Thought and Purpose
詹姆斯·艾伦 / James Allen
Until thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment. With the majority the bark of thought is allowed to “drift” upon the ocean of life. Aimlessness is a vice， and such drifting must not continue for him who would steer clear of catastrophe and destruction.
They who have no central purpose in their life fall an easy prey to petty worries， fears， troubles， and self-pitying， all of which are indications of weakness， which lead， just as surely as deliberately planned sins (though by a different route)， to failure， unhappiness， and loss， for weakness cannot persist in a power evolving universe.
A man should conceive of a legitimate purpose in his heart， and set out to accomplish it. He should make this purpose the centralizing point of his thoughts. It may take the form of a spiritual ideal， or it may be a worldly object， according to his nature at the time being. But whichever it is， he should steadily focus his thought-forces upon the object， which he has set before him. He should make this purpose his supreme duty， and should devote himself to its attainment， not allowing his thoughts to wander away into ephemeral fancies， longings， and imaginings. This is the royal road to self-control and true concentration of thought. Even if he fails again and again to accomplish his purpose (as he necessarily must until weakness is overcome)， the strength of character gained will be the measure of his true success， and this will form a new starting-point for future power and triumph.
Those who are not prepared for the apprehension of a great purpose should fix the thoughts upon the faultless performance of their duty， no matter how insignificant their task may appear. Only in this way can the thoughts be gathered and focused， and resolution and energy be developed， which being done， there is nothing which may not be accomplished.