Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-07-04
Saiseella
CHEERrULNEss.

There are none who can tnouSntluliy
observe society without noticing how po-
tent benefactor is cheerfulness. AS the
rays of the sun penetrate darkness, dispel
gloom, chase away the vapors of night
and purify the air, warming and animating
every separate existence and gladdening
the whole face of the earth, so cheerful
ness comes like bright spirit, clearing
away the vapors of discomfort, purifying
the moral atmosphere, penetrating every
heart with sympathetic gladness and
spreading its happy influence with beauti-
full liberality. The question may well be
asked, if its effects are SO benign. why is
it so rare blessing? 1t is capable of
shedding so much happiness, why does it
not overflow from every heart and beam
in every face? If all recognize il as a
universal good, why do not all strive to
acquire it, that they may enjoy it them
selves and dispense it to others?
Cheerfulness, to a great degree. is a
constitutional matter. Some men are nat
urally 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 itself to their minds,
and they as naturally present it to others
in their enlivening presence, good humor'
ready smile and quick sympathy. Others
of 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 en-
Joy little and suffer much. Their presence
is q perpetual shadow, hiding all the sun
light of hope and joy. and casting gloom
wherever it enters. Between these two
extremes oftemperlment there are all de-
grees, 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, q new rev.
citation Of duty and responsibility has
dawned upon US. To cultivate cheerful
ness, then, becomes duty which appeals
to all.
But how is it to be done To feign cheer
fulness that we do not feel, to pretend,
lightheartedness when really heavy and
care.worn, would be mere insincerity
that would avail nothing. The basis of a
cheerful demenor is undoubtedly cheer
full spirit, and although by no effort of the
will can we produce this where it is lack
ing, there are certain mental and moral
habits, which, if we cultivate them, will do
much towards cherishing and strengthen
ing j.. - :. -. &C.,. ,,,,.. H..
contemplate the bright portions of lie in
general, and of our own particular cir
cumstances. There is nothing more de-
pressing to the mind than to allow it to
dwell continually on painful subjects.
The eye that always looks upon black sur
faces will soon lose its brillance. There
is habit Of brooding over troubles and
anxieties that weakens the mind and robs
it of the courage necessary to bear them
mnfully. Every life has its bright side,
and he who most persistently contem-
plates it, with a thankful heart, is there
by cultivating cheerful spirit. There is
something, too, in having pleasant sur
roundings. Every one who is harrassed
by numerous pretty details, perplexed by
difficulties he cannot solve or overload
ed with work he cannot perform, knows
how difficult it is to maintain cheerfulness
under such circumstances. Yet too often
they are the result of an overweening am
bition, which grasps at what is beyond the
reach, and has to pay the penalty in faded
nerves and q fretful disposition. System
and order, the proper division of labor,
and the curtailment of business or care
within reasonable limits, will do much to
correct this evil. Hours for complete re-
Taxation should be set aside; enlivening
society and amusements should be encour-
aged and the mind thus relieved and re-
freshed, will unconsciously reflect the
cheering beams that have been cast up
on it. A tasteful and well-ordered home
has very much to do with the cheerfulness
of its inmates. Rich and gorgeous APP
partments are not necessary for this in
deed, some Of the most gloomy rooms
ever entered are filled with costly and
heavy furniture not ment for use. 1t is the
bright, CHEEKY and homelike appearance
Of some apartments that is so attractive,
and seems to chase away many of the
shadows that would otherwise darken
them.
Above all, however, the habit of SYM
pathy is the best promoterof cheerfulness.
Selfshness and gloom ever go hand in
hand. He whose heart is fixed on selfish
interests-whose eyes are turned inward,
and whose thoughts are centred upon get
ting much, and giving little. will ever
wear downward look and contracted
brow. He shuts himself away from the
light Of human brotherhood and the
warmth of human affection, and grows
dark and cold. His disappointments are
more bitter than those OF others-for no
one shares them his successes afford him
less pleasure-for no one rejoices with
him. The benevolent man, on the con-
trary, whose sympathies are deep and
warm, who delights in promoting happi-
ness and soothing sorrow, whose heart
beats in quick response to the joys or
woes OF his fellow men-will have within |
him fountain of Cheerful less, from which
all may draw. If any one is habitually |
cherries and joyless, he may be very sure
that something within or around him is |
wrong. and needs correction. Let him
examine his life and character, and SO
purify their springs that he may be ena-
bled to shed abroad upon the world the
sweet and refreshing influence that can
ouly emanate from cheerful spirit.
LAT ~~@ n m