Читать книгу The Pelman System of Mind and Memory Training - Lessons I to XII - Анон - Страница 60

17. To have an ambition, therefore, is to have a plan of life—something to work for—a destiny to accomplish. A critic asks us if we are on the ascending line of life, or on—the other one. Put the question to yourself. Which is it? If it is the line of descension, we know what kind of thinking yours is—its emotions are engines for moving you in the wrong direction or else they are so slow and ineffective that they do not move you at all. If it is the line of ascension, we know your thinking is constructive, positive, hopeful, and conquering. The critic just quoted once said, “I am not a man; I am dynamite.” He was in some ways—not all. But can you say anything approaching that? We can imagine some men’s version, did they speak the truth, would be, “I am not a man; I am an icicle.” They are cold, lacking in broad sympathies, sceptical about other men, frigid in feeling, and incapable of enthusiasm. Other voices would say, “I am not a man; I am a routinist.” They are the men who let others think for them; they render obedience because they cannot lead themselves; they are, and always will be, employed persons. True, they have a good place in life and do good service, but they are not given to thinking with thrust in it. “I am not a man,” we hear again, “I am lemon kali, I fizz and foam with enthusiasm for twenty-four hours, then fall flat as water.” Yes, no doubt; but with proper guidance and systematic training there is no reason why enthusiasm should not permanently accompany the growth of mental power. You who read this lesson can think dynamically if you care to take the trouble. Power may be static, that is passive, or it may be dynamic, that is active. In your constitution there are powers asleep; you have never used 25 per cent. of their possibilities. Arouse yourself and become master of the forces you possess. Instead of thinking anyhow, think on scientific lines. And begin by abolishing the doubts, scepticisms, fears and bogeys respecting your own mental and financial advancement. Believe that “the best is yet to be,” and soon the belief will be justified in the enlarging of interests, the keen zest of conflict, and the indubitable evidence of progress.

To apply this lesson forcibly, make careful use of the following suggestions. Some of them may not apply to you, but most of them will—especially the direct questions.