As you can see by the header pic, I’m currently reading a book called “The Game of Life and How to Play It.” I heard about it several months ago–I can’t remember where or how–and, intrigued, I decided to place a hold on it at the Vancouver Public Library. Surprisingly, there were about 8 people ahead of me waiting for the thing, and I only just managed to get my hands on it last week.
(As an aside: ever since stupidly majoring in English two decades ago and being forced to read endless novels every week that did nothing for me, I have never really picked up a work of fiction since.)
This was written in the 1920s by a woman named Florence Scovel Shinn, who was an artist and illustrator in the USA. After writing this self-published book, which was her first, she became a very popular writer, lecturer, and spiritual mentor. At its core, it is a dissection of our conscious, subconscious, and superconscious minds, and how to not only wield control over them, but also how to ensure we can use them to shape our existence. She provides guidance on how to elevate our thoughts and perspectives to those of nothing but positivity and prosperity, ultimately affecting every area of our lives.
Honestly, one has nothing to lose by doing this, and I can understand why so many people sought out this simple publication to get some control over their negative, possibly poisonous and self-sabotaging psychological composition. Folks from 100 years ago right through to the present day have clamoured for her words and overarching message, and it’s this very book that apparently made her quite famous.
Sounds like a woo-woo precursor to New Ageism, and it sort of is, but I don’t see the harm in honing in your subconscious–which she describes as a silent companion only doing its bidding–into a powerful, productive force for personal advancement in all corners and avenues of your day-to-day life. It is an intriguing and quick read, although I can only handle a couple of short chapters at a time; some of it takes a while to digest or accept.
I do somewhat believe in the laws of attraction and intention, but I will always have trouble believing that “Christ” is a saviour. She mentions the word, or the name, a few times in this book, and my instinct whenever this happens is to…well, not exactly recoil, but glaze over.
I believe in God–which, to me, is a perfect intergalactic source of energy, creativity, and fulfillment rather than some hirsute Biblical guy–but I always go blank when talk of Jesus Christ comes up. This is not to say that I condemn those for whom the idea of Christ provides solace, but rather, it is just not my thing at all.
Anyway, an interesting read. I was also delighted to find that some lovely soul had stuck a Post-It note onto the inside of the back cover, which read:
THE MAGIC PATH OF INTUITION–Florence Scovel Shinn @ VPL.ca is also a gem!
Thanks, kind reader. I also put that one on hold. Nice to know there are plenty of people around who are working to change their thoughts and, thusly, change their lives. Maybe it will spark a desperately-needed global trend. Miserable people with negative thoughts always, and I mean 100% of the time, lead miserable and negative lives. This is not even speculation; this is stone-cold fact.
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