The Power of Purpose

64 pages. ChapterI. 4The Power of Individual PurposeII. 11The Inspiration of PossibilitiesIII. 18Facing the Mistakes of Life IV. 27When We Forget the EquityV. 36The Crown of IndividualityVI. 46The Optimism that Really CountsVII. 54The Dark Valley of ProsperityIThe Power of Individual PurposePURPOSE gives a new impulse, a new impetus, a new interpretation to living. Purpose is the backbone of a life of courage. It shows that the highest justification for living is love-in some form. It may be for a cause, a country, an ideal, a family, or an individual. Purpose at its best means our kingship over conditions, our mastery over self, our dedication to something higher than self, fighting for the right and fighting it to the end. Were we able to follow even a great purpose from its highest flights of effort we might find its nest of inspiration-in the heart of someone of whom the world knew nothing. Purpose makes man his own second creator and by it he can make himself largely what he will. He can choose his own realm: he can live contentedly in the mud of low desires like a lizard or sweep boldly high in the pure, inspiring, bracing air of noble ideals like an eagle rightfully claiming the mountain tops as its own. If our aim be low, mean and selfish, bringing out all that is weakness in our nature, an ambition that betrays its method in the despicable things employed to attain it, it is unworthy of our crown of individuality. Low purpose makes us experts in petty sophistries; it kills natural sweetness and kindness; it raises the moral temperature to a fever heat of "don't care" and lowers the vitality of all our higher living. This is not the purpose of which we speak; it is individuality at a discount, not at a premium-as we should hold it. Purpose makes man a crusader-for something. He seems to grow greater before our eyes in his efforts to reach and grasp the cross of some ideal-though it may seem to us unattainable-when the inspiration and glow of the struggle itself means more to him than even a crown of victory. Purpose is conscious, continuous concentration to attain an end. Before it can be greatest there must be union and unity-body, mind, heart and soul acting together, as the essence of many flowers may be fused into a single perfume.