As all training is a reaching upward towards an ideal so an exercise is
a single step and the first exercise should be the most primary action.
The primary condition of all growth is a certain joyous awakening, an
expansive enjoyment of life.
Take a joyous thought and express it in active laughter.
No matter how dull or weary you feel when you first awake, joyously
accept the new day. Use the following exercises and actions as you would
a cold wet towel on your face or hands. Look on the sunny side at once
and laugh. We can possess a feeling only by expressing it; we enter into
possession of the day only by using it.
It is easy to look at the light, easy to breathe, easy to stretch, to
expand, easy to remember something joyous, easy to smile and easy to
laugh.
If your body feels weak and sluggish, and you have great indifference to
movement there is all the more reason for promptness. If you will
joyously extend your arms, expand, breathe deeply and laugh, you welcome
life and joy and give them a chance to take possession of your being and
body and you will soon feel courageous instead of gloomy, strong instead
of weak, rested instead of weary.
None of these exercises require a great expenditure of vitality.
Performed, as many of them are, lying down, however energetically you
may do them they will bring little or no weariness. Though the exercises
do not require much vitality they should be practiced vigorously to
accomplish the best results.