Welcome to the Inspirational Living podcast.

Today's podcast has been edited and adapted from the essay, As a Man Thinketheth by James Allen, published in 1903.

Until your thoughts are linked with purpose, there is no intelligent accomplishment in life. The majority of us simply allow our thoughts to drift aimlessly upon the ocean of life,

which is why we so often unexpectedly crash against a rocky shore.

Those who have no central purpose in life fall an easy prey to petty worries, fears, troubles

and self-pity, all of which are indications of weakness that lead to failure, unhappiness,

and loss, for weakness cannot persist in a power-evolving universe.

We should conceive of a worthy goal and set out to accomplish it.

This goal may take the form of a spiritual ideal, or it may be a worldly object, according to our nature at this moment in time.

But whatever it is, we should steadily focus our thought forces upon the goal which we have set before ourselves.

You should make this purpose your supreme duty, and you should devote yourself to its attainment,

not allowing your thoughts to wander away to ephemeral fancies, longings, and imaginings.

This is the Royal Road to Self longings, and imaginings.

This is the royal road to self-control and true concentration of thought.

Even if you fail again and again to accomplish your goal, as you necessarily must until

weakness is overcome, the strength of character gained will be the measure of your true success,

and this will form a new starting point for future power and triumph. Those who are not

prepared for acquiring a great purpose should fix their thoughts upon the faultless performance of

their duty, no matter how insignificant their task may be.

Only in this way can your thoughts be gathered and focused, and resolution and energy be developed,

which being done there is nothing which may not be accomplished.

The weakest soul, knowing its own weakness and believing this truth that strength can only

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