Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-21
VALUE OF LAUGHTER

VALUE Ut EAOGF7 En-
Some followers of the cult of Don't
Worry have made themselves into the
worst bores of creation. With their
constant affirmations that give both
patient and healer a headache-and
other paraphernalia-the old story of
the letter versus the spirit, the same
old habit of religious mania, making an
idol out of an ideal, turning philosophy
into fetichism.
And then there are others you meet
who seem perpetually on the giggle.
whose conduct compels you to suspect
them-their laughter does not ring true.
Haii-fellow well-met with everybody,
they shake your hand-and pull your
leg.
optimist of the everlasting pessimist? ?
What is most tedious, never-ending
laughter or unceasing groaning?
Variety is tn espice of life." Let us
be sane. Laugh and the world laughs
with you," but is it true that you weep
alone?"
Do they not say that misery loves
company? 1t generally gets 1t. What
is so contagious as sympathy?
The laughter must be real. Mere noise
may help, 1t is true, and even parrot
like affirmations and suggestions, emp
ty words, have measure of dynamic
value. But for the real and lasting re-
suits, 1t must be laughter right from
the heart and soul. 1t is the attitude of
laughter, of joy, that is called for.
But no one laughs all the time. ex-
cepting maniacs. Life demands con-
trasts and change.
1t is true that all situations have a
comical side. From a certain point of
view, life's tragedies are all comedies
But because you dwell at cosmic CEN
ter is not to say that you are to lose
sight of the limited human side of
existence; you cannot do so anyway.
You cannot absolutely quell the emo
tional spirit. Your tears are forced out
of you on occasion, and you laugh in
spite of yourself also on occasion. This
is WELL Emotion has it's place, and
while the will should control, it can
not have infallible and complete con-
troll. The human will is limited. 1t
should grow beyond limitations, one by
one, and have more and more control
over conditions inside and outside the
personality; still there will always be
more stages for growth and conquest.
One recipe for joy is to keep busy. Find
your recreation in your work, and more
work. Keep busy at some useful and
profitable occupation. 1t will bring you
in coin. Then see your face involun-
tarily wreathe in smiles, as the profits
come marching along, toward you and
your pocket.
How terribly commercial" says the
lazy. one. "What low IDEAL" says the
etherealist. Never mind, they are my
OF course, money is not
everything. Perhaps you are already
gorged with dollars; then divide-some-
one needs help. Is there anything more
of laughter in the very
depths of the soul than help in the
time of need? This will make you both
laugh, and all the celestial denizens will
join in; heavens gates will rattle with
peals of laughter. Laughter is the
language of love. Love is an empty,
sentiment without action.
Love must express itself through kind
ness.
You will find plenty to laugh at and
little to cry over as your intellect
widens and a deeper meaning and in
are yours.
Life is not all burlesque. Solemnity
has it's place as well as the frivolous.
The serious man is equally necessary
with the clown.