The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-04-05
TO CULTIVATE CONTENT
A ST. PAUL WOMAN is SATISFIED
WITH WHAT SHE HAS
Envy of Other Women Has Broken Up
Many Homes-More Women Are Dis
contented Than Men.

A ST. Paul woman said the other
day that she was conscious of possess
ing one virtue, and that was a salts
faction with what she had. Further
than that, she said, if some one gave
her something that in itself was of no
particular value she Immediately found
great beauty and worth in 1t as soon
as 1t became hers. She said if she
was presented with an iron kitchen
spoon she felt that it was the best
spoon of the kind one could possibly
have. This woman, to be sure, has
great deal, and it would be strange in
deed if she was not satisfied, but in
her remarks she enunciated a great
principle or rule which, if put into
practice, would save much unhappiness
and discomfort among women. There is
a satisfaction which is nothing but a
fatuous self-cOnceit, and which in eff
feet is not elevating; as q certain dis
content with what we are tends to
elevate us and makes for progress.
But to be cOntented with what we
have is a very different thing from
dissatisfaction, and is often the Sc
cret of much good nature If we are
of the unfortunate disposition which
\ makes what others have appear par
ticularly desirable and what we have
ourselves look very poor and mean, we
should try to cultivate a contented
spirit and it will stand us in good
stead during many times Of stress and
trial. Nothing will ruin life more
quickly than an envious disposition and
the ability to see beauty in everything
except what we have ourselves.
Now, follow this out in the small
matter of a woman buying her spring
hat. If she gets one that is the best
she can afford and uses some care in
looking for it, and does not take the
first one she may happen to like, she
Should resolve to be contented with 1t,
and If she can make up her mind 1T is
the prettiest hat in town she will be
much happier than in thinking every
other woman she meets has a better
hat. This is not conceit, but common
sense.
There are, of course, women with
whom Self-SatiSfactiOn is a sort of
obsession; who think themselves, their
clothes, houses and children could not
in any way be improved upon, but
this sort of thing is easily discern
ible and is absolutely different from
a fine spirit of making the best Of
things and being pleased with what
happy, because happiness is so much
and includes a great deal that is above
and beyond cOntentment; great happi-
ness is rare and not to be cultivated
But contentment is within the reach
of all. In this matter of contentment
women seem to be the greatest sinners.
Men are pretty well satisfied, as rule,
with their wives, homes and children.
But much domestic unhappineSS has
come from some woman making her.
self miserable because Mrs. Brown has
sealskin coat and she has not, or a
particular set of ice cream plates, or a
very beautiful rug, or even a ruby
ring. There are women who can work
themselves into a frenzy because Of
something they want for the house or
table which their friends may have.
When it comes to everyday life the
fatuOus and self-satisfied woman is
infinitely easier to live with than the
one with the enviOus and disconnected
disposition. 1t is not necessary that
every woman should be at one extreme
or another; there are many normal
women who are pleasant and good
natured under any conditions, but, alas,
there are thousands Of the other kind.
So when this woman mentioned in
the beginning said that if a thing once
became hers she found great beauties
in it, it struck the writer that it was
blessed sort Of disposition, and that
surely this Woman's husband was to
be congratulated upon possessing such
a jewel. If he brought her turquoise
ring, she would be sure not to say,
THANK you, so much, 1t is very nice; !