Unfurl Your Sails

The theory that advances the freedom of the human soul is the one theory that does not lay the blame of all our weaknesses upon somebody else. Men in general lay all the blame of life on their fellowmen, or failing that, on God, or they conjure up a ghost and say it is fate. Where is fate, and who is fate? We reap what we sow. We are the makers of our own fate. None else has the blame, none has the praise. Those vessels whose sails are unfurled catch the wind and go forward on their way; but those which have their sails furled do not catch the wind. Is that the fault of the wind? Is it the fault of the merciful Father - whose wind of mercy blows unceasingly, day and night - is it his fault that some of us are happy and some unhappy?

His sun shines for the weak as well as for the strong, and his wind blows for saint and sinner alike. He is the Lord of all, the Father of all, merciful, and impartial. His infinite mercy is open to everyone, at all times, in all places, under all conditions, unfailing, unswerving. Upon us depends how we make use of it.

When you find yourselves suffering, blame yourselves and try to do better. This is the only solution of the problem. Be bold and stong! Take the whole responsibility on your own shoulders, and know that you are the creator of your own destiny. All the strength and succor you want is within yourselves. Therefore, make your own future. The infinite future is before you.

You must always remember that each word, thought, and deed lays up a store for you, and that as the bad thoughts and bad works are ready to spring upon you like tigers, so also are the good thoughts and good deeds ready with the power of a hundred thousand angels to defend you always and forever.