Article April 15, 1939 Issue

Minding One's Own Business

MABEL CONE BUSHNELL

Possibly each individual has some one ability in which he thinks he excels; perhaps he rather prides himself that he does some particular thing just a little better than any of his neighbors. A student of Christian Science had just such an impression. This person, who was possessed of a very scant sense of curiosity, appeared to be particularly able, as the world calls it, to mind her own business. In fact, throughout her earnest study of Christian Science, she had felt much gratitude for the ability immediately to set aside questioning regarding others and to turn her thought to keeping track of her individual affairs. No particular consideration was ever given to this trait because of her sense of contentment on the point.

One day, in discussing Christian Science and its application to various problems of the day with a fellow student, she expressed gratitude for an ability to mind her own business. Astonishedly, the friend answered, "But you don't mind your own business, in fact you never have minded your own business!" Amused and withal amazed, the student asked the reason for the remark. The answer was that she gave generously, and was willing and ready to help anyone else who might have a need, but established no proper protection or defense of her individual thinking. Rather did she allow mortal mind's arguments to pass in large measure unheeded, instead of instantly meeting them and denying them. This presented an entirely new and interesting view of minding one's own business. The student decided to pay attention to the rebuke, and see how she could gain a better sense of this commonly used expression, as applied in daily experience.

In his prayer to God regarding the disciples, Jesus said. "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil." Jesus saw the necessity of defending one's thinking against the aggressive suggestions of mortal mind. These suggestions present themselves day after day from every angle of one's experience for mortal mind is continually suggesting evil. It seems very easy to forget to defend one's thought from these suggestions, and more difficult still always to remember in the face of seeming material conditions that man is spiritual, and that God is All-in-all.

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