The Obligation to Shape Ourselves…

Most young people, and older ones also, have talents that are allowed to lie dormant and undeveloped. There are many examples of those who have discovered or developed talents late in life. But how much better to develop them earlier and use them longer. Mostly it is a matter simply of deciding and then doing something about what we decide.

“… You are living in the greatest age that has ever been upon this earth,” wrote Dr. Harvey Fletcher. “The pace is fast…. What is going to be your part in the great work ahead?…. If I were you, I would start today to prepare with greater vigor than ever before…. If I were you, I would seek to know your talents…. Then… work at them diligently.”

We have much to do with shaping ourselves. We make many decisions. We choose often what we do with time, what we read, and where we go. We even choose what we think much more than we realize. In school, for example, when we have an examination, we choose to concentrate on a certain subject. If we can choose what we think in some circumstances, we can choose what we think in other circumstances.

In Paradise Lost, John Milton has Satan speak this sentence: “The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heav’n of Hell, a hell of Heav’n.” The mind is its own place, and can do much to shape the shape of things.

Often we may find ourselves wishing we were different than we are, wishing we could do what we think we cannot do. But the fact is that most people have much more power of mind and will⎯much more capacity⎯than they use. Most of us can become much more than we are. We can improve ourselves. We can prepare ourselves. We can choose our thoughts; we can develop our talents; we can acquire skills; we can improve our work, our homes, our surroundings, our relationships with others.

“… when you find your talents, work at them diligently to enlarge and perfect them.” Pursue your opportunities, stay with them, don’t drop out; follow through your period of preparation. “The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heav’n of Hell, a hell of Heav’n.” We have the obligation and the opportunity to shape ourselves.