If one finds himself in any particular condition, in the midst of any surroundings or environments that are not desirable, that have nothing—­at least for any length of time—­that is of value to him, for his highest life and unfoldment, he has the remedy entirely within his own grasp the moment he realizes the power and supremacy of the forces of the mind and spirit; and, unless he intelligently use these forces, he drifts.  Unless through them he becomes master and dictates, he becomes the slave and is dictated to, and so is driven hither and thither.

Earnest, sincere desire, sincere aspiration for higher and better conditions or means to realize them, the thought-forces actively sent out for their realization, these continually watered by firm expectation without allowing the contrary, neutralizing force of fear ever to enter in,—­this, accompanied by rightly directed work and activity, will bring about the fullest realization of one’s highest desires and aspirations with a certainty as absolute as that effect follows cause.  Each and every one of us can thus make for himself ever higher and higher conditions, can attract ever and ever higher influences, can realize an ever higher and higher ideal in life.  These are the forces that are within us, simply waiting to be recognized and used,—­the forces that we should infuse into and mould every-day life with.  The moment we vitally recognize them, they become our servants and wait upon our bidding.

Are you, for example, a young man or a young woman desiring a college, a university education, or have you certain literary or artistic instincts your soul longs the more fully to realize and actualize, and seems there no way open for you to realize the fulfilment of your desires?  But the power is in your hands the moment you recognize it there.  Begin at once to set the right forces into operation.  Put forth your ideal, which will begin to clothe itself in material form, send out your thought-forces for its realization, continually hold and add to them, always strongly but always calmly, never allow the element of fear, which will keep the realization just so much farther away, to enter in; but, on the contrary, continually water with firm expectation all the forces thus set into operation.  Do not then sit and idly fold the hands, expecting to see all things drop into the lap,—­God feeds the sparrow, but he does not throw the food into its nest,—­but take hold of the first thing that offers itself for you to do,—­work in the fields, at the desk, saw wood, wash dishes, tend behind the counter, or whatever it may be,—­be faithful to the thing in hand, always expecting something better, and know that this in hand is the thing that will open to you the next higher, and this the next and the next; and so realize that each thing thus taken hold of is but the agency that takes you each time a step nearer the realization of your fondest ideals.  You then hold the key; and bolts that otherwise would remain immovable, by this mighty force, will be thrown before you.