The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-24
By THE OPTINIIST.

Dear CO-workers: Apropos OF to-day
subject the first idea that came 10 me
was in the form Of a question: what IS
Appreciation"
The first inclination is TO define ''appre-
citation" as an appraisement, a sort OF
Weighing and testing Of ones fellow
creatures and the classification of them
at their face or market value This
would seem to be a proceeding very
much the same as a bargaining in fish or
vegetables. but not nearly so valuable as
TO ultimate results.
To Judge ones neiEhbOrs is very haz-
ardOus pastime In which to indulge; even
the very wisest among use would better
not practice it too freely. for it is beset
with many dangers and requires an enor-
NOUS draught on the individuals reserve
supply Of equity and fairness. To do
this we must first be certain that we
ourselves are ft 70 be judges and that
our judgment Is totally devoid Of preju-
dice.
1t is not so with appreciation. We can
be very frank about appreciation, even
at the risk Of being poor judges, for
what matters IL so long as we retain our
enthuglasms and by so doing give one
another 'boostT' We can appreciate
our friends good qualities and his ma
lures best side without In the least put
ting ourselves IN the position OF judge or
censor. As opumists we can even see
good I'm those attributes which TO the
preiudlced or the fault-hnding do not
seem at FIRST 20 present the best side Of
man. But optimists. such as you and /
try 10 be- want 10 see the brightest and
the best I'm all our neghbors and by our
expressed appreciation Of them encourage
in those about us an Improvement and a
happy outlook on life.
Why do we take this view? Simply be-
cause we know how much good the little
words and acts OF appreciation are going
to do When we ourselves are weary and
heart-slck-for even opumists are not
immune from the unpleasant influences Of
Hfe-there Is a reviving and refreshing
tonic in the word Of encouragement or
the smile Of appreciation.
Perhaps you have been working hard
oil day-doing your best, doing your duty
and when night comes there IS a feel
Ing Of longing not merely for rest or a
cessation Of the days arXieties and toll.
but a stronger longing for something al
most indefnable. but which I'm reality IS
appreciation We ourselves know when
our work has been good and our applica-
ton faithful We ourselves know when
our purpose has been worthy. But. oh.
how good IL seems 20 have some one else
tel us so.
Self-appreciatiOn is sometimes Overap-
probation We may give ourselves too
much credit. or we may expect too much,
but when there comes TO us the voluntary
praise from those we wish 10 please. that
Is indeed the most comforting apprecia-
ton that is afforded us
II only those who employ others could
know this and realize how the tOilers
value some token Of appreciation, II
they would only make II a part of their
business TO see that payment IS IN this
way made for faithful servicei Money
alone cannot compensate for labor and
diligence. Appreciation goes a long way
toward helping out the means of bright
ening the daily life of the countless thou
sands earning their bread by the sweat
OF the brow.
Little kindnesses, too, and the small
Courtesies Of life that we encounter as
we go our way-these should be &C
knowledged in the same spirit as prof
probation for the favors that we receive
We cannot I'm turn expect Il for ourselves.
In no quality does the Golden Rule seem
so applicable as In this. Appreciate
others as YOU would have them appreci-
ate you and the world will be better for
your being in it.
knowing and understanding these
things, + regard IT as the solemn duty Of
an optimist to spread the doctrine OF APP
probation. The members of this club
show by their work that they have more
than a mere inclination 10 understand the
problems OF life. They prove that they
40. in fact. delve deeply into the causes
and the effects of unhappiness and by
the light Of their courage and their op-
timism do great work in uplifting their
felow-men who struggle in darkness.
Also. 1t is the privilege Of the members
OF this club to be appreciated for their
worthy efforts in helping 10 make the
club a success. We feel that the cause
Of optimism has made great strides re-
Gently. and no small part Of the growth
has been due 10 the efforts Of the men,
bers OF The Washington Herald Optimlst
Club. Perhaps the part you play may
not seem very important to you. but I'm
the aggregate the work Is being felt all
,
gle reader with your expressions OF hope
and cheer. you cannot say that your ef-
fort has gone astray or has been wasted.
Many people have been cheered and
helped along lies pathway by the beau
tful sentiments which are expressed by
the optimists through these pages. and
we shall continue in the work as long as
you keep up your support,
Appreciation is the very life and soul
OF action. I should hate TO think that
any one In The Washington Herald Opt
mist Club would do good only for the
sake OF the praise he gets for doing H.
That sort OF doing good Is purely selfish,
but we all know that life is made up OF
comparisons, so that those who strive 10
do what is right are held up as examples
TO the ones that need II most. Doing
good and living right are their own re-
wards I think: but a word Of praise and
encouragement now and then does no
harm and greatly helps 10 keep the good
things moving.
Spenser in his Tears Of the MUSES." ex-
presses the idea in this fashion:
Who would ever care to do brave deed.
Or STRIVE Ia virtue others 70 excel.
II zone should yield him bis deserved need
Due Praise, that IS the spur Of doing we'll
For II good were not praised more than III,
None would choose goodness Of bis own froo win.
I think the last two lines a trihe more
than optimists will subscribe 10, because
we believe that doing good without ap-
probation or praise is far better than
doing III; but in the days OF Spenser men
believed differently. Or perhaps we may
set down the remarkable sentiment 20
poetic license. At any rate. It will not be
well TO consider the advice OF poets as
rules for conduct
Who is going TO be the lucky optimist
next week 70 describe best why am an