Text of the meditation
By submitting to a bad habit, one forfeits the right to rule over oneself. Whoever thus avoids self-discipline, and looks about for some "occult secrets" for gaining will-power at the expenditure of little or no effort on their own part, is deluding themselves, and is weakening the willpower they already possess.
The strength of will that is gained by success in overcoming bad habits enables one to initiate good habits; for, while the conquering of a bad habit requires merely strength of purpose, the forming of a new one requires the intelligent direction of purpose. To do this, a person must be mentally active and energetic, and must keep a constant watch upon themselves.
Thoroughness is a step in the development of the will that cannot be passed over. Slipshod work is an indication of weakness.
James Allen (1864–1912), Book of Meditations for Every Day in the Year (1913) – public-domain text, gently modernised.
The original 1913 text is in the public domain.