ONE or more times each year the businessman checks the stock and supplies at his place of business, rearranging the various items with a view to greater orderliness and more definite knowledge of what he has on hand. He places his choice merchandise where it will be seen at an advantage, reduces prices on certain goods for quick disposal, and discards valueless articles that fill needed space. In a similar way does the housewife clear her home of useless accumulations of household goods that clutter and sometimes even threaten the safety of her loved ones. She cleans and polishes cherished possessions that they may give greater service and enjoyment, and takes note of other items she needs to procure to add to the harmony of her home. The businessman and the housewife are both, in their respective ways, taking inventory of material possessions.
Of even greater importance to every man, woman, and child is the taking of inventory of his mental possessions, for it is in these mental households that each one lives constantly. One may spend only a specified number of hours daily in business or the home, and be absent on special days, such as Sundays and holidays. But our mental home, our consciousness, is ever with us.
Let us examine the contents of this home. Turning the searchlight of spiritual understanding on it, we may find many cobwebs of dreamy apathy, stumbling blocks of self-will, dark corners of fear, cluttered rubbish of confusion and indecision, and grimy windowpanes of self-interest and indolence. We also may find there treasures that we had all but forgotten we possessed, which need only to be brought forth and put into use to bring us and others needed help and untold joy. Such treasures as unselfishness, kindly interest in our neighbor's welfare, helpfulness in church and community activities, courage and resourcefulness in meeting difficulties, gratitude for good received, and many others, need to be kept bright and polished through use.
