingyourbestfootforwardasaconfidence-builder, too.Bydoingwhatever

youcantoeffecttheconfidentfeelingandtheconfidentlook,yougiveyourselfandothersthe impressionof assured success.Yourown thoughts and thoseof others thenmultiplyalongthelineofexpectedsuccessfulresults.

In the various ways mentioned herein, your thoughts are lifted up, self-confidencebecomes ahabitual stateofmind,which thenunconsciously goes towork for you.Thenyourprosperitycomesinanavalancheofpraise-filledsuccess!

ChapterFourteen

YourGeniusPowersforProsperity

Inadditiontonormalpowersofobservationandperception,allpeoplepossessthedeepermindqualitiesofintuitionandcreativeimagination,aswellasspecialpowerstobediscussedinthenextchapter.

Peoplewhom theworld considers to be of genius caliber are thosewhohave had thecourage and confidence to listen to their intuition and creative imagination, and whofollowitsguidance.Astheyfollowtheirinnerleadings,theresultsareusuallysowonderfulthatothersbelievethattheyhaveunusualgifts.Theydonotreallypossessunusualpowers.Theyareinsteadactivelyusingtheirintuitionandcreativeimagination,ratherthanstiflingthesemindpowers,asmostofusare inclined todo.We, too, can stimulateour intuitionand creative imagination as genius powers for prosperity, success, and more satisfyingliving.

As you develop your genius powers, you may seem to be listening at times to that“different drummer” of whomHenry David Thoreau wrote. I have always had a highlydevelopedintuitivenature,anditoftenconfusedmebecauseIdidnotunderstandit.IhadbeengiventheimpressionthatifIobeyedit,Iwasbeingstrange,eccentric,evenabnormal.OftenasachildIcouldnotexplaintootherpeoplewhatitwasorwhyIfeltcompelledattimestofollowitspromptings.Ifound,ontheotherhand,thatifIdidnotobeythehunch,inner prompting, or “sixth sense” idea that persisted, my world became confused andunhappy.IdiscoveredthatwhenIfollowedmyhunchesfaithfully, Iwas inevitably ledtotherightresult.

Youwill find,on lookingover thepeople inyourmidstwhohavebeenbaptizedwithoriginality, that theyhave let theworld’s thinkingalone;andsocreative,newknowledgehasbeenfreetoexpressthroughthem.Theworldneedsthiskindoforiginalthoughtinthisexciting,progressiveerainwhichwenowlive.Fromaprosperitystandpoint,peoplehavenot known what to do with their genius powers of intuition and creative imagination.Those who developed that inner feeling or knowing were usually considered odd orabnormalbytheirbusinessassociatesiftheyexpressedratherthansuppressedit.Mostofusweretaughtnottotakesuchpeopleseriously.

YouAreEquippedwithGeniusPowers

However,inthisenlightenedage,wearebeginningtorealizethat,whilewearehumanlyequippedwithonly fivephysical senses, asmental and spiritualbeings,wearebornwith

powersofthemindthatarelittlerecognizedandlittleused.Itistheseunexploredfacultiesof themind that seem tohavegeniuspower forproducingprosperous, successful living.Becauseourattentionisregularlyturnedtotheouterworldofactivities,wedonothearorheedtheguidanceofintuition.Abusinessmanrecentlysaidthat,ifwecouldmakearecordofourintuitivepromptings,wewouldbeastonishedathowmanytimestheywouldhaverevealedtherightpathifwehadfollowedthroughonthosepromptings.

Wehaveallheardtheterm“woman’sintuition,”oftenusedsomewhathumorously.Thegeneralbeliefisthatintuitionisperhapsapeculiarbuttrivialquirkinwomen,buthardlydependableenough formen.Wearenow learning,however, thateveryonehas intuition,both men and women. If women have seemed to develop their intuitive nature morenoticeablythanmen,perhapsitisbecauseman’sattentionhasbeenturnedmoretowardtheworldofbusinessandsimilarexternaldemands.Suchinterestscanbedistractingwhenwearedevelopingourmentalpowers.Woman’splace is traditionally in thehome, usually aquieteratmosphere,moreconducive forresponding to innerpromptingsofher intuitivenature.

However, in these modern times the situation has changed. Both men and women’sattentionsaregiventobusinessandotheroutsideactivities.Inordertodevelopourgeniuspowersofintuition,somedefiniteinstructionisneeded.

YouShouldDevelopYourIntuition

The dictionary defines intuition as, “the immediate knowing or learning of somethingwithout the conscious use of reasoning; instantaneous apprehension.” Literally, yourintuitionisyourinnerknowing.Intuitionissimilartoaradioreceivingsetthroughwhichideas,plansorthoughtsflashintotheconsciousmind.Theseflasheshavebeendescribedashunches,inspirations,orpromptingsofthe“still,smallvoice”within.Elijahdiscoveredthatthe “still, small voice”was the voiceofGodhimself as supremeguidance andwisdom. (IKings19:12)The“still,smallvoice”isageniuspower,foritisyourGod-power.

In this ageofgeneral conformity, it is time to realize that trueaccomplishmentcomesfrom“daringtobedifferent,”throughexpressingyourdistinctindividuality.Thisdoesnotmeanyoushouldstrivetobeabeatnik!AsCharlesFillmorehaswritten,however, “Ifyouareeducatedandmoldedaftertheordinarypatternofthehumanfamily,youmayliveanaveragelifetimeandneverhaveanoriginalthought!’

Thepopularbeliefinrecentyearshasbeenthat,ifanindividualdidnotfitintoacertainmoldofthoughtandbehavior,hewas“maladjusted!”Thedangersofsuchconformityarenowbeing realized, however, althoughpressures toward strict conformity still exist. Forinstance,severallargecorporationshaverecentlychangedtheirattitude.Theyarefindingthatconformityintheiremployeesleadseventuallytostagnationandproductiondecline.Certain companies are now seeking ways to stimulate new individualism. Americanprogressinallfieldsisaresultofingenuityandindividualism.OnewriterhaspointedoutthattheSpaceAgedemands“daringandpersistentindividualism,”andthattraitisusuallyfoundinapersonwhohaslearnedtolisteninwardlyandwhofollowshisintuitiveleads.

Perhapsyouhavenotfollowedyourintuitiveleadsbecausetheyhaveseemedfantastic,

andyouhavewaitedtoreasonthroughitspromptingsbeforeyouchosetoact.Intuitionisnotconcernedwithreason, for intuition isa facultyof themindthatdoesnotexplain. Itsimply points the way, leaving you free to take it or leave it, to heed or ignore itspromptings.Menofgeniushavetheself-confidenceandfaithintheirinnerpromptingstofollow them without reasoning them through. That is why they are considered men ofgenius.Ordinary people usuallywait for “proof,” and consequently they flounder in theconflictsofintellectualquestioning.

Itisthroughintuitionthatmusicians,artists,writers,scientists,andthesaintshavemadecontactwiththeall-knowingmindofGod,andthenpouredforthinspirationtotheworld.Thereisintuitionthatcomestoyouininnerways,andthereisintuitionthatcomestoyouinouterways,butcomeitwill,ifyouallowittodoso.

“Yes”and“No”PhasesofIntuition

Thereare“yes”and“no”phasesofintuition.Oftenthe“yes”phaseofintuitioncomesinsuchaquiet,gentlewaythatyouareinclinedtodisregarditspromptings,atleastatfirst.Itdoesnot try to convinceyouof anything.Usually, though, if youdisregard it, that samehunchwillgentlytapatyourmindagainandagain,untilyoudobecomeawareofit.

The“no”phaseofintuitionisoftenmorepronounced.Foryears,itseemedthattheonlytimemyintuitionevercamealivewaswhenitwouldemphaticallysay“no”tomethroughaninnerfeelingofrestlessness,discomfort,ordiscontent.The“no”phaseofintuitionoftenseems louder andmore emphatic. It gives youanuncomfortable feeling that you cannotcastoffunlessyoufollowyour“no”guidance.

Youcanlearntocontactthe“yes”and“no”phasesofyourintuitionandseekitsguidanceby daily observing quiet times, when the mind is free of bustling thoughts, relaxed andreceptivetointuitiveleadings.Intuitionusuallydoesnotforceitsway,butitpatientlywaitsforarelaxedmoodthroughwhichtoworkmosteffectively.Ahunchcanworkthroughabusymindhoweverwhenthereisastrongneed.

5SimpleStepsforUnfoldingYourIntuition

Hereisadefiniteformulafordevelopingthe“yes”and“no”powersofyourintuition.

First:Realizethat intuitionisaspiritual facultyofthemindwhichdoesnotexplainorreasonbutsimplypointsthewaytoyourgreatergood.Forinstance,asecretaryappliedforthreedifferent jobs.Onejobwouldpayherverywell,anotherwouldpayhermoderatelywell,andthestartingpayofthethirdjobwasratherlow,butitofferedthehighestpotentialforadvancementandjobsatisfaction.

Human reasoning tried to tell her to take the first job, with immediate high income.Humanreasoningalsopointedout that thesecond jobwhichpaidmoderatelywellwasa“glamourjob”withbeautifulsurroundings.

Butthissecretary’sintuitionorinnerfeelingtoldherthatsheshouldacceptthethirdjob,whichpaid less and surelyhadnoglamorous surroundings.But itspotentialwas greater

becauseheremployerhadanunlimitedfutureinthenewbusinesshehadjuststarted.

Thus,shefollowedherintuition,whichdidnottrytoreasonorproveitselftoher,butmerelypointedtheway.Itprovedtobethebestjobshehadeverhad.Beforelong,newandglamorousfurnishingswereaddedtoheroffice.Eventuallyheremployerrosetothetopinhisbusiness,andhersalarywasthenthreetimestheamountofferedattheotherjobs.

Itisuptoyoutofollowtheintuitionpathinfaithandconfidence,inordertoclaimyourgood.All thatyousee intheworldaboutyoucameforthbecauseofsomeone’shunchorfeeling that it could be done. You can also use your ideas and inner feelings to create amorewonderfulworld.

Second:Asyougoaboutyourdailylife,whetheryourworkismentalorphysical,actasthoughyouare in thepresenceofDivine Intelligence,Divine Intuition.Trainyourself torealizethatDivineIntuitionisrightwithyou,isinterestedinyou,knowsallaboutyou,anddelightsinguidingandhelpingyou.Asyoutakethisattitudeofmindaboutwhateveryouaredoingorwhateverconcernsyou,youwillfindnewpoweratworkforyouandaroundyou.Youwilldiscoveranewabilitytoaccomplish.Youwillattractbetterconditionsandhappier experiences. Themore you think of this loving, all-knowingDivine Intelligenceanditsintuitiveguidance,workingwithyouandforyou,thelesslaboriouseffortyouwillexerttomakethingsright.

Tohelpyouattain thisattitudeofmind,affirmoften:Divine Intuition isnowshowingme theway.Divine Intuition is nowworking in and throughme, in and through allconcerned,producingeasilyandquicklytheperfectoutcome,theperfectresult.

Third:Asyoutakethesestepsmentally,youwillfindyoudonothavetostruggle,eveninyourthinking,tomakethingsrightandbetter.Instead,youwilldiscoverthatwhateveryouthinkabout,giveyourattentionto,orareinterestedin,beginstoreveal itssecrets toyou. The dictionary further describes intuition as the ability to look at, regard orcontemplate.Moreandmoreyouwilldiscoverthatthethingyoulookatandcontemplatedesirestoknowyou.

Youwillstopthinkingofyourdesiredgoodasapart,away,separatefromyou.Youwillstopthinkingofyourdesiredgoodasdifficulttoobtain.Youwillstopschemingandtryingto maneuver and manipulate people or events. Instead, you will begin realizing that,throughthehelpofDivineIntuition,allthingsarealreadyathand,readytocomeforthasideas,plans,andmethodsofprocedure,andinduetimehappyresults.

Fourth:AfterbeginningtodoeverythingasthoughyouwereinthepresenceofDivineIntelligenceandIntuitiveWisdom,whichknowsyourneeds,isinterested,able,andhappytohelpyou, youwill findnotonly thatyour abilities are increasingmoreandmore,butalsothatyouarebeinginstructedfromwithinaboutmanythingsyouneedtoknow!

Suddenlyyouwill“haveafeeling”or“getahunch”aboutwhattodoornottodo.Asyoufollowthathunchorprompting,youwillbehappilyamazedtofindthatDivineIntuition,

whichgaveyou theprompting,hasalreadygonebeforeyouandprepared thewayof itsfulfillmentforyou!Youwilldiscoverthatasyoufollowthatintuitiveprompting infaith,without reasoning it through, your good will unfold to you almost faster than you canacceptit.

Thus,ahunchorinnerpromptingsimplyindicatesthatthatwhichyoudesire,actuallydesirestobeyours.DesireisGodtappingatthedoorofyourmind,tryingtogiveyougreatergood.Thatyoudeeplydesire something ispositiveproof that it has alreadybeenprepared foryou,and isonlywaiting foryoutorecognizeandaccept it.Thisdoesnotmeanthat youdesire or wish to accept someone else’s good. You may desire the divine equivalent ofsomeone else’s good, and you should give thanks for your own God-given “divineequivalent”.

If,afterthinkingaboutahunch,youstillneeda littlemoreassurancebeforelaunchingforthintotheunknowntoattainit,realizethatyoucangetthatassurancejustbyaskingforit. Ask for an indication or sign that you are going in the right direction. A powerfulattitudeofmindtoestablishatsuchtimesisthis:Ichoosethisifitisformyhighestgood.If not,Divine Intuition, now sendme the divine equivalent.When doubts about yourintuitivepromptingsarise,itisgoodtodeclare:DivineIntuition,justwhatistheperfecttruth about this situation?Reveal it tome now, andmake it so plain and clear that Icannotpossiblymistakeit.

Fifth:AfterhavingmadeyourdecreesuponDivineIntelligenceinyourmidst,youmustpreparefor surprises.Yourproblemsarenot always solved in thewayyouhad inmind,nordoesyourdivineheritageofgoodalwayscomeaboutinthewayyouhumanlyexpect.Ifyouarenotconditionedforsurprisesatthispoint,youmaymissyourgood.

Atthispoint,makethedefinitedecisionthatyouwillchooseonlythegoodandacceptonlythegoodinthevariousexperiencesthatfollow.Resultsalwaysfollowdecisions;thingsbegintohappenthatfallinlinewithyourdecisions.

In these attitudes ofmind, you candevelop your intuition in innerways that come ashunch or prompting, or as direct knowledge from the still, small voice within you,speakingas“yes”or“no.”IntuitionRevealsItselfinOuterWays,TooButintuitioncanalsocome in outer ways, as well. After you have asked for guidance, your promptings maycomethroughthewordsofafriend,aphraseinabookormagazine,orthroughaseriesofoutereventsthattakeplacearoundyou.

Forinstance,afriendaskedforguidanceconcerningwhethersheshouldtakeavacation.Afewdaysafterasking,shehadhadnoinnerleadingorhunchaboutit.Butassheleafedthroughamagazine, thesewordscaughtherattention inbold type: “Whydon’tyou go?”Thatsettled it!Sheacceptedthe idea thatavacationwaspossible,andthereafter thewayopenedquicklyforittobeaccomplished.

Theouterwaysinwhichintuitioncanpromptyouareasvariedastheyareinteresting.Amotherwasconcernedaboutherson,whosebehaviorwasprovingquiteachallenge.Sheconsidered the possibility of sending him to a private school, though he seemed ratheryoung to be away fromhome.As shewonderedwhat to do, she remembered to ask for

specificintuitiveguidance.Shortlythereafter,sheopenedtheeveningpapertothesewordswhichemphaticallycaughthereye:“Homeistheplacefortroubledchildren.”Shetookthatasherguidance,anddismissedtheideaofsendingherchildelsewhere.Shewasthenledtogivehersonmorelovingattention,towhichhesoonrespondedwithimprovedbehavior.

ABusinessman’sIntuitionSaid“No”

Abusinessmanrecentlytoldmehowhisintuitionsaid“no”tohiminexternalways,whenhehadnotbeenabletogetinnerguidance.Hewantedtotakearatherexpensivevacationtripanddidnothavethemoney,thoughhecouldarrangetoborrowit.

The urge was so strong to take this trip, even though his better judgment cautionedagainstit,thathefelttheneedfordefiniteouterindications.Onemorningwhentheurgewasverygreattotakethistrip, inspiteofthe indebtedness involved,hedecidedtosettlethematter, oneway or the other.Hemade the decree that hewanted to know that daywhattodo.Hethentriedseveraltimestotelephonemetoaskforprayersforguidance,buthecouldnotreachme.

Inmid-afternoon, he decreed that if he did not contactme by five o’clock, hewouldconsiderthatfactasadefiniteindicationthathisanswerwas“no.”Ifinallywasfreeat5:15andimmediatelytelephonedhim.However,hisdeadlinehadbeensetat5o’clock.Thus,hetook that as his intuitive leading that he definitely should not borrow themoney for anexpensivevacation.Instead,heremainedquietlyathome,rested,anddidmanythingsforrecreationthathisswing-shiftscheduleofworkdidnotordinarilypermit.Hehadreceivedhisanswerof“no,”andhesoonrealizedthatitwasforhishighestgood.Hefurtherrealizedthatthepreviousstrongdesiretotakethis triphadnotbeendeepintuitive leading,butamoresurfacequalityofhumanwill,simplytryingtohaveitshumanway.

AskforDirectKnowledgeAboutEverything

Adoctorhasstatedthathenevertreatsapatientuntilhegetsanintuitiveleadingaboutjust what to do. As long as he is undecided about a patient’s problem or unsure of thediagnosis,hedoesnothingmorethantalkwithhimandexaminehim.Hehasfoundthatitissometimesnecessaryforapatienttocomeforseveralconsultationsbeforeheintuitivelyfeels that he is sure of the proper treatment. Since he has a large and very successfulpractice,hehasobviouslyprovedthesuccesspowerofintuition.OftenIhavefoundthat,when I ask for direct knowledge or guidance, someone who has no conscious way ofknowingIhaveaneedalongthatline,willoftentelephone,write,ormakeanappointmenttotellmejustwhatIneedtoknow.

SolveYourProblemsIntuitively

When a personal or business problem appears, do not carry it around, nursing it andthinkingthatyouhavetowaituntilalatertimetogetrelieffromit.Instead,askfordirectguidanceandknowledge,andthenwatchforinnerorouterintuitiontospeaktoyou.

Beginnowtodevelopyourintuition.Ifyouactwithperfectfaithontheinnerandouter

intuitive leadings that come, youwillneverbe too lateor too early, andnothingwill gowrong.Ifthingsappeartobegoingwrongafteryoubeginfollowingyourstrongleadings,donotgetdisturbed.AffirmthatDivineIntuitionisproducingtheperfectresult,andthegoodwill appear. Sometimes things appear to be goingwrongwhen in reality they arebeingrearrangedfortherightoutcome.

Emersonrealizedthegeniuspowerofintuitioninhisessayswhenhepredicted,“WearepassingintoaNewWorld.TheSpiritwillbeenthronedintheheartofman.Thenwillcomeaphilosophyofinsight,andoutofthatthetransformationofgeniusintopracticalpower.”Insightisanothernameforinnerknowingorintuition,outofwhichgeniuspowercanbetransformedintopracticalpowerandpracticalresults.

YourSecondGeniusPowerIsCreativeImagination

Solomon was surely describing your genius power of creative imagination when hedeclared,wherethereisnovisionthepeopleperish,buthethatkeepeththelaw,happyishe. (Prov.29:18)

In interestingways you can use your genius powers of creative imagination. From anindividualstandpoint,youcandevelopyourcreativeimaginationasaprosperitypowerinaverysimplebutpleasantway.Weallwishtogainspiritualcontrolof futureevents andplansforprosperity.Everynightbeforeretiring,itisgoodtothinkofthenextday’splans.To release your genius power of creative imagination, I suggest that you then use thistechnique:

Instead of worrying about how the next day’s events will come out or instead ofbroodingoversometroublesomephaseofit,simplybringintoyourconsciousthoughtsallthatyouknowabout thenextday’s events.Beginwithyour earlymorningactivities andmentally arrange your whole day’s activities as you would like to see them. Every timesomedistressingpossibilitywellsupinyourfeelings,takecontrolofitbyaffirming:Iblessyou with God’s almighty good. God’s good is now gaining control, and all is well.Pleasantlyaccentuatethepositivedevelopmentsthatyouwouldliketoexperiencethenextday,andtakecontrolofallelsebyaffirmingGod’sgoodcontrolofit.Fortheentireday’sactivities, affirm: I give thanks for the divinely satisfying fulfillment and for thedivinelysatisfyingresults.Thereafter,dismissthematterfromyourmind.

You have used your creative imagination to create the right outworking of eachsituation.Circumstances, situations, personalities, all involvedwill then gravitate towardtheperfectoutworking,theperfectprosperousfulfillment.Thisisapowerfulmethodforusing the mind to bring about expanded good in family, business, social, or spiritualmatters.

CreativeImaginationCanDissolveUnhappyMemories

You can also use your creative imagination to dissolve unhappymemories, failures inbusiness,inharmonyinrelationships,andothernegativeexperiencesfromthepast.IntherealmofDivineIntelligencethereisnopast,presentorfuture.Thereisnotimeelementatall.

Sinceyoulive,move,andhaveyourbeinginthemidstofthisimmenseintelligence,youcangaindominionover yourpast, present, and future.Thus, you canbring tomind theelements of any situation from the past that you would like dissolved and cleared upforever.

You should bring to mind the time, place, and persons involved. You should thenmentallygoover the elements of the situation, and again affirm: I bless youwithGod’salmightygood.Thenmentallyre-workthatexperience,seeingitthewayyouwouldlikeittobe.As youdo something constructive about anegativememory, thenegative thoughtpattern is dissolved by the loving, positive thought pattern you are putting in its place.Declaretothatre-workedmemoryandallconcernedinit,whetherornotthoseinvolvedarestillonthisearthplane:IblessyouandblessyouforthegoodnessofGodthat isatworkinandthroughyou.IclaimformyselfandforyouthatGod’salmightygoodisallthere is in thisexperience.Allelse isnowpermanentlydissolved. Ifapparentnegativeemotionsanddeep-seatedfeelingstrytoflareup,affirmtothem:Bethoudissolved,nowandforever.

Throughthismethodyoucanfreeyourmindfromnegativememoriesthathavecloggedandcrowdedyourmind,perhapsforyears.Youwillthereafterfindthatyouwillfeelfreer,moreunburdenedthaneverbefore.Soonrich,newprosperousideaswillbeginfillingthespaceformerlyoccupiedbynegativememories.Yourcreativeimaginationcaninthiswayuncovernewgoodforyou.

AnotherCanJoinwithYou

Throughgroupco-ordinationandinterchangeofideas,manyapersonhasbeengreatlyprospered.Wheneventwopeoplebeginthinkingaboutanobjectiveinaharmoniousway,thereisdoublemind-poweratwork,sothatincreasedenergyandideasarereleasedupontheobjective.

Anytrustedmemberofyourfamilyoratrustedfriendissufficient.Theonlystipulationforreleasingthegeniuspowerofgoodisthatthetrustedonebeincompleteharmonywithyou,andthatheorshedoesnotdiscusswithothersyourproblemoridea.“Inquietnessandconfidence”trulyisyourstrengthatsuchtimes.

Itisgoodtosaytothattrustedonewhateverisonyourmind;tocompletelyunburdenyourself to them, and to ask their ideas and their prayerhelp.Often just bydiscussing asituationwithsuchatrustedsoul,freshnewideas,afreshnewviewpointandrightresultscanoftenquicklyappear.Whentwomindsareblendedtowardasinglepurpose,theyseemtotuneinonaHigherPowerthatisfilledwithhigherideasandomnipresentintelligence,whichthenrevealstothemtherightwaytoproceed.

OvercomeDepressionThroughCreativeImagination

Whenyouarefeelinglow,depressed,discouraged,andfeelthatyoucannotgoon,thatisthetimetousethecreativeimaginationapproach.Talkwithsomeonepersonwithwhomyoucanunburdenyourselfandletthemhelpyougetafresh,new,upliftedviewpoint.Itisatsuchtimesthatotherscanrebuildyourself-confidencewhenyouseemunabletodoso

foryourself.

Irecalloneinstanceanumberofyearsagowhenafellowworkerhad“toldmeoff.”ShedeclaredthatIwasacompletefailure,couldnotlast,didnothavewhatittakestosucceed,andwasonmywayout.Thesewordscameasagreatshocktome,sinceshehadpreviouslyencouraged me in all my endeavors. Had I not known about the creative imaginationmethod,Imighthavejustgivenupentirely.

ButIrememberedthatjustonepersonhelpingmecounteractallthenegativethoughtsthathadbeendirectedtowardmecouldturnthetide.IndistressIpouredoutthedetailsofwhathadhappened to a trusted friend,who then reversedeverynegative thing that hadbeensaidaboutme.Thefrienddeclared,“Now,youknowyouarenotafailure.Youhavesucceededmanytimesandyouwillcontinuetosucceed.Youknowthatyouhavewhatittakes,andaboveall,youknowthatyouarenot ‘onthewayout.’ Instead,youare ‘ontheway up!’ The friend then explained that the negative statements about me were quiteunimportant.Myreactiontothemwasall thatmattered.Withmy friend’sunderstandinghelp, Iwas able to regain confidence inmyself.Actually, theonly thing that stuck inmymemory from it allwas the happy, positive statement, “You are on theway up!”Often Ihavehappilyaffirmedit.

UseCreativeImaginationonFamilyLevel

In recent times you have heard of the “brain-storming” technique, which is a moreexpanded method for using creative imagination as a genius power for good. Businesspeoplesitdown,discussanobjective,andblendtheirideasofhowtoachieveit,oftenwithamazingresults.Recentlyawomanreported thatherhusband’scompanydoes this. Theypresent a goal, purpose, or plan; they then let all the “doubtingThomases” in the groupstatewhyitcannotbeachieved.Aftereveryonehasclearedhismindofnegativethoughtsabout the objective, the group leader then declares, “Now we know how and why wecannotachievethisgoal.Butthatisnotourpurpose.Ourpurposeistoachievethisgoal.”He then asks for suggestions fordoing it, andbuilds aplanof accomplishment from theideasoffered.

A marvelous way to release the genius power of creative imagination in your familygroupisbyhavingtheentirefamilysitdownandagreeongroupobjectives.Oftenparentsstruggle hard to provide luxuries for their children; whereas, if they would have thechildren join them in attaining those desires, the results would come easily, rather thanthroughwearisomestruggle.

AfamilythatIknowdoesthis.Theyaskeachchildtowriteoutalistofhisdesires.Theyalso ask each child to list several desires that the entire familywishes to see come forth.Interestingly, the jointpowerof agreementonobjectives and the jointmind power haveproducedsomesatisfyingresultsforthatfamily.

YourGeniusPowersRespondtoHarmony

Wherethereisacommonpurpose,youhavegreatpowertoachieveaslongasyouareattuned to others who agree with your purpose. Through this process, you tune in on

higherpowersandideasformakingyourgoalaresult.Justbythinkingaboutanobjectivein this way, it will reveal to you its ownmethod of attainment, if you but persevere ingivingityourattention.

However, harmony, agreement, mutual consent and common purpose are of utmostimportance in releasing creative imagination as genius power in a corporate or groupsituation. If even one person is working with you who does not harmonize with yourobjective,thatonecansofilltheairwiththoughtsofdoubt,fear,andantagonismthattheirnegativeatmospherewillhalt the flowof creative ideas.Youmust carefully chooseyourassociatesinordertoreleaseyourgeniuspowerofcreativeimaginationfromacorporatestandpoint.

Both of your genius powers–intuition and creative imagination–respond best toharmoniousminds.Yourgeniuspowersaredelicatepowersthatcomeforthforcefullyonlyunderreceptiveconditionsofmindandatmosphere.

SilenceIsNecessary

Both your intuition and creative imagination function well in times of silence andisolation, especially during periods of relaxation and rest. I find that my intuition andcreativeimaginationoftensupplymewithmybestideasandguidancejustpriortoretiringatnight.

OnceIwassittingquietlyinarelaxedmoodathomeafterabusyday.Mysonhadretiredanditwasapeacefultime.SuddenlyIrealizedthattherewasafinancialmatterthatneededmyattention,but Ihadnotbeensurehowtohandle it,andsohadkeptpushing into thebackofmymind.Nowitaroseinmythinking,andIrealizedthatIhadtodeterminewithinthenextfewdaysjustwhattodoaboutit.

So I asked:Divine Intuition, justwhat is the truth about this financialmatter.Howshall I handle it? Within a flash, a whole series of definite ideas rushed into mymind,givingmedetailed instructionof justhowtoproceed.Theydidnot seem like the logicalreasonablewaystohandlethematter,butneverthelessthenextdayIfollowedthroughontheideas.AsIfollowedmyinnerleadings,thestepsunfoldedquitelogically,andeventuallyproducedtheperfectresult.

NeverUnderestimatethePowerofQuietness

Quiet times,reflective times,peaceful times,whenyourmind isrelaxedandsomewhatidle,arethetimeswheninnerpowersarebestabletogainyourattentionandreleasetruegeniusthroughyou.Peoplewhoconstantlyrushaboutandwhoneverhavequiet,peacefulperiods of reflection often have towork very hard. If they listenedmore to their innerpromptings, theywould receive rich ideas, fresh ideas, intelligent ideas thatwouldmaketheirliveseasierandricher.

A business executive recently related to me the wonderful results he once obtainedthroughdoingthis.Hewasscheduledforretirementfromhiscompany,yethedidnotfeelreadyfortherockingchair.Hebeganaffirmingthatdivinelysatisfyingworkwouldopen

tohim.Sincehedidnotknowwhatcontactstomaketoproducesuchwork,hemadenone.Instead, he began spending a lot of time sitting quietly in his office thinking, “DivineIntelligence,justwhatisthetruthaboutmyrightplaceofservice?”Oneday,afterreturningfromhisRotaryClubluncheon,hesatdownquietlyandagainbeganknowingtherewasadivinesolutiontohissituation;thattherewasperfectnewworkforhimtodo,andthatthetruthaboutitwasbeingrevealedtohim.

Hisassistantcameintoreportthatsomeonehadtelephonedduringlunch,andthatheshould return the call.That call proved to be anoffer for similarwork in another state.Withinaweek,anotherofferfromstillanothercompanycametohimbyletter.Howthesetwofirmsobtainedhisname,hestilldoesnotknow.Hehadnotmentionedhisdesireforfurtherwork toanyone.Withina short time,he retired fromhis job, soldhis home, andmadethechangeintonewworkinanotherstate,whichholdsalimitlessfutureforhim.

TheseGeniusPowersDevelopYourSelf-Confidence

Youwillfeelandradiategreaterself-confidenceaboutyourpast,present,andfutureasyoudevelopyourintuitionandcreativeimagination.Inrecapitulation:developyourinnerintuitionasyour“yes”and“no”guidesthroughwatchingyourinnerfeelings,hunches,andideasthatcome.Developyourouterintuitionbywatchingevents,situations,andemphaticstatements that attract your attention, after youhave askedDivine Intuition to point theway.

Developyourcreativeimaginationbyimagingyourgood,bymentallyseeingtheperfectpast,present,andfuture;bytalkingwithonetrustedpersonandgettinghimorhertoagreewith you on desired results; by forming a creative imagination group, and having themharmoniouslyagreewithyouondesiredresults.Thisgroupcaneitherbeabusinessgroup,familymembers,ortrustedfriends.Inthesesimplewaysyoudevelop,contact,andreleaseyourgeniuspowersforprosperity.

Never underestimate your genius powers! They want to work for you to bring yougreaterhappiness, success, and confidence in your ability to receive guidance every stepalong life’spathway.Whynot let them?Declareoften for thispurpose: Igive thanks thatmygeniuspowersofintuitionandcreativeimaginationarenowreleased,andthatIhappilyfulfillmydivinedestiny.

ChapterFifteen

YourSpecialPowersforProsperity

In this Space Age, the deeper powers of the mind, which have remained virtuallydormant in earlier eras, arenowcomingalivemoregenerally inmankind.The scientificworlddescribesthesedeeperpowersofthemindastelepathy,clairvoyance,generalextrasensoryperception,precognitioandpsychokinesis.Letusconsiderthesespecialpowersofthenotonlyfromascientificstandpoint,butalsoforprosperity’ssake.

TelepathyIsanAncientArt

Telepathyisawarenessofthementalactivitiesofotherpersons,withoutthatawarenessbeing transmitted by sight, hearing, touch or any of the other known senses. In otherwords,when themindcommunicateswithotherminds,without requiring theuseof thephysicalsensesormechanicaldevices,suchtransferofthoughtbetweenmindsisdescribedasmentaltelepathy.

There should be nothing spectacular about telepathy. It was practiced by the nativeHawaiiansforcenturiesbeforethewhitemanappearedonthesceneto“civilize”thenativesthere.InTahititherehasbeenwidespreaduseoftelepathyforsomeyears.InAfrica,newsof political decisions has been known to be received telepathically hours and sometimesdays before it was officially announced. The holymen andmasters of the Far East alsopracticedtelepathyasacommonmentalexerciseforcenturies.Inmoderntimes,Dr.J.B.RhineofDukeUniversityhasdonemuchtomaketelepathyscientificallyplausible.

Withadditionalattentiontothesubjectandpracticethereof,youcandevelopmorethanhaphazardtelepathicabilities.

Telepathycanhelpyou toexperienceprosperous, successful livingmuch faster, ifyourightlydevelopit.However,thisspecialpowerisonlyaphaseofyourprosperitypowers.Don’tbecomesofascinatedwithtelepathythatyou“gooffthedeepend,”byconcentratingonittotheexclusionofyourotherprosperitypowers.

HowtoDevelopTelepathy

PerhapsonereasonthegeneralpublichasnottakenthesespecialpowerstooseriouslyinthepastisthattheyhaveobservedwhatIhaveoftenobserved:Peoplewhohadtelepathyorclairvoyantabilitiesoftenseemunbalancedandimpractical.Butyourspecialpowersofthemindcanandshouldbedevelopedforquitetheoppositereason:topmakeyourlifemore

balanced,prosperousandsuccessful.Youcanbenefitbyusingyourspecialpowers ifyoufollow closely the suggestions contained in this chapter. For this purpose affirm:DivineTelepathyisnowrevealingtomealltruthaboutmyspecialpowersofprosperity.

Whenyouwish tomakecontactwithothers foryourmutualgoodandperhapsdirectouter contact is not convenient, you can reach them telepathically by affirming:DivineTelepathyisnowrevealingtoyou,tome,tous,alltruthaboutthissituation.

RecentlyIwishedtomakecontactwithachildhoodfriendwhomIhadnotheardfromforseveralyears.Iheardthatshehadmarriedandhadmadeanumberofchangessinceourlastmeeting,andIhadnoideawhereshewas.PerhapswithsometimeandeffortIcouldhavetracedher,butmyneedwasnotthatgreat.Nevertheless,Ididwishtohearfromheragain. Several times when the thoughts of her came intomy thinking, I mused:DivineTelepathy will have tomake this contact forme, since I do not knowwhere she is.Abouttendays later,Iwasstartledtofinda letter inthemailfromher,answeringall thequestionsaboutherselfthatwereinmymind,andalsogivingmehernewaddress.

Ofteninthemidstofabusyday,needsarisethatyoudonothavetimetoimmediatelyhandle. If you think of others involved and bless them with the thought that DivineTelepathy is revealing to them whatever they need to know, then they will begin totelepathicallyreceiveyourthoughtsandrespondwithappropriateactions.

TelepathyIsaHarmonizingPower

Development of your telepathic power keeps down needless conversations, telephonecalls, letters, or fatiguing activity that can be so time consuming. Development of yourtelepathicabilityhelpsyoutomaintainpoise,andtoaccomplishessentialtasksmoreeasily.

Abusinesswomanhadadeadlinetomeetincompletionofapieceofwork.Theeveningbefore the work was due, she found herself in dire need of some technical help in thematter. The name of a friend who could give that help kept popping into her mind;however, she did not know where to locate that person during the evening, and herresidencetelephonedidnotanswer.Thisbusinesswomanhesitatedtotracethefriendsinceshefeltitmightseemanimpositiontoaskthefriendtospendextratimeworkingsolateinthe day. Finally; the businesswoman dismissed the idea of trying to reach her friend,casually thinking, “If she is supposed to helpme, Divine Telepathywill reveal it to her.Otherwise,Igivethanksforthedivinesolutiontothissituationnow.”

Within fifteen minutes the telephone rang, and her friend said to her, “I am havingdinner in a downtown restaurant. I have a feeling youneedmyhelp tonight. If so, I amavailable,andwillbehappytoworkwithyou.”Inhalfanhourtheywerebusilyworkingtogethertocompletetheproject.

Aministerwasingreatneed,andhewishedtotalkwithatrustedfriendwhohadmovedtoadistantstate.Theministerkeptthinking,“IfonlyIcouldtalkwithmyfriendaboutthissituation,I’dfeelsomuchbetter.Hecouldhelpmetogetmyperspectiveaboutthis”.

Early the next morning, his faraway friend awakened with his minister friend on hismind.Afterawhilehethought,“I’dliketohaveachatwithhim,”andsohetelephonedhisfriend,whoexplainedtohim, “This isuncanny. Imustmakeadecisiontoday,and Ikept

thinking that a talkwith youwouldhelpme to resolve everything. I hesitated to call orwritebecauseI’vecalledonyousoofteninthepast.”Theythendiscussedtheproblem,andarrivedatahappysolution.

EveryoneHasTelepathicPowers

Weallhavetelepathicabilities. It isamatterofrealizingthis fact,andthendevelopingour abilities along constructive lines.Of course, aswith any power, youmust never useyourtelepathicabilitiestocoerceorinduceothersintoyourwayofthoughtandaction.Todosoisdestructive,andwillbringdestructiveexperiencestoyou.

Irecentlylearnedofapersonwhohadbecomesofascinatedwiththesedeeperpowersofthemind that hemade concentrated efforts to develop them.He thenbeganusing themselfishly, to compel other people to do that which pleased him. In several instances, hecausedotherstobecomeemotionallyupsetandmentallydisturbedbeforehewasexposed.

Whenyouuse yourmental powers selfishly anddestructively, theywill diminish.Notonlywillyoulosethem,butyouwillalsopersonallygetanegativereactionfromtryingtoabuseormisusethemonothers. Inthisman’scase,hisownpersonalaffairsbecamequiteconfused,andhishealthwasaffected.ByaffirmingthatDivineTelepathyisrevealingwhatisneededforthehighestgoodofallconcerned,mentaldestructivenessisavoided.

Alongwithaffirmation,apracticalwaytodevelopyourtelepathicabilitiesisbythinkingofanysituation,person,orconditionthatyouhavesomequestionabout.Thenwritedownthatperson’sname,alongwithyourquestionconcerninghim.Thereafter,sitquietlyeveryday for a while and look at the person’s name, think about him, asking your questionmentally;getstillandlistenforideastocomeintoyourmind,whichwillrevealtheanswer.If theanswerdoesnotcome just then, itmay flash intoyour thinkingat an idlemomentlater.Ifnot,keepupthepracticeeveryday,andyouwillbetelepathicallyshownwhatyouneedtoknow.Itsimplytakespractice,anditisamuchsimpler, lessstrenuous,andfastermethod for gaining true information than that obtained throughordinary channels.Youcan discover a person’s real attitudes andmotives through thismethod, when theymayhavepreviouslyhiddenthemfromyou.

YourSecondSpecialPower

Clairvoyance is your second special power for prosperity. It literally means “clear-seeing,”andit isanawarenessofexternal factsoreventswithouthavingsuchknowledgetransmittedtoyouby the five senses. It can includeawarenessofpast,present,or futureevents.However,scientistshavedescribedonephaseofclairvoyanceas“precognition,”orforeknowledgeoffutureevents.

Membersoftheclergyinallageshavebeentrainedtodeveloptheirclairvoyantabilities.People inancientcivilizations inChina,Egypt,Mexico, even theearlyAmerican Indians,soughttodeveloptheirawarenessofeventswhichwerehappeningatadistance.

The key to the development of clairvoyance is in knowing that youwant to heightenyourawarenessofexternal factsandeventsonly through thehelpofyourdivinenature.

Youdonotwanttobecomesensitivetothehumanmentalstrataofthought,inwhichfloatnegativeideasaboutwar,crime,disease,andotherdestructivebeliefs.

Ionceknewawomanwhodevelopedherclairvoyantabilitiesalongsuchnegativelines.Tuning inonsuchnegative ideasandconditionswasdestructiveandunbalancing toher.Finally,herhusbandlefther,herchildrenweretakenfromher,herhealthfailed,andheremotionswereutterlyshattered.

You want to develop your clairvoyant awareness for good only. By affirming thedevelopmentofyourdivinelyclairvoyantpowers,youwillgrowspiritually,andbeledtocontributetothewell-beingofothers.

Anumberofreportshaverecentlydescribedclairvoyantpeoplewhobecameawareofnegative events. No wonder the general public has shunned the idea of clairvoyance,because they do not care to become involved in theworld’s troubles, having enough oftheirown!

Becoming clairvoyantly aware of negative events only clutters themind and preventsyour beingmentally receptive to the positive, progressive, andprosperous things of life.Furthermore, it is not necessary to “pick up” negative thought currents. If you becomeclairvoyantly aware of their possibility, you can use your “no” power of the mind todissolvethem,ratherthanacceptthemasinevitable.

LetClairvoyanceGuideYou

If you are seeking guidance about some business problem and wish to attain anawareness of external facts or events concerning it, do so in this way: Become still andmeditate ina listeningstateofmind.Then let this thoughtgoslowlythroughyourmind:Divineclairvoyanceisnowrevealingtomealltruthaboutthissituation,condition,orevent,bothpastandpresent.

If therearecertainfactsoreventsyoushouldknowabout, inyourmeditationdeclare:Divineclairvoyanceisnowrevealingtomealltruthaboutthesespecificfactsorevents.Thengoover the specific itemsgently, as best younowunderstand them.As yourmindabsorbs the thought of the item, and also absorbs the idea that divine clairvoyance isrevealing further truth about it, suddenly the illumining truthwill begin to come.Outereventswillprobablyhappentosubstantiateyourmentalimpressionsaboutit.

Amedical technician realized that she could developher clairvoyant abilities, and shehad been declaring that divine clairvoyance was revealing to her all that she needed toknow.Shewasplanningatrip,andconsideringnewclothesforit.Onenightinmeditation,asshewasthinkingofalovelylinendressshewouldlikeforthetrip,sheaffirmed:“Divineclairvoyanceknowswheresuchadressisandisleadingmetoit,ifitisformyhighestgoodtohaveit.”

Thenextdayafriendtelephonedfromadowntowndepartmentstoreandsaid,“Thereisalovelylinendresshereontherack.WhenIsawit,Ithoughtofyou.”Twohourslaterthetechnician finished her work and stopped by that store. Upon arrival, she learned thatsomeonehadalreadypurchasedthedress.Sherealizedthatshehadclairvoyantlyseenthedress,soshewasnotdisturbed.Shenonchalantlysaid,“If thatdress isrightlymine, Iwill

stillhaveit.Ifnot,theequivalentwillappear.”

Thenextdayherstoreclerkfriendtelephonedtosay,“Thecustomerhasreturnedthatlinendress.Itishereontherack,andIwillputitupforyouifyouwishtocomeandseeit.”Shelaterhappilypurchasedthedress,whichprovedtobeidenticaltotheonewhichhadcometoherinmeditationpreviously.

Asyoudevelopthesedeeperpowersofyourmind,whichareyourobedientservantsandlovetoworkforyou,youwill findthatyoudonothavetoworksohard inthephysicalworldtoaccomplishrightresults.ThetruthofthiswasrevealedtomerecentlywhenIhadanearlymorninglong-distancecalltellingmethatplanshadbeenchangedforthatday.Itwould be necessary for me to make a trip of several hundred miles, which I had notplannedtomake.MyfirstreactionwasthatIdidnotwishtomakethetrip,thatitwasnotconvenient inmy schedule for that day, and that I did not desire to drive alone. Then Iremembered tomeditate and to affirm:Divine clairvoyance isnowrevealing the truthabout this experience. A peaceful, harmonious feeling then came tome concerning thisunexpectedchangeinplans.

Later thatmorning, a friendcame intomy studyand said, “I amhere to take that tripwith you.” Surprised, I asked, “Howdid youknow that Imight take a trip today? I onlylearned about it a few minutes ago.” This friend replied that, in her early morningmeditation, thethoughtkeptcomingtoherthatshewouldtakeatripthatday.Knowingthepowerofideas,shehadmadeplansaccordingly.Whenshelaterspoketomysecretary,sheheardaboutmyunexpectedtrip.Notonlydidsheaccompanyme,but shedrovehercar,whichmadetheexperienceanenjoyableone.

ClairvoyanceProvidesaSolution

Abusinessmanhadbeeninvolvedinadisputewithtwootherbusinessmen.Hehadtriedeverythingheknew to settle thedispute,but tonoavail.Onenight,while talkingwith afriend by telephone about the confused situation, he stated that he had done all that hecoulddo,andwasgoingtoreleasethesituationtoworkoutasitwished.Asheendedtheconversation,thefaceofoneofthemeninvolvedinthedisputeflashedintohismind.Thethoughtcametohimthatthismanwouldvisithiminadayorsotoresolvethedispute.Hedidnottellanyoneaboutthisflashofclairvoyance,butheaffirmed:Divineclairvoyanceisrevealingitselftoallconcernedandproducingtheperfect,harmonioussolution.

Twodayslaterinthelateafternoon,ashewasfinishingabusinessconference,hewalkedintohisouteroffice to find thatmanwaiting toseehim!Themangreetedhim cordially,andsaid,“IgottheFeelingthatifwecouldjustgettogetherandtalk,wecouldresolveourdifferences.”Andtheydid,thenandthere.Afriendofminehasoftenspokenofhisson-in-law’sclairvoyantabilities.Thisson-in-lawalwaysknowsifanythingseemswrongathome.Heoftenstopseverythinginthemidstofhisbusinessdayandtelephoneshiswife.Atothertimes,hehas remarked tohis secretary, “Donot disturbmebecausemywife is going totelephonemeaboutsomethingimportant.”Alwaysithasprovedtrue.

ClairvoyancethePast

As previously stated, clairvoyance reveals not only awareness of present eventswhicharehappeningatadistance,butitcanalsorevealpastevents,iftheyareofimportancetothepresent. I knowof twopeople, aman and awoman,whohave clairvoyantpower to“see”intothepast.Ineachinstance,theyassurepeoplewhogotothemforhelpthat theyarenevershownanythingaboutaperson’spastunlessitcanaidthatpersontobefreefromthepast.Themanhasoftendescribedindetailaperson’spastactionswhicharelinkedtosomepresentproblem.

You can develop this phase of clairvoyance for your own good if you will declareconcerninganysituationwhichseemsshroudedwithmysteryoruncertaintyfromthepast:Divineclairvoyance,revealpastandpresenttruthtomeconcerningthissituation.Youwill be surprisedhowanything from thepastwhichyouneed toknowwill be shown toyou.

Amanwhohadhadanunhappypastbegantorealizethatcertainfutureeventswouldrequire thathe return tohishometown,whichhehadnotvisited inyears.Hewonderedhowhewouldbereceivedthere.Hedecidedthatclairvoyancecouldpreparehimaheadoftimeforthereaction,ifhewouldasktobeshownwhatitwouldbe.Heaffirmedforpastandpresentevents:Divineclairvoyance,revealpastandpresenttruthtomeconcerningthisvisit.Howdopeoplefeelaboutmypast?

He then got a feeling of peace about the situation, and dismissed thematter from hismind.Afewdayslaterhereceivedaletterfromahometownfriendwhomhehadnotheardfrominseveralyears.Thefriendjoyouslywrote,“Irecentlymetarelativeofyoursonthestreet.Iaskedaboutyou,sinceIhadheardnothingfromyouinyears.Hejoyouslytoldmeof all your accomplishments, and of your plans to come home for a visit soon.When Iheardofall thatyouaredoing, Iwassothrilledthat Icouldnothelp tellingallyouroldfriends.Myfriend,theywantyoutoknowhowhappytheyareforyou,andtheyallawaityourvisitwithanticipation!”

Perhapsyouhaveunknowinglyusedclairvoyancewhenyouneededtofindamisplacedarticle. As youwould get quiet and think about themisplaced article, often the thoughtwouldflashintoyourmindjustwhereitwaslocated.

YourThirdSpecialPower

Generalextrasensoryperceptionisyourthirdspecialpowerforprosperityandsuccess.It isablendingoftelepathy, inwhichyoubecomeawareofthethoughtsofotherpeople;andclairvoyance,inwhichyoubecomeawareoffactsoreventsthataretakingplace.Mostofushaveexperienceddegreesof this specialmindat times.For instance,a lecturerwasplanningatriptoadistantstatewhereafriendhadinvitedhimtospeakpublicly.Thedatewas set and tentative plansweremade. A fewweeks prior to his departure, the lecturerbegantofeeluncomfortableaboutthistrip,andwonderedifitwaswiseforhimtomakeit.In meditation he affirmed:Divine perception, reveal to me the truth about this trip.ShouldItakethistripornot?

Ashecontinuedtomeditateaboutthesituation,hegottheimpressionthatgreathostilitywas coming to him from that area. He sensed that someone in the town where he was

scheduledtolecturehadpersonalantagonismtowardhim,andresentedhiscoming.Itallseemedpreposterous,buthefinallywrotehisfriendabouthisunusualimpressions.Quitenaturally,hisfriendquicklyrepliedthathemustbemistaken,thatnohostilityexisted,andthat everyone there was happily expecting the proposed lecture. However, the lecturerremained adamant, andhe canceled the trip.While it caused some conflict between himandhisfriendforawhile,thelecturerwasrelieved.

Every time he thought of the situation thereafter, the lecturer would affirm:Divineperception, reveal to all concerned the truth about this situation. Let it be known ifthereisanyhostility.Aboutsixmonthslaterhereceivedaletterpostmarkedinthetownwhere he had planned to lecture. Itwas an anonymous note, in unfamiliar handwriting,statingcertainhostilethingsabouthisfriendinthattown.Hemailedtheunsignednotetohis friend, who recognized the handwriting as that of a friend. The author of the noteapparentlywasjealousoftheclosefriendshipbetweenthesetwomen.Itwaslaterlearnedthat,shortlyaftermailingthehostilenote,thethirdpartymovedaway.Thelecturergavehislectureasoriginallyplanned.

HowtoDevelopExtrasensoryPerception

Most of us have experienced degrees of extrasensory perception (ESP) at times.Haveyounotsensedthatsomethingwonderfulwasgoingtohappen,andperhapsyouwereevenawareofwhat itwouldbe?Haveyounotatothertimeshadaforebodingthatsomethingunpleasantwasnear,whichcausedyoutobecomerestlessorunsure?

When you begin to sense that some good is on the way, you have the power andauthoritytohelpittomanifestinaperfectwaybythinking:Iblessyouwiththeperfectresult, through the help of divine perception. On the other hand, when you feel thatsomethingnegative isabout tohappen,always take time to sitdownandquietlydissolvethatfeelingbydeclaring:Bethoudissolved,withthehelpofdivineperception.Continuethinkingofitasbeingdissolved,untilyoufeeltheburdenorunrestsubside.

You may not know what it is that you are dissolving, but if it gives you an uneasy,restless,negative feeling,youcanbeassured that it isnotanexperience foryourhighestgood. You have the power to mentally dissolve it, for it is in the mental realm that alltroubles are first formed.Useof this special power cankeepmanyunhappy experiencesfromeveroccurring,ifyoudaretotakethetimetosay“no”tothemandneutralizethem.Abusinessmanwasonavacationtrip.Onemorning,asheandhiswifearoseearlytodrivesome500milesthatday,hehadanuneasy,apprehensivefeeling.Notrealizingthatthiswashisextra-sensoryperceptiontryingtowarnhimnottoproceedonhisjourneyjustthen,hedroveonanyway.Afewmilesdowntheroadtherewasanaccidentinwhichhe,hiswife,andoneotherpersonwereseverelyinjured.Thisbusinessmanlaterconfidedtomethat,ifhehadunderstoodthemeaningofhisuneasyfeelings,hecouldhaveavoidedtheaccident.

YourFourthSpecialPower

Precognition is another of your special powers for success. While clairvoyance is anawarenessofpast orpresent events thathappen at adistance, precognition is a phase of

clairvoyance which brings knowledge of future events without the use of any physicalagent for such knowledge. Sometimes through dreams, inspirational flashes, or inmeditationperiods,youareshowntheactionoffutureevents.

Iknowachildwhohasoftenforeseentheeventsofhislifeforthecomingweek.Inoneinstance, this child came to seeme and asked, “How is it that I know everything that isgoing to happen for the coming week?” I suggested that he write down everything heforesaw,andthencomebackaweeklateranddiscussit.Whenhereturnedwithhisnotes,itwasclearthatnothingbighadhappened.Hehadknownhowmuchmoneyhis parentswouldgivehim.Hehadbeenawareofsomeeventsthatwouldhappenatschool,andtheoutcomeofsomesportseventsatschool.Heawareofhowmanyicecreamconeshewouldbuyatthedrugstorethatweek!Onenighthehadnotbotheredtostudyforatestbecausehesaidthathealreadyknewthathewouldmake94onit,whichhedid.

Onhissecondvisithestatedthathecouldnotalwaysseeaweekahead,thoughoftenheknewwhatthenextdaywouldbring.Isuggestedthathenotdiscusshisclairvoyantpowerofprecognitionwithanyone,butthatheaffirmoften:Divineprecognitionismakingeasyandsuccessfulmyway.IknowallthatIneedtoknowtoknowit,formyhighestgood.Iassuredhimtherewasnothingdifferentorwrongwithhim,andthathisabilitytoforeseeevents in his life was a very special power that everyone has, but that few people havedeveloped.

Hewasoverjoyedwhenherealizedthat, ifhebecameawareofsomefutureevent thatseemednegative,hecouldmentallydissolveitbysaying“no”toit.Onseveraloccasions,hedidmentallyreversewhatmighthavebeenanunhappyexperiencebythinking,“NO,Iwillnotacceptthisascomingforth.Iacceptonlythatwhichisformyhighestgood.”Hewouldthenthinkoftheresultswhichhetrulydesired.

AhousewifeIknowsaysthatshehastobecarefulnottowineverycanastagamewhenplayingwith friends. Because of her ability to foresee results, she has often knownwhatcardswerebeingheld,andwhattheultimateresultswouldbe!

QuietlyDevelopThisPower

Whenyoureceiveimpressionsorflashesconcerningfutureeventsandresults,insteadofrunning to others and discussing what you have foreseen, it is best to quietly ask forguidanceabout it.Ahousewifebecameawarethatherneighbor’shusbandwouldpass onwithinafewmonths.Afterprayingforguidanceastowhethersheshouldtellherneighbor,shefeltledtodoso,thinkingitmightexplainhisrecentlychangedbehavior;theneighborwasgratefulforherwarning,sinceshealsohadfeltthatherhusband’slifewasaboutover,andthatheperhapsknewittoo.Shewasthenabletomakehislastmonthsonearthmuchhappier,andtheshockofhispassingdidnotoverwhelmher.

Awarenessoffutureeventsoftencomesindreams.Insteadofbecomingtooinvolvedindreamanalysis,however,youcangetthetruemeaningofyourdreamsbyasking:DivineIntelligence,whatisthetruthaboutthisdream?Whatdoesitmean?IthasbeenwrittenofCharlesFillmore,arealestatemanwhobecametheco-founderofUnity:

Like Joseph and Daniel, Charles Fillmore felt that God came to him in dreams and

visions of the night, and revealed to himmuch of the truth about which he wrote andspoke.Hewasalways looking forward.He foresawradio, and talkedabout it in sermonsandarticles.Heforesawthattheatomwouldbesplitandbecomeasourceofpower.

YourFifthSpecialPower

Yourfifthspecialpowerforprosperityispsychokinesis,whichisdirectinfluenceexerteduponaphysicalobjectbyapersonwhodoesnotuseanyintermediatephysicalenergyorinstrument.Forscientificpurposes,thispowerhasbeenusedtomentallyinfluencethefallofdice.

You can think of physical objects and influence them for good. From a prosperitystandpoint, you can mentally affect your purse, bank account, investments, clothes,automobiles,thebuildingsandareainwhichyouworkandlive.Infact,youareconstantlymoldingyourouterworldthought-by-thought.

YourThoughtsAffectInanimateObjects

“Inanimate”objectshave thepower to respond toyourgood thoughts, especiallyyourrich thoughtsabout them, for theyare filledwithdivine intelligenceandseemto “know”whatyouarethinkingaboutthem.Whenanobjectnearyou“actsup,”giveitthebenefitofyour blessing with good thoughts, rather than criticizing it. I know of a new electrictypewriter that neverworked properly because the employerwho purchased it had nottruly wanted his employee to have that typewriter; he always found fault with it, afterresistingitsoriginalpurchase.

Everythinginyourworldisfilledwithintelligence,eventheso-calledinanimateobjects.Treat them intelligently if you wish to obtain intelligent, harmonious results. Onehousewifehasoftenstatedhowmuchmorehermoneyseemstobuyatthegrocerystoreifshe “dresses up” before going shopping. It is as though the substance and intelligencecontainedinthegroceriesontheshelvesgratefullyreachouttoherandmultiplyforher,becauseofherrichthoughtsandrichappearance.

Stillanotherhousewifereportshowshehasusedpsychokinesistodirectlyinfluenceandattractphysicalobjects toher.Formanyyears, sheandherhusband struggled toget thegrocerybillspaid.Theyhadalargefamilyclanwhoregularlyvisitedthem,whichcausedtheir pantry to be “cleaned out” often. This couple loved their kinfolk, but they couldhardlyaffordthem!

Onedaythishousewifedecidedthat,throughherspecialpowerofpsychokinesis,theremustbesomewaythatshecouldattractgroceriestomeetherincreasingneeds.Shebeganto think of how, through this specialmind power, she could influence and attract goodfoodtoherkitchen.

Shequietlythoughtofgroceriesofallkinds,andofwheretheycamefrom.Shethoughtofseafoodpassingfromthefishermantomarketandthentoher.Shethoughtofthecattleinthefields,passingthroughtherancher’shands,andeventuallytoher.Vegetables,cannedgoods,frozenitems,bakeryproducts,andotherfoodswerevisualizedbyher,asshegave

thanks for thecountlesspeoplealong thewaywhopreparedsuch foods forheruse.Sheimaged all types of food coming into her kitchen in abundance, with no thought offinancialburdenorrestrictedsupply.

When relatives came tovisither after that, theybroughtwith themgiftsofwonderfulfood: fresh seafood from the coast; bread butter,milk, and other dairy products; specialdelicaciesfromthebakery,andsoon.Neveragaindidshehavetoworryaboutthegrocerybill, orwhere the next supply of grocerieswould come from It is as though the variousfood items know how she loves and appreciates them, and they tend to rush to her inabundance,inthehighestandbestform.

EverythingReflectsYourAttitude

When you speak negatively of your financial affairs, you are misusing your specialpowerofpsychokinesis.Youmentallyandverballyinfluenceeverythinginyourworld.Abusinessmanrecentlyspokeofappreciatingamagnoliatreewhichhehadpurchasedforhisflowergarden.Hewastoldbyfriendsthatthemagnoliawouldnotbloomforaboutsevenyears.Sincehewantedtoseethelovelymagnoliabloomsandtoenjoytheir fragrance,heconstantly visualized the beauty of his tree, blessing itwithmuch love and appreciation.Afteronlyfouryears,hismagnoliatreeburstintofullbloom!

Neverspeakdisparaginglyofanobject.Neverspeakofanitemofclothingorfurnitureas“thisoldthing,”unlessyouwishittoandfadefromyourworldquickly.Rememberthateverythingaroundyoureflectsyourattitudetowardit,anditreactsaccordingly.

Irecalloncevisitingaladyoflofty,beautifulthoughts.Sheconstantlyentertainedahighvisionofgood,andhersurroundingswerealwaysaglowwithbeautyandelegance.AboutayearlaterIreturnedtothosesamesurroundings,butshewasnolongerthere.Ifoundthesamefurniture,drapes,andotherfeatureswerestillinplace,buttheyseemedtohavelosttheirglowingbeauty.Someofthefurnishingslookedrathersadandshabby.SoonIrealizedthattheycouldnothavebecomethreadbareinoneshortyear.Thatelegantlady’sbeautiful,appreciativethoughtshadliterallysustainedthefurnishingsinastateofloveliness.

Agoodprayer tousewhenyouare trying toradiateanatmosphereofbeauty is:I amone with Almighty Good. My environment is glowing with radiant beauty, radiantrichness,andradiantgood.

PsychokinesisWorksEverywhere

You have often felt the power of psychokinesis atwork in various environments intowhich youhave entered.They either radiatedharmonyor unpleasantness to you.Thosepeoplemostactive inanenvironmentdirectly influence thephysicalobjects thereinwiththeirthoughtsandwordsofharmonyordiscord,andyoucanfeelandseetheresult.

CharlesFillmorehasdescribedhowyoumayrightlyusethepowerofpsychokinesisforgood:

Blessing the substance increases its flow. If your money supply is low or your purseempty, take it in your hands and bless it. See it filledwith the living substance ready to

become manifest. As you prepare meals, bless the food with the thought of spiritualsubstance.

Whenyoudress,blessyourgarmentsandrealizethatyouarebeingconstantlyclothedwith God’s substance. The more conscious you become of the presence of the livingsubstance,themoreitwillmanifestitselfforyou,andthericherwillbethecommongoodofall.

BelieveinYourSpecialPowers

Doyouhesitatetobelievethatyouhavethesespecialpowersforprosperity?Thisis themostenlightenedagetheworldhaseverknown.Ithasbeenstatedthatmoreprogresshasbeenmadeonthisplanetinthepastonehundredyearsthaninthepasttenthousandyears!This is the agewhen the truth aboutGod,man, and the universe is being explored andrevealedasneverbefore.

Neverdoubtthepowerofyourdeeper,specialpowersforprosperity,newgrowth,andrichachievement.Daretothinkaboutthem,believeinthem,andletthembegintounfoldtheir secrets to you. As the need arises, divine intelligence will begin expressing thesepowersthroughyouwithwonder-workingpower.Astheycomeforth,youwillrecognizeyour special inner powers, and you can learn to accentuate their expression by usingspecificstatementsgiveninthischapter.

As you dare to begin developing these powers, youwill find them to be your specialequipmentforlivingvictoriouslyinthisSpaceAge.

ChapterSixteen

TheProsperityLawofPersistence

When you realize that prosperity is your divine heritage, you should persist inclaimingit.

Abusinessmanwhooften sendsmebooks andarticlesonprosperity recently sent thisstatement by Calvin Coolidge: Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.Talentwillnot;nothingismorecommonthanunsuccessfulmenwithtalent.Educationwillnot; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone areomnipotent. The slogan “Press on” has solved and alwayswill solve the problems of thehumanrace.

Whendiscouragement tries tobesetyou;when it seemsas thoughyourefforts towardsuccesshavebeen invain, remember toholdonto that statement:Nothing in theworldcantaketheplaceofpersistence.

PersistenceIsYour“Can-Do”Attitude

Iknowofayoungmanwhohad triedeverythingandhad failedateverything.Yethehadtremendoustalent,ability,andcharm.Heknewthattherewasarightplaceforhiminlife,butithadjustnotappeared.Finally,hedecidedtoenlistintheNavy,andthatwastheturningpoint for him.Everythinghehas done from that point onhas proved for him agreat success. He has received a number of promotions and official recognition for hisNavywork.Recentlyhiscommandingofficerwrotealetterpraisinghimforhis“can-do”attitude. The letter stated that his attitude had led to definite success in the face ofchallenging, difficult assignments. His commanding officer advised him to continue his“can-do”approachtoallofhisduties.

The prosperity law of persistence might easily be described as the “can-do” attitude.Manypeoplehavejusttheoppositeapproachthe“can’t-do”attitude,whichisaguaranteefor failure.Asyouobserve successfulpeopleaboutyou,youwilldiscover that theyhavecultivatedthehabitofpersistinginthefaceofapparentfailure,sothattheyseemtoenjoyinsurance against it. No matter how many times they experience setbacks, they persisttowardtheirgoalandtheyinevitablyachieveit.

Thereisnothinghalfway,lukewarm,orhalf-heartedaboutpersistence.Itisbold,daring,fearless. Itdoesnothesitate,butgoesafterwhat itwants,andkeepsplugginguntil itgetsresults. A good statement to use in the face of distressing lulls or setbacks is: I am not

discouraged:Iampersistent,andIgoforward.Remindyourselfoften:Iamnotonthewayout.Iamonthewayup!

Aplowisanimplementusedtocutup,turnup,orbreakupthesoilforplanting.Yourpersistenceisyourmentalplowwhichhelpsyoutobreakupthoseoldfailureattitudesofmind,whichhavepreviouslykeptsuccessfromyou.Onceyouhavebrokenupthefeelingof defeat, you are then ready to launch forthwith the “can-do” attitude that will surelyshowyouhowtosucceed.

Don’tSurrendertoDefeat

Theaveragepersonsurrenders tooeasily toappearances,whenoften justa littlemoreenduringpersistenceisallthatisrequiredtoturnthetidefromfailuretosuccess.Theword“persist” literallymeans “to refuse togiveup.” It alsomeans to “continue firmly, steadily,insistently.”Whenyouarediscouragedandunabletoseeanygoodahead,declare:Irefusetogiveup.Ishallcontinuefirmly,steadily,andinsistentlyuntilmygoodappears.Keepplowing thathardgroundof failureand limitationuntilyoubreak itupcompletelywithyourvictoriousattitudesofmind,supportedbyyourouteractionsaimedatsuccess.

Recently an old friendmetmy father on the street and inquired aboutme.Whenmyfathertoldherofmyworkasaministerandwriter,shehappilywrotemeanoteandsaid,“Iusedtowonderhowsuchalittlegirlcouldthinksobig,butI’mgladthatyoudid!”

Often all it takes is a little more persistence in thinking big, working steadily, andexpecting big results in order to bring them forth in your life. A recent advertisementcarriedthiscaption:“Peoplewhochasedreamsarethemostlikelytocatchthem.”

PersistenceProducesSuccess

Thestoryof Jacobwrestlingwith theangeluntil thebreakofday shows thepowerofpersistenceinproducingsuccess.Hevowedtotheangel,Iwillnotlettheego,exceptthoublessme.(Genesis32:36)Theangelrenamedhim“Israel,”whichmeans“PrinceofGod”.Youcan,likeJacob,becomea“PrinceofGod”throughpersistence.

Whenyoumeetdisappointmentconstructively,youcanstillgoforwardtogreatergood.Indeed, through persistence, somuch good can be added to the presentmoment that itblotsouttheemptiness,discouragement,andfailureofthepast.

FailureCanBeaPreludetoSuccess

Often,failureissuccesstryingtobeborninabiggerway,andpersistencehelpsyoutoexperiencethatgreaterresult.ForseveralyearsIwroteinspirationalarticlesfortheUnitypublications. Then at one point I “hit a snag.” Everything I wrote and submitted wasrejected, and I wondered if my writing career was ending so soon. I went through adishearteningperiod,constantlybattlingwiththefeelingoffailure,andwonderingwhatitallmeant.

Monthslater,asIbegantoevolvethelawsofprosperousthinking,itbecameevidentthat

the rejections ofmy articleswere an indication that Iwas not thinking big enough.Thetimehadcomeformetowritebooksinsteadofarticles.Thoserejectionslipswerenothingbut success trying tobeborn forme inabiggerway. Itwas then that the ideas began toformforthewritingofthisbook.

Myfirstreactionwas,“Ifyoucan’tevenwritearticlesthatareacceptedforpublication,how can you possibly expect to write a book that will be accepted?” But prosperousthinkinginsistedontheoppositeattitude–mypreviousfailuresinwritingmagazinearticleswerebutanindicationthatthetimehadcometoaimhigher.Hadmyarticlescontinuedtobeaccepted,Iprobablyneverwouldhavepushedpastthatlevel.SoIwasabletoestablishand maintain the attitude: I refuse to give up. I shall continue firmly, steadily, andinsistently until the good appears in this experience. Someone has said that success isfailureturnedinsideout.Ibelieveit!

Refuse“No”asanAnswer

The enduring achievements of mankind have come about because men have steadilyrefusedtotake“no”forananswer.Irecallafavoritephraseusedbyoneofmyhighschoolteachers.Sheoftentalkedtousaboutthepowerof“goingthesecondmile”inlife.AttimesthosewordshavefloatedupinmymemorywhenIwastemptedtostopattheendof thefirstmile,tositdownandquit.

When innermethodsof persistence are used, external persistence is not oftenneeded.Whenyou learn thepowerofprosperous thinking,you learnhow towork thingsout inyourmentalattitudesfirst,ratherthanexpendeffortinrunninghitherandyouattemptingto manipulate an outer desired result. The inner will produce the outer–but you mustpersistentlyproducetheinnerfirst.

Afteryouareconvincedofanidea,youshouldpersistinyourconviction.Ifouterdoorsseem to close to you, do not hesitate. Persist in inner preparations. The inner realm ofthought controls all outer action. When you get the right attitude, the outer world ofresultsandpersonalitiesmustconformtoit.Thatisthelawofmind-action.

Inthefaceofapparentdefeat,declare:Itismydivinedestinytosucceed,anditisGod’sbusinesstohelpme.IexpectandclaimHisDivineHelpnow.Ithasbeensaidthatheonlyisbeatenwhoadmitsit.Thetimidseldomattaingreatfulfillment.

PersistenceWorksBothWays

Persistenceworksbothways.Wehaveallusedpersistencetofailwhenweshouldhaveused it to succeed. If you persist in expecting and talking failure, there is no power inheavenorearththancanpreventfailurefromappearinginyourworld.Thestoryistoldofonenegativethinkerwhosaidtoanother,“Didyouknowthatadepressionisontheway?”Hisfriendreplied,“Whatdoyoumean‘ontheway’?I’vebeenlivinginadepressionallofmylife!”

Ontheotherhand,ifyoupersistinexpectingandtalkingaboutprosperityandsuccess,thereisnopowerinheavenorearththatcanpreventthemfromappearinginyourworld.

InrecentmonthsIobservedagroupofmenandwomenpersistinaffirmingandexpectingsuccesswheneveryonearoundthemwasdecreeinghardtimesandrecession.Theirresultswereproofpositiveof theprosperingpowerofpersistence.Abusinessman in thegroup,whose stockmarket profits had been quite low during the previous year, found that hisstocksbegan to increase, ashepersistently affirmed it. In thenext twomonths, hemademoremoneyonthestockmarketthanhehadmadeinthepasttwelvemonths!

The owner of a cleaning plant watched his business increase weekly after he begandecreeingsuccessinthefactofapparentrecession.Infact,whilethreeothercleaningplantsin the same area closeddown,within a fewweeks thisman’s cleaningbusiness increased$400perweekoverpreviousincome.

Ahousewifewhoreceivedanannualincomefromarelative’sestatehadnotreceivedheryearlycheckattheusualtime.Afterdecidingtopersistinexpectingasuccessfulresult,thecheckfinallyarrived.Itcamelate–but itwaswrittenforthreetimestheamountreceivedtheyearbefore!

Anotherhousewifewasdecreeing successpersistentlyduring thisperiod.Herhusbandreceivedthebestjobhehaseverhad,asanengineerinthemissileprogram.Furthermore,hisnewemployer insistedthathisstartingsalarywouldbe$100morepermonththanhewasasking!

OneRightAttitudeIsEnough

Physicalsciencehasdiscoveredthateverythingcanbereducedtoafewprimalelements,andthatiftheentireuniverseweredestroyed,itcouldbebuiltupagainfromasinglecell.Inlikemanner,youcanexpandorrebuildyourfinancialworldfromasinglerightattitudewhichyoupersistentlyholdto.Byrefusingtogiveuporgiveintofailure,failurefinallyiswornoutbyyourpersistenceandgivesupitspowertosuccess.

There’s something about joyous persistence that seems to produce good resultsmuchfaster. I have often heard the story of my grandfather who used the power of joyouspersistencetogetcottonpickedonhisSouthCarolinaplantationattheturnofthecentury.When the day grew hot and the cotton-picking had slowed down, he would join theworkers in the fields. As he picked cotton, he began to sing. The workers then begansinging,too.Hewouldsingalittlefasterandpickcottonalittlefaster;everyoneelsedidthesame. Itprovedaneffectiveandhappymethod for steppingupproduction in thecottonfields!

MeetHardExperiencesWithPersistence

Spasmodiceffortscountforlittle.Whenhardexperiencesappearonyourpathway,meetthem on their own termswith persistence, expecting success to come out of them. Youshouldnotusegentlemethodswhentherearehardconditions.Tousegentlemethodsonhardexperiencesisliketryingtoplowhardsoilwithadullblade.Youmakelittleprogresswhen you try to solve difficult problems in half-hearted ways. Meet hard problems bypersistently refusing to give up to them. Insist upon receiving a blessing from thoseexperiences.Facethemwithdauntlesscourageanddaring.

Ifyoueverhavehadthebreathknockedoutofyou,youprobablyfoundtheprocessofnormalbreathingwasnotsufficient torestoreproperbreathing. Insteadyouhadto fightformoreair.Inlikemanner,intimesofapparentfailureordiscouragement,ifyoudonotvigorously persist in believing that you can and will succeed, you are likely to curl upforeverintheclutchesofdefeatandfailure.

TheAmericanpsychologist,William James, evolved the theoryof getting your secondwind,mentally,emotionally,andphysically.Hewroteofperseveringuntilyoureachyoursecondwind.Oftenhekeptgoingwhenfatigueassailedhim,onlytofindthatsuddenlynewreservesofstrengthweretappedsothathegainedhissecondwind,andlaterhisthirdandevenhis fourth.Newenergywould flowin toproducenewpowerandvictory. Itwasasthoughanunseenpartnerhadtakenover.

Intimesofemergencyordeepneed,untapped,dormantpowerisoftenreleasedinman,power thatwouldneverbereleasedunless therewasanurgentneed.Youcanknowthatsuch a time of challenge is but an indication that great power within you wishes to bereleasedtoaidyou,toworkforyouandthroughyou.

ReviseYourSuccessPlans

Thus, when discouragement tries to come up and says, “It can’t be done, you’ll nevermake it,” that is the time to review your plans, to write them out and revise them, assuggestedinChapter4.Thatisthetimetoimageandre-imageyourgoodasmentionedinChapter5.That is thetimetoaffirm:This isa timeofdivine fulfillment.Miraclesnowfollowmiraclesandwonderseverceasetomanifestasthedivineplanofmylife.

That is thetimetodeclare:Theworkofmyhandsand theplansofmy lifearenowmoving quickly toward a sure and perfect fulfillment. I anticipate the good. InGod’srightactionInowplacemyfulltrust.

That is the time to affirm often: I am a part of all that is good, and good shall bevictorious.Thatisthetimetotalkwithatrustedfriendandgetaboost,ortoformasmallcreative imagination group which will work with you toward success, rather thanentertaining any possibility of failure. That is the time to browse through the Bible forinspirationandguidance.That is the time to read the 23rdPsalmandmeditateupon themeaningofitswords:TheLordismyshepherd;Ishallnorwant.Readthe91stPsalm,Hewillgivehisangelschargeoverthee,Tokeeptheeinallthyways.Theyshallbeartheeupintheirhands,Lestthoudashthyfootagainstastone.

PlodontoVictory

Remind yourself of the times you “came through” to victory in the past. Whendiscouragement and despair try to keep you from persisting toward your goal, remindyourselfof the successfulpeoplewho succeeded in spiteofbeingmaimed,blind,deaforpsychoneurotic: Toscanini was so nearsighted that he could not see the score whenconducting;LordByronhadaclub foot;HomerandMiltonwereblind;SirWalterScottwas an invalid; Beethoven was deaf, Dostoyevski and de Maupassant were epileptic;Franklin D. Roosevelt did not have free use of his legs. Shakespeare might have been

describingthepowerofpersistencewhenhewrote, “There is a tide in theaffairsofmenwhich, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.” Bring forth your flood tide of good byaffirming, All that which the Father has given me now comes to me in mind andmanifestation.

Remindyourselfthatit isnotalwaysthepeoplewiththemosteducationortalentwhomake the grade. It is the “plodders!’ It is the people who doggedly refuse to give up,whethertheyseemtohavetalentorbrilliance.Thestoryofthehareandthetortoiseisthestoryofpersistencewinningoutovergreatodds.Inotherwords,aswiththetortoise,youcannotbedefeatedifyoujustnevergiveup.

It is not usually the men of flashing mind power who are the heads of the greatcorporationsandindustries;onthecontrary, it is themenofpatient,ploddingcharacter.Theycannotbedefeatedbecausetheynevergiveup.

It is not necessary for you to have money to get a start in life, nor that you inheritproperty, family name, or privileges of any kind. Neither is it imperative to have anextensive education. The one thing you do need, however, is a goal and a persistent,ploddingdeterminationtoreachthatgoal,nomatterwhat.

Don’tLookBack-LookForward

Ifdisappointmenttriestosidetrackyoualongtheway,meetitasbestyoucanandthenjustkeepgoing.Nonegativeexperiencecanstopyouforlongifyoudon’tlookbackaftersuchepisodes.LearnalessonfromLot’swife,whobecamehardandcrystallizedwhenshelookedback.(Gen.19:26)

Instead,getyourvisionbackonyourgoal,andbeginmovingtowarditinwhateverwayseems most logical at the moment. If you have been sidetracked and can’t do anythingdirectlytoworktowardit,therearelittlethingsyoucandothatgiveyouthefeelingyouaremoving toward it.Dothem; theywill lead to thebiggeropportunitiesalong theway.Justonestepatatime,bigorlittle,isallthatisnecessary.Takeit,anditwillleadtothenextandthenext.

Ionceheardamantella story that impresseduponme the importanceofpersistentlylooking ahead.As a boy, he andhis fatherhad started to townbyhorse andbuggyon awarmSaturday.Atthefirstcrossroads,theystoppedtolistentoacandidateforapoliticalofficegivingaspeech.Thiscandidatetoldthepeopleheshouldbeelectedtoofficebecausehisfatherandgrandfatherbeforehimhadbeenpoliticalleadersinthatarea.Sincehecamefromapoliticalfamily,heclaimedthathewasbestqualifiedtoservethepeople.

Astheboyandhisfatherdroveontowardtown,theycametoanothercrossroadswhereasecondpoliticalcandidatewasmakingaspeech,He,too,claimedthathisfamilyhadlongbeeninpolitics,whichhefeltgavehimafavorablebackgroundforservingthepeople.

Atthenextcrossroads,theyheardacandidatespeaking.Hestated,“Ihaveneverrunforoffice in my life. No one in my family has ever served in a political office. However, Ibelieve I can ably serve the people of this area, because I feel that where we are going,ratherthanwherewehavebeen,isofgreatimportance!”Thatmanwontheelection!

Youcanwin,too,nomatterwhereyou’vebeenorwhatyourpastexperienceshavebeen,ifyouwilldecidewhatyouwishtoachieveandpersist toward it.AsShakespearecausedCassiustodeclare,“Itisnotinourstars,butinourselves,thatweareunderlings.”

PersistenceAloneIsAllPowerful

Ifonedoesnotpersist,onedoesnotachievelastingsuccessinanyfield.Ifonedoesdareto persist toward success, regardless of lack of education, background, talent, influence,money, or reputation, one can and will succeed. Dogged determination outlasts andoutgamestalent.Persistenceisacharacteristictowhichsuccessinvariablysurrenders.

CalvinCoolidgeofferedthisgem:Persistencealoneisomnipotent.Defeatmaytestyou;itneednotstopyou.Regardapparentfailure,disappointment,ordefeatsimplyassignpoststhatsuccess is justaroundthecorner.Use themasgreater incentives to forgeahead,andsuddenlytherewillloomuponyourpathwayyourheart’sdesireorsomethingbetter.

BePreparedIfSuccessComesSuddenly

Successhasawayofcominginahurryaftera“longhaul”ofploddingalongquietly.Asyoupersisttowardyourgoal,getreadyforfast,exciting,success-filledresults.Haveyourplanscarefullyinmindofwhatyouwilldowhensuccessarrives,becausejustwhenitseemleast possible, the tidewill turn for you. Then it will be necessary that you take a deepbreath,andproceedtoacceptyourfloodtideofgood,stepbystepasalreadyplanned.

As fulfillment comes, youmust not let it “throwyou.”Be alert and ready to accept it;otherwise, itmayevaporatebeforeyou, leavingyoutobeginalloveragain.Oncesuccessarrives,itiswisetopersistentlyacceptitandmaintainit;otherwise,itcanslipfromyou.

Persistence is the keynote to realizing your heart’s desires and to maintaining them.DwelloftenonthepromiseoftheLordtoIsaiah:Iwillgobeforetheeandmaketheruggedplacesplain;Iwillbreakinpiecesthedoorsofbrass,andcutinsunderthebarsofiron,andIwillgivetheethetreasuresofdarkness,andhiddenrichesofsecretplaces.(Is.45:2,3)

It can and shall happen, through theomnipotenceofpersistence, perhaps justwhen itseemsleast likely.Throughpersistence,youcanbeoneofthosehappy,victoriouspeoplewho not only chases dreams, butwho catches them! The persistentman also persevereslongenoughforhisdreamstocatchupwithhim!

ChapterSeventeen

WhataboutIndebtedness?

In a recent cartoon, several beautiful new cars were on display in a showroom.Above them hung a sign which read: “Try our credit plan with e-z payments.”While aprospective customer stood viewing one of the new cars, a salesman rushed over to themanagerandingreatperplexityasked, “HowdoIgoabout this?Thatcustomerwants topaycash!”

In this agewhen credit is at an all-time high,what about indebtednesswith regard toprosperous thinking?Creditwisely used is a rich asset to financial success; credit that isabused or over-used is a clear path to indebtedness and financial failure. Credit is notdesirable ifused indesperation topostpone financialdisastera little longer.Neither is itgoodifusedforacquiringitemswhichyoucannotpayforwithoutgreatmentalanguish.Creditisintendedtobeusedintelligentlytowardhelpingoneenjoythecomfortsoflifeinareasonablemanner.Creditmayalsobeusedintelligentlyinrealizingaprofit.

A housewife, who suddenly found herself widowed with three children to support,wishedtogointobusinessforherself.Sheborrowedmoney,investedit,madeaprofitfromthe investment within a short time, repaid the borrowed money, and opened her ownbusinesswiththesurplus.Theintelligentuseofcreditprovedafinancialassettoher.

Agoodruletofollowinordertoavoidthepitfallsofmisusedcreditisthis:Donotincurbills that burden you with the feeling of lack and limitation. Youmay incur reasonablefinancialobligationsifyoucandosowithaneasymind,inthefaiththatyoucanmeettheminareasonablemanner.

ResentmentandFearCauseIndebtedness

Nodebt isgoodifyouresentorfear it,becausesuchanattitudecauses it tobecomeaburden.Thethoughtofburdenoftenstopstheflowofsubstanceintoyouraffairs,aswellashinderingtheflowofnew,prosperousideasinyourthinking.Whentheflowofsubstanceis halted in either of theseways, you are then unable tomeet your bills, and panic andresentmenttakeover.

Solongasyoudonotresentorfearfinancialobligations,youcanmaintainmentalandemotionalcontrolovertheminyourthoughts,feelings,andreactions.Whenyoumaintainafeelingofcontrol,notfeelinghelplesslyboundtodebts,youkeepthewayopenfortherichsubstanceoftheuniversetoflowtoyou–inexpectedandunexpectedways,makingis

possibleforyoutomeeteachobligation.

It is axiomatic that if you “look up,” youwill always be provided for. Surely upliftedthinking,freefromfear,resentment,andcondemnation,isnecessaryinordertomaintainadebt-freeexistence.

Ahousewife relatedhowthoughtsof fear, resentment, andcondemnationgother intodebt; and how by changing her attitudes, she got out of debt. Her husband was a linesalesmanwhoseworktookhimfar fromhome.Early in theirmarriage theypurchasedafarm in themountains of Kentucky, deciding that would be an ideal place to rear theirchildren.Sinceherhusbandtraveledregularly,thewifewasresponsibleforsupervisingthefarm and caring for their growing children. In due time she began to resent herresponsibilities. As her resentment grew, it seemedmore andmore difficult tomeet theever-increasingfinancialobligationsthatattendedthefarm’sprogress.

Finally,shehadtoborrowmoneytopaytheworkers,topurchasefarmequipment,andtomeetgeneralexpensesofthefarm.Soonshewasindebt,thoughthefarmhadexcellentpotential.At thispoint, sheheardabout thepowerofprosperous thinking, andbegan toassessher indebtedness fromthe standpointofhermental attitudes.Onebusyafternoon,when shewaswonderinghow shewouldmeet thepayroll thatweek, shedroveupon alovelyhilloverlookingapeacefulareawherecattleweregrazing.Thereshestoppedandmeditatedforatimeonthepeacefulbeautyofthescenebelow.

Sherealizedthatshehadresentedherhusband’sabsencefromhome,thoughsheknewthat hewas only trying to provide for his family. She further realized that shehadbeenresentingtheresponsibilityofrunningthefarmalone,althoughitwasavaluableasset.Asshe reflected in this upward state of mind, a feeling of peace came and the thought ofburdensomedebt,resentment,andcondemnationpassed.Shethensilentlyaskedfordivineguidanceforherself,herhusband,thechildren,thefarm,theworkers.Shegavethanksforfinancialsuccessandfreedomfromindebtedness.

Whenshedrove into town thenextday,a friend toldher thathewanted tobuysomefarmequipment.Sheadvisedhimthatshehadsuchfarmequipmentstoredaway,unused.Apurchase was arranged that quickly liquidated all of her debts. Later, as her formerresentmentswerereplacedbyloveandappreciationforthefarm,herhusbanddecidedtogive up his sales work, to move his family into town, and to go into the contractingbusiness. A competentmanagerwas hired to run the farm. As thiswoman continued topraise and give thanks for hermany blessings, her farm and her husband’s newbusinessbothprospered.Shenowenjoysahappyhome lifewithherhusbandandchildren,alongwithtakinganactivepartinchurchandcommunityaffairs.

Thisladyprovedtoherownsatisfactionthatthoughtsofresentmentandcondemnationhad causedher sense of burden,which in turnhad stopped the flowof substance in heraffairs.Whensheno longerresentedherobligations,shegainedcontrolof themandwasabletomeetthemvictoriously.

CriticismProducesIndebtedness

Whenbillscomedue,greettheminanunruffledframeofmind,remindingyourselfthat

theyrepresentblessingsyouarealreadyenjoying.Anegative,criticalattitudetowardbillscauses many people to get into debt and to stay there. I know a family that constantlyfumed over theirmonthly bills.Certain bills continued to rise unreasonably; they foundthemselves further and further in debt. When these people learned of the power ofprosperousthinkingforgettingbillspaid,theystoppedcondemningthebills.Instead,theybegan to affirm: We use the prosperous power of divine intelligence in wisdom,integrity and good judgment in all our financial affairs. We give thanks that everyfinancial obligation is paid on time. Thereafter, their bills decreased to reasonable sizeagain.

It isnotonlyunpleasantandunnecessary,butfoolishanddangeroustowastetimeandenergy criticizing anything, especially financial obligations owed or owing you. Such anegativepracticecan lead topermanent indebtedness,andeven toutter financial ruin. Ifyouarenotwillingtogiveofthesubstancethatcomestoyoutopayyourbills,whyshouldyoureasonablyexpect therichsubstanceof theuniverse to floweasily intoyour life?Anungratefulattitudeofmindbringsungrateful,limitedfinancialresults.

GratitudeProspers

The “attitude of gratitude” keeps prosperity coming to you from every direction.Recently,whilelecturinginthePalmBeach,Floridaarea,thetruthofthiswasbroughttomy attention. A minister there told me that the wealthiest people in his congregationseemedtobethemostappreciativeforanyspiritualservicerenderedthem.Hestatedthatoftenwhenapersonofaveragemeansishospitalizedandrequestsaministerialcall, theiropeningremarktotheministeris, ‘Wherehaveyoubeen?Whydidittakeyouso longtoget here?”Yet he finds on visits tomillionaireswho are hospitalized, they invariably aredisarminglygrateful thathehad takentimetodropby tosee them.Heobserved thathismillionairefriendsregularlywrotenotesofthanksforanykindnessreceived.Hefeltthattheirmental attitude of gratitude and thanksgivingwas a convincing clue to their greatwealth.

Nevercriticizeorcondemnanythingoranyoneifyouwishtobecomedebt-freeandtoremain debt-free. As stated in the chapter on your special powers for prosperity, thescientists nowbelieve that everything is endowedwith an innate intelligence that knowswhatyousay, think,and feelabout it. Ifyouspeakof things,people, andconditions inapositive, prosperous way, you gain their subconscious cooperation. Whereas, if youcriticize yourworld, you repel its blessings and attract only negative, limited conditionsintoyourlife.

Amerchantfoundthathismerchandisewasnotselling,thoughinthepasthehadbeenquitesuccessful.Hetriedholdingspecialsales,makingspecialoffers,andothermethodstosellhismerchandise.Manyofhisaccountswereoverdue,onwhichheseemedunable tocollect.Hewasflounderingdeeperintopersonalindebtedness.Finally,herealizedthathehadbecomequitecriticalofhimself,hisbusiness,customers,family,neighbors,communityand theworld in general. Itwas then that he asked a friend,whoknewof the power ofprosperous thinking, to help him get his own thinking straightened out. The friendsuggestedthathebeginusingthisstatementtochangehisthinking:Thereisnocriticism

or condemnation inme, forme, or againstme. Divine love, wisdom and order nowrevealperfectguidanceandproduceperfectresultsinmeandinmyworld.

Withthecirculationoftheseideasinhisthinking,thismerchantdevelopedafriendlierfeeling toward his customers. Along with mailing out monthly statements of currentaccounts,hedecidedtosendalongnotesofgoodwishestothosewhohadlongowedhimmoney. The resultswere amazing! Peoplewith long overdue accounts began paying up!One lady sent him a check on an account she had been owing him for ten years. Thetechniqueofgettingdebtspaid–boththoseyouoweandthoseowedtoyou–isfirstaninnerworkintherealmofmentalattitudes.Othersaresorepelledbyyourcritical,unforgiving,condemnatory thoughts that they shrink fromwanting topayyouwhat is owed.As youchange your thinking about them, they subconsciously feel it and respond in a morepositiveway.

DoYourPaperwork

Insteadof frettingaboutyourowndebtsorthoseowedbyothers,sitdownandboldlylistthoseobligationsonpaper.Thengoastepfurtheranddaretowriteoutdatesbywhichyouwishtoseethemfullypaid.Next,writethisaffirmationatthebottomofyourlistanduse it daily: I give thanks for the immediate, complete payment of all financialobligations.IhavefaiththatwithGod’shelpallobligationsarebeingimmediatelypaidinfull!

A businessman, who is self-employed, had tried the usual methods for collectingaccounts with little success. He learned of the positive mental technique for handlingfinances,and he decided to give it a try.He listed each customer’s name, alongwith theamountdue,andthenaffirmedthecompletepaymentofeachobligation.Thereafter,whenhewent forth to collect,hewasamazed thatnoone seemed toopposehimor sought toavoidhim.Instead,everyoneonthelistpaidhimpromptly!

An interior decorator had been out of work for some time, and was $2500 in debt.Duringasummerslackseasonsheheardalectureonthepowerofprosperousthinkingforovercoming financial lack. Shemade a list of her financial obligations, added the aboveaffirmation,andusediteverydayinthinkingofherbillsasbeingpaid.Justtheactofdoingthisgaveherasenseofaccomplishment,whichreplacedthepreviousfeelingoffutility.Asshe affirmed that her debts were being paid in God’s own way, an interesting thinghappened:Afriendofaformercustomertelephonedandaskedhertodoanestimatefordecoratinganewapartmentbuilding.Shehadneverbeenasked toconsider sucha largedecoratingjobbefore.Neverbeforehadaclientcontactedherfirst;shehadalwayssoughtoutnewclients.

Her estimate, running between eight and ten thousand dollars,was accepted. Shewasgiventhedecoratingjobandhercommissionamountedto$2500!Notonlydidshegetherownbillspaid,butthisprovedtobeonlythefirstofaseriesof largedecoratingjobsthatcametoher.Previouslyshehadworkedhardforsmallcommissions:nowsheisworkingsteadilyforbigcommissions.

ActivatingTrustDissolvesIndebtedness

Hereisapleasantpointtorememberaboutindebtedness:Ifyouareindebt,itisbecausesomeonebelievedinyouandhadenoughfaithinyoutotrustyoufinancially.Ifothersareindebttoyou, it isbecauseyouextendedyourtrusttothem.Trust isawonderfuldivineelement, and itproducesdivine resultswhenactivated.Wheneveryou thinkofowingorbeingowed,givethanksforthetrustthatbroughtaboutthefinancialtransactioninthefirstplace.Know,also,thatthesametrustwhichworkedinthebeginningcanstillworktobringforththefullpaymentdue.Re-establishthisattitudebyaffirming:Thesamedivine trustthatfirstmotivatedthisfinancialtransactionisnowmightilyatwork,clearingitupforthehighestgoodofallconcerned.

Acreditmanagerused this idea tocollect substantial sumsofmoney forhis company,oftenafterothercollectorshavefailed. Inone instance,hewasaskedtocollecta $17,000accountwhichhadbeenoutstandingforseveralyears.Whenhetalkedwiththemanowingthisaccount,itsoonbecameevidentthathewasindirefinancialstraits.Nevertheless, thiscredit manager stated his faith that this creditor would settle the account as soon aspossible. He thereby restored good will and renewed trust between the firm and thecreditor.Inlessthantwoweeksthecreditorbroughthimacheckfor$4,000.Hestatedthatthecreditmanager’swordsoffaithinhimandhisbusinessabilitygavehimnewcourage,newhope,newconvictionthathecouldsucceed.

Withnewhopecamenewideas,whichproduced forhimprosperousresults.Soontheentireamountwaspaid,andthecreditorcontinuestodobusinesswiththiscompany.

DiscordCausesIndebtedness

Aharmonious,trustfulstateofmindisessentialtogainfreedomfromindebtedness,andforcollectingdebtsowedyoubyothers.Youwillnoteoneveryhand that inharmoniouspeopleworkveryhard for theirprosperity.The substanceof theuniverse is repelledbyinharmoniousness, and quickly dissipates in such an atmosphere. This explains why acertain salesmanwas not selling.Hiswifewas also failing in her saleswork.After a fewminutes conversationwith them, itwasobvious theirhome lifewas filledwithbickeringand contention. They criticized and condemned each other, openly disagreeing abouteverysubject.

Itwaspointedout that theywouldhave tobecomemoreharmoniouswitheachotherbefore theywouldbeable toattractcustomersandmakesalesagain.Theyagreed tousethis statement together: “There isnocondemnationor criticismbetweenus.DivineLovereignssupremeandall iswellwithusandwithourworld.”Withintwoweeks, theywerebothmakingsalesagain,andtheirmarriagebecamehappierthaneverbefore.

ThereIsaWayOutofIndebtedness

Indebtednessmayappeartobeverybiginyourworld,butitneedonlybeatemporarysituation if you dare to begin believing there is a way out. Perhaps one of the greatestbarriers to freedomfromindebtedness is fearanddesperation.Whentheyareovercome,youareonyourwaytofinancialfreedom.

Irecently talkedwithamanwhosewifehad feared thathewascontemplatingsuicide.Hewasheavily indebtandcouldseenowayout.Hehadbeen inanaccident,and ithadtakenayearofrecuperationbeforehereturnedtohisbusiness.Meanwhile,others,lackinghis experience and knowledge, had to be relied upon to run his business. Thoughconscientious in their desire to help, they almost bankrupted him. Because of his largeindebtedness and lack of sufficient collateral, thisman had been unable to obtain a loanfromthelendingagenciestoeasethesituation.Hedeclared,“IfIcouldobtainevenfiveorsixthousanddollars, itwouldmeetthemostpressingdebtsandkeepmybusinesssolventuntil I could get the business activated again.” He was feeling quite desperate when hetalkedwithme.

I began to realize that two definite attitudes prevailedwhichwere keeping a solutionfrom appearing: First, this fine businessman had sunk into discouragement and despair.Thereseemednowayout,nowheretoturn.Second,hefeltasenseofgreatlossabouttheyearhehadbeen ill.Hekept tellinghimself, “Ifonly Ihadnotbeen in thataccident, thiswouldnothavehappened.”

Suchattitudesarenormal forpeople indebt,butoncethoseattitudesarechanged, thewhole situationwill changeandvery fast!Always, for everyproblem, there is awayout;there is a divine solution.Tohelp establish andmaintain theprosperous attitude until itcould prove itself, I suggested that he daily affirm: There is a divine solution to thissituation. The divine solution is the sublime solution. I give thanks that the divinesolutionquicklyappearsnow!

For his feeling of loss about the year away from work, these ideas were suggested:“Althoughitseemsdismalatthemoment,beginknowingthatthereneedbenopermanentlossinthisexperience.Thatwhichseemstohavebeenlostduringthisyear’sillnesscanbedivinelyrestoredtoyoufinanciallyandotherwise.”Tohelphimestablishandmaintainthisattitude, these words were typed on a card for him to carry in his wallet. Daily, whendiscouragementorasenseoflosstriedtoenvelophim,hewasurgedtoreadthesewordsover and over: I give thanks for divine restoration in my business affairs. Divinerestorationisnowdoingitsperfectworkforallinvolved,andtheperfectresultappearsnow.IgivethanksthateveryfinancialobligationisnowbeingmetinGod’sownwiseandwonderfulway.

For a number of weeks, this businessman daily declared these ideas to himself. Nochangeseemedtobeforthcoming,buthepersistedinknowingthattherewasasolution.Hepersistedinclaimingdivinerestoration.

Onedaythepicturebegantochangethroughanunusualseriesofevents.Heandhiswifeattended a family reunion, where his deceased brother’s wife called him aside and said,“Years ago,when you first began buying intomy husband’s businesswhich later becameyour own, I felt that he over-charged you for the initial downpayment.Now that he isgone,Inolongerwishtoretainthebuildingwhichhousesyourbusiness.Ialsowishtoseefinancialrestitutionmadetoyouforthat largeinitialpayment.Anappraisertellsmethatthebuildingisworth$25,000ifIsellitoutright.However,Iwillbehappytosellittoyoufor$10,000.”Furtherappraisalsrevealedthatthismancouldobtainatotalloanof$16,000.After purchasing the building, he still had $6,000 to clear up pressing debts and have

operating cash.As these affairs unfolded, hewas filledwithnewhope, and thereafter hereceived increased businesswhich helped to bring order and prosperity out of previouschaosandfailure.Indeed,divinerestorationdidtakeplaceforhim!

KeepQuietAboutIndebtedness

Manypeoplewhoget intodebtwouldnotremain in it if theywouldkeepquietabouttheir financialaffairs.Bymagnifyingtheirobligations, theyclutchthosecircumstancestothem evermore tightly. If theywould keep quiet, keep going, do the best they could tomeet their obligations, and affirm divine guidance, the way would open to clear up allindebtedness.

Thewell-knownBiblestoryofElishaandthewidowisasubtleexampleof this.Whenthewidowlamented toElishaofhersadplightand thatacreditorwasgoing to takehersonsfromher,Elishadidnotsympathizewithher.Instead,hetoldhertogointoherhouse,shutthedoor,andstartpouringouttheoilshehadonhand.ThiswasawonderfulOrientalwayoftellinghertoceaseherwailingaboutherdebtsandfinancialproblems,andtobeginusingwhateversubstancewasonhandtomeetthesituation,knowing thatasshedidherpart,substancewouldmultiplytofilleveryneed.

Awidowinrecent times likewiseprovedtheprosperingpowerofElisha’sadvice.Thiswoman had had a very troubled life. She was lonely, in debt, unhappy in her work,dissatisfiedwithher life in general.While she sought freedom from indebtedness, all thetimeshebemoanedhowharshly lifehadtreatedher.Her financialcircumstancesbecamemore stringent thanever, though she continued to receivepay raises andother financialblessings.Finally, she realized that, in talkinghard times,herverywordswereherworstenemy.Shebecamesilentaboutherfinancialaffairs.Forallthehardexperiencesofherlife,shewasaskedtoaffirm“divinerestoration”andtodwelluponthepromisesintheBible.

Asshebegantomeditateonthesepromises,everythinginherlifechanged.Shereceiveda promotionwith a pay increase. A friend of long standing, whom she had once aided,decidedtoshowappreciationbygivingher$1,000!Withthismoneyshepaidherdebts,andwasfinanciallyfreeforthefirsttimeinyears.Soonshemarriedhappily,afterhavingbeenalonefortwentyyears.Truly,theyearswhichfinanciallackhadconsumedwererestoredtoher!

SpeakOnlyinProsperousTerms

Insteadofworrying, fretting,or talkingaboutyourdebts, itpays toaffirmprosperousresultsandtospeakonlyinprosperousterms.Awomanwhohadbeenoutofworkduetoill health found herself deeply in debt, but she constantly talked negatively about hersituation. One night she and her daughter attended a lecture on prosperity.When theyreturnedhome, theydecided touseanaffirmationgiven in the lecture: “Everything andeverybody prospers us now, and we prosper everything and everybody now.” Theybegandeclaringthesewordstogethereachnightforfiveminutesbeforeretiring.Withinaweeka check for$2500came to them, representinga sumwhichhad longbeen lawfullyowed them, but their lawyer had been unable to collect it. As they changed their words

whenspeakingabouttheirfinancialaffairs,itwasasthoughallinvolvedsuddenlywantedtoprosperthem,ratherthantowithholdanythingfromthem.

An artist was in debt because she had been unable to sell any of her paintings for anumberofmonths.Onenightsheattendedaprayergroupinwhichthepowerofprayingaffirmatively about financial problemswas emphasized.At thismeeting, itwas suggestedthateachonetakeanaffirmationanduseitduringthecomingweekforprosperityneeds.This idea seemed a radically different approach to this artist, who had always felt thatperhapsitwaswrongtoprayaboutmoneyandfinancialproblems.Joyouslyshebegantodailydeclare:“Everythingandeverybodyprospersmenow,andIprospereverythingandeverybody now.” Four days later, she sold a painting for $75–her first sale in months.Immediatelyothersalesweremade,andsooneveryfinancialobligationhadbeenmet.

NoOneCanWithholdYourProsperity

Manypeoplealsoget intofinancial lackandremaintherebecausetheythinksomeoneelse is keeping their prosperity from them. As long as they think someone else has thatpower,theythemselvesaredecreeingthatitistrue.Butoncetheychangethetrendoftheirthinking,theirgoodcanappearinspiteofanyoutercircumstances.

Awidow,whohadtriedinvainforoverayeartosettleherdeceasedhusband’sestate,washeavily indebtbecauseanunexpectedheirhadappeared so thata courtproceedingbecamenecessary.The estate fundswereunder court control.Formonths, shehadbeenlivingmeagerlyfromdaytoday,hopingthattheestatewouldsoonbesettled,andthatshewould receive a check in full for the inheritancewhichwas rightfully hers. Each time itseemednearsettlement,thecasewasdelayedbecauseoffurtherresistancefromtheotherheir.

Duringaperiodwhenhercreditorswerepressinghardforpaymentofsomeofherlatehusband’sbills, thiswomanwasgivenprosperityarticles toreadbya friend. In them shefoundthisaffirmation:IdissolveinmyownmindandinthemindsofallothersanyideathatmyGod given good can bewithheld fromme. Those financial blessings that areminebydivinerightnowcometomeinabundance,andIjoyouslyacceptthem.

Fascinatedwith thepossibilityof this simpleapproach toherproblem, thiswomansatquietlyallafternoon,writingoutandaffirmingthisstatementoverandover.Asshedid,shebegantofeelasenseofdominionwellingupwithinheraboutherfinancialaffairs.Shealsobegantofeelmorekindlytowardthatunexpectedheir,whowastryingtoforcehisclaimonherhusband’sestate.Themoreshe thoughtpeacefullyabouthim, themoreshecouldseewhyhefeltentitledtocertainfinancialassets.Finally,shetelephonedherlawyer,toldhimtousehisownjudgmentinsettlingtheestate,buttofeelfreetogivethatheircertainportionsofthestocks,bonds,andoilpropertieswhichheclaimed.Withina fewdaystheestate that had been pending formonthswas settled, so that all involvedwere satisfied,prospered,andblessed.Thiswomannowfeelsthather“God-givengood”cametoherfromthe settlement of the estate, and she did not miss the financial assets shared with thisunexpectedheir.

DeliberatelyThinkBig

In another instance, a realtor found himself going into debt because some of hisapartmentswere not renting during a summer slack period. Friends told him, “Youwillneverrentthoseapartmentsatthepriceyouareasking.Youarethinkingtoobig.Ifyoucutyourrentalprice,perhapsyoumaybeabletorentthemforthecomingseason.”Thismanattendedaprosperitylecturewhereheheard:“Youcanneverthinktoobig.Daretothinkbig.Dare toaffirmbig ideas.Dare toexpectbig results.Suchattitudesare thedifferencebetweenaprinceandapauper.”Thismanrealizedthathemustdeliberatelythinkbigandspeakprosperouslyifhewishedtorenthispropertiesandpayhisdebts.Fortherentalofhisapartments,hebeganaffirmingastatementthathasprosperedcountlesspeople:I lovethe highest and best in all people and I now draw the highest, best, and mostprosperous-mindedpeopletome.Thoughhehadshowntheunrentedapartmentsseveraltimeswithoutsuccess,theverynextclienttoappearwasdelightedwithhisapartments,andrentedonefortheseasonfor$2,000.Ashecontinuedusingthisprosperousstatement,hisotherpropertieswere rented easily.Within a short timehe had received checks totaling$8,000,whichenabledhimtobecomedebt-free.

BegintoPayCashforMoreItems

Along with getting prosperous attitudes about our financial, affairs, it is good to dowhatever tangibleor intangible thing you can to get the feeling that you are clearingupindebtedness.For instance,beginpayingcashfor items, thoughyoumaydoso ina smallway.Justbyreleasingcashforsuchitemsratherthanbychargingthem,youbegintogetasenseoffreedomfromdebt.

I know of two housewives who decided that the approaching holiday seasonwas thetime to prove this. They stopped charging gift items, and began paying cash as theyshopped.Later,theydeclaredthatspendingcashgavethemasenseofjoyandfreedom.Ineachinstance,theyfoundthatastheyblessedandgavethanksfordivinewisdominusingthecashonhand,moneykeptcomingtothemforChristmasgiving.

One housewife went all through the holiday season without charging anything. Shestated that she also gave the best gifts ever. The other housewife finally resorted to herchargeaccounts fora fewgifts,but shehadalreadypurchasedsomany forcash that thefewchargeddidnotgiveherasenseofburden.ShedidnotdreadfacingpaymentofthemintheNewYear,andshecouldquicklypaythemastheycamedue.

DismissFinancialMistakesofPast

Anotherfinancialattitudethatbindsmanypeopletoindebtednessisthis:LikeLot’swife,they continue to look back. They worry about financial mistakes of the past, and thuscrystallize their thinkingwhichmanifests as present indebtedness.When you look back,there isno room inyour thinking fornew ideaswhichcould clearuppastmistakes andindebtedness.Toforgiveyourselfandothersofpastmistakesisessential,ifyouwishtobepermanently free of financial burdens. If such memories try to haunt you, use thisstatement:The forgiving loveofDivine Intelligencehas setme free fromthepastand

from the financial mistakes of the past. I now face the present and the future wise,secureandunafraid.Itwillworkwondersforyouandforothers.Asstatedinthevacuumlawofprosperity,itisnecessarythatweconstantlyforgiveourselvesandothersifwewishtobeprospered.Rereadthatchaptertohelpyourselfandotherstoovercomeindebtedness.

AskforProsperousIdeas

Along with establishing prosperous attitudes, and following through with prosperousactions, one should ask for prosperous ideas about financialmatters.A businessmanhadreachedtheageof40andhadgoneasfarashecouldwithhiscompany,unlessoneof itsowners retired. This very fine Christian man did not wish to succeed through suchcircumstances,buthewasgrowingdesperate.Even thoughheandhiswifebothworked,theywereheavilyindebttryingtomeettheneedsoftheirgrowingfamily.Theycouldseenowaytoalargerincomeintheirpresentcircumstances.

When thisman talkedwithme he said, “I needmore self-confidence in knowing thatsomehow I canmeet this situation victoriously. I suppose I also needmore order inmyaffairsso

that Imight knowwhichway to turn.” Itwas suggested that he go about establishingorder in an easy, quiet, satisfyingway rather than to suddenlybecome aggressive,whichmight lead to confusion and antagonism with others. It was suggested that he beginspending a fewminutes everymorning and night to quietlymeditate and ask for divineguidance about his financial affairs.His first reactionwas, “What goodwill that do?YoumeanGodknowsorcaresaboutmyfinancialaffairs?”ItwasarevelationandarelieftothismantohearthatarichandlovingFathercaresaboutthefinancialneedsofHischildren.Thisprayerwassuggestedforhisuse:“Father,what is therich truthaboutmy financialaffairs?Whatisyourhighestgoodforallinthissituation?”

Atfirst,noanswertothisquestioningprayercame,butthismandidnoticethathewasmorepeacefulthanhehadbeeninyears.Withtheincreasedfeelingofpeace,hebegantofeelmoreincontrolofhimself,hisfamilyaffairs,andhisfinancialworld.Onenight,ashewasdecreeingthe“richtruth,”anideaflashedintohismindwithsuchforcethathealmostfelloutofhischair.Itwasnotanewidea;ithadcometohimmanytimesbefore,buthehaddisregardedit.Itwasanideatodevelopanewdepartmentthatcouldmeanfreshgrowthandprosperity forhis firm.Neverbeforehadhebeen stronglyenoughconvincedof thepowerofthisideatoapproachhissuperiors.

Thenextdayhe foundtheperfectopportunity forspeakingwithhisbossabout it.Hisboss was both surprised and pleased that this quiet little man was thinking in such big,progressive, and prosperous terms about the company. In due time, he was allowed todevelophisideaforaspecialdepartment;anewtitleandmuchbetterincomeaccompaniedit. Other financial surprises followed, with one member of his family receiving anunexpectedinheritance.Byprayingfordivineguidanceanddivineideas, thisman’sdebtsoflongstandingwerepaid.Awholenewlevelofprosperouslivingopenedtohimandhisfamily.

Agoodstatementtoholdinmindforthispurposeis:“DivineIntelligencenowinspires

mewithprosperousideas,andwithdivineactioninperfectlyexpressingthoseideas.”

IndebtednessCanBeBlessinginDisguise

Indebtedness can be a tremendous blessing in disguise. When unpleasant experiencescomeuponyou,itisoftenbecausetherearenewwaysoflivingandnewmethodsofworktrying to open to you. In most instances of indebtedness, those who are financiallyembarrassedareveryfinepeoplewhoaretryingtoliveprosperouslyonalimitedincome.However,iftheyhaverichdesires,itisbecausetheyalsohaverichtalentsandabilitiesthatareseekingexpression.

Theirdesireforrichergoodisverystrong,buttheirbankaccounthasnotbeenequallyexpanded.Often theyarepeoplewhoaredoingamediocreworkwhen their talentsandabilities, if developed,would bring them a rich income to balance out their rich desires.Daretousenewideasthatcometoyouwhenyouareworkingoutfinancialproblems.Re-read, study, and follow some of the suggestions for developing your talents and abilitiesthataregiveninthechaptersonworkandonfinancialindependence.

Whenyouaretryingtofindyourfinancialfreedom,begintobringitforthbydeclaringoften:There are good days ahead.There are rich days ahead.When fear about presentproblems seems to engulf you, remind yourself:God’s way forme is joyous, a way ofsafetyandsecurity. I give thanks that Inowwalk inpathsofpleasantness, prosperityandpeace.Fordevelopmentofyourtalentsandabilitiestobringgreatsatisfaction,declareoften:Theboundless,limitlessPowerthatcreatedtheuniverseisnowaccomplishinginandthroughmeallthatisformyhighestgoodinmind,bodyandaffairs.IgivethanksthatIamdivinelyequippedtoaccomplishgreatthingswithease.

ChapterEighteen

HealthandProsperousThinking

Surelythegreatestblessingoflifeishealth.Withoutit,nothingelsemattersverymuch.Withgoodhealth,everyotherblessingisgreatlyenhanced.

As I counsel people about their various problems, I am convinced that our thinkingdirectly affects our health. Many people who are in poor health, due to worry overfinancialproblems,finditalmostuncannyhowfasttheirhealthimprovesastheirfinancialsituationimproves.

Afinebusinessman,whohadenjoyedgoodhealthforanumberofyears, facedseriousfinancialsetbacksinhisbusiness.Soonhedevelopedgastriculcersthatlaterwerefoundtobe malignant, making several operations necessary. He is now on the way to completerecovery,whichhisdoctorsassureispossible.Hiswiferecentlystated,however,thateverytime he incurs a financial loss, hemust return to bed. Butwhen he receives good newsabouthisfinancialaffairs,hisspiritsoars,andheenjoysnormalwell-being.

The study of modern psychosomatics is surely a wonderful step forward in helpingpeopletorealizehowstronglytheirmentalstatesinfluencetheconditionoftheirbodies.

ProsperousThinkingIsHealthyThinking

Wehaveshownearlierthatyouareprosperoustothedegreethatyouareexperiencingpeace,health,andplentyinyourworld.Inotherchapterswehavediscussedtechniquesfordevelopingprosperousthinking,soastoassurepeaceofmindandfinancialsuccess.Nowletusconsiderprosperousattitudeswhichwillenhanceyourhealth.Prosperousthinkingisvictorious,harmonious,upliftedthinking.Aprosperousthinkerknowshowtofreehimselfof hostilities, resentments, criticisms, and irritated emotions. A prosperous thinker aimstoward balanced, normal thinking which reflects his “will to win.” Often, it is mentaldepressionandafeelingofdefeatwhichcausesillhealth.

Aladyrecentlyclaimedthatforthepastyearshehadhadalingeringcold.Summerorwinter,itheldon.Shewasbeginningtowonderifshedidnothavesomethingmorethanacommoncold,forthisonewasalltoo“common”!Herphysicianassuredher,however,thathecouldfindnothingorganicallywrongtoexplainthecold.

Since there apparentlywas something irritating this little lady, something probably oflongduration,Iaskedhertorecallvariouseventsinherlifepriortotheappearanceofthiscold.Aftera fewminutes’ conversation, she stated that shehadhelda line jobwhich she

enjoyed.Without warning and without consulting her, her employer transferred her toanother department, where she found the work distasteful, even irritating. Because shefearedlosingherjob(becauseofherage)ifsheprotested,sheenduredthetransferwithallthediscordthatwentwithitinthenewdepartmentamongbickeringfellow-workers.Thisaddedtoherintenseinnerresentmentandrebellion.Littlewonderthatinnerirritationhadmanifestedasadeep-seatedcoldwhichhadpersisted.

I suggested she begin working within her own thinking to overcome a feeling ofhopelessness,helplessness,anddefeat,andtoadoptavictorious,winningattitudebydailyusingtheseideas:Divineloveandwisdomgobeforeme,makingeasyandsuccessfulmyway in this situation. The divine solution now quickly and easily appears. I am nowguided, healed, prospered and blessed! For several days she fed her mind these ideas,gaining a sense of peace which she had not had during the past year. Just as she wasconsidering approaching her employer to explain her dissatisfaction and to request atransfer,aninterestingthinghappened:anoticewasplacedonthebulletinboard,invitingtheemployeeswhodesiredtransferstoseethemanager,sincehewasconsideringmakingsomechanges.Herewasheropportunitytodeclareherdesires,whichweregranted.Asherinner feelings were harmonized, she realized that her cold, which had been steadilydissolving,sooncompletelydisappeared!

InharinoniousnessCausesIllHealth

Truly,wherethereisaconditionofillhealth,thereisasituationwheretheillpersonhasbeensubjectedtointernaldiscordofmind,bodyoraffairs.Prosperousthinking,expressedasharmoniousthinking,helpstoproduceharmonyofbodyaswellasinone’srelationshipsandenvironment.

A pre-school-age child was afflicted with hemorrhoids. His doctor felt that thisconditionwas unusual for a child of his years.He quietly studied the home situation todiscoverifanyinharmonytheremightbelinkedwiththisphysicalcondition.Itwassoonrevealed that the child’s mother knew nothing of the power of attitudes to affect one’shealth.Sheconstantlyinsistedateachmealthatthislittleboyemptyhisplate,regardlessofhowhefeltorthestateofhisappetite.Thischildhappenedtobeanindividualwhodaredto“haveamindofhisown.”Inseveralinstances,herefusedtoeat.Thinkingitherduty,hismothertookhimawayfromthetableandspankedhim.Suchhadbeenadailyeventinhisyoung life. Itwasastonishing that this childhadnotdevelopeda conditionmore seriousthanhemorrhoids.

Afterthemotheragreedtobecomemoreharmoniousandlessstringentinherdemandsuponthischild,themedicaltreatmentbegantorenderfavorableresults.

Bickering,quarreling,orgeneralconfusioninone’sdailyatmospherearereflectedinthehealthof those involved.Thebody isaverysensitive instrument,plastic to the thoughts,emotions,andwordswhichareexpressedthroughitandtoit.

HealthyThinkingIsanAncientArt

Thereisnothing“new-fangled”aboutthetruthsnowbeinguncoveredwhichrevealhow

stronglythoughtsandfeelingscontrolthebody.HadtheancientBabyloniansciencescomedowntousintact,ourcivilizationmightbeevenmoreadvancedthanitis.NotonlydidtheBabyloniansusestrangestonesoforeforcuringcancer,buttheywerealsoexperts intheuse of psychosomatics, variousmental techniques, even in hypnotism. It is believed thatAbraham, who resided in the Babylonian city of Ur, learned of their treatment bypsychosomaticsandbroughtittotheJews,whoeffectivelyuseditthroughthecenturies.Inanyevent,thewritersoftheBibleseemedtounderstandthatdiseasewascausedbywrongthoughtandwrongfeeling,fortheirwritingssurelyreflectthatteaching.

Moses pointed out the definite power of right attitudes and emotional responses forhealth, and the power ofwrong ones for ill health.Miriam, his sister, criticized him formarrying into another race. (Numbers 12: 1) Because of her critical attitude, the Bibleimplies thatMiriamcontracted leprosy,andwashealedonlybymeansofMoses’ prayer.(Numbers12)

InanotherBiblestory,wefindthatawrongattitudekilledKingAsa,oneofthekingsofJudah.Hedidnotbelieve in thepossibilityof spiritualhealingandwhenhis feetbecameseriously diseased, he died. (II Chronicles 16: 13) Elisha and Elijah both healed throughmentalandspiritualmethods.

Evenwitchdoctorsofprimitive cultures realized theneed for changing theirpatients’attitudes inorder toheal them. Inaneffort toattract theirpatients’ attention, theyworemasks,spokeincantations,danced,andperformedinotherwayswhichseemstrangetoustoday.Theybelieved that if those seekinghealingwould redirect theirminds away fromtheirproblems,healingwouldresult.

AttitudesCanHeal

Recentlyahousewifedescribedherimprovedhealthafterherattitudeschanged:

FortwelveyearsIhadachronicgallbladderconditionwhichwasverypainfulmostofthetime.ForoverayearIhadhadbursitisalso,whichwasgettingprogressivelyworse.MyhusbandandIbothprayedaboutmyhealth.Wetriedalltypesofmedicaltreatment,butalltonoavail,forthepainpersisted.

Iwasbeginning towonderhowmuch longer I could goon.Thenwe learned about aseriesofprosperitylecturesinourarea.Afterhearingonelecture,whichwasonprosperityandnotonhealing, Iunderstoodbetterhowto thinkvictoriously. Ibegan torealize thatsomehowthepaininmybodycouldstillbedispelled.Forthefirsttimeinmouths,bothmyhusbandandIfeltupliftedandinspired.Andthenithappened!Withinoneweekfromthetimeweheardthatlecture,mygallbladderconditiondisappearedandthebursitispainwasalsocompletelyhealed.IamthankingGoddailyfortheupliftedattitudeswhichopenedthewayforhealingtomanifestinmybody.

Thisladyandherhusbandcontinuetoattendthelectures,andsheremainshealthyandhappy.

Inotherinstance,awomanbrokeherarm.Thoughithadmendednicely,itremainedsostiffandpainful thatshewasunable todrive toprosperity lectures, soshehireda youngmantochauffeurher.Aweeklater,thiswomanjoyouslyappearedforthesecondlecture,

stating that the painful stiffness had left her that week, after she had dared to thinkdefinitelyaboutsuccessandprosperityasherdivineright.Allweekshehadbeendrivingher car. She came alone to other lectures after that, free from all pain. She learned thatprosperous thinkingexpandsone’swholebeing,withnew,unlimited good, including theareaofhealth.

AnEmotionalCauseofCancer

All about us we see the need for transforming negative emotions, if we wish to behealthy,ortoregainhealth.Cancerhasbeenreferredtoinrecenttimesasa“hatedisease.”Thosewho contract it often carry their hates secretly, so that the average person neversuspectstheemotionalturmoilthoughwhichsomecancerpatientsarepassing.

OnceItalkedwitha“self-made”manwhohadworkedhardtogettothetop.Hefinallymade it, and hewas greatly admired and respected by hundreds of people.His financialachievements, his contributions in time and talent to themany civic organizationsof hiscommunity,andhisdedicatedchurchworkhadwonhimwideacclaim.

Attheapexofhiscareer,hewasinformedthathehadcancer.Operationsextendedhislifeforseveralyears.Towardtheendofthisperiod,hetalkedwithmeabouthiscondition.Atfirstglance,itwouldseemthatacruelfatehadstruckhimdowninhisprime.Butcloseracquaintance revealed that he had been married several times; that each marriage hadendedindivorce,followingbitterhostility;andthathedetestedhispresentwife.Ifshewasas bad as he claimed, humanly he seemed to have reasons for his feelings, since she hadmadehislifemiserable.

Because of his business success, he felt that divorce or even a separation would bedetrimentaltohiscareer.Sohecontinuedlivingwithherinastateofabjectmisery,yearinandyearout.Furthermore,asoftenhappensinsuchsituations,hehadturnedtoanotherwoman for the love and understanding he felt hewas not receiving from his wife. Thisotherwomanwasabusiness executivewhowaswidowedand lonely.As their love affairdeveloped,thiswomanbecamesofrustratedatnotbeingabletobecomehiswifethatherown health declined. Alongwith a series of health problems that developed, she soughtemotionalreleasethroughdrinkanddrugs.Shebecamesoconfusedthathermind,induetime,nolongerfunctionedclearly,andshelostaseriesoffinepositions.

The only personwho seemed relatively unaffected in this trianglewas the hatedwife.Through it all she remained calm. She did not seem to take on the hate or emotionalturmoil of her husband or of the “other woman.” In the long run she was the onlyvictoriousone.

Her husband stated tome that he could not forgive her or his previouswives for theunhappinesstheybroughtintohislife.Herefusedtoattemptanyofthemethodsofhealingmentioned in this chapter, or to invoke the methods of healing through forgiveness. Inoticedthatwhenhespokeofhiswife,heseemedtoexudean invisiblepoison. Itwas asthoughtheveryatmosphereintheroombecameheavywithvenomoushate.Hecontinuedhatingherandfinallyhadtoreturntothehospitalforanotheroperation,whichprovedtobehis last.His final consciouswordswerea curseuponhiswife.Hishate actuallykilled

him.

The“otherwoman”didnotattendhisfuneral,enduringhergriefalone.Uponthedeathofherhusband,thewifewasnotonlyfreeofhishate,butshealsoinheritedhisfortune.Atlast,shewasnotonlyafreewomanbutaveryrichone;shedidnothesitatetoenjoyherwealth.Withinayearshehadhappilyremarried,assuredoffinancialsecurityandtruelove.By refusing to “hate back,” this woman was the only one of the three involved in thissituationwhocamethroughitvictoriously.

ForgivenessHeals

Ifyouareoutofharmonywithanyone;ifyouhavebeencausedunhappinessinthepastfor which you are still holding a grudge; if you feel you have been unjustly treated infinancialorprivatematters;ifyoufeelthatsomelosshasrobbedyouofthehappinessthatshouldhavebeenyoursbydivineright;ifyoufeelstronglyaboutunhappychildhoodandfamily experiences–you may have every human reason for your feelings, and forcontinuingtonursethem.Youmaybeabletojustifythosefeelingsinathousandways.Butlike theman in this story; like the “otherwoman,”youmainlyhurtyourselfbydoing so.Your health, prosperity, happiness, and peace ofmind can andwill be destroyed if youcontinuetoharbornegativeemotions.

Ifyounowareinastateofillhealth,thereissomething,somebodyorsomememoryyouneed to forgive and release fromyour feelings forever. Perhaps you are not consciouslyawareofwhatitis.Butyoursubconsciousmind,whichisthestorehouseofyourfeelings,emotions,andmemories,knowswhat it is. Itwill respondwithreleaseandhealingwhenyou give yourself treatments in forgiveness, as recommended later in this chapter.Philosophersandsagesofalltimeshavetriedtopointoutthatman’shealthiscontrolledbyhis attitudes toward himself and others. Hippocrates, the 4th century Greek physician,wrote:

“Menought toknow that from thebrain and from thebrainonly ariseourpleasures,laughters,and jests,aswellasoursorrows,pains,griefsandfears.”Platodeclared, “If theheadandthebodyaretobewell,youmustbeginbycuringthesoul.”ThePsalmistwarned,Ceasefromanger,andforsakewrath;fretnotthyselfittendethonlytoevil-doing(Psalms37).

WiseoldSolomonsurelyrealizedthepowerofthoughtandfeelingonthebodywhenheadvised,Amerryheartmakethacheerfulcountenance;butbysorrowoftheheartthespiritisbroken.(Prov. 15:13)Pleasantwords are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. (Prov.16:24)Thelightofeyesrejoiceththeheart,andgoodtidingsmakethebonesfat. (Prov.15:30E.R.V.)PerhapsSolomon’sbestpsychosomaticadvicewasthis:Acheerfulheartcausethgoodhealing.Butabrokenspiritdriethupthebones.(Prov.17:22E.R.V.)

HappinessHeals

Trulyaspiritthatisbroken,discouraged,orsubjecttodepressedconditionsusuallygetsaphysicalreaction.Ionceknewachildwhoforseveralyearswasinahomesituationfilledwith bickering and fault-finding. This child suffered from one ailment after another.Finally his life situation changed, and hewas placed in a quiet, harmonious atmosphere.

Immediately, his ailmentsdiminished, andhebecame sohealthy thereafter that he nevercontractedanyoftheusualchildhooddiseases.

Iknowofafamilywholearnedofthepowerofthoughtforhealthorillness.Theparentsagreednevertospeakofnegativesubjectsbeforethechildren,nevertodiscussillness,lack,hardtimesortroublesofanykind.Theymadeitapointtoconverseonhappysubjectsinthe home. It became a habit and they became a happy, healthy, close-knit family. Thisfamilywas free of ill health, and they became very prosperous. Their children grew upwithout having any childhood diseases. They also developed happy, self-confidentdispositionsandallmarriedhappily.Today,theyareenjoyingsuccessfullives,evenastheirparentsdo.

Thebookshelvesarenowcrowdedwithmanyfinebooksbyauthoritiesinallphasesofthe healing artswho point out the importance of healthy, happy emotions for a healthybody.

TherapyforFemaleTrouble

Oftenwehearaboutvarioustypesoffemaletroublesthatafflictmanywomen.Inalmostevery case, the woman with such troubles is also experiencing great emotional unrest,sufferinginsecretaboutproblemsathomeorinherwork,whichshefeelsthatshecannotdiscuss. A schoolteacher recently wrote of how hermonthlymenstrual periods stoppedafter she was upset by her school principal, whom she felt was a tyrant. Throughaffirmativeprayer, shebegan tohold to the thought that “divine love and justice”wouldproduceachange.Meanwhile,herphysiciancouldnotlocateanyphysicalreasonforherdifficulties,buthegavehershotstohelpherthoughtthisstrainedperiod.Inashorttime,when her school principal received a transfer to another school, she began to relax andenjoyherworkagain,andhermenstrualperiodsagainbecamenormal.

Ahousewifehadbeeninformedbyherphysicianthatshewassterile,aftershehadtakenprolongedtreatmentstoinduceconception.Thoughsheandherhusbandhadlongwantedchildren,shefinallyconfessedtomethatshehadsecretlyfearedthepainanddiscomfortofpregnancy, labor, and childbirth. She realized that her fear had probably preventedconception.When they investigated the possibilities of adopting a baby, for a number ofreasonstheydecidedtowait.

For the first time in years, she and her husband stopped fretting because theirswas achildlesshome.Instead,theydecidedtoleadashappyandnormalalifeaspossible,andtohelpcareforhomelesschildrenintheirareafromtimetotime,suchasduringtheholidayseason.Afterthetensionaboutnothavingchildrenlefther,thewifedidhaveababyinthetenthyearofhermarriage.

Thewonderfulpartaboutusingmentalandspiritualmethodsforphysicalhealthisthatitmakestheworkofyourpersonalphysicianmucheasier.Heisbetterabletoaidyouwhenyour attitudes and emotions are constructive, and oftenmuchmore than just a physicalhealingtakesplace.

TheFirstStepinHealing

Forgivenessisthefoundationofhealing.Everyoneofusshouldusethesimplemethodof forgiveness every day to effect reconciliation and harmony with others. Thereby webringforthphysical,mental,emotional,andspiritualhealing.

Insteadofattempting topainfullyanalyzeyourhealthproblems fromapsychosomaticstandpoint;insteadoftryingtoprobeintothementalandemotionalreasonsforthevarioushealth, financial or human relations problems in your life, simply declare: I fully andfreely forgive. I looseand letgo. I letgoand letGod’s lovedo itsperfectwork inme,throughme, forme. I let go and let God’s love do its perfectwork in the conscious,subconsciousandsuperconsciousactivitiesofmymind,bodyandaffairs.Igivethanksthatpeace,health,plentyandhappinessnowreignsupremeinmeandinmyworld. Ifyouhavehostilitiestowardothers,dailydeclarethisforgivenesstreatmentforthem.

I know of two different caseswhere youngwomenwere afflictedwith paralysis afterentertaining intensebitterness toward their formerhusbandswhohaddivorced them. Inboth cases, these young women regained use of their limbs, after they began daily topracticeforgiveness.Toforgivedoesnotmeanthatyouhaveto“bowandscrape”tothosewhomyoufeelhavewrongedyou.Youneedmakenooutercontactwiththoseinvolved,unless anoccasionarises thatdemands it. Instead, you canknow that theywill feel yourmentalandemotional forgiveness,and theywill releaseanyanimosity towardyou,whenyou forgive and release your grudging hold upon them. This is a simple, private, soul-cleansingandbody-healingprocess.

Afteryoubegin todailyaffirmforgiveness, shouldyoubegin to thinkaboutpeopleorsituations from your pastwhichwere distasteful to you, do not be disturbed. Instead ofwonderingwhytheyhavecomeintoyourconsciousthoughtagain,justknowthattheyaresubconsciouslyreceivingyourforgiveness.Continuetoaffirmforgivenessforthem,andinduetimeeverythingwillbecomequietandpeacefulconcerningthem.Asyougetyourownfeelingofpeace,youcanknowtheforgivenessprocesshasdoneitsperfectwork, leavingyoufreeofanythoughtofillwill.Whenyoueverthinkofthatpersonorexperience,itwillbewithasenseofpeace.

HowtoLoseWeight

Ionceknewawealthywomanwhohad trieddesperately to loseweight.Several timessheobtainedstringentdiets fromspecialistsatvarioushospitals.Butonceshe lostweightshecouldnotmaintainit.Finallyshewroteofherfrustrationaboutweight,wonderingwhyshecouldnotmaintainareducedweight.Frompersonalfriendshipwithher, Iknewthatsheandherhusbandtraveledallover theworld; that theyhadaspacious country estate,filledwithinterestingobjectscollectedintheirtravels.Herhusbandhadoftencomplainedthatthesethingsclutteredthehouse,sothatitwasnecessarytokeepastaffofservantstocarefortheirpossessions.Thiswomanhadstoredmanyotherpossessionsinthecellar,inadditiontocrowdingalltheirclosets.

Isuggestedthatsheprayerfullyconsiderthevacuumidea(asdiscussedinChapter3)andaskfordivineguidanceconcerningwhatsheshouldreleasefromheremotionsandperhapsfrom her life, in order to loseweight and remain slender. Inmeditation, thereafter, sherealized that shehad longbeenholdingunforgiving thoughts toward a relativewhohad

causedhermuchdistress.Shebegantodailydeclare forgiveness, release, and freedom inthatconnection.

Shealsogotthefeelingthatsheshouldheedherhusband’srequesttoclearthehouseofobjectswhichwere admittedly congesting the atmosphere. She clearedout closets, cellarandstorageareas,calledintheSalvationArmy,andpassedonunuseditemsthatcoulddogoodwheretheywereneeded.Herhusbandwaselated.Shesaidthattheveryactofreleasegave her a sense of freedom and peace that she had not known in years. Interestinglyenough,shethereafterwentonanotherdietandhasbeenabletomaintainalossinweighteversince.Shenowstatesthatitwastheactsofforgiveness,releaseandaliteral,aswellasamental,housecleaningthatbroughtforthherdesires.

TheSecondStepinHealing

There is nothing strange,mysterious, or “new-fangled” about affirmative thought andprayerinconnectionwithhealing.TheHindus,Japanese,Chineseandmanyothernationsstillusevariousmethodsforapplyingsacredwordstoalleviateills.ThroughouttheBible,manyreferencesaremadetowordsandtheircreativepowerforgood.Thecreationstorybeganwith the spoken affirmation, Let there be . . . and there was. (Gen. 1) The writer ofProverbsmighthavebeenspeakingofthepowerofwordsforhealingwhenhewrote,Deathandlifeareinthepowerofthetongue,andtheythatloveitshalleatthefruitthereof.(Prov.18:21)

Therehaslongbeenabeliefinthereligiousworldthattherewassomewherea“lostwordofpower”which,whenfoundanduttered,wouldsetallthingsright.TheJewsbelievedthatthis lostwordwas veiled in the name “YHVH,”which isHebrew for theword the Lord.Theyfeltthatitscorrectpronunciationisnolongerknowntoman.Theyclaimedthatthe“lostword”wasonceknowntotheirpriesthood.Whencorrectlyused,itcausedthepowerofGodtobecomemanifest,sothatmightyworkswereaccomplishedquickly.

Any good word or phrase that gives peace, satisfaction and that arouses a positive,harmoniousresponseinone’sthoughtsandfeelings,isequivalenttothe‘lostword”whichthe Jews sought.That lostword of power can come alive through constructive attitudesandaffirmativeprayerstatements.Ateenager,learningofthepowerofwordstoproducegoodresults,decidedtotestitspoweronacoldwhichshefeltcomingon.Overandovershedeclared, “God ismyhealth, I can’t be sick.God ismy strength, unfailing, quick!”Thecoldnevermaterialized.

TheLord’sPrayerHasHealingPower

Awoman once traveled a long distance to visit a noted spiritual healer concerning achronic condition that had caused hermuch suffering. Shewas surprised, upon comingintothehealer’spresence,tobeinvitedtojoininprayingoverandovertheLord’sPrayer.Attheconclusionoftheirprayersession,thehealerthentoldthewomantoreturntoherhome and to use the Lord’s Prayermany times daily, explaining that it was the greatesthealingprayerofall.Feelingalittleskepticalofsuchasimplehealingmethod,shefollowedinstructions.Inafewweeksherailmentvanished,andithasnotreappeared.

A schoolteacher,hearingof thehealingpowerof theLord’sPrayer, foundoccasion to

prove it when she was pronounced ill with pneumonia. She sought healing throughprescribeddrugs,butthepneumoniapersisted.OneFridayshewasinformedthattherewasnosubstitute teacheravailable to takeherplaceon the followingMonday,whenshewasscheduledtobeginteachinganew,specializedcourse,forwhichpeoplewouldbecomingfromnearandfar.ItwasthenthatshebeganaffirmingoverandovertheLord’sPrayer.Asshe persisted, by Sunday the fever had vanished, and she was feeling stronger. As shecontinued declaring the Lord’s Prayer, she was able to begin teaching as scheduled onMonday,andherstrengthreturnedquickly.

The Lord’s Prayer is a powerful healing treatment because it is basically a series ofstrong, powerful affirmative statements, in which one claims the power, substance,guidance,andgoodnessofGod.Affirmation isnotonlyanancienthealingart,butalso amodem,scientifichealingtechniqueaswell.Scientistsnowdeclarethatthebodyaswellastheuniverseisfilledwithinnateintelligence.Bytakingastatementfilledwithgoodwordsand declaring it over and over,man gains conscious attention of the innate intelligenceever active in the subconscious functions of the body. Asman continues to speak goodwords,thatinnateintelligenceissteppedupinitspowertorespondwithconsciousaswellas subconsciouspositive results.Thebody, including our physical affairs, is the obedientservant of themind, and is plastic to our thoughts and words.When our thoughts andwordsareuplifting,theyarelife-givingtoourphysicalworld.

GripingCanMakeYouSick

Griping canmake you sick, and negativewords and feelings can cause allmanner ofdisease.Ionceknewasecretaryandhousewifewhowasaconstantgriper.Shedislikedhermother-in-law,whowasforcedforeconomicreasonstolivewithherandherhusband.Shegriped about this, about the weather, the world, especially about her boss. Griping wasconstant with her, and she repeatedly complained about how bad she felt. She spenthundreds of dollars on medical treatments, on medicines, vitamins, and chiropractictreatmentsinanefforttobefreeoftheachesandpainsthatplaguedher.Asshecontinuedtogripeabouteverythingandeverybody,hercircleoffriendsdwindled,herbossrefusedtogiveheraraise,andhermother-in-lawcausedhergreatanguish.Gripingmadehersick,andkeptherthatway.Whenshewasofferedthemethodofaffirmativethoughtandprayerforhealing,shescoffedatit,declaringittobetoosimpletowork.Shecontinuestogetanegative result through continued negative thought, amentalmethod that seems simpleenoughtoworkeffectivelyforher!

YourPrayersforAnother’sHealingHavePower

Perhapsyouknowsomeoneyouwouldliketoassist insolvingahealingneed,butyouhesitatetomentionittothem,becauseyoufeeltheymightnotagree.Inthatevent,begindeclaringaffirmationsforthemorasksomeprayergrouportrustedfriendtojoinyouinprayingforthem.Amotherrecentlyprovedthepowerofthisforherdaughter,whoisasuccessfulpublicrelationsexecutive.Thedaughtersufferedanervousbreakdown,afterhermarriagefailed.Thoughshehadreceivedthebestmedicalandpsychiatric treatment, shestillremainedinastateofdeepdepression.

Thedaughterlonginsistedthatshehadnointerestinreligion,andshehadnofaithinthepowerofprayerforhealing.Whennothingelseseemedtobringhealing,themotheraskeda groupwhich uses affirmative prayer to pray for her daughter.Within a few days, herdaughterarosefrombedforthefist timeinweeks.Soonshewasbackatwork, althoughshecontinuedwithpsychiatrictreatmentsforatime.

Soonshewasfeeling incommandofherworldagain.Shedecidedtoacceptanewjobinvolvingmuchmore responsibility, in addition to offering her several thousand dollarsmoreannualincome.Onlyatthisvictoriouspointwasthisyoungwomaninformedbyhermotherthatprayershadbeenofferedforherhealing.Realizingthattheysurelyhadledtothe turning point in her condition, this young lady executive began using affirmativeprayers for her continued health, success and happiness and for some of her businessassociatesandfriendsaswell,withgreatinnersatisfaction.

Thisbookisfilledwithaffirmativeprayersandtheresultstheyhavebroughtcountlesspeopleinallwalksoflife,producingnewpeace,healthandplenty.Besure,however,tore-study thechapterentitled “TheProsperityLawofCommand” inconnectionwithhealingthroughaffirmation.

TheThirdStepinHealing

Mentallypictureyourselfortheonewhoseekshealingascompletelystrongandwell.Asstatedinthechapter,“TheProsperityLawofImaging,”mentalimagesmaketheconditionsofourminds,bodies,andaffairs,butitisuptoustodeliberatelymakethementalimagesofourlivesaswewishthemtobe.Otherwise,wegetadistortedresultfromholdingdistortedpicturesinthemind.

Particularly is imagingpowerful for healing.By formingpictures in yourmindof theresultsyoudesire,andbyholdingtothatmentalpicture,youarereleasingyourfaithtogotoworkinasimplebutsupremewaytoproducewondrousresults.Ahousewiferecentlyrelatedhowsheusedtheimagingpowerofhermindtodeliberatelyproducehealing.Shehad suffered a severe knee infectionwhich, aftermanyweeks, continued to be swollen,infected,andverypainful.Unabletogainassurancefromothersastoitshealingprospects,thiswomandecided to invokeher imagingpower, togain the faith thathealingwas stillpossible.

Every day she began sitting quietly for a time and directing her attention not to theswollenknee,buttotheonethatwashealthyandwhole.Shewouldplaceherhandonthehealthyknee,givethanksforthehealthofit,andgetastrongmentalpictureofthatkneebeforehermind.Dailyshecontinuedthisexercise.Whenanyoneaskedaboutherknee,sheconveyedtheimageofhealingtotheirmindsbyalwaysreplyingthatherkneewashealingnicely.Atthispoint,itwasstrictlyanaffirmativeprayer,astatementoffaith.

Forseveraldays,thereseemednochangeinherknee,butthiswomandaredtopersevereinholdinghermentalimage.Onemorningafterweeksofpainandswelling,sheawakenedto find that overnight the swelling had disappeared, the knee had lost all appearance ofabnormality, andwas again its proper size.Upon closer inspection, itwas as though theskin in that areahadbeenpricked inmanyplaces and the infected substancehad simply

escaped!Herhusband,asuccessfulbusinessman,substantiatedherexperiencetome.Theybothspokeofhowdelightedherphysicianwaswhenheexaminedherkneethatmorning,forheassuredthemtheyhadwitnessedamiracle!

MakeaWheelofFortuneforHealth

If you wish a more definite and tangible method for using your imaging power forhealing,Isuggestyouusethe“wheeloffortune”methodoutlinedinChapter5.

Adoctoronceaskedmetovisitoneofhispatientswhowasparalyzedononesideandwhohadnotwalkedforseveralyears.Hesaidthatunlessherhopecouldberestored,therewas nothing more he could do as a doctor to help her. She had been reading variousinspirationalbookson thepowerof thoughts, andhe felt that shewouldbe receptive tosuggestionsalongthatlinetoeffectherhealing.

Onmy first visit, I found her in bed, depressed, discouraged, despairing of completehealing. I toldher about the gigantic powerofmental images for healing, and suggestedthatsheimmediatelygetbusymakingawheeloffortuneforherhealth,whichshedid.Onthewheeloffortune,sheplacednumerouspicturesclippedfrommagazines,whichshowedpeoplewalking,walking,walking!Sheplacedthiswheeloffortunewhereshecouldviewitforhourseveryday.Ialsosuggestedsheemploytheforgivenessprayermethodmentionedearlierinthischapter.

All these things she seemed glad to follow.When I visited her amonth later, shewassittingupinachair!Shehadtobeputinthechairandtakenfromit,butshewassittingup.Asshecontinuedtoimageandaffirmwholeness,itwasasthoughalltheforcesofheavenandearthbegantoworkforhertohelpmakeitso.Aneighbor,whowasoverseaswithherhusband, mailed a check to this young woman, suggesting that she use it for physicaltherapy treatments, which would surely be another step in her healing. A chiropractor,whohadtreatedherinthepast,droppedbytoseeher.Hesaidthathewouldliketotreatherregularly,withoutcharge,inordertoascertainhoweffectivechiropracticswouldbeinsuchhealthproblems.

Another neighbor promised that when shewas ready to begin using a wheelchair, hewouldpurchaseoneforher;anotherofferedtopayforbracesforherfeetandankles,whenshehadreached that stage.Gradually,as shecontinued lookingat thepicturesof peoplewalkingonherwheeloffortune,shegrewstronger.Finally,anotherneighborbuiltarampdowntheporchofherhousetotheyard,sothatshemightbewheeledoutintothesunandfreshair.Atmylastcontactwiththisyoungwoman,shewasbeginningtotakeafewstepsonherown!Thatisthehealingpoweroftheimagination,wheninvokedconstructivelyanddefinitelytowardadesiredresultofhealth.

ReduceThroughMentalImages

The imagingmethod iseffective ineveryphaseofhealth.Abusinessmanwhoalsohadbeenonalltypesofdiets,andhadgivenup,finallyheardoftheimagingpowerofthemindforhealing.Herealizedthenthat,althoughhehaddietedstringently,hehadcontinuedtohold the image of himself as overweight; and that his mental image had continued to

producetheverythinghedidnotwant.

He then clipped pictures of healthy, vigorous, slender businessmen from magazines,placedtheminhisbedsidetable.Hewouldquietly lookat thesepictures, fillinghismindwithdefiniteimagesjustbeforeretiring.Healsotapedacoupleofthesepicturesonsmallfile cards and carried them in his wallet, looking at them during the day. Through thisprocess,he lost40poundswhiledieting,withaminimumofeffortorself-discipline,andsincehehaslostmore.Henowresemblesthosepictureshestillcarriesinhiswallet.

HowtoStopSmoking

I have known several businessmenwho used the imagingmethod to stop smoking. Asalesman,adoctor,andabusinessexecutiverecentlystatedthatitprovedtobetheeasiesthabittheyhadeverovercome.Theirmethodwassimpleanddelightful.Theydidnotstopsmoking or even try to. Instead, they simply formed mental images of how bad theircigarettestasted,andofhowtheyfinallycouldnotsmokethematall.Theycouldholdthismental imageofabad-tastingcigarettewhenever they lightedone. It took severalweeksforthementalimagetobegintakingeffect,butitdid.Theircigarettesbecamedistasteful,andsoontheybegantolosethedesiretosmoke.Withinaboutsixweeks,alldesirehadleftandineachinstance,theystillhadhalfapackofcigarettesonhand,whichtheythenthrewaway.Theytoldnooneoftheirdesiretostopsmokingorofthemethodtheywereusing.In thatway,noonewas able tobreakdown themental images theywere holding; or toattempttotalkthemoutofusingsuchasimplemethod.

ThisMethodEffectiveforOvercomingAlcoholism

I have known a number of peoplewho used the imagingmethod to help bring forthhealingintheirlovedones.Severalpeople,bothmenandwomen,havementionedrecentlyhowtheydaredtoimagesobrietyintheirmarriagepartnerswhoseemedtohavebecomehopelessalcoholics.Astheypersistedinimagingthemashealed,theygraduallyimprovedandfinallywerefreeofthedesireforintoxicants.

Ihadlunchrecentlywithonesuchcouple.Afewyearsago,thehusbandwasconsidereda “has-been,” but he is now a successful business executive and one of themost poised,peacefulandcharmingmenIhaveevermet.Hesaidtome,asthesubjectwasdiscussed:

Iknewall the timemywifewas ‘up to something’ in trying toeffectmyhealing,but Ididn’tknowwhat shewasdoing,andsince itwasprovingpainless forme, Ididnot carewhathermethodwas.IgottofeelingsomuchbetterthatIonlyhopedshewouldkeeponuntilIwascompletelywellagain.Thankheaven,shedid!

Hiswifehadformedthementalimageofasober,happy,prosperous,victorioushusbandand she held to that mental image day in and day out, month in and month out. Herhusbandistodaythewonderfulmansheimaged!

Thus, along with the usual methods for obtaining and thenmaintaining good health,adopt the techniquesandmethodssuggested in thischapter.Let themprove theirpowerforyou!ForthispurposeIwouldliketosharewithyouafavoriteaffirmationforhealth:I

givethanksthatIamtheever-renewing,theever-unfoldingexpressionofinfinitelife,health, and energy. For wholeness in mind, body and affairs, which is truly healthpersonified, I suggest: I am the radiant child of God.Mymind, body and affairs nowexpresshisradiantperfection!Truly,asyouadopt:prosperousthinkingforhealth,itcanandshallbeso,andyourhealingshallspringforthspeedily.(Isaiah58:8)

Conclusion

WhentheGoldDustSettles

Youwill recall our salesman friendwhose answer to the question “How’s business?”wasalways,“Businessiswonderful,becausethere’sgolddustintheair.”

While you have been reading this book, I trust that some of its gold dust power hasalreadytouchedyou,evenasithastouchedme.IbeganwritingthisbookwhileservingtheUnityministry in theDeepSouth.Manymonths later, Iamconcluding thesepages fromtheheartofTexas,whereIcontinuetolectureandwrite.Withmeinmyhappynewlifeismywonderfulhusband,whomImarriedwhilewriting thisbook.Trulymydreams havecometrue!

LittledidIrealize,whenIbeganworkingwiththepowerofprosperousthinking,howmuch my own life could change as I developed and wrote down these ideas. But howdelightful,exciting,andworthwhileithasallbeen!

Itcanprovesoforyoutoo!Continuetostudytheseprosperitylawsandtoapplythemdaily.Continuetoinvokeprosperousthinkingdeliberatelyanddefinitely.Dosowithrealjoyandwithgreatexpectations.Asyoupersist,yourowndivinely-intendedgolddustshallsurelyappearasgreaterpeace,health,andplentyinyourlife.Acceptgladlythosegolddustresults. They are a part of your divine heritage, prepared for you by a rich and lovingFather.

TheywillnotonlymakeyourlifehappierandmoreworthwhilebutyouwillbecomearicherblessingtoyourfellowmanincountlesswonderfulwaysinthisexcitingSpaceAge.In this joyous assurance, I wish to affirm for you this blessing, in keepingwith the richpromisesofGod:

I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper And be in health, even as thy soulprospereth.