Here you will learn Confidence Self Esteem , Improving Self Confidence, Gain Self Confidence
Page 12 of
83.
The habit of right thinking, when firmly
established, becomes a source of attraction. Good thoughts soon become great
thoughts, and the mature mind attempts even the impossible. The power of a
single thought at the beginning of a day can hardly be estimated. It can change
despondency into hope, and fear into courage. It can nerve the arm for great and
noble deeds. It can strengthen a weak and timid character into four-fourths of
a man. It is possible for it to set in motion an influence that will reach the
ends of the world.
The importance of right thinking is its effect upon right doing. How many
disastrous mistakes are made for lack of proper thought? How many of life's
failures are due to a careless and unwise selection of a business or profession?
It was Sidney Smith who said: "If we represent the occupations of life by holes
in a table, some round, some square, some oblong, and persons by bits of wood
of like shapes, we shall generally find that the triangular person has got into
the square hole, the oblong into the triangular, while the square person has
squeezed himself into the round hole."
But meditation, too, is an essential part of clear and right thinking. A writer
said that there is not much real, honest thinking done in the world, but we are
not inclined to agree with him. Much of the thinking is honest enough, but it is
badly organized, and even more badly applied. We must learn to brood more over
our thoughts, to dwell long and intently upon ideas that seem dark and obscure,
to fashion patiently intricate links of truth into chains of powerful argument.
In his pursuit of right thinking the student should learn the art of definition.
Thoughts fully matured in the mind are seen to be there in so many words. What
do our thoughts or words really mean? The first step is to define them, and
next to consider their truth. The habit of constant and searching reflection,"
recommended by Gladstone, is what more than anything else produces right
thinking.
"I wish to congratulate you, Mr. Webster," said a young admirer, "upon your
wonderful impromptu effort to-day." "Impromptu!" exclaimed the great orator, "
my young friend, I have been thinking out that speech for over six months!" How
long does it take to prepare a sermon?" some one asked Dr. John Watson. "If you
mean to write the manuscript, then a day may suffice; but if you mean to think a
sermon, then it may be ten years!''
It is well sometimes to think aloud, when alone, in order to bring one's
thoughts out into concrete form. There is the advantage of definiteness, of
getting an impression of the sound of words, and of tangibleness. Thoughts when
uttered take on at the instant a life, reality, and character not possessed
before. They can then better be considered, analyzed, and assigned to their
proper duty or thrown upon the scrap-heap. The very act of giving expression to
our thoughts illuminates and invests them with new power and significance.
Our
featured links related to Confidence Self Esteem , Improving Self Confidence, Gain Self Confidence
