Page | 2
Awesome Character Building
UNCONSCIOUSLY we are forming habits every moment of our
lives. Some are habits of a desirable nature; some are those of a most
undesirable nature. Some, though not so bad in themselves, are
exceedingly bad in their cumulative effects, and cause us at times much
loss, much pain and anguish, while their opposites would, on the contrary,
bring as much peace and joy, as well as a continually increasing power.
Have we it within our power to determine at all times what types of habits
shall take form in our lives? In other words, is habit-forming, character
building, a matter of mere chance, or have we it within our own control?
We have, entirely and absolutely. "I will be what I will to be," can be said
and should be said by every human soul.
After this has been bravely and determinedly said, and not only said, but
fully inwardly realized, something yet remains. Something remains to be
said regarding the great law underlying habit-forming, character building;
for there is a simple, natural, and thoroughly scientific method that all
should know.
A method whereby old, undesirable, earth-binding habits can be broken,
and new, desirable, heaven lifting habits can be acquired, a method
whereby life in part or in its totality can be changed, provided one is
sufficiently in earnest to know and, knowing it, to apply the law.
Thought is the force underlying all. And what do we mean by this? Simply
this: Your every act - every conscious act - is preceded by a thought. Your
dominating thoughts determine your dominating actions. In the realm of
our own minds we have absolute control, or we should have, and if at any
time we have not, then there is a method by which we can gain control,
and in the realm of the mind become thorough masters. In order to get to
the very foundation of the matter, let us look to this for a moment. For if
thought is always parent to our acts, habits, character, life, then it is first
necessary that we know fully how to control our thoughts.
Here let us refer to that law of the mind which is the same as is the law in
Connection with the reflex nerve system of the body, the law which says
that whenever one does a certain thing in a certain way it is easier to do
the same thing in the same way the next time, and still easier the next, and
the next, and