Perhaps you are familiar with the old story, “Stone Soup,” in which hungry travelers, not being able to solicit any food from the villagers, began stirring a pot of water into which they had tossed a few small stones. They began telling of how wonderful this soup would turn out to be. Sensing that this would be some delicious magical concoction, the villagers then became eager to add their hidden vegetables.
They had a feast and took the weary travelers in. Was there really a secret magical recipe for making this soup, as the travelers claimed? Well, of course—it was imagination! For whatever can be imagined does come forth.
Are you longing for friendship? Imagine yourself enjoying the company of others. Friends will be drawn to you. Are you eager to become good at some sport? Practice it in your mind! See yourself performing successfully. To be successful, we must image ourselves as being successful. Picture yourself successfully doing that which you wish to do. Then give thanks for the wonders that will happen in your life.
To improve your personality, learn how to get rid of negative qualities. These are primarily habits, and they can be changed if you make the necessary effort.
Never call attention to your negative qualities. That is usually the first step in making excuses for your behavior. Don’t tell others about your shortcomings—be honest with yourself instead. Then go to work and make changes.
If, for example, you believe yourself to be dull and uninteresting, ask why. Perhaps you have neglected to read and keep up with new thoughts and ideas. Start on a daily program of reading and stick with it.
If you are timid, start taking the initiative when you interact with others. Put them at ease. Give out of the loving spirit that is within you.
If you find that you don’t successfully complete your work, release the belief in failure. Plan for success and you’ll get it. Establish goals and start toward them. Substitute achievement for failure.
Negative qualities can be changed once you admit to yourself that they exist. Your personality is the outpicturing of your consciousness—and you can change your consciousness. You can make it positive and good.
This affirmation, written by Charles Fillmore in his ninety-fourth year, expresses the power of enthusiasm that brings joy at any age.
Are you enthusiastic today? Enthusiasm is the driving power of the mind, a mighty force that enters into every element and faculty. Enthusiasm precipitates action, expression, expansion, and power. You can see why it is important to maintain enthusiasm.
The mind performs wonderfully when enthusiasm is high. Enthusiasm awakens and arouses to full action all of our available forces. The mind becomes many times more powerful than before and is lifted to higher levels. Enthusiasm inspires us to see things in light of the greatness and majesty of our wonderful universe. When our minds are thus expanded, our thoughts become extremely powerful.
You can cultivate this quality. Think about the wonderful potential within your mind. The more you think about greater possibilities for your life, the more your enthusiasm will grow.
Are you enthusiastic today? Enthusiasm is the driving power of the mind, a mighty force that enters into every element and faculty. Enthusiasm precipitates action, expression, expansion, and power. You can see why it is important to maintain enthusiasm.
The mind performs wonderfully when enthusiasm is high. Enthusiasm awakens and arouses to full action all of our available forces. The mind, charged with enthusiasm, becomes many times more powerful than before. In addition, enthusiasm lifts the mind to higher levels. It inspires us to see things in light of the greatness and majesty of our wonderful universe. When our minds are thus expanded, our thoughts become extremely powerful.
You can cultivate the quality of enthusiasm. Think about the vast possibilities for your life. Think about the wonderful potential within your mind—your limitless possibilities of achievement. The more you think about greater possibilities, the more your enthusiasm will grow.
Let us hold to the thought that God is in charge of our world. What could possibly cause us distress or harm as we gain this realization?
Know that God is in charge of your life. Know that God’s love and care serve as a lifebuoy that keeps you afloat through any seeming problem or difficulty.
Outer circumstances change. The tides of worldly troubles rise and fall. Storms come and pass on. If we fight all of these, our life will be hectic indeed. Rather, we can float above changing times and seeming troubles by putting ourselves in God’s infinite care. We can meet all things with the knowledge that they are temporal, for only good is lasting.