At this time of year many reviews are written and many plans and resolutions are made. Business and government examine the successes and failures of the past year and present new goals and programs for the year ahead.
Frequent examination of our work and the setting of new and higher objectives are as essential to progress Spiritward as they are in human character. Thus we harvest the fruitage of past efforts, sift the chaff from the wheat, and prepare the garden of thought for a new crop. Mrs. Eddy writes, "We should examine ourselves and learn what is the affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way only can we learn what we honestly are."Science and Health, p. 8; This examination is often accomplished best by our conscientiously reviewing past experiences.
Probably the most difficult errors to uproot are those having their cause in thoughts that are seemingly unimportant and humanly understandable, such as calling attention to others' faults, finding excuses for our own faults, being habitually pessimistic, or indulging in what appear to be innocent little superstitions. Our family and friends may see these tendencies in us more clearly than we do ourselves, and they can help us review our experiences and perhaps point out "the little foxes"S. of Sol. 2:15; that may have hindered our progress.
