Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-06-26
THE ART OF CULTIVATING UNHAP.
PINESS.

THE ART OF CULTIvATING UNHAP.
PINESS.
THE cnase after happiness, or the pleas
IRE which we dignity by calling it hap
piness, is generally supposed to be the
common occupation of all the world. But
this is by no means the case. There are
people too apathetic to care about happi-
ness at ALL Some there are who pursue
it in an inverted form: they find pleasure
in being unhappy, and happiness in max
ing themselves and all around them miser-
able; while others do really prefer tragedy
to comedy, and if they can get it in no
other way, they will create tragedy, or the
illusion of it, in private life. There are
few actors, either good or bad, who have
not at some time believed that their role
was tragedy, and it is thus with these
everyday actors on the worlds broad
stage. There is certain dignity in the
claim. The tragedies of Euripides rank
higher than the comfortable sayings of
Horace. II also have suffered" they
proudly say; 'in sorrow only seek for
consolation" Clearly there are as many
ways of being or doing the one thing as
there are of being or doing the other.
To cultivate the habits of ready forgive
ness, of earnest and persistent cheerful
ness about small things, of looking on the
bright side, carries man long way in
one direction; to such, however, as choose
the opposite path, we volunteer some we'll
intentioned advice. Those who find their
pleasure-or, if that be too strong word,
their satisfaction-in developing unhappi-
ness in and for themselves and others,
must bring to their task as much care and
concentration of purpose as If the object
were not only good and wise in ITSELF but
in the nature of things absolutely neces-
sary; and the means to this end should be
the subject of serious reflection. A we'll
sustained artificial physiognomy or de-
meanor Of any kind often turns counter
felt into reality. If a man fixes his face
for good temper, he almost compels him.
self to be good tempered, whereas by as
suming perpetually peevish expression,
apeevish temper is engendered. But this
is work of time. OF course the better
and more thorough method is to create in
your own breast the sentiment you desire
to manifest. And this with practice be-
comes matter of the utmost facility, lay
ing down line beforehand, so that in
representing unhappiness you may not
appear in the character Of Despair.
One of the first moral qualities to be
cherished is suspicion. This exercise
produces endless results, often quite unex-
pected, since the operation of it hardly adj
mits either of guidance or check; for who
is there that in the past, the present, or the
future may not be bitterly distrusted if
long watched through a particular focus!
Father, mother, wife, husband, or your best
friend-of any of these it is quite possible
to end by believing the very worst, if you
steadily accustom yourself to the notion.
And if not living beings, there are other
sources. Try to detect particular malev-
olence as regards yourself in whatever
circumstances occur, or whatever fate be-
falls you; indulge in portents, dream
dreams and be careful to remember them,
and attach great importance to them
whenever they presage coming misfor-
tunes. In this way you may enjoy an
guish at will and revel in niseries which
have not yet accrued. BY describing
your miserable state ofmind to others you
will probably propagate it, and so spread
far and wide the great secret of sadness"
If your friends resolutely refuse to share
your sentiments or even to listen, you
must content yourself with prognosticat-
ing for them sorrow in the future. Then
there is envy to be induced and cherished,
so that the sight of the success of others
shall never fail to produce murmurs,
grudging and sullenness in your own
breast. Too much from this point Of view
cannot be said in favor of the habit of
passive vindictivenesss or the quality of
unforgivingness; there is no better fertil-
izer than this with which to prepare the
ground for fruitful crop of unhappiness.
Revenge is not herein implied, because
that might lead to action, and in healthy
stand-up fight bad wishes might be blown
into the air, bad blood spent, and thus all
the care and trouble expended would be
thrown away. 1t is a good plan to keep
In mind, and in a certain fashion
celebrate the anniversaries of particular
griefs, losses, insults, or injuries. If nee
essary, make entries in your diary to aid
ysur memory, for some people are absurd
~ loose on this head, and when they grant
pardon, forget the offence as well as the
cause and date. Even if you forgive 4
wrong, you are not bound to forget it, or
TO refrain from referring to it when so in
ciined, adding the fact Of the pardon &C
corded as an extra shaft of pain. Repin-
ing and habitual discomfort are less
unaimiable but still very serviceable quail
tiles. They should be steadily INDUCED,
constantly fed, and the causes must be
often silently reviewed and dwelt on, so
that nothing may be overlooked or for
gotten. This group, {. g., envy, vindic-
uveness, repining, and discomfort in
general, have this clear advantage-by
them you not only create your
own special atmosphere of neutral tint or
Indian ink, but You positively obtain
solid rest and fulcrum for the future, since
they have q peculiar power of corrosion.
They eat into temper, health, and morals
alike; they penetrate deeply, take strong
hold, spread their roots, and so on, as GER