“Doing Your Will”, Jack Parsons
What are the obstacles to the attainment of the Will? There are many, but they may be grouped into certain primary divisions. And the name of every one of them is FEAR.
- Fear of Incompetence
"I would like to, but I could never do it."
This is the flimsiest of excuses; — a narcissistic pap poisoning creation at its source. Confidence, enthusiasm, belief and egotism are the roots of creation.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.
That is the first rule. Humility can come later. Applaud yourself to yourself. Be proud — you are unique, and marvelously made. There is none other like you.
- Fear of the Opinion of Others
"What would people say?"
What people? What would they say? To hell with them. Every genius that lighted the world has outraged public opinion. Do you fear that pack of cards?
BE YOURSELF.
Be true to yourself; be honest; enjoy yourself; go your own way, the way of the stars.
- Fear of Hurting Others
"Mother wouldn't want me to — !”
Are you yourself or another? Whose life do you live? To whom are you responsible? Who is your master? Shall we ban cigarettes because they make Mrs. Grundy cough, hang lumber dealers because Christ was crucified, and rend Edison because Johnny was electrocuted?
Does it kill mother when you stay out until one? Is hubby so dreadfully hurt over that flirtation, and wifey in tears about the blonde? This is a subtle device of the slave master: “Do what I say or I'll feel badly."
EXPRESS YOURSELF.
Live your own life- follow your own star. As the Bible has it: “Forsake your father and mother.” “Let the dead bury the dead.” “Let the sick tend the sick.” But follow yourself, and no other christ or god. You are sufficient; you justify yourself; you
are your own reason:
THERE IS NO MORE NEEDED.
You should be polite about it; you may even be gentle about it. Wanton hurt is needless and gains nothing; but inner, inflexible strength, terribly gentle in its own right of expression, can and must follow its own Will as surely as a star follows its own orbit, undeterred and undisturbed by the wailing of inhabitants of minor satellites.
- Fear of Insecurity
"I might lose my job."
This is the most paltry, the most despicable of the excuses — this slavish whine for daily bread: "Anything you say, masters. I'll be good; just feed me!"
HAVE FORTITUDE.
Be courageous, and the adventure of Life is yours. Failure — can there be an ultimate failure where manhood is sustained? Is not any failure in freedom better than any success in the Slave Pen?
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