LIKE a stone thrown into the water, a thought produces ripples and waves which spread out over the great ocean of thoughts. There is this difference, however: the waves on the water move only on a level plane in all directions, whereas thought waves move in all directions from a common center, just as do the rays from the sun.

A strong thought tends to awaken vibrations in minds attuned to receive it. Many of the "stray thoughts" which come to us are but reflections or answering vibrations to some strong thought sent out by another. But unless our minds are attuned to receive it, the thought will not likely affect us. We will then be apt to catch the vibrations of other minds keyed to the same thoughts.

On the other hand, if we get into the habit of thinking thoughts of a negative character, we will soon be echoing the low order of thought emanating from the minds of the thousands thinking along the same lines. This is how our can make us focus on what we don't want as opposed to what we want and desire for ourselves.

We are also influenced by the suggestions and thought of others, which have reached us either directly by verbal suggestions, through the media or TV, or telepathically by means of thought waves. Our general mental attitude, however, determines the character of the thought waves received from others as well as the thoughts emanating from ourselves. It is best then to surround yourself with people who are and speak of health, as opposed to sickness. I would even venture that support groups can have a negative effect in the long-run, reinforcing what you don't want in your life and in your health.  

We attract to us the thoughts of others of the same order of thought. The man who thinks health will be apt to get into tune with the minds of others thinking likewise, and they will help him, and he them. man who allows his mind to dwell constantly upon thoughts of sickness and disease brings himself into close touch with the minds of other "sick" people, and each will tend to pull the other down still more. The man who thinks that all is fear is apt to see much fear, and will be brought into contact with others who will seem to prove his theory. And the man who looks for good in everything and everybody will be likely to attract to himself the things and people corresponding to his thought. We generally see that for which we look.

We receive only that which corresponds to our mental attunement. If we have been discouraged, we have dropped into a negative key, and have been affected not only by our own thoughts but have also received the added depressing thoughts of all the others around d us who have not yet learned the law of attraction in the thought world. We recognize this without much trouble when we come in personal contact with people and feel their vibrations.

When your mind is operating along positive lines you feel strong, cheerful, happy, confident and courageous, you can do your work well, and you progress on your road to health.

In some persons the positive element seems to predominate, and in others the negative quality seems to be more in evidence. When two people first meet there is generally a silent mental conflict in which their respective minds test their mental quality, and fix their relative position toward each other. This process is mostly unconscious, but it occurs nevertheless. The adjustment is often automatic, but occasionally the struggle is so sharp - the opponents being so well matched - that the matter forces itself into the consciousness of the two people.

We are positive or negative to everyone with whom we relate. We may be positive to our children, our employees and dependents, but we are at the same time negative to others to whom we occupy inferior positions, or whom we have allowed to assert themselves over us.

Remember you possess the power to raise your mind to a positive pitch by an effort of will. And, it is equally true that you may allow yourself to drop into a low, negative note by carelessness or a weak will.