CHAPTER XI.
IDEALS.

You and I are artists. But we are prone to look too long and often at our canvas—the results of our efforts; and too little at our Ideals, which are the sources of all effort and power of accomplishment.

Let us take special times every day for gazing upon our models—our Ideals. The first thing in the morning and the last thing at night should be daily given to special gazing upon what we desire. Then many times a day we should pause in our efforts, for a few moments’ study of the Ideal.

Choose for these sittings the same hour, the same place, and even the same chair facing the same way. Let the chair be an easy one, but with a straight back.

Keep your appointments with your Ideal to the minute as nearly as possible. But if at any time you are unavoidably hindered take the earliest moment possible.

And remember always that the matter of first importance is to keep sweet. To let a change upset you simply necessitates extra time and effort to get settled again.

Sit bolt upright, resting against the back of your chair, and in an easy position. Keep absolutely still, with eyes resting (not fixed) always on the same spot, straight ahead and slightly above the level. Do not get into a rigid state, but see that you are still. Aim not to move once during the entire sitting, which should be about half an hour long. Perhaps less to begin with.

Now having disposed of your body rise mentally to the highest heights you can picture. For instance, take your highest business ideals; picture it in rosy colors and definite outline. Stretch

it. Make your ideal just as large and fine as possible.

Picture out the details as plainly as possible. Make it definite. Decide just what you mean to work for and to realize. Let us suppose that you are a married man with a family of

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