Nuggets of the New ThoughtTheosophy / New ThoughtMystical / EsotericEnglishShareNuggets of the New Thought 26Project Gutenberg 1902 edition - EnglishMoreVersion - 1 availableProject Gutenberg 1902 editionLanguageEnglishEspañol‹Nuggets of the New Thought 1Nuggets of the New Thought 2Nuggets of the New Thought 3Nuggets of the New Thought 4Nuggets of the New Thought 5Nuggets of the New Thought 6Nuggets of the New Thought 7Nuggets of the New Thought 8Nuggets of the New Thought 9Nuggets of the New Thought 10Nuggets of the New Thought 11Nuggets of the New Thought 12Nuggets of the New Thought 13Nuggets of the New Thought 14Nuggets of the New Thought 15Nuggets of the New Thought 16Nuggets of the New Thought 17Nuggets of the New Thought 18Nuggets of the New Thought 19Nuggets of the New Thought 20Nuggets of the New Thought 21Nuggets of the New Thought 22Nuggets of the New Thought 23Nuggets of the New Thought 24Nuggets of the New Thought 25Nuggets of the New Thought 26Nuggets of the New Thought 27Nuggets of the New Thought 28Nuggets of the New Thought 29Nuggets of the New Thought 30Nuggets of the New Thought 31Nuggets of the New Thought 32Nuggets of the New Thought 33Nuggets of the New Thought 34Nuggets of the New Thought 35›The Man With The Southern Exposure.Nuggets of the New Thought 26ListenPlay this chapter in spoken English.Save chapterListen to chapter1Southern exposure as good a thing in a man as in a room--The man who faces the sun--Lives one day at a time and does the best he knows how, and is kind--Finds Joy and carries it to others--Simple, loving, kind--Open yourself to the sun. 2Did you ever go house hunting? Then you remember how the agent laid much stress on the fact that certain rooms had a "Southern Exposure." No matter how many other good qualities the house had, all was subordinated to the fact that the best rooms faced the South--had the longed for "Southern Exposure." The very words conveyed to your mind the sensation of balmy breezes--the freedom from the rude blasts of the North--the cheering rays of the Sun--plenty of light and healthful vibrations coming from old Sol. Ah, that "Southern Exposure"--how much the words convey. 3Now, if this "Southern Exposure" is such a good thing in a room, why isn't it a good thing in a man? Did you ever meet the man with the "Southern Exposure"--the man who faces the Sun? Do you recall how he brought with him the inspiring Solar vibrations? Do you remember how the wrinkles and frowns disappeared from the faces of those in his presence? Do you remember how, long after he had departed, the memory of his presence cheered you--the thrill of his thought vibrations remained to stimulate? We all know this man with the "Southern Exposure," God bless him. We couldn't get along without him. There are a number of him, and he is scattered all over the globe. We call him by different names, but he is always the same man. After we have felt the cold Northern chill emanating from some of the cold, despondent, negative people with whom we have come in contact, what a relief it is to meet some one who carries with him the mellowing sunny, vibrations of the South wind--the man with the "Southern Exposure." As the vibrations of the Sun bring life, energy, and strength to all things having life, so this sunny man brings positive, bright, cheerful and happy thoughts to us, and stimulates, encourages and strengthens us. He actually radiates sunshine and cheer in all directions, and thaws out the natures that have become well nigh frozen from contact with people of the other type. 4Oh, it's a great thing, this "Southern Exposure" in a man or woman. 5This man faces the Sun. He is an optimist. He looks on the bright side of things, and gets all there is in Life--he LIVES. He manages to extract "fun" out of the most unpromising conditions and things, and goes on his way with a smile, and a cheerful song, an abiding faith in the Absolute. He lives his life, one day at a time, loving all of God's creatures and letting the creatures know it--carrying a message of hope, and courage, and a helpful suggestion to all mankind. He is the salt of the earth, and Life would lose its flavor if he were taken from us. And how smooth the pathway of Life seems made for him. It matters not in what station he may be placed--what seemingly small degree of material prosperity may come to him--what may be his surroundings and environments--he makes the best of everything--he still catches the rays of the Sun, and rejoices--he has the "Southern Exposure." 6He is broad and tolerant--merciful and forgiving--devoid of Hate, Envy and Malice--free from Fear and Worry. He minds his own business, and grants you the same privilege. He is full of Love, and radiates it to all the world. He goes through Life in his own sunny way, meeting cheerfully the things that drive others to Despair and Misery--somehow things seem to be smoothed out for him, and he passes over the stony road, unharmed. His Peace comes from within--and all who meet him feel his presence. He does not seek after friends or love--Friendship and Love come to him as a right--he attracts them. People are glad to see him come, and sorry to see him go. Little children and animals are drawn to him, and know him as their friend and lover. He is as much at home in the tenement of the laborer as in the palace of the wealthy--both places seem home to him, and their occupants on a level. Brother to both Saint and Sinner is he, and he loves one as much as the other, for he somehow feels that each is doing his best. He looks for the good in the Sinner--not for the sin in the Saint--although he knows that both exist. He is not a Pharisee--he recognizes within himself all that is within both Saint and Sinner--he knows that he is not without sin, so he dares not cast the first stone. 7The outcast recognizes in him a brother--the woman who has passed through the fiery furnace trusts him and is not afraid, for she knows that he understands. He, being near the Sun, knows that it shines alike on Saint and Sinner--he feels that when God withholds his Sunbeams from his most disobedient child, then may he withhold his love from his most degraded brother or sister. Until that time comes he sees fit to love them. He does not Condemn--he lets God exercise that prerogative, if he sees fit--he does not feel fit to act as Judge. He believes that the Universe is conducted on sound business principles--that God knows just what he is about and does not require any gratuitous advice from Man. 8He works, and works well. He finds Joy in his work--pleasure in the humblest tasks. He likes to Create things--and he is proud of that desire, for he feels that it is an inheritance from his Father. He does not seem to hurry--nor is he rushed. He has plenty of time--Eternity lasts a long while, and he is in it NOW. He is not afraid of Death--or even Life--he knows them as one. 9He goes about his way--doing his best--and letting the other fellow alone. 10He has an abiding Faith in the Absolute--he believes in Infinite Justice and Ultimate Good. He does not fear his Father--he cannot find room for Fear where Love abides. He does not believe that there is a bottomless pit into which his loving Father intends to plunge him--he has too much confidence in his Father to think that. He believes that there is enough Hell on earth to burn away the mistakes and ignorance of Man. And he believes that all the burning ones will eventually emerge purged of their dross. He knows that his Father is near him, for he has felt the pressure of his hand. In the darkness of the night he has felt the Father's presence--by the glare of the lightning flash he has seen His form, for a moment, and that memory is burned into his brain. He faces the Sun--this man with the "Southern Exposure." 11He is Simple, Loving, Kind. He is of the Elect. He is a prophecy of the Future. And he is on the increase. On the Tree of Life are many promising buds, which the Sun of the Spirit is nursing into beautiful blossoms that will yet fill the world with the delicious fragrance of Love. 12There are certain people who have come into our midst silently and without announcement. They have found places waiting for them. They have come to prepare the way for their brothers and sisters who are in the womb of the future--they are working quietly to prepare a home for their unborn brothers and sisters when they come. They are the forerunners of the Coming Race. Smiled at--sneered at--persecuted--reviled--pitied--it matters not. God has sent them--they have his message to deliver--that's why they are here. The world may raise its eyebrows--shrug its shoulders--tap its forehead significantly--but these new people smile, they know, they know. They see the misunderstanding multitude as mere babes in the Spiritual knowing--many of them babes unborn--and they heed them not. 13Take notice of these people--they are making their presence felt. They are wielding a silent powerful influence, and are molding public opinion far more than are the blatant reformers, the boastful leaders, the bespangled figures strutting at the front of the stage. The people who are thus being used--instruments in God's hands--are these quiet men and women who are facing the Sun--these people with the "Southern Exposure." 14If you feel the call to join the ranks of these people--do not resist, but answer cheerfully "I hear; I obey; I come." Allow the seed to grow into the plant, the plant to put forth leaves--bud and blossom. When you feel the impulse, do not resist--open yourself to the Sun--receive its vibrations--and all will be well. Be not afraid--have within you that Love which casteth out Fear--place your hand in that of the Absolute and say "Lead Thou me on." After long ages of wandering, you are coming Home. 15An individualist--Wearing no ticket or label--No one has a corner on Truth--Enough to go around--The Infinite Power back of all things--The Real Self is Spirit--The Law of Attraction--Fearthought--The Brotherhood of Man. 16* * * * I generally call myself a Mental Scientist, and am so known to my friends, but I merely use the term because it is broad and comprehensive, not because I bear the ticket of any particular school of the New Thought--not because I wear the badge of any special leader. I am an Individualist. I believe in the right of every man to think his own thoughts--to find his way to the Truth by whatever road he may see fit, even if he prefers to cut across fields in getting there. I believe that whilst all men are brothers, and each a part of a mighty Whole, still each one must stand squarely upon his own feet--must work out his own salvation--must do his own thinking. I believe that Truth is everywhere--in everything, and that we may uncover a bit of it wherever we may happen to dig. I do not believe that any person has a corner on the Truth--a monopoly of Knowing. I do not believe in Popes, in or out of the New Thought. Each of us will uncover his own little bit of the Truth, but we must not imagine that we have the Whole Thing. There's enough Truth to go around--and to spare. 17[1] An extract from the article of this name in which the author introduced himself to the readers of the magazine "New Thought," upon assuming the position of co-editor, in December, 1901. 18I believe that there is an Infinite Power in, and of, all things. I believe that, although to-day we have but the faintest idea of that Power, still we will steadily grow to comprehend it more fully--will get in closer touch with it. Even now, we have momentary glimpses of its existence--a momentary consciousness of Oneness with the Absolute. I believe that the greatest happiness consists in maintaining toward the Absolute the attitude of the trusting child, who, feeling no doubt of the parent's love--no doubt of his wisdom--places his little hand in that of the parent, and says: "Lead Thou me on." I believe that he who feels towards the Absolute, the trustfulness of the babe which places its little tired head close to the breast of the mother, will also be conscious of the tender answering pressure, as the babe is drawn just a little closer to the mother heart. I believe these things--I have felt them. 19I believe that Man is immortal--that the Real Self is Spirit, which uses mind and body as its tools, and manifests itself according to the fitness of the tools. I believe that Man is rapidly growing into a new plane of consciousness, in which he will know himself as he is--will recognize the I AM--the Something Within. Many are having glimpses of the Truth every day--the first glimpses of the light of the great Dawn are even now being perceived by those who are awake and watching. 20I believe that the mind of Man contains the greatest of all forces--that Thought is one of the greatest manifestations of energy. I believe that the man who understands the use of Thought-force can make of himself practically what he will. I believe that not only is one's body subject to the control of the mind, but that, also, one may change environment, "luck," circumstances, by positive thought taking the place of negative. I know that the "I Can and I Will" attitude will carry one forward to Success that will seem miraculous to the man on the "I Can't" plane. I believe that "thoughts are things," and that the Law of Attraction in the thought world will draw to one just what he desires or fears. 21I believe that Fearthought is the root of more misery, unhappiness, disease, crime, failure and other undesirable things than any one thing in the world. I intend to attack this monster most vigorously, through these columns. I intend going for him with the grace of God in my heart, and a good hickory club in my hand. I will cause many of you to tear out Fear by the roots--you don't need it about you. I will preach the gospel of Fearlessness. There is nothing in the world (or out of it) to fear except--Fear. 22I will also preach the gospel of Backbone to you--will insist upon your inserting a steel-rod vertebra in the place of that india-rubber affair that some of you are carrying around with you. You doubt this, do you?--well, just you wait and see. 23I believe in the Brotherhood of Man. I believe in being Kind. I believe in everyone minding his own business--and allowing everyone else the same privilege. I believe that we have no right to condemn--"let him who is without sin cast the first stone." I believe that he who Hates, is an assassin; that he who Covets, is a thief; that he who Lusts, is an adulterer; that the gist of a crime is in its desire. Seeing this--looking into our own hearts--how can we Condemn? I believe that Evil is but Ignorance. I believe that "to know all is to forgive all." I believe that there is good in every man; let us help him to manifest it. I believe in the absolute equality of the Man and the Woman--sometimes I think that the odds are slightly in favor of the Woman. I believe in the Sacredness of Sex--but I also believe that Sex manifests on the Spiritual and Mental planes, as well as on the Physical. And I believe that to the pure all things are pure. 24I also believe in the gospel of work--in "hustling." I believe in the I DO, as well as the I AM. I know that the man who will take advantage of the Power of the Mind, and who will manifest that power in action, will go forward to Success as surely and as steadily as the arrow from the bow of the skilled archer. ‹Previous chapterNuggets of the New Thought 25Next chapterNuggets of the New Thought 27›Similar passagesBy tradition and source labelFind similarCompare selectedCompare with similarAsk Deep ThoughtSelect passages to search for parallels.Tap any verse to select it, then compare selected passages or ask Deep Thought. Public domain in the United States via Project Gutenberg