Cherish your thoughts
“Cherish your visions; cherish your ideals; cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts, for out of them will grow all delightful conditions, all, heavenly environment; of these, if you but remain true to them, your world will at last be built.”
— James Allen
Reflection
James Allen urges us to “cherish your thoughts,” because what you treasure in the secret place of your mind eventually appears in the visible details of your life. We take great care with our possessions and our appearance, yet often allow our thinking to wander unchecked through some very dark neighborhoods.
To cherish something is to guard it, value it, and handle it with intention. When you cherish your thoughts, you stop entertaining every passing fear or grievance as if it deserves a permanent seat at your table. You become choosier about what you dwell on, because you understand that your inner focus will become your outer direction.
Think about the thoughts you repeatedly return to when you are alone. Are they mainly resentments, worries, and criticisms, or are they gratitude, trust, and creative ideas? The answer to that question explains far more about your experience of life than the circumstances you are facing today.
Cherishing your thoughts does not mean pretending everything is fine. It means refusing to let your mental world be taken over by whatever is loudest, angriest, or most fearful. You become the curator of your inner gallery, allowing in what is beautiful, true, and good—and gently escorting out what poisons your peace. Over time, that quiet mental stewardship reshapes your character and your future.
And that’s worth thinking about.
— Vic Johnson
Putting It Into Practice
- Take five minutes today to notice your most common recurring thoughts and write them down without editing.
- Circle the thoughts that are toxic or unhelpful, and consciously replace each one with a higher, truer alternative.
- Choose one life‑giving thought—a promise of God, a vision, or a gratitude—and return to it several times throughout the day.
One Question To Ponder
If your life naturally grew in the direction of your most cherished thoughts, where would you be headed right now?
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