Article October 31, 1942 Issue

Overcoming Self-Pity

ELIZABETH ADLAM

In order to attain the freedom and joy of spiritual living and to overcome the false sense of self-pity we must begin, as in handling every other problem, by recognizing the perfection of God and of man in His image and likeness. The clearer our discernment of spiritual reality, the quicker will be our detection of error's pretense to reality and power, and the more alert we shall be to nullify mortal mind's false suggestions and arguments.

None of us would care to admit that selfishness is putting our own interests and comfort first, pursuing our own desire for happiness and disregarding the rights and happiness of others. Yet is this not what we are doing when we clothe our thinking in self-pity, which we may call sensitiveness? By realizing God's impartial and inexhaustible goodness and refusing to accept selfishness as any part of our true being we are enabled to dissociate our thinking from belief in something unlike God.

We should pray unceasingly that our thoughts and motives be purified; strive daily to put our prayers into practice by substituting thoughtfulness for self with thoughtfulness toward others, endeavoring to be kindly, generous, benevolent in word and deed. Understanding scientifically that all true ideas are active, purposeful, successful, we shall let spiritual alertness supersede mental stagnation, lethargy, and indifference. Procrastination will then give way to promptness and punctuality; zeal and industry will replace indolence and idleness.

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