Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-07-31

CheerfuIness.
There arc none who can thoughtruly OBJ
serve society without noticing how potent
a benefactor Is cheerfulness. As the rays
Of the sun penetrate the dark uess, dispel
gloom, chase away the vapors of night and
purify the air, warming and animating ev-
cry separate existence and Rladdening the
whole face of tho earth, SO choerfulness
comes like bright spirit, clearing away
the vapors Of discontent, purifying the
moral atmosphere, penetrating every heart
with sympathetic gladness and spreading
its happy influence with beautiful liberal
ity. The question may well be asked, If
its effects are so benign, why is 1t so rare a
blessing2 fr il is capable OF shedding 50
much happiness, why does II not overflow
from every heart aud beam in every facet
If all recognize ii as a universal good, why
do not all strive TO acquire it, that they
may enjoy il themselves and dispense it TO
others2
Cheerfulness, 10 a great degree, Is a cou-
stitutional matter. Some men are natural
ly sanguine, hopeful and light hearted.
Their blood circulates freely, their pulses
beat regularly and their spirits have an
elasticity that causes them TO rebound from
pressure. The bright side OF life naturally
presents il to others in their enlivening
presence, good humor, ready smile and
quick sympathy. Others I an opposite
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 aud suffer
much. Their presence is perpetual shad-
ow, hiding all the sunlight OF hope and
joy, and casting a gloom wherever it en-
ters. Between these two degrees OF tenn
permanent there are all degrees, tending to
either side.
We do not believe in meekly resigning
ourselves to our constitutional tendencies,
and quietly drifting in whatever direction
they may carry US. Rather should we
study their bearings, and when we behold
danger ahead manfully stem the current
and steer for safer port. When we dis
cover that any quality of mind or heart,
produces universal happiness, new reve-
lation of duty and responsibility has dawn
ed upon US. To cultivate cheerfulness,
then, becomes duty which appeals to all.
But how is it 10 be done To feign a cheer
fulness that we do not feel, 10 pretend light
heartedness when really heavy aud care
worn, would he mere insincerity that
would avail nothing. The basis of a cheer
ful demeanor is undoubtedly a cheerful
spirit, aud although by no effort Of the will
can we produce this where 1t is lacking,
there are certain mental and moral habits,
which, If we cultivate them, will do much
towards chershing and strengthening it.
We may, in the first place, resoutely
contemplate the bright portions of life in
general, and of our own particular circum-
stances. There is nothing more depress-
ing to the mind than to allow il to dwell
continually on painful subjects. The eye
that always looks UPON black surfaces will
soon lose its brilliance. There is habit OF
brooding over troubles and anxieties that
weakens the mind and robs 1t of the cour-
age necessary TO bear them manfully. Ev-
cry life has its bright side, and he who
most persisieutly .coutemplates it, with a
thankful heart, is thereby cultiVating a
cheerful spirit. There lis something, too,
In having pleasant surrounding. Every
one who is harassed by numerous petty
details, perplexed by difficulties he cannot
solve, or overloaded with work which he
cannot perform, knows how difficult it Is
10 maintain cheerfulness under such cir
cumstances. Yet too often they are the re-
suit of an overweening ambition, which
grasps at what Is beyond the reach, and has
m ms tha nanalfy n iaHnA and a
fretful disposition. System and order, the
proper division of labor, and the curtail-
ment Of business or care within reasonable
| limits, will do much to correct this evil.
Hours for complete relaxation should be
set aside; enlivening society and amuse-
ments should be encouraged; and the
mind, thus relieved and refreshed, will
unconsciously reflect the cheering beams
that have been cast upon il. A tasteful
and well-ordered home has very much L
do with the cheerfulness of lis inmates
Rich and gorgeous appointments are moi
necessary for this indeed, some of tn,
most gloomy rooms ever entered are tilleC
with costly and heavy furniture not mean
for use. It Is the bright, CHEEKY and home
like appearance Of some apartments that il
so attractive, and seems TO chase away ma
ny of the shadows that wonld otherws,
darken them.
| Above |, however, tue habit of sympa
thy is the best promoter of cheerlulness
Selhshness and gloom ever go hand il
hand. He whose heart is fixed on seifisl
interests-whose eyes are turned inward
aud whose thoughts are centred upon get
ting much and giving little, will ever wea
a downward look and a contracted brow
He shuts himself away from the light o
human brotherhood aud the warmth o
human affection, and grows dark and cold
His disappointments are more bitter thar
those of others-for no one shares them
his successes afford him less pleasure-fo
no one Tejoices with him. The benevolen
mau, on the contrary, whose sympathie
are deep aud warm, who delights in pro
noting happiness and soothing sorrow
whose heart beats in quick response to tn
joys or woes Of his fellow men-will hay
within him fountain of cheerfulness from
which all may draw. If any one is habit
ually cheerless and joyless, he may b
very sure that something within or aroun
him Ia wrong, aud needs correction. lie
him examine his life and character, and g
purify their springs that he may be ena
bled to shed abroad upon the world th
sweet and refreshing influence that can Cn
ly emanate from a cheerful spirit.
|
"My spirits is crushed, Jane, crushed,