The Game Of Life

Florence Scovel Shinn, born September 24, 1871, in Camden, New Jersey and died October 17, 1940. She was an American artist and book illustrator who became a New Thought spiritual teacher, metaphysical writer, and one of the first motivational writers of her time. She was educated in Philadelphia where she attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and there she met her future husband, the artist Everett Shinn (1876-1953). After getting married, they moved into a studio apartment at Waverly Place, near Washington Square, New York. Everett built a theatre next door, and wrote three plays in which Florence played a leading role. Everett Shinn became known as a member of the Ashcan School of Art, and Florence worked as an illustrator. They got divorced in 1912. Her metaphysical works began with her self-published book (The Game of Life and How to Play it) in 1925. Your Word is Your Wand was published in 1928 and The Secret Door to Success in 1940. 'The Game of Life and How to Play it' is one of her most influential book, and includes quotes from the Bible and anecdotal explanations of the author's understanding of God and man. Her philosophy centers on the power of positive thought and usually includes instructions for verbal or physical affirmation. Shinn expressed her philosophy as: The invisible forces are ever working for man who is always 'pulling the strings' himself, though he does not know it. Owing to the vibratory power of words, whatever man voices, he begins to attract.