It is so easy to say to others, or to ourselves, Keep happy. But _how_
keep happy?
Here are a few out of many helps.
People will ask, “What about trying circumstances? How can we keep
happy under, or in them, whether they be past or present or future?”
I was much struck by a phrase in a little book I read some time ago. It
described how someone, who was going to an unpleasant interview, was
told:--“Go to the man, taking God with you.” A good piece of general
advice is to welcome the circumstances as one would welcome either a
strong opponent or a severe handicap at a game--namely, as a privilege
and an occasion for bringing out (as a great player said) “one’s best
game.” I think a “handicap” is an excellent description. For what true
sportsman resents a handicap?
Turn the Mind to Blessings,
or think of your own blessings, not only in the past, but also in the
present. Think of all the conveniences of civilisation. Then, if you
like, contrast the hardships of primitive times--with no books, no
travelling facilities, no sanitation!
Think of blessings, and keep happy.
Think of the blessings of others. Anything is better than giving
attention to supposed injuries and hardships, and to sorrows, and
resenting or bemoaning them.
or to Reasoning
When things seem amiss, then is _the_ time to give all your thoughts
the upward direction. Keep happy. Hold on to Happiness, not like grim
death but like irrepressible life.
Remember that “everything serves _some_ useful purpose.” If you refuse
to keep happy, at least determine to find out the useful purpose. But,
as soon as you can, come back to yourself, and keep happy.