Article March 17, 1945 Issue

Ability Is Man's by Reflection

FRANCES ETTINGE

The expression, "He has natural ability," is applied to someone who shows a great deal of proficiency in some direction, or who is adept at a number of things. Comparatively few persons realize the nature and source of ability. There are those who believe themselves to be specially endowed of God, those who think they possess extra large brains, and those who believe their aptitudes to be inherited from a superior ancestral strain. Contrariwise, there are those who think they lack ability. All these beliefs stem from the claim of a selfhood separate from God, whereas man actually exists solely as a reflection of the one infinite, all-knowing divine Mind. When aroused to the understanding of this fact, one may spontaneously express ability in any and all directions, while at the same time glorifying God and growing in grace.

From the following experience the writer learned how constantly alert one must be to utilize his understanding that ability is man's by reflection. She had been assigned a difficult and unfamiliar task one day, and after several unsuccessful attempts to do the work, she temporarily accepted the belief of inability, and asked for help from someone who was specially trained for that type of work.

In the meantime, however, she was not happy about having asked for this help, because she felt that she had thereby forfeited an opportunity to demonstrate Christian Science. The more she thought about the problem, the more certain she was that she could solve it with the proper metaphysical work. She decided to go to the Reading Room during her lunch hour to clear her thought of negative suggestions and to gain a clearer realization of Mind's ever and only presence. In the process of prayerful meditation she thought: This man from whom I have asked aid has the same Mind that I have. He is a reflection of the divine Mind, and so am I. Therefore, I reflect the same intelligence he reflects." As she realized the oneness of Mind, her thought became clear and positive.

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