Right Thinking

[Written Especially for Young People]

All right thinkers are desirous of doing their best in everything they attempt to do. Christian Science shows that right thinking is the first requisite of doing one's best. For instance, our manner of thinking about our school work helps to make things easy or difficult for us. When we begin to think about our occupations as Christian Science bids us think, they no longer appear gloomy and joyless, but are seen as interesting and happy activities. A simple example of how renewed thinking brought success where failure had seemed to be may be helpful.

A college senior found herself failing in a subject which she must pass as a requirement for graduation. There was yet time to make a passing grade, provided she not only made up the failure, but also made good grades in the advance work. It seemed to her a difficult task. Knowing that all real ability is in divine Mind alone, she turned humbly to God for guidance, and began to work as we are taught in Christian Science. She knew that as God's child she reflected wisdom and understanding, and therefore that fear could not keep her from expressing Mind's intelligence. A thorough searching of her thought exposed the erroneous suggestions that she had no time for extra study; that because it was a difficult subject there was some excuse for failure; and, finally, that the professor was cold and unsympathetic. Then she prayerfully changed her thinking, and the honest desire to reflect God led her to find precious hours for study which had been wasted previously. As she mastered each day's work, fear was overcome. Any excuse for failure was seen to be without foundation when it was realized that limitless ability and strength come from God. There is no failure in Love. Finally a deep sense of gratitude was awakened toward the professor who was unselfishly giving so much to the class in this particular field. Even the classroom seemed to be changed from a place where a difficult hour had to be spent to a place where there were new and interesting facts to be learned.

To the student's surprise, but as an obvious result of her changed thinking, at this point in the demonstration there came a summons to the professor's office. Here was manifest no cold intellectuality or harsh judgment, but rather warm sympathy and a genuine desire to help in any possible way to turn failure into success. Again it had been proved that right thinking does bring right results. The weeks flew by and the last examination of the year was over. Gratitude filled the heart of the girl as she looked at the list of grades and found hers to be among the very highest.

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