(James Allan - 1864-1912)
Thought and Purpose...
Until "Thought is linked with Purpose," there is no intelligent accomplishment.
When the majority of thought is allowed to drift upon the ocean of life, it will then aimlessly become a vice. (It becomes a substitute for something better.)
They who have no central purpose in their lives fall an easy prey to "Pretty Worries, Fears, Troubles, and Self Pitying," all of which are indications of weakness, which lead, just as surely as deliberately planned sins (negative thoughts) by a different route, to "Failure, Unhappiness, and Loss." For Weakness cannot persist in a power-evolving universe.
A man should conceive of himself as his own author of life.
As if his purpose in his heart helped him to set out to accomplish it. He should make this purpose the central point of his thoughts. It may take the form of a spiritual idea, or it may be a worldly object, according to his nature at the time being, but whichever it is, he should steadily focus his thought forces upon the object which he has set before him.
He should make this purpose his supreme duty and devote himself to its attainment, not allowing his thoughts to wander away into "Fantasies, Longings, and Imaginations."
This is the Royal Road to Self-Control and True Consideration of Thought.
Even if he fails again and again to accomplish his purpose (as he necessarily must until weakness is overcome), the strength of character gained "Will" be the measure of his true success, and this will form a new starting point for future power and triumphs.
The Weakest Soul knows its own weaknesses, but deep inside, it can look "Past" them.
Believing this truth, that strength can only be developed by effort and patience, it will at once begin to exert itself, and thus believing, adding effort to effort, practice to practice, and strength to strength, will never cease to develop, and will, at last, grow divinely strong.
As the "Physically" weak man can make himself strong through careful and patient training, the man with weak "Thoughts" can make them strong by exercising himself in right thinking. To put away aimlessness, a weakness, and to begin to "Think with Purpose" is to enter the ranks of those strong ones who only recognize failure as one of the pathways to attainment, and those who think strongly, attempt fearlessly, will accomplish masterfully.
Having Conceived of his Purpose, a man should Mentally mark out a Straight Pathway to its Achievement, looking neither to the right nor to the left.
Doubts and Fears should be rigorously executed; they are disintegrating elements that break up a straight line of effort, rendering it crooked, ineffectual, and useless. Thoughts of Doubt and Fear never accomplish anything and never can. They always lead to Failure. But, Purpose, Energy, Power to do, and all Strong thoughts cease when Doubt and Fear creep in.
The Will "To do springs from the knowledge that we "Can Do."
Doubt and Fear are the great enemies of Knowledge, and he who encourages them, who does not slay them, "Will" prevent his accomplishments at every stop.
"He who has conquered Doubt and Fear has conquered Failure."
His every thought is aligned with Power, and all difficulties are bravely met and wisely overcome. His purposes are seasonably planted, and they "Bloom" and bring forth fruit which does not fall permanently to the ground.
Thought, "Aligned Fearlessly to Purpose, Becomes a Creative Force."
He who knows this is ready to become something higher and stronger than a mere bundle of wavering thoughts and fluctuating sensations; he who does this has become the Conscious and Intelligent Welder of his or her own Mental Powers.
James Allen (philosopher)