In aiming at the life of blessedness, one of the simplest beginnings to be considered, and rightly made, is that which we all make every day-namely, the beginning of each day life.
There is a sense in which every day may be regarded as the beginning of a new life, in which one can think, act, and live newly, and in a wiser and better spirit.
The right beginning of the day will be followed by a cheerfulness permeating the household with a sunny influence, and the tasks and duties of the day will be undertaken in a strong and confident spirit, and the whole day will be well lived.
First Evening
There can be no progress, no achievement, without sacrifice, and a man worldly success will be in the measure that he sacrifices his confused animal thoughts, and fixes his mind on the development of his plans, and the strengthening of his resolution and self-reliance.
And the higher he lifts his thoughts, the more manly, upright, and righteous he becomes, the greater will be his success, the more blessed and enduring will be his achievements.
Second Morning
None but right acts can follow right thoughts; none but a right life can follow right acts; and by living a right life all blessedness is achieved.
Mind is the Master-power that moulds and makes. And Man is Mind, and evermore he takes. The Tool of thought, and, shaping what he wills, Brings forth a thousand joys, a thousand ills;- He thinks in secret, and it comes to pass: Environment is but his looking-glass.
Second Evening
Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. A man becomes calm in the measure that he understands himself as a thought-evolved being. . . .
And he as he develops a right understanding, and sees more and more clearly the internal relations of things by the action of cause and effect, he ceases to fret and fume, and worry and grieve, and remains poised, steadfast, serene.
Third Morning
To follow, under all circumstances, the highest promptings within you; to be always true to the divine self; to reply upon the inward Voice, the inward Light, and to pursue your purpose with a fearless and restful heart, believing that the future will yield unto you the need of every thought and effort; knowing that the laws of the universe can never fail, and that your own will come back to you with mathematical exactitude-this is faith and the living of faith.
Third Evening
Have a thorough understanding of your work, and let it be your own; and as you proceed, ever following the inward Guide, the infallible Voice, you will pass on from victory to victory, and will rise step by step to higher resting-places, and your ever-broadening outlook will gradually reveal to you the essential beauty and purpose of life. Self-purified, health will be yours; self-governed, power will be yours, and all that you do will prosper.
And I may stand where health, success, and power Await my coming, if, each fleeting hour, I cling to love and patience; and abide With stainlessness; and never step aside From high integrity; so shall I see At last the land of immortality.
Fourth Morning When the tongue is well controlled and wisely subdued; when selfish impulses and unworthy thoughts no longer rush to the tongue demanding utterance; when the speech has become harmless, pure, gracious, gentle, and purposeful, and no word is uttered but in sincerity and truth-then are the five steps in virtuous speech accomplished, then is the second great lesson in Truth learned and mastered. Make pure thy heart, and thou wilt make thy life Rich, sweet and beautiful.
Fourth Evening
Having clothed himself with humility, the first questions a man asks himself are:-
"How am I acting towards others?"
"What am I doing to others?"
"How am I thinking of others?"
"Are my thoughts of, and acts towards others prompted by unselfish love?"
As a man, in the silence of his soul, asks himself these searching questions, he will unerringly see where he has hitherto failed.
From James Allen's "Morning & Evening Thoughts" (1909)
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