A DEFINITE CHIEF AIM 159air the necessary materials out of which to grow an oak tree. It never
grows a tree that is part oak and part poplar.
Every grain of wheat that is planted in the soil attracts the mater-
ials out of which to grow a stalk of wheat. It never makes a mistake and
grows both oats and wheat on the same stalk.
People, too, are subject to this same law of attraction. Go into any
cheap boardinghouse district in any city and there you will find people
of the same general trend of mind associated together. Or go into any
prosperous community and there you will also find people of the same
general tendencies associated together. Those who are successful always
seek the company of others who are successful; those who are on the
ragged side of life always seek the company of those who are in similar
circumstances. "Misery loves company:'
Water seeks its level with no finer certainty than we all seek the
company of those who occupy our own general status financially and
mentally. A Yale University professor and an illiterate hobo have noth-
ing in common. They would be miserable if thrown together for any
length of time. Oil and water will mix about as readily as will people
who have nothing in common.
All of which leads up to this: You will attract to you people who
harmonize with your own philosophy of life, whether you wish it or not.
This being true, can you not see now the importance of vitalizing your
mind with a Definite Chief Aim that will attract to you people who will
be of help to you and not a hindrance? Suppose your Definite Chief
Aim is far above your present station in life. What of it? It is your
privilege-in fact it is your duty-to aim high in life. You owe it to
yourself, and to the community in which you live, to set a high stan-
dard for yourself
There is much evidence to justify the belief that nothing, within
reason, is beyond the possibility of attainment by the person whose
Definite Chief Aim has been well developed. Some years ago, Louis
Victor Eytinge was given a life sentence in the Arizona penitentiary.