Florence Scovel Shinn

The Secret Door to Success & the Game of Life Florence Scovel Shinn

Florence Scovel Shinn (September 24, 1871 ? October 17, 1940) was an American artist and book illustrator who became a New Thought spiritual teacher and metaphysical writer in her middle years. In New Thought circles, she is best known for her first book, The Game of Life and How to Play It (1925). 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. Her metaphysical works began with her self-published 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 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. A typical Scovel Shinn piece of advice would be "It is safe to say that all sickness and unhappiness come from the violation of the law of love. A new commandment I give unto you, 'Love one another,' and in the Game of Life, love or good-will takes every trick." Cover photography by Paul Spremulli.