The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1874-08-15
CHEERFuIlE99.

vapors of night and purify the air,
warming and animating every separate
existence and gladdening the whole
| face of the earth, so cheerfnlness comes
like a bright spirit, clearing away the
yapors of discomfort, purifying the
moral atmosphere, penetrating every
heart with sympathetic gladness and
spreading it's happy influence with beau,
| tiful liberality. The question may well
be asked, if its effects are so benign,
why is it SO rare blessing? If it is ca,
pable of shedding SO much happiness,
why does it not overflow from every
heart and beam in every facet II all
recognize It as a universal good, why
do not all strive to acquire it, that they
NAV enjoy it themselves and dispense
lit to others? 7ao eaa.
Checrfnlness, to great degree, is a
constitutional matter. Some men are
naturally sanguine, hopeful and light
hearted. Their blood circnlatcs freely,
their pulses beat regularly and their
spirits have an elasticity that causes
them to rebound from pressure. The
bright side Of life presents itself to
their minds, and they naturally present
|it to others in their enlivening pres
ence, good humor, ready smile and
quick sympathy. Others of an oppo'
site temperament are sober and gloomy
Life sits heavily upon them. They are
full Of trouble and anxiety. They hope
little and fear much. They enjoy little
and suffer much. Their presence is a
perpetual shadow, hiding all the sun
light of hope and joy. and casting a
gloom wherever it enters. Between
these two extremes of temperament
there are all degrees, tending to either
side.
We do not believe in meekly resign.
ing ourselves to our constitutional tend
encies, and quietly drifting in whatev'
er direction they may carry us. kath.
er should we study their bearings, and
when we behold danger ahead manful-
" stem the current and steer for SAT-
er port. When we discover that any
quality of mind or heart produces uni.
versal happiness, new revelation OF
duty and responsibility has dawned up
on us. To cultivate chcerfulness, then.
becomes a duty which appeals to all
But how is 1t to be done! To fcign
a cheerfulness that we do not feel. In
pretend, lighthcartcdncss when really
heavy and care.worn, would he mere
insincerity that would avail nothing.
The basis Of cheerful dcmcanor is
undoubtedly cheerful spirit. and al.
though by no effort Of the will can we
produce this where it is lacking. there
arc. certain mental and moral habits.
which, if VIC cultivate them, will do
much towards cherishing and strength
ening it.
We may, in the first place, resoluiely
contemplate the bright portions Of life
in general, and Of our own particular
circumstances. There is nothing more
depressing to the mind than to allow it
to dwell continually on painful subjects.
The eye that always looks upon black
surfaces will soon lose its brilliancy.
There is a habit Of brooding over troab.
les and anxiety that weakens the mind
and robs it of the courage necessary
to bear them manfully. Every life has
its bright side, and he who most per-
sistently centemplates it, wiafa thank
ful heart, il thereby cultivating n cheer.
ful spirit. There is something, too, in hav-
ing pleasant surroundings. Every one
who is harassed by numerous petty de-
tails, perplexcd by difficulties he can
/ not solve or overloaded with work he
cannot perform, knows how difficult it
lis to maintain chcerfnlness under such
circumstances. Yet too often they are
the result Of an overweening ambition,
which grasps at what is beyond the
reach, and has to pay the penalty in ia
ded nerves and a frctful disposition.
System and order, the proper division
of labor, and the cnrtailment Of bust.
ness or care within reasonable limits,
will do much to correct TINS evil. Hours
for. completei relaxation should be- Get
aside; enlivening society and amuse-
ments should be encouraged; and the
mind thus relieved and refreshed, will
'unconsciously refcctthe cheering beams
that have been cast upon It'll A taste
ful and well-ordered home has very
ttnnch IN do with tho chncrfllnaaa Of ia