The Washington herald., 1908-04-02
THE OPTIMIST


One Of the best things that optimism
can do for US is to regulate our mental
attitude toward Hfe-not life as whole.
perhaps-or, rather. that is not quite what
mean in this connection, but our daily
life, the halting steps we have 70 take
from day TO day.
The man without optimism is a man
who is likely to be much affected by the
external things Of life; by the state Of
his own health; by the weather or what
not II the day is a gray day. and the
clouds hang lowering. he allows things 10
effect HIS soul: it finds some such reaec-
ton in his work; in his mental attitude
toward his fellowmen; IL colors his whole
aspect Of life. To the man who knows
nothing Of the true optimistic philosophy
of external Jhings-the things that he can
neither control nor regulste-are Of in
hnitely too much importance II such a
man wakes 10 fine the sky clear and the
sun brightly shining, he is bound 10 be
cheerful ane the very spirit OF good.
honest enthusiastic work is in him. r.
when he wakes it is to find the day dark
ened by an overhanging sky and a general
air Of gloom about everything. such a
man VIII find it almost impossible not 10
90 about with long-drawn face and ar
air Of general depression that not only
makes himself miserable. but calls fo-
no joy on the part Of those with whom
he comes ia contact
The duty. then. lies heavily upon all Of
US 10 acquire q cheerful attitude in fac
inc -, ~trr,
morning 10 90 his work his first venture
is a success. II is not greatly 20 his credit
thar he should go AT his other tasks Ui-h
al enthusiasm that shall help him greatly
TO accomplish things, Optimism teaches
Us not 10 be dismayed az any rebuffs that
may come, for Il is not simply blind
hopefulness; IL is a real hope based upon
the knowledge born OF past experience.
and we can come 10 believe that what
Browning said was true and that We do.
in verify. hold:
We fan 70 rise: are tzfied TO fight better.
To love right it is necessary that we
should think right, and this is within
our own power. as Mabie said:
The thought always starts from and returns 70
ones SCI L IS through our own Consciousness
that ge penetrate the secrets q other experienccs
AID interpret the mystery of the universe
But II we remember this. let US also
remember that il is within our power 70
send thought in the direction We choose.
We can send IL into the slough OF de-
spond If We be 50 minded. or we can di-
rect I'D 10 highest heaven with the sure
knowledge that the mind can go out in
quest OF thought in no direction without
reward. for the world OF thought Is ex-
haustless. II We viii but realize how
much Of life We owe 20 ourselves il is
hard 10 realize that there should be pes
simists in the world Il is all a matter
Of right thinking. which is a prelude 10
right living Well may We ask with
Richter:
Why are the pur9st sous tormented with a r1ul-
ttude = disg-ls-ing poisonous thoughts which.
Ike spiders, crawl up on the shining walls. and
which they have only the troghle q crushing 20
ceatht Al. cur victories are not wholly distin-
glished from our defects.
Lc1 us then. brother optImists. begin
our days with clean. healthful iife-giving
thoughts Let Us twist the gloomy davs
70 our purpose and adverse circumstances
20 our help That sin and suffering are
about US We need not ignore, but we do
not need 70 let these things damn US or
Us think aught but that OUT Of these
MS and sins Of the world the
- time 10 come are 20
IS know with Thackerv.
spoken thoughts are registered
ct the sood thoughts uns1oken
ierness and pity. beaury. charity.
lreasf nd l.7-1-a ~ha ..-e--