MENTAL ATTITUDE.
On mental questions there is a wide divergence of opinion. At one
extreme some say that all is mind, at the other, that life is entirely
physical, that the mind is but a refined part of the body. Most of us
recognize both body and mind, and realize that life has a physical
basis. If some are pleased to be known as mental phenomena, no harm is
done.
All desire to make a success of life. What would be a success for one
would be a failure for another. It all depends on the point of view.
Broadly speaking, all are successful who are helpful, whether it be in
furnishing pleasure or necessities to others. The humble may be as
successful as the great, yes even more so.
Wealth and success are not synonymous, as many think. Among the failures
must be counted many of the wealthy. Financial success is not real
success unless it has been gained in return for valuable service. The
men of initiative deserve greater rewards than the plodders and these
rewards are cheerfully given.
A little genuine love and affection can bring more beauty and happiness
into life than wealth, and neither can be bought with money.
The best and most satisfying form of success comes to him who helps
himself by helping others. "It is more blessed to give than to receive,"
has passed into common currency; but the more we give the more we
receive. He who loves attracts love. He who hates is repaid in kind. "He
who lives by the sword shall perish by the sword."
The enjoyment of the fruits of one's labor is a part of success. Some
make a fetish of success and thus lose out. Others are so ambitious that
in their striving they forget to live. A little ambition is good; too
much sows the seed of struggle, strife and discontent and defeats its
own ends. Those who do evil because the end justifies the means have
already buried some of the best that is in them.
To enjoy life, health of body and mind is necessary. The mind can not
come to full fruitage without a good body. Those who strive so hard to
reach a certain goal that they neglect the physical become wrecks and
after a few years of discomfort and disease are consigned to premature
graves. Through proper living and thinking the body and mind are built
up, not only enough to meet ordinary demands upon them, but
extraordinary ones. In other words, it is within our power to have a
large margin, balance or reserve of physical and mental force.
To make the meaning clearer let us illustrate financially: Prudent
people lay aside a few dollars from time to time, in a savings bank, for
instance. All goes well and the savings grow. At last there are one
thousand dollars. Now an emergency arises, and if the saver can not
furnish nine hundred dollars he will lose his home. In this case he must
either borrow or use his reserve, so he takes nine hundred dollars from
the savings bank and keeps his home. The improvident man loses his home
under similar circumstances, for his credit is not good and he has no
balance to draw upon.
And it is the same with physical and mental powers, except that we can
not borrow these, no matter how much good will or credit we may have. He
who lives well is accumulating a reserve. He has a wide margin. If
trouble comes he can draw upon his reserve energy or surplus resistance
and bridge it over. He may be tired out, but he escapes with body and
mind intact.
The imprudent liver generally has such a narrow margin that any
extraordinary demand made upon him breaks him down. It is very common
for men to die after a financial failure. Disease, insanity and death
often follow family trouble or the loss of a dear one. The reason is
that such people live up to their limit every day. They have no margin
to work on. They either overdo or underdo and fail to become balanced.
Then a little physical or mental exertion beyond the ordinary often
means a breakage or extinction.
Equanimity and moderation will help to build up the reserve and give the
resistance that is necessary to cope successfully with the unforeseen
difficulties that we sometimes have to surmount.
The physical state depends largely on the mental state and vice versa.
Body and mind react upon each other. Bad blood does not only cause
abnormal functioning of such organs as the heart, liver, kidneys and
lungs, but it interferes with the normal functioning of the brain. It
diminishes the mental output and causes a deterioration of the quality.
An engorged liver makes a man cranky. Indigestion causes pessimism.
Physical pain is so disturbing that the sufferer thinks mostly of
himself and is unable to perform his work well. We never do our best
when self-conscious. If there is severe pain the mind can perform no
useful labor.
On the other hand, anger stops digestion and poisons the secretions of
the body. Worry does the same. It takes the mind from constructive
thoughts and deeds and centers it upon ourselves. An effective mind must
be tranquil, otherwise it upsets the body and fails to give proper
direction to our activities.
For a real life success we need a proper perspective. We need to be
balanced, poised, adjusted. Most of us are too circumscribed mentally.
We live so much by and for ourselves that we consider ourselves,
individually, of greater importance than the facts warrant. Others do
not agree with us on this point, and this is a source of disturbance. I
am personally acquainted with two surgeons and several physicians who
think they are the greatest in the world, and one considers himself the
best physician of all time. The rest of the world does not appraise them
so highly, and some of these professional men are very much annoyed
because of this lack of appreciation.
Selfishness and self-esteem to a certain point are virtues. Beyond that
point they become vices. Certainly we should think well of ourselves,
and then act so that this good opinion is merited. Self-interest and
selfishness are the main-springs of progress. Most of us need some
inducement to do good work. It is well that it is so. The ones who
deserve the great rewards generally get them, whether they are mental or
physical.
To obtain a proper perspective of ourselves we must learn to think
independently and honestly. It is too common to be conventionally
honest, but dishonest with ourselves. It is too common to pass unnoticed
in ourselves the faults we condemn in others. We should be lenient in
our judgment because often the mistakes that others make would have been
ours had we but had the opportunity to make them.
As physical ills are principally caused by bad physical habits, so are
mental ills and inefficiency chiefly due to various bad mental habits,
which are allowed to fasten themselves upon us. These will be briefly
discussed so as to focus attention upon them, for the first thing
necessary for the correction of a bad habit is to recognize its
presence. It is as important to think right as it is to give the body
proper care. A good body with a mind working in the wrong direction is
of no use. If we allow our minds to be disturbed and distressed by every
little unfavorable happening, we shall never have enough tranquility to
think well.
The proper time to quit our bad habits is now. Why wait until the first
of the month or the first of the year? Every day that we harbor a bad
habit it grows greater and strikes deeper and stronger roots. A child
one year old can often be broken of a bad habit in a week; a child of
three, within a month; a child of six, within a few months; but let the
habit grow until the age of twenty, and it may take a year or more to
break the bonds. Let it continue until the age of thirty, and the victim
will say, "I can quit any time," but the chances are that the habit will
remain for life. After the individual is fifty or sixty years old, he is
rarely capable of changing. If he is the victim of a very bad habit, it
has generally so sapped his strength of body and mind that he is unable
to break away.
The right time to stop bad habits is now.
Some people have many pet bad habits. It is often the best policy to
attack them one at a time. Those who try to conquer all at once often
fail. They backslide, lose self-confidence, become discouraged, tell
themselves that it is no use, for it can not be done. Begin with the
habit that is least formidable. After this is conquered, overcome
another one, and in time most of the bad habits will be subdued. The
first conquest builds confidence, and with confidence and determination
it is possible to gain self-mastery in time.
The greatest evil about bad habits is that they conquer us. They become
masters, we slaves. Let us be free. "He who conquers himself is greater
than he who taketh a city."
The mind grows strong by overcoming obstacles, as the body gains in
strength through work and exercise.
Giving up bad habits is very disagreeable at first. Those who have
conquered the prevalent habit of overeating know that they have been in
a fight. The smokers who quit suffer. Those who break away from liquor
have a much greater struggle. Those who attempt to overcome drug
addictions suffer the tortures of the damned. Those who overcome their
bad mental habits have a hard time of it at first, but though it is
difficult it is possible. It is no easy matter to curb a fiery
disposition or to quit worrying. It requires time, persistence and
perseverance. Fretting, envy, spite, jealousy and hatred are tenacious
tenants of the mind they occupy. These harmful emotions are enemies
which sap our strength and we must thrust them from our lives if we
would live well. This is not all narrow selfishness, for when we have
gained mental calm for ourselves we are in position to impart peace of
mind to others and to be more useful than previously. A calm mind is not
a stagnant one. It is a mind that is in the best possible condition to
work, to think clearly and effectively.
_Self-pity_ is a very common mental ill. Those who suffer much from this
affliction usually have very good imagination. They think they are
slighted and abused. They know that they do not get their dues. They
envy others and are sure that others prosper at their expense. They
minimize their blessings and magnify their misfortunes. This state of
mind leads to spite and malice. These people become very nervous and
irritable and are a nuisance, not only to themselves, but to those who
are unfortunate enough to have to associate with them.
_Self-consciousness_ and _self-centeredness_ are twin evils. The
sufferers lack perspective. They magnify their own importance. They
believe they are the targets of many other minds and eyes. The youth
refuses to take a dip in the ocean because he knows that the rest of the
people on the beach are watching his spindle shanks or perhaps the
bathing suit would reveal his narrow, undeveloped chest. The young man
is afraid to go onto the dance floor because everybody is sure to see
his ungainly gyrations. He stammers and stutters when he speaks because
others are paying particular attention to his words, when in truth he is
attracting little or no attention. Whether working or playing, those
whose good opinions are worth having are too busy to spend much time in
finding fault with others and discovering flaws that do not concern
them. More enjoyment is to be had in looking at fine physiques and
graceful movements than in watching the less favored.
We always do our best when we are natural. When we become self-conscious
we become artificial and awkward. We can not even breathe properly.
Those who are ever thinking about themselves fail to do things well
enough to hold sustained attention, even if they are able to gain it for
a while. Those who do their work well will in time gain the attention
and appreciation they require. No one can long occupy a high place in
the public heart without adding to the profit or pleasure of the world.
Here is a good line of thought for those who are too self-centered and
self-important: "There are millions of solar systems in the universe,
some of them much greater than ours. There are uncounted planets in
space, beside some of which our little earth is a mere toy. Some of
these planets are doubtless inhabited. Even on this small earth there
are over a billion people. I am one in a number so great that my mind
can not grasp such a multitude. Countless billions have gone before and
they got along very well before I was born. Countless billions will live
and die after I have passed on, and if they hear of me it will probably
be by accident. And so it will be for ages and ages, so extensive that
my brain can not grasp the stretch of time, which is without beginning
and without end. How much do I, individually, amount to?"
And an honest answer _must_ be, "Personally I am of very small
importance."
An individual can not live of himself, for himself and by himself. Only
as he adds his efforts to those of others does his work count. When we
realize that we are but atoms in this vast universe, we get down to a
business basis. Then it is easy to get adjusted. In order to count at
all we must be in harmony with some of the rest of the atoms and when we
discover this we are in a mental state to be of some real use. Building
for individual glory is vanity. Sometimes an individual builds so well
that he is picked out for special attention and honor, but this is
comparatively seldom. As a rule, we can only help a little in shaping
the ends of the race by adding our mite, as privates in the ranks. The
time we spend in nursing our conceit is wasted.
This does not mean that we are worms in the dust. A human being is a
paradox. He is so little, yet he has great possibilities. Our bodies are
kept close to the earth, but our minds can be free and unfettered,
soaring through time and space, exploring innumerable worlds of thought.
But it will not do to be too self-centered or consider one's self of too
great importance, for this lessens one's chances of meriting the esteem
of others.
The well balanced man is not greatly affected by too great praise or
excessive censure, for he realizes that though the public may be hasty
and unjust at times, in the end it renders a fairly just verdict.
_Fear_ is one of the harmful negative or depressing emotions. Fear, like
all other depressing emotions, poisons the body. This is not said in a
figurative sense. It is an actual scientific fact; it has been
demonstrated chemically. Were it not for the fact that the lungs, skin,
kidneys and the bowels are constantly removing poisons from the body, an
acute attack of fear would prove fatal.
Fear or fright is largely a habit. The parents are often responsible for
this affliction. It is far too common for them to scare their children.
They people the darkness with all kinds of danger and with horrible
shapes, and the children, with their vivid imaginations, magnify these.
Children should be taught to meet all conditions in life courageously
and fear should not be instilled into their minds. There is a great deal
of difference between fear and the caution which all must learn or
perish early.
The caution that is implanted in the human breast is our heritage from
the ages and works for our preservation. It was necessary during the
infancy of the race when man had to struggle with the animals for
supremacy. Beyond this point fear is a health-destroyer.
There are people who cultivate fear until they imagine they are ever in
danger. They fear that they may lose their health, their mind, their
good name. Some are afraid of many things. Others have one pet fear.
Today the fear of the unseen is strong in the public mind. I refer to
the fear of germs, those tiny plants which are so small that the unaided
eye can not see them. Children are shown moving pictures of these tiny
beings, enormously enlarged and very formidable in appearance. They are
told to beware, for these germs are in our food, in our drink, on the
earth, in the air, in fact everywhere that man lives.
It is very harmful to scare the young thus, for it inhibits physical
action and stunts the mind. How much better it would be to teach the
children these truths about the germs: "Yes, there are germs in our
foods and beverages. They are on the earth, in the water and in the air.
They are necessary for our existence. If we take good care of our bodies
and direct our minds in proper channels, these germs will not, in fact,
can not harm us. If we do not take care of ourselves, but allow our
bodies to fill with debris, the germs try to clean this away; they
multiply and grow into great armies while doing it, for they thrive on
waste. It is our fault, not the fault of the germs, that we allow our
bodies to degenerate. The germs are our good friends and if we treat
ourselves properly they will do all they can to help keep the water, the
earth and the air in fit condition for our use."
Such teachings have the advantage of being true. They are helpful and
healthful. The popular teachings are disease-producing. The mental
depression and bodily inhibition caused by fear are injurious. Those who
fear a certain kind of disease often bring this ill upon themselves, so
powerful is suggestion. The fear is more dangerous than the thing
feared.
In fear there is loss of both physical and mental power. Not only the
voluntary muscles become impotent, but the involuntary ones lose in
effectiveness. Digestion is partly or wholly suspended. "Scared stiff"
is a popular and truthful expression. The bodily rhythm is lost, the
breathing becomes jerky and the heart beats out of tune.
Keep fear out of the lives of babes. If children are taught the truth,
there will be little fear in adult minds. Children should not be taught
prayers in which there is an element of fear. It is much better to bring
children up to love other people and God than to fear.
Those who have cultivated fear should try suggestion. Positive
suggestion is always best. Let them analyze matters thus: "I have feared
daily and nightly. Nothing has happened. I have brought much unnecessary
discomfort upon myself. There is nothing to fear and I shall be brave
hereafter." Those who fear God have a low conception of Him. Let them
remember the beautiful saying that "God is love." Through repeating them
often enough, such positive suggestions sink so deeply into the mind
that they replace doubts and fears.
About 2500 years ago Pythagoras wrote: "Hate and fear breed a poison in
the blood, which, if continued, affect eyes, ears, nose and the organs
of digestion. Therefore, it is not wise to hear and remember the unkind
things that others may say of us." Pythagoras was an ancient
philosopher, but his words express modern scientific truths.
_Worry_: Worrying is perhaps the most common and the worst of our
mental sins. Worry is like a cancer: It eats in and in. It is
destructive of both body and mind. It is due largely to lack of
self-control and is a symptom of cowardice. Much worry is also
indicative of great selfishness, which most of those afflicted will
deny. Those who worry much are always in poor health, which grows
progressively worse. The form of indigestion accompanied by great
acidity and gas formation is a prolific source of worry, as well as of
other mental and physical troubles. The acidity irritates the nervous
system and the irritation in time causes mental depression.
Confirmed worriers will worry about the weather, the past, the present,
the future, about work and about play, about food, clothing and drink,
about those who are present and those who are absent. Nothing escapes
them and they bring sadness and woe in their wake.
Worrying is slow suicide.
Elbert Hubbard says that our most serious troubles are those that never
happen.
Worrying is a very futile employment, for it never does any good, and it
reacts evilly upon the one who indulges in it, and those with whom he
associates. It is a waste of time and energy. The energy thus used could
be directed into useful channels.
Let those who are afflicted with this bad and annoying habit get into
good physical condition. Then many of the worries will take wing. If
they persist, it would be well to face the matter frankly and honestly,
setting down the advantages of worrying on one side and the
disadvantages on the other. Then take into consideration that not one
thing in a thousand worried about happens, and if something disagreeable
does occur, worrying can not prevent it. Besides a disagreeable
happening now and then will not cause half of the discomfort and trouble
that a disturbed mind does.
"And this too shall pass away," is an ancient saying which it would be
well to remember in conjunction with, "And this will probably never
happen."
_Anger_ is a form of temporary insanity. It is an emotion that is
unbecoming in strong men, for it is a sign of weakness, and the women
who indulge in it frequently can not long keep the respect of others.
Those who become angry lay themselves open to wounds of all kinds, for
they partly lose their mental and physical faculties temporarily. An
angry man is easily vanquished in any contest where ready wit is
necessary. As the saying is, he makes a fool of himself. To be high
strung and quick to lose one's temper may sound fine in romantic
rubbish, but in real life it is folly, for much more can be accomplished
by being calm.
Like hatred, anger produces poisons in the system. An angry mother's
milk has been known to kill the nursing child. A fit of anger is so
serious that the evil effects can be felt for several days, and those
who indulge in daily or even weekly loss of temper can not enjoy the
best of health, for the anger produces enough toxins to poison all the
fluids of the body.
Fortunately, anger is one of the emotions that can be conquered in a
reasonable time, if there is a real desire to do so. It should not take
an adult more than one or two years to get himself under control.
During anger there is a tensing of various muscles, those of the face
and hands for instance. If this tensing is not allowed the anger will
not last long. If there is a tendency to become angry, relax and the
mind will ease up. A perfectly relaxed individual can not harbor anger,
for this emotion requires tensing of body and mind. A determination to
control the temper and a whole-hearted apology after each display of
anger will prove very effective in reducing the frequency and force of
the attacks. Mental suggestion is not as powerful as some say, but it is
such a great force for good or evil, depending on its use, that those
who are wise will not neglect it as a means of self-conquest.
People who are easily offended and "stand on their dignity," have a very
poor footing. Those who find it necessary to inform others that they are
ladies or gentlemen, are very apt to be prejudiced in their own favor.
Gentlefolks do not need to advertise, nor do they do so. Others
recognize their worth intuitively.
_Fretting_ is anger on a small scale. It is a habit that is easily
formed. The fretter and those about him are made uncomfortable. Those
who respect themselves and others do not indulge.
_Hatred_ is one of the most harmful and poisonous of emotions.
Fortunately, violent hatred can last but a short time, otherwise it
would prove fatal. Some are chronic haters. He who hates harms himself.
The thoughts weave themselves into one's personality and form the
character.
_Jealousy_ is one of the most disagreeable of emotions. The jealous
person insists on suffering. A jealous woman can convert a home into an
inferno. Jealousy is sure to kill love in time. The jealous individual
often excuses himself on the ground that he loves. That is not true.
There is more fear than love at the base of jealousy. Jealous people are
selfish and too indolent mentally to give their thoughts a positive
direction.
Those who are violently jealous are suffering from mental aberration.
The jealous person loses, for he drives away the object of his
affection.
There are many jealous men, but women suffer most. Bad health and
idleness are two prolific causes of jealousy. It has probably broken up
more homes than any other one thing. It is blighting to all it touches.
Men and women may feel flattered for a time by producing jealousy, but
it is a satisfaction of very short duration. They soon grow weary of the
questions, doubts and reproaches.
Those who are sensible enough to give freely to others the liberty they
crave for themselves do not suffer much from this emotion. It would help
greatly if man and wife would look upon the marriage relation more as a
partnership and less as a form of bondage. One of the partners can not
force the other one to be "good." People do the best by others when full
confidence is given, and even if the confidence should be misplaced, it
would be better than to suffer from this corroding emotion at all times.
It is not an easy task to overcome jealousy, but it can be done within a
reasonable time if there is a real desire. First get physical health.
Then get busy with interesting, useful work. Get something worth while
to occupy the mind and the hands. Determine to be master of yourself and
not a slave to what is often but figments of the imagination.
Unfortunately, jealousy so dwarfs the judgment at times that the
sufferers seek only to rule or ruin. Love and hate are so closely akin
that it is hard to find the dividing line.
_Sorrow_: Some dedicate their lives to a sorrow. They make martyrs of
themselves. They have suffered a loss and they dwell upon it during all
of their waking hours. It may be that it was a very ordinary or
worthless husband or child. After death the poor real is converted into
a glorious ideal. With the passing years the virtues of the departed
grow. All the love and tenderness are lavished upon the dead and the
living are neglected. It is generally women who suffer from this
peculiar form of mild insanity, but men are not exempt.
It is natural to feel the loss of a dear one, but so long as we are
mortal we must accept these things as matters of course.
Related to this form of sorrow is the regretting or brooding over past
actions, especially in connection with the dead. Perhaps something that
should have been done was neglected, or something was done that should
have been left undone. Over this the sufferer broods by the hour,
leading to a form of sad resignation that is rather irritating to normal
people.
For such people a change of interest and a change of scene will often
prove very beneficial.
_Envy_ and _spite_ are closely akin to jealousy and anger. They have the
same effect in lesser degree.
_Vacillation of mind_ is a common fault. Many small questions have to be
settled and a few important ones. Some are in the habit of deferring
their decisions from time to time, or making and revoking their
decisions. Then they decide over again, after which there is another
revocation. This is repeated until it is absolutely necessary to make a
final decision. By this time the mind is so muddled that the chances are
that the last decision will be inferior to the first one. No one who
leads an active life can be right all the time. He who is right six
times out of ten does pretty well, and he who can make a correct
decision three times out of four can command a fine salary as an
executive or build up a flourishing business of his own, if his mind is
active.
The doubt and uncertainty which result from unsettled questions, which
should be promptly decided, are more harmful than an occasional error.
The untroubled mind works most quickly and truly.
Related to this in minor key is the doubtful condition of mind where the
individual has to do things several times before he is sure they are
properly done. For instance, there is the man who must try the office
door several times to be sure that it is locked and after being
satisfied on this point he is obliged to unlock it and investigate the
condition of the safe door. Then it is necessary to attend to the office
door two or three times again. This kind of doubtfulness takes many
forms. It does no special harm except that it leads to much waste of
time. Such people should teach themselves concentration, thinking about
one thing only at a time, until they learn that when a thing is done it
is properly done.
_Judging_: Many insist on passing judgment on everything and everybody
that come to their notice. Every individual has to be placed with the
sheep or the goats. This is a great waste of time. Each one of us can
know so little about the majority of individuals we meet and of the vast
volume of knowledge that is to be had that if we try to judge everyone
and everything, our opinions become worthless. Wise people are never
afraid to say, "I don't know." If it is necessary to judge, let there be
kindness.
_Volunteering advice_: This is another annoying habit. It is very well
to give advice if it is desired and asked for, otherwise it is a waste
of time. Take a person with a cold, for example: If he meets twenty
people he may be told of fifteen different cures for it, ranging from
goose grease on a red rag to suggestive therapeutics. If he were to act
upon all the advice received there would probably be a funeral. It is
best to be sparing with advice. Those who have any that is worth while
will be asked for it and paid for their trouble. Free advice is
generally worth what it costs.
_Cranks_: Many allow themselves to get into a mental rut with their
thoughts running almost entirely to one subject. This is a mild form of
insanity, for normal people have many interests. These people are the
cranks. They can talk volumes about their favorite topic, often of no
importance. It may be some peculiar religion or ethics; or that Bacon
wrote the plays of Shakespeare; or some health fad, or almost any
subject.
Of all the cranks the diet crank is one of the most annoying, for he has
three good opportunities to air his views each day. With the best
meaning in the world he does more harm to the cause of food reform than
do the advocates of living in the good old way, eating, drinking and
being merry and dying young. When people become possessed of too much
zeal and enthusiasm regarding a subject, they are sure that their
knowledge is the truth and they insist upon trying to enforce their way
upon others, resent having their old habits interfered with forcibly.
Those who are too persistent and insistent produce antagonism and
prejudice in the minds of others, and then it is almost impossible to
impart the truth to them, for they will neither see nor hear.
To be able to influence others for better is a grand and glorious thing,
but it is well to remember that we can not force knowledge which is
contrary to popular thought upon others suddenly. Those who change a
well rooted opinion generally do so gradually. When they first hear the
truth, they say it is ridiculous. After a while they think there may be
something in it. At last they see its superiority over their former
opinions and accept it. It requires infinite patience on the part of the
educators to impart unpopular knowledge to other adults, no matter how
much truth it contains.
The truth about physical well-being is so simple and so self-evident
that it is exceptionally hard to get an unprejudiced audience. From the
time when the ancient heathen priests were the healers until today the
impression has been that health and healing are beyond the understanding
of the common mind, and therefore people are willing to be mystified.
The mysterious has such a strong appeal in this world of uncertainties
that it is more attractive than the simple truth. Mystery simply demands
faith. The truth compels thinking and thoughts are often painful.
By all means, avoid being overinsistent in trying to impart health
knowledge to others. All who have a little knowledge of the fundamentals
of health and growth know that useful men and women are going into
degeneration and premature death constantly, because of violated health
laws. If these people on the brink, who can yet be saved by natural
means, are told how it can be done, they generally either refuse to
believe it, or they have led such self-indulgent lives that it is beyond
their power to change. The knowledge often comes too late.
Those who are anxious to do good in the spreading of health knowledge
among their friends can serve best by getting health themselves. If a
physical wreck evolves into good health there will be considerable
comment and inquiry. This is the opportunity to tell what nature will do
and inform others where to obtain a good interpretation of nature's
workings.
A little practicing is worth more than a great deal of preaching. The
truth is the truth, no matter what the source, but it is more effective
if it comes from one who lives it.
I have gone into the subject of health cranks so deeply because there
are so many of them. They get a little knowledge and then they believe
they are masters of the subject. The right attitude toward proper
living, and especially toward proper eating is: "I shall try to conduct
myself so as to be healthy and efficient. If others desire my help, I
shall try to indicate the way to them. Right living is no sign of
superior goodness or merit, being a matter of higher selfishness, so I
deserve no credit for it. Although health is very important, I shall
refrain from attempting to force my will on others."
After conquering ourselves it is time to begin making foreign conquests,
but by that time the realization comes that in the end it is best to
leave others free to work out their own salvation. The desire is strong
to mould others according to our pattern, but those who size themselves
up honestly soon come to the conclusion that they are so imperfect that
perchance some other pattern is fully as good.
_Postponing happiness_: One peculiar state of mind is to refuse to be
happy at present. The romantic girl and boy think they can not be happy
until they are married. After marriage they find that they have to gain
a certain amount of wealth before happiness comes. Then they have to
postpone it for social position. They continue postponing happiness from
time to time and the result is that they never attain it. Happiness is
not a great entity that bursts upon us, transforming us into radiant
beings. It is a comfortable feeling that brings peace and places us in
harmony with our surroundings. It can best be gained by doing well each
day the work that is to be done, cheerfully giving in return for what is
received. Happiness is largely a habit. It is as easy to be bright and
cheerful as it is to be sad and doleful, and much more comfortable. If
we look for the best we will find beauty even in the most unpromising
places. If we are looking for tears and woe, we can easily find them.
We can get along without happiness, but it adds so much color and beauty
to life, it makes us so much better, it helps us so much to be useful
that it is folly to do without it. It is not gained by narrow
selfishness. Those who forget themselves most and are kind and
considerate find it. By giving it to others we get it for ourselves.
Ecstasy and rapture are emotions of short duration. They are so
exhilarating that they soon wear out.
We all have our little troubles and annoyances. These we should accept
as inevitable, and neither think nor talk much about them. They help to
wear away the rough edges. We are stupid at times and so are others and
then mistakes are made. These should also be accepted as inevitable, and
we should not be more annoyed by those that others make than by our own.
Those who go into a rage when their subordinates err waste much time and
energy, erring gravely themselves.
It is not necessary to notice every unimportant detail that is not
pleasing. Fault-finding, carping and nagging destroy harmony.
Disagreements about trifles often lead to broken friendship and enmity.
Most quarrels are about trifles.
If mistakes are made, learn the lesson they teach and then forget about
them. All live, active beings make mistakes. Sometimes we make serious
ones and afterwards regrets come, but these must soon be thrust aside.
Brooding has put many into the insane asylums.
_Introspection_: It is not well to allow the mind to dwell upon one's
self very much. Give yourself enough thought to guide yourself through
life, and then for the rest apply the mind to work and play. Many of
those who are too self-centered end up in believing they are something
or somebody else and then they are shut away from the public.
Introspection is a very useless employment. Individually we are so
small, and the mind has such great possibilities, that if we center it
upon our tiny physical being, things become unbalanced and the mind
ceases to work to good advantage. It is useless to go deeply into
self-analysis, for we are very poor judges of ourselves. One of my
neighbors delved so deeply into his heart and tried so hard to find out
if he was fit to dwell in heaven that he lost his mind and had to be
confined for a long time. He allowed his vision to narrow down to one
subject. There are many subjects that lead to insanity if they are
allowed exclusive possession of the mind.
After we have given ourselves proper care, we should think no more about
ourselves. The best way is to get busy in work and play and forget
ourselves. It is much better to love others than to center our love upon
ourselves. If we conduct ourselves well we shall have all the love from
others that we need. If there is a tendency to be introspective, cure it
by becoming active mentally and physically.
Those who have acquired the bad habit of thinking and talking ill of
others should break themselves of it. First cease talking ill. Then
begin to look for the good points and mention them. By and by the
thoughts will be good. Those who lack a virtue can often cultivate it by
assuming it.
One of the most helpful things is a sense of humor. Laughter brings
about relaxation and relaxation gives ease of body and mind. He who can
see his own weaknesses and smile at them is surely safe and sane. If the
mind is too austere, cultivate a sense of humor. Train yourself to
appreciate the ridiculous appearance you make and instead of being
chagrined, smile. When others laugh at you, join them.
Whatever the mental ill may be, one-half of its cure will be brought
about by getting physical health.
Be charitable, tolerant and kind, and the good things in life will come
to you. Be slow to judge and slower still to condemn others.
Those who give love attract it. Hypatia said: "Express beauty in your
lives and beauty flows to you and through you. To love means to be
loved, and to put hate behind is the sum of all loving that is of any
avail."
The best "New Thought" is the best old thought. If we only would put
some of the beautiful knowledge into common use, what an agreeable
dwelling place this world would be. Marcus Aurelius gave us this pearl
of wisdom: "When you arise in the morning, think what a precious
privilege it is to live, to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love! God's
spirit is close to us when we love. Therefore it is better not to
resent, not to hate, not to fear. Equanimity and moderation are the
secrets of power and peace."