The Game of Life
“I have a wonderful work in a wonderful way, I do wonderful service for wonderful pay!”
Have you ever seen these words before? If you attributed them to Louise L. Hay, you would not be far off the mark, but they are actually a famous affirmation quote from the book, “The Game of Life”, by Florence Scovel Shinn (1871 – 1940). Ms. Shinn, who became a prominent New Thought spiritual leader and teacher in her middle-aged years, was noted for her down-to-earth and practical delivery of success principals. It is a book that helps people achieve prosperity through knowledge of spiritual law.
You may or may not have heard of Florence Scovel Shinn, but you might be familiar with Louise L. Hay (1926-2017). She was an icon of the late twentieth century and one of the founders of that era of the self-help movement. She transformed her own life struggles by training herself to focus her mind on positivity and creating positive affirmations as tools to change her life. At one time she battled her own cancer by creating an intensive program of visualization, self-affirmation, health-hygienic nutrition, and therapy. She is best known for her first best-selling book, “You Can Heal Your Life”, published in 1984.
According the Ms. Shinn: “The object of the game of life is to see clearly one’s good and to obliterate all mental pictures of evil. This must be done by impressing the subconscious mind with a realization of good”. In other words, not only is it important to stay focused on what you want to manifest in your life, you must also have tools for blocking out the negative thoughts that we humans are so prone to dwell upon. This is very close to the body of work created by Louise L. Hay, who encouraged people to speak kindly and positively to themselves.
The following is a quote from Ms. Hay’s Facebook page (posted about a year before her death) in reference to having been inspired by the work of Florence Scovel Shinn. “Although Ms. Shinn died in 1940, I have long felt a kinship with her. I first came across her work in 1972 as I was beginning my own exploration of the metaphysical world, and I have been enamored of her ever since. I resonated with her no-nonsense way of writing—her words spoke to me, and I became a devoted follower. I often quoted her affirmations and shared them with my own students.”
Another thing that Louise L. Hay and Florence Scovel Shinn have in common is that they both self-published their first book as they could neither one find a publisher, and both went on to successful careers! And, for all of you astrology enthusiasts out there, they were both sun-sign Libras!
I would highly recommend any of the works of either of these amazing women. Louise L. Hay went on to write many other books and eventually founded a publishing empire focused on healing and self-improvement. If you have never clicked on the Hay House website, by all means check it out! The writings of Florence Scovel Shinn (she wrote a number of other books in the same vein as The Game of Life) are still in print today and can be easily found on Amazon. In the meantime, hats off to you as you pursue your wonderful work in a wonderful way – for wonderful pay!
