"Much of what we hear is clearly our business." These words by an earnest worker in the Christian Science movement came helpfully to the writer's thought while she was employed in a busy bookstore.

At the Christmas holiday season working schedules were increased as demands grew heavier. The manager expressed the fear that she would come down with influenza and that it would be followed by pneumonia. Other employees predicted that a new addition to the store would not be completed on time. And it was the consensus among neighboring merchants that a newly opened shopping center in the area would take away much of their revenue.

Absorbed in highly responsible duties involving large sums of money, the writer did not take time either to agree or to disagree with these suggestions until she remembered the remark, "Much of what we hear is clearly our business." She saw that she needed to handle the errors being voiced and to realize that because God is One and All, evil is nothing and nowhere. Infinite Mind and its manifestation is all that is present or can be present.

Each suggestion was denied with its specific counterfact. She reasoned that man is not a helpless victim of disease or of an evil destiny but that he is the concrete embodiment of spiritual ideas—dominion, strength, invincible health, unassailable happiness. The progress and success of one idea cannot deprive or injure another, but by reason of its progress can only bless all concerned. The prophecies of mortal mind carry no weight whatsoever. They cannot not hinder or nullify the unfoldment of a right idea.

During the rest of the holiday season she made certain to exercise to the best of her ability order, cooperation, cheerfulness, honesty, punctuality, and genuine helpfulness. During the busy days she endeavored to hold clearly in thought the spiritual concept of man in regard to everyone with whom she was associated.

She was grateful that the store manager worked through the entire holiday season without illness. The new addition was ready in time to take care of the many shoppers, and the bookstore experienced one of the largest sale days in its history. The writer also enjoyed health and freedom from fatigue.

Mrs. Eddy writes in the Manual of The Mother Church: "It shall be the duty of every member of this Church to defend himself daily against aggressive mental suggestion, and not be made to forget nor to neglect his duty to God, to his Leader, and to mankind. By his works he shall be judged,—and justified or condemned."  ^{Man., Art. VIII, Sect. 6;}

Aggressive suggestions may take the form of a domestic quarrel, a troubled world, a refractory teen-ager, an immoral individual. The business of students of Christian Science is to deny every error with the understanding of why it is impotent and unreal and why Truth is really the only presence and power.

What we say cannot and does not need to change anything real. But understanding—the fruit of spirituality—makes one consciously aware of the actual universe of present perfection right where the illusion of evil seems to be. Our duty to defend ourselves against evil's suggested lies is our daily business. It is an important business that blesses not only the individual student but all mankind.

Minding our business is minding our thought, keeping it pure, healthy, strong, active, faithful, and wise. In the circumstances related no audible statements of scientific truths were made, but the practical goodness of right thinking was made evident.

According to Scripture, Cain dismissed the question, "Where is Abel thy brother?" ^{Gen. 4:9.} with the querulous, "Am I my brother's keeper?" But the good Samaritan in Christ Jesus' parable assumed responsibility for the care of a stranger. He poured in his benevolence even to providing for the stranger's welfare during his own absence. The parable does not record that the good Samaritan was even thanked for his services, but he was minding his own business, demonstrating his true selfhood wrought in the image and likeness of divine Love.

What others think and do is their business. What we accept about what others think and do is our business. Our joyful daily business is to know the truth of what we hear and to see as our neighbor whoever needs our love.