Some persons have very hazy and indefinite ideas concerning just what they want. Their wants are too indefinite, general, and hazy to create that strong, positive idealization which is the first requisite. If you ask them just what they want most in the world, you will find that they do not know, or at least cannot tell you with certainty. One moment they think that they want this thing, and the next moment another thing. Even when they think that they have arrived at a final decision, they usually will have but the most general ideas concerning it. You cannot get them pinned down to a clear-cut, definite, certain idea. You cannot "get them down to brass-tacks”, as the current slang phrase expresses it.
They are like the two folks in the old fairy-story who were given three wishes by the good fairy. You will remember that one of those folks first wished some foolish thing; then, in anger, the other person wished another foolish thing in connection with the first choice; and then both persons had to employ the third wish in order to get rid of the results of the first two silly ones. Very few persons know either that which represents the "summum bonum", or greatest good, of their desires, nor just what constitutes the exact nature and character of the things that they believe that they want most. The first step is to know positively, clearly, definitely and certainly just what you do want most. The next step is "to want it hard enough". Here, also, most persons "fall down". They do not know what it is to want anything "hard enough". They are feeble "wanters", when the matter is investigated. They are "pink-tea" wishers, instead of red-blooded, virile, "demanders". They would "like" this or that —they haven't the faintest conception of the "I've just got to have it" degree of desire which animates the real individual who goes after the thing he wants. Unless the Flame of Desire is aroused and be kept fiercely burning, there will be no Power set into operation by that Something Within. The Flame of Desire supplies the heat for the Steam of Will, and for much beside. Again, very few persons begin to appreciate or to realize the efficacy of Faith Power.
Faith is one of the great mental forces. This is taught in all religions and in many practical philosophies— but few understand it, few know just what it means, few take it in earnest. Faith is not blind belief or acceptance of the dogmas of assumed authority, as most persons believe; rather it is the earnest conviction and belief that comes from intuition. It is possessed by all persons who accomplish anything, and has been one of the principal factors in their attainment. Faith in that Something Within, when once you have recognized its presence and realized its nature, will set into operation its forces with great effect; lack of Faith will inhibit its operations. Many persons lacking Faith in the successful outcome of their Desires and Ideals really are manifesting Faith in the opposite outcome; and by so doing they set the forces into operation in the wrong direction. The man who believes in his lack of power, and who confidently expects the failure of his efforts, really is exercising Faith in the direction of failure instead of that of success. Many persons, by reason of this unfortunate and erroneous mental attitude are really actively employing Faith Power against their own interests.
The Faith in failure, inspired by Fear, is equal in force and power, in result and effect, to that Faith in success which is inspired by Hope, and confident expectation of the actualization of that which has been idealized. The idealization accompanying Fear is as effective as is the idealization arising from Hope, provided that the degree of Faith or confident expectation be the same in each case. Verily, many a man could truthfully say, with Job, that "the thing I feared hath come upon me". It is as true as that, '' As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he".
Likewise, few persons know what it is to pursue an idea or ideal with persistent determination. They have not learned how to "Will-to-Will". The tremendous forces of the Will are not called into efficient activity by them. "They will but feebly", as it has been said. They do not know what it is to have a purpose firmly fixed in mind, insistently desired, confidently expected, and then persistently followed with indomitable determination and resolution to the end. Well did the ancient occultists say that "In Imagination and Will is to be found the Secret of Attainment". The Imagination to form and to hold the Image, and the Will to actualize it into material objective form and reality: there is a great truth in these words, if one has sufficient insight to perceive it. Will Power, that indefinable but powerful weapon of the Self, is the sword firmly grasped in the right-hand of the "I Am I" which has awakened to a consciousness of its real essential nature and its innate powers. The Will lies closer to the "I Am" than any of the other mental instruments or tools. It operates along the lines of subconsciousness as well as of those of consciousness; it works while you sleep, as well as in your waking moments, once you have set it into operation.
Its influence extends far beyond the petty limits of your physical presence, and it produces results at a distance when properly applied. Only those in whom the consciousness of that Something Within, the "I Am I", has been awakened, can begin to understand what is meant by the old esoteric aphorism: "Let the Will will itself into willing." Finally, very few persons are content to "pay the price" of attaining that which they think they want. If they "want it hard enough" they are willing to pay the full price —otherwise they will "fall down" on this point. To "pay the price" of the attainment of that which you want, you must not only be willing to exercise your full mental and physical powers toward accomplishing the tasks and work lying along the path of attainment— you must do far more than this. You must pay the price of relinquishing the minor wants, wishes, and desires— you must sacrifice these on the altar of the Great Desire!
You cannot spend your penny, and still keep it; you cannot have both the pie and the dime. You must be willing to pay, and to pay in full, for what you get. The Law of Compensation is in full force in Nature. As the ancient saying informs us: "Said the gods to man, ‘What will you have? Take it, and pay for it" Nature and the Law of Things-as-they-Are do not demand sacrifices as gifts— they are quite willing to repay, and to repay generously. Equally insistent, however, are they that you, too, shall pay and pay in full. You are required to sacrifice the minor and subordinate things for the major and essential ones. Few are willing to do this. They protest when they are told that they must throw aside their rag-dolls and tin-swords and face the realities of life. They hug their childish playthings to their breasts, and cry aloud when asked to surrender them for things far more valuable to real individuals.
They are wedded to their idols— and as a consequence they never attain the realities of life. The woman who wishes to get rid of her surplus "fat"— who desires to escape being "a mountain of tallow, a tub of lard"— must "want to hard enough" to "pay the price" of giving up the tempting French fried potatoes, the flaky and delicious cream pies, the appealing French pastry, the delightful bonbons, the crisp Vienna rolls, and the rest of the obesity-producing family of foods. She must give up in order to get. The man who desires to attain business success must "want to hard enough" to "pay the price" of diligent application and faithful work; of the sacrifice of many pleasures which would interfere with his main object and end; of foregoing many indulgences which would tend to "sidetrack" him; of rendering service and "value received" for what he gets. In one way or another— often in many ways— the price must be paid, the balance maintained, the Law of Compensation observed.
Atkinson, William Walker; "X". THE INNER SECRET OR THAT SOMETHING WITHIN A story of awakening, enlightenment and initiation (Timeless Wisdom Collection Book 173) (Kindle Locations 1473-1482). Business and Leadership Publishing. Kindle Edition.[Spoiler/]
At one time or another I think most all of us have felt the same way, both in terms of stepping in the manure, pulling the cart, and wistfully wishing that there was a whole lot more money in the old bank account! 