The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-31
By THE OPTINnST.
Dear Brother Optimists:

Such a splendid lot OF contributions
this week! I have Just finished reading
them all over. and II makes me very
much encouraged to think that there are
30 many members Of this club who can
intelligently define their positions with
regard to optimism. I wish you could
experience that feeling of peace and
comfort that came over me while going
through the manuscripts piled up before
me, but only the most stalwart optimism
prevents me from giving up in despair
when 1t comes 10 selecting the best ex-
preston and the elearest definite answer
to the question:: why 1 am an opu-
mist"
IL I were asked that question oh-hand.
snd given no time for thinking Il over,
should reply: 1t is the only thing to
be-" which would be really giving no
reason at all. but just expressing an
impulse, very much the same as our
fliend Peter Pan, who, upon being asked,
who are YOU, Peter" exclaimed: Il
am youth. I am the little bird just out
OF the egg. am joy. joy. joy"
Optimism Is the true JOY Of living. It
courses through the veins with the tin
gle OF the rich, red blood IN a healthy
child, going to play on a frosty morn
ing. when life, youth. happiness. and
knowledge all await him as he pauses
on LIES threshold Optimism is perpet-
ual youth and happiness. There is an
old adage which runs: Those whom the
gods love- die young" which is only an
other way Of saying that those whom the
gods love never grow old. An optimist
cannot grow old IN heart or in spirit.
Whatever bodily mhrmities attack him.
however the years roll along, time
touches his face and his appearance but
lightly. All is warmth and triumph
within for the optimist bids defiance to
age, 20 sorrow, and 20 despair He walks
erect, ready 90 meet any emergency, un-
nincning. undaunted. conscious OF his
ability 10 cheerfully and courageously
face the issue.
Mr. Lee. whom have decided upon as
the prize winner this week, puts the mat
ter very beautifully I am sure you
will agree with me, when he says; Il
am an opJ!mist because 1 believe the
mental attitude reacts upon the health Of
the body. Seeing only the gloomy. dark
despairing side Of life opens the door to
disease. and depression. while cheerful
ness brightness, and hopefulness fortify
and invigorate the body" And it is
true
AS We 1--we Ia the world Of men. so
must we keep ourselves prepared for
maintaining our place therein. With a
body fed by the fuel Of optimism, what
deeds OF valance and OF good shall we
not feel capable OF attempting? Mr.. Lee
is an optimist. according 10 his definition.
because IL makes him man among men.
First Of all comes the buOyancy Of the
physical being, before mental processes
are capable of their highest capacity.
Proceeding, the prize winner states; Il
am an optimist because l think actions
are stronger than words, and II my as
sociates are az all influenced by my ac-
tons / want that influence to be Of the
best"
Having disposed Of his fundamental
reason this optmist in one tcrse sen
tence cpitomizes the whole sum and total
OF optimism and It's relation to the other
fellow An optimist has a position 20
hold, an example 20 set and IL is only
by optimistic thoughts and actions can
the optimistic influence be felt Preach
as you viii the doctrines Of optimism.
and write OF its benefits, there is nothing
so convincing as a good example. Let
the world see how optimism benefits you.
and your next door nelghbOr is an opti-
mist before you can turn around and
he. IN his turn, IS influencing his next
door neighbOr and so on down the street
and around the corner, until the whole
block has caught the contagion Of your
Joyous right living. Isn't II worth while
being an optimist?
This IS why you are optimists. To be a
powerful influence for good is an am
bition achieved. The world needs Opti-
mists, and the members of this club
are doing some surprisingly good work
In spreading this helpful and necessary
condition
Mrs Eva Jackson, who Is the winner
of the second prize this week. claims
optimism 20 be hereditary. I don't
think I have ever before considered this
point IN connection with optimism. but
] think the idea is a good one. While IL
IS possible TO cultivate a cheerful and
helpful disposition. there is a great deal
IN being born right. II your ancestors
have been upright. God-fearing, and
benevolent people, you viii find it easy
20 be optimistic because there is born
within you the right spirit and the prop
er outlook upon the world. Mrs. Jackson
says further on in her contribution. that
she "cultivates optimism because II
makes her happier and more contented."
] think this is an ideal cOndition-to be
an optimist both by inheritance and by
cultivation. There is no doubt at all
about this member being a stanch and
true optimist like. too. her descrip-
ton OF the optimist as being able TO take
a broad and liberal view Of life. You
will md optimists among those who have
the most liberal ideas and the most char
table feelings toward their fellow-men.
Miss Clara -. Gilbert says that optim-
ism is "God-given. A reverential atti-
tude toward optimism is eminently prop
err No man or woman who feels that the
Heavenly Father means US 10 be happy
and to make others happy can fail TO
believe that He intended us to make the
most Of our opportunities. Life is too
short to spend II selhsbly, realistically,
or narrowly. To walk In the sunshine
and 10 lead others into a contemplation
o, the beauties OF life. is a privilege
that we should eagerly embrace. and
with thanksgiving in our hearts
Come unto Me all We that are heavy
laden and I will give you rest" The
beautiful promise IN this line soothes and
supports the doubling human soul.
Optimists. THIS is the sublimest optimism
that there is rest and peace for the
world-weary and the heartslck. This Is
why you are optlmists. You cannot turn
your face from the great gift Of God, the
wonderful promise that makes you inn
mortal
wish that space permitted me to say
more on this subject, but I shall be con-
tent 10 let the members speak for them
selves by the many exquisite expressions
which appear to-day. 1 am sorry there
Is not room for many more that would
be helpful and uplifting. That is why
/ an making my own Introductory com
ments shorter than usual. / wanted so
badly to print all the contributions, but
find u impossible. Those have selected
are the best, and hope your optimism
VIII help you to bear any disappointment