sees the Principle and its import than would the boy by Franklin's side have understood him, had Franklin said that the lightning which he was drawing from the sky would run streetcars and drive automobiles and aeroplanes. ''Dollars want me" will work a no less marvelous change in the world's social life.
Criticism I am aware that the principles of this little book are an easy mark for the humorous or satirical pen of the superficial critic. Plain as my point of view is, the blind critic can easily miss it. And the point of view is all important.
The Position of the Book I affirm the infinite possibilities of the human soul. I have faith in man as power to overcome all limitations and to realize that he is able, through expressing his divinity, to have dominion over all nature. He will have this as fast as he learns his power. I affirm that there is but One Power, One Mind. All phenomena are but a manifestation of that One. The Self-Conscious manifestation of that Mind—Man—because he is Self-Conscious, has power to command obedience from all that is not self-conscious, to command all that is not himself. Money, being a part of All and also being a creation of Human Thought, is subject to Human will. All this my critic may not accept, and consequently he will look from the Old Thought point of view. Having no Thought in common, he cannot agree with me.
Work and Practice Do you wish to know the truth of these principles? Practice them and await results. The final test is always "By their fruits ye shall know them." Practice is necessary. No ideal can be reached without great effort. Your desire must be accompanied by earnest work. Indolence will never draw. The magnet works or it would not draw the needle. Thought is work. Concentration and will and effort are necessary.
Plan and Stick Accept the Principle and then, as the architect plans and concentrates on his work till his house rises complete, for otherwise it would be a medley, so one must build an ideal of opulence and stick to it, no matter what comes, until he actualizes his Ideal in the objective. It is no easy task to develop the faith that moves dollars. But it is easier than to endure the poverty. Let one be as persistent in thinking- and declaring "I am rich!" as he has been in declaring- "I am poor" : let him with equal persistency say, ''I have dollars!" as he has been saying: "I want dollars!" I will promise him that he will grow into that mental attitude of perception that will see and take advantage of opportunities to earn the dollars that lie all about him now unperceived. No man can do his best under the thought of poverty, under a thought of want. Knowing his ability, the workman does his best. Under fear, doubt, mistrust he can never do good work. "The poor workman quarrels with his tools!" The good workman knows he has the power and uses to best advantage his tools.
It is always the mental attitude that determines success. Let that attitude be: "Business wants me!"
An instance of Success A gentleman in mv class in Boston who furnished a noon luncheon to hundreds said: "Mr. Brown, I don't understand how dollars want me!" "Why did you select that location for your business?" I asked. "Because it was in the center of the business district and there was opportunity for me!" he answered. "Surely," said I. "You have answered my question. You went there because business called you. Business wanted you. You said, 'Men want dinners and I go to furnish them.' ' He saw the point, applied it, and thinking thereafter, ''Men want dinners!" drew men and increased his business. We radiate a mental atmosphere that is sensed and is potent. He who says, "I want your dollars!" repels you. lie who says, "You want my goods and I am glad to serve you!" draws business.
Rockefeller When you realize the power of Mind through concentration and right thinking you will see that the great financiers each unconsciously applied the Law which this book teaches. I have this instance from some "Reminiscences" which Mr. Rockefeller has published:—"As our success began I seldom put my head upon the pillow at night without speaking a few words to myself in this wise, 'Now a little success; soon you will fall down; soon you will be overthrown. Because you think you are quite a merchant; look out, or you will lose your head—go steady!' These intimate conversations with myself I am sure had a great influence in my life. I was afraid I could not stand prosperity and I tried to teach myself not to get puffed up with any foolish notions."
Talk to Yourself Treat yourself as teacher and pupil; as doctor and patient. 'With constraining directness make your affirmations to yourself. Only thus can you open up the sources of infinite power that are within von. This talk in e is best done in formulas positively expressing I am!
Affirmations For Success
The teachings of preceding pages have been necessary that you, my reader, may fully understand the Principle of Affirmation. Now I will give you some examples in the way of Affirmations that, if you will repeat them until it becomes a habit for you to think along their lines of thought as automatically and persistently as you have in the old lines, will so completely change your life expression that you will, in comparison with your past, seem like a new person.
What to Avoid Avoid negative expressions. Never use words that are not in line with your desire. Here are three imp expressions to avoid:
I cannot afford it!
It is common when one desires a thing and does not feel that he can expend the cash for it to say: "I cannot afford it!" For what are the dollars in your purse ? To spend. Can you afford to spend them? Is it not that for which you have them? You do not mean that you cannot afford. This thought makes you the servant of the dollar. What you really mean is: "I do not feel that this thing is the one I can best buy now. I prefer to use the dollar in other ways.'' This is the proper attitude of mind. In it you continue to be the Master and the dollar is subject to your decision. This may seem like a very little thing. But it is the most important thought you can apply in your career for success. It is "Dollars want me!" thought, and not the thought, ."I want dollars to tell me what I shall do with them!" A gentleman once said to me, "I'd like to buy some of your books, but I cannot afford it!" "Excuse me," said I. "You smoke ten-cent cigars?'' "Certainly," was his reply. "At least five a day?"' "Sure," he said. "You can afford them?" "I do!" "Then you will pardon me. You should have said, I can afford to buy some books if I decide, but I prefer to spend the dollar for cigars.' This is your privilege. Exercise your personal liberty and be master of your pocket-book and say, I spend the dollar as I desire!'
I have spent so much!
This is the second imp expression. Have you spent or exchanged that which represented value for something- of value which it stood for? You bought a suit of clothes. Twenty dollars exchanged for clothes. In taking an account of stock you only change twenty dollars from cash account to assets. Your account balances the same.
Investment Another way to look at money expended is as an investment. Fifty dollars invested in mining stock and you look for dividends. So invest every dollar that passes out of your hands. It is an investment in education, in health, in experience. Feel thus toward the dollars, as they go, and then your mental attitude will be so clear that you will see opportunities for other investments that will bring sure dividends. Regret, sorrow, fears, remorse, and all such attitudes of mind so cloud the judgment that other effects similar to those regretted will follow.
Happy, peaceful, contented, trustful, self-respectful mental states keep the reason, conscience and judgment clear and proper investments will be made under them.
Always see a dividend coming in from every dollar that goes from your purse. The greatest of all dividends is Experience, for it is ever afterward a mental asset, that increases the value of every decision.
I've, lost so much!
This,
