Edgar Cayce Readings, 1264-2

([1264] who is desirous of getting settled for his life's work or calling and requests the Forces to guide and direct him as to proper channel for his activities. Please advise what he is best fitted for and how to proceed to attain this success.)

TEXT

EC: Yes, we have the body, [1264], and those conditions and circumstances that confront the body at this time.
In considering that as we find that would be advisable for the body, [1264] at this time, those activities, those conditions and circumstances that have apparently and in fact been about the activities of the body, as we find these have only in part been in keeping with that as might be if the applications were made in the right direction.
First, there must be a consideration of self, of the circumstances, of the conditions that have been brought about by those apparent misfortunes, those apparent "bad breaks" as might be called. And self must analyze self and self's abilities, self's purposes - and these unless they are set in an ideal that is of a nature founded upon that which is of a constructive nature, must eventually come to naught.
Take in consideration, then, self, self's obligations, self's uprisings and downsittings, self's faults. DO NOT CONDEMN OTHERS! Do not attempt to JUST GET BY! HAVE an ideal! HAVE a purposefulness in that the body would go about.
We do not find the body mentally or physically, or from the better abilities of the body, gifted in the direction of a commercial salesman of ANY type - as for the BEST activities.
That as we find which would be best, when the body has analyzed self, when the body has made its determinations - and lives and acts towards them in a way that is in keeping for constructive forces, would be for the body to prepare self through those agencies of those activities that make for the preparations associated with hotels, activities in keeping with same; as floor clerk, as manager. As an active force in those directions would there be the better ways and manners, the better abilities, the better associations and connections for the activities of this body.
But none of these, none of those abilities are to be considered as HANDED the body. There MUST be the EXPENDING of self in preparation.
Through such as the Lewis Hotel agencies, connections and associations, a preparation may be made.
These as we find then would offer for this body at the present time the better channels of activity.
Ready for questions.
(Q) What city - N.Y. or Cleveland - should I plan to live?
(A) Let this rather be as an outcome of the preparations, and the places, ways and manners as we find in a much smaller place than either of these would be the more preferable - that the body may physically, mentally, spiritually, MATERIALLY, come to KNOW the value of time, the value of associations, the value of effort put forth, the value of opportunities; and as has been given, to USE and apply these rather than be dependent upon others.
(Q) Considering my health, would outside employment or inside employment be best for me?
(A) Inside, as we find.
(Q) Is my mental attitude proper and conducive to success?
(A) If it had been, would there have been the failures as there have been?
(Q) How can I improve it?
(A) As has been indicated. Set a standard. Set an ideal and not in an individual nor in material things, but rather in constructive or spiritual things.
(Q) What is my best channel to obtain work that is suited to me mentally and physically?
(A) As has been indicated.
(Q) Have I sufficient ability to become an executive?
(A) If applied in the proper CHANNELS and ways and manners, this would be an outcome.
(Q) What advice will improve me so I can finally reach an important position?
(A) SELF and self's relationships to Creative Forces as applied in its dealings with its fellow man! These are in a broad sense; and specific are as has been indicated. Analyze self, self's faults and self's shortcomings, and know what IDEALS are in these directions, morally, mentally, spiritually!
(Q) Is there any business I could or should go into with a nominal investment?
(A) Rather in that line as has been indicated would we find be the better activities.
(Q) Why haven't I been successful in my past positions?
(A) The attitude, as has been indicated.
(Q) What should my earning capacity be if I get associated as advised?
(A) That has been too much of the attitude. THAT thou dealest, that thou puttest into thine activity, physically, mentally, spiritually! KNOW that Creative Forces and Energies are POSITIVE; while the body in its mental, in its material attitude has been negative. These then must be not "How much may I get?" but "How much may I give?" For only that an individual GIVES AWAY does the individual REALLY have!
(Q) When will I be able to marry?
(A) It should NEVER marry with this attitude nor with these conditions! In the next three to six years if the proper application is made of self.
(Q) Are my present social connections the proper ones?
(A) Not altogether.
(Q) Is my physical condition of an hereditary nature?
(A) These are rather MENTAL, and the mental is as has been indicated TRYING to GET BY and condemning someone else! An excuse to JUSTIFY self! to justify self for its attitude and its action, and it has sought the more oft to gratify self's own MATERIAL desires!
(Q) When will I be able to make my business connection that will start me right?
(A) You can make same just as soon as the application is made!
(Q) I am anxious to make good -
(A) (Interrupting) Then APPLY SELF! APPLY self in the manner indicated! Make the spiritual life a PRACTICAL application of thine activities towards thy fellow man. Not how much I can get out of this or that, but how well, how much and in what manner may I serve my fellow man the best? Unless this attitude, the end will not be so well.
We are through for the present.
Copy to Self
Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

See 1264-1.