Article May 5, 1923 Issue

Achievement

THOMAS M. BURTON

Throughout the world there are many who set out to achieve success in some walk of life. Some do achieve success; while others seem to fail. Mrs. Eddy tells us in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 199): "The devotion of thought to an honest achievement makes the achievement possible. Exceptions only confirm this rule, proving that failure is occasioned by a too feeble faith." A dictionary defines "achievement" as "something accomplished, achieved, or gained; especially a noteworthy and successful action, or a distinguished feat." The Golden Rule, practiced in our daily experiences, — practiced in our every act, word, or thought, — conquers opposition, lifts us above obstacles, and establishes right success.

A Christian Scientist upon entering the military service of the United States Army as a private during the recent war, declared from the beginning that divine Love must be the governor of his every experience; and the desire to glorify God in whatever he was given to do was always before him. He tried to forget self in his desire to serve mankind. Whenever he was given anything to do, however humble the task, he did it willingly, conscientiously, quickly; and always tried to do it in the very best way he knew. With a firm faith that right always wins, and knowing that man has but one real purpose, motive, or aim, and that is to glorify God, and that there is therefore no place for seekers for place and power working through deceit, dishonesty, and such like, since all space is already filled with good, — these truths, known and understood, readjusted certain offices which had been held through deceit and other misleading methods; opened new channels for opportunity and advancement; enabled mistaken regulations to be replaced with higher and better ones; led superior officers to recognize certain abilities which had before been unnoticed; uncovered right courses to pursue which had before been unthought of; and revealed to the individual higher and better possibilities. As time went on he was promoted from one rank to another, and finally was commissioned as an officer, returning to the United States as a captain.

A conscientious individual, whose motives are based on divine Principle, is usually successful, being faithful to his task whether humanly scorned or praised, holding his gaze above any latent fear or argument either from himself or others that he has not the ability to do what he has been appointed to do. He also knows that no malicious aim, either directed or ignorant, has power to misdirect or misinform a right idea, which receives its very being direct from God. He knows that if the course he is pursuing is not the right one, he cannot be influenced by either audible or silent arguments from seeing a better course to pursue, which would be generally for his betterment, morally and spiritually. He realizes that his career and daily achievements cannot become paralyzed, and that his every act, word, or thought must be in direct obedience to God's law, reflecting good, and continually leading into higher achievements, thus enabling him to attain greater righteous success. Patience, wisdom, meekness, humility, courage, love, sincerity, unselfishness, perseverance, and spiritual vision are the attendant characteristics of successful achievement.

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