Article February 13, 1932 Issue

On Finding One's Place

DELLA M. WHITNEY

Most individuals are constantly striving to improve their surroundings. Some are seeking new locations with the hope of there finding greater opportunities. Others are looking for new lines of work; while still others are seeking to establish themselves more pleasantly and comfortably in their present locations. In the various efforts made toward adjustment along these lines, it is possible for one to become so intent upon making a move or changing some circumstance that he overlooks the governing factor in the whole situation, namely, that he places himself according to the quality of his thinking. At first this may seem an illogical or inconsistent statement. It can, however, be proved true.

An individual, for instance, in a public office gains his position there by the knowledge he has of the requirements necessary to fill that place. This is equally true in any walk of life; and it will take little analysis to see that in any given case it is not the location or environment that enables an individual to be competent or successful, but that success is dependent on his mental state, his ability, integrity, constancy, and so forth. Likewise, one is apt, sooner or later, to place himself in limited, sick, and sinful surroundings by the mental concept he entertains.

One who is experiencing the unsatisfactory results of sinful, inactive, or limited thinking may through reversal base his thinking upon a right foundation, that of Spirit, God, and so be enabled to gain freedom from whatever the bondage seems to be. The Apostle Paul said, "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." The teaching of Christian Science, which are based on the Bible, show one just how this renewing process may be learned. In this connection Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 261), "Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts." One can readily see that this process is in no way associated with the activity of so-called mortal will-power or the determination forcibly to extricate one's self from any situation. Real progress comes from gaining a fuller realization of God's omnipotence and omnipresence and of man as His image and likeness. This correct thinking, if persisted in, must of necessity improve one's present surroundings or place one in a better environment.

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