Character-Building Thought Power - 23 Self Help Classics

Ralph Waldo Trine I will be what I will to be

Everyone has the inner ability to be whosoever they wish in this life. We are provided with the opportunities and life experiences to form habits and our individual character. If we wish to achieve a great success and become powerful and influential, we must work hard to watch our habits and character. This book describes the necessity of positive

influence and benevolent character traits to anyone who really wants to make a difference in the world.

Starting with small habits occurring every so often, any bad habit can become a disaster. The author describes a

situation of a moralistic gentleman who is nonchalant about his occasional sip of alcohol, until one day, as a result of the laws of nature, he wakes up to find he is an alcoholic near the end of his rope. The importance of building solid strong character from early on so that it can be of great use in our future is exponential since life is a cumulative learning process. One cannot expect to change their character or quit bad habits overnight, because as these traits were learned over years it

will take several more years to completely unlearn them.

“How am I supposed to even begin ridding myself of bad habits?” First, Trine states by using the scientific method, we can replace bad habits with desirable characteristics. Thought is the “force underlying all” that we do in our life, and just as we control our thoughts, we control our life. Be careful of what you are thinking, because your thoughts will become your reality.

The Law of Indirectness states that a thought can be put out of mind by replacing it with a new thought, rather than ignoring the thought altogether or dwelling and worrying about it all the time. For example, if you are filled with thoughts of anger and frustration, you should replace them with charm and brightness or wittiness. All bad habits have a polar opposite, i.e. good

versus evil and love versus hate, and we must use the opposite emotion in situations where the bad habit pops up.

2 Steps to Obtain Good Ideals:

1. Form the ideals.

2. Follow them continually no matter what happens.

Remember, a really strong character will sacrifice present pleasure for future good. Keep this statement in your heart in hopes of developing a solid character for yourself.

The Meaning of Life

Life is meant to be lived. Trine says that life is meant for the “highest unfoldment, noblest character, [and] greatest service to mankind.” Instead of living in a constant state of acceptance to your environment for what it is worth, we need to examine what to do to change the situation for the better.

Meet the conditions that exist and learn to work alongside them, and gradually they will improve. Some people who are having problems will often ask “why me” or “why is this happening”

but they will fail to ask “how am I going to live with this until it improves.” Complaining only leads to depression, which is

capable of killing your spirit.

Life is one great lesson. Even though it may seem like our current situation or condition is unbearable and life is not worth living, as we continue on we learn the lesson that life had

presented to us. Everything has a reason and a place in our lives that cross our paths. When you are in a tough situation go with the flow and do not complain or become depressed

because this is a test on your will and character. And watch out about giving advice. Everyone is living their own life, and while sending suggestions to an easier path is alright, you should let that person take their journey as they wish. As we study our situation and learn what law of nature is in effect we should be

harmonious to our condition, which is easier since we have peace of mind from understanding this is only a test. If we do try and fight the “system” we will find our self broken into pieces, in the form of suffering, loss, pain and desolation.

Keep in Mind

No matter what the problem we have in life, there are always those who are suffering far greater than we, so we should always extend service to others. Work hard in life, as the rewards include “virtues of strength, noble character,

sweetness in disposition, sympathy and care for others and the final triumph of everything good and honest.” Then, even as everything in your life dies or decays and you remain youthful and energetic, you will have the virtues forever. These gifts are priceless.

Thoughts are at the beginning of all progress or

retrogression, successes and failures, and all that we desire and despise of life. Since like attracts like, and like creates like, thanks to the laws of nature, we have great power in our

thoughts. Remember everything takes time, and the laws

states progress starts slow, increasing in speed in proportion to increasing power. Chance does not exist by the Laws of Cause and Effect stating everything is absolute. Our choice comes to

play when we choose between right and wrong, good and evil, happy and unhappy.

Just keep in mind, all of this is cumulative and will take a lifetime for great success, so start early. The elderly are a reflection of this force, as you can notice either they are

extremely nice and peaceful or completely unruly and chaotic.

This is a result of a lifetime of habits building on one another.

So, get a “little philosophy in life” early on; it will help you by comforting you in times of distress and give you strength when you feel like you have none.

How Do I Build Character?

First of all, you must find a center as soon as possible.

Meditate and concentrate on inner peace and self. Then go out and think, speak, love and work from this center. Take time each day to reconnect with this center by contemplating higher ideals. As we grow and develop this center by using thought-force, we will find our Kingdom of Heaven that lies within.

However, we cannot spend all of our time meditating and expecting to live from spiritual enlightenment alone. Physical and emotional health is just as important if we want holistic character.

Is this Program for Me?

Everyone should use this program because even the most saintlike may have some bad habit or could change their

character to serve others. More specifically, those who suffer from depression, anxiety and nervousness could benefit from this program, as it uses the power of positive thinking in conjunction with strengthening self for positive change and growth. Anyone that is miserable in their current state of living should at least read this book.

Sum of It All

Bad habits and strong character are all part of every life, yet people often fail to realize they control both of these and that hereditary and environment can be overcome to become a good person. By discovering the effect of character early on, we have the opportunity to grow and develop in a positive and right manner. This will prevent people from becoming

overwhelmed with negative events because they will

understand these are only tests to their self. We should live to serve others, even at times that we do not think we can even serve ourselves, as service unfolds humanity and power. This book is a great guide for teaching character-building to any age, and describes in detail how to build character for anyone.

The Edinburgh Lectures On Mental

In document 23 Self Help Classics (Page 67-73)