The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-13
Nv THE OPTIMIST.

clubs career, with topic mat requires
me considers, ion TO adequately define
and apply to our work.
have heard enthusiasm described as
the state of mind where imagination gets
the better of judgment.
If this be true We must beware o: our
CnthLsiams hut. of course it naturally
follows that If we try 20 analyze an en-
tbIsiasm il leave of being one so tia;
anything considered in calm. cold analy-
sis is not enthusiasm at all
We prefer as optimists, TO look upon
enthusiasm as an ecstatic JOY in living.
] will tell you what enthusiasm means TO
the optimist. II is finding something
good in everything; not only taking a
pleasure in the good and pleasant things
Of life, but in taking the attitude that
trouble and disappointment are merely
temporary trials and that we are going
through a refining process all the time.
Enthusiasm is of the bubbling, joyous
spring. We get out into the woods and
the meadows and all nature seems smil-
ing and happy The birds sing about the
building of their nests and the young
90 the Joy they feel In the awakened
earth Man. too, reused from his winter
of work, likes to bask in the sun, TO ge,
out into the open and take note Of the
budding of green things and carry home
great armfuls Of flowers and sweet
smelling wild flowers.
Did you never feel the enthusiasm of
tie spring and partake in that glorious
riot Of newborn life?
Enthusiasm is of the warm and happy
summer, Nature has gotten over her
frthc and has buckled down 10 the hard
hut pleasant labor Of replenishing the
earth stock Of treasures-thOse things
which sprOuted in the spring and taking
all summer to grow into the fuldllment
OF natures promise.
Man has little to do then but to stand
b. and let his enthusiasm dwell upon
The mysteries Of life, to take, perhaps, a
brief vacation and give full sway to his
lUyes for the coming harvest.
Those Of us who are Of the cities feel
somehow as though we were cheated out
Of something while the glories of spring
ara summer are to be enjoyed. SO We
stsai away from our accustomed haunts
and make little excursions 10 places
where We can get a taste of nature.
Enthusiasm is of the autumn. for then
the world is busy with its tasks Man.
whether Of the cities or OF the country. =
engaged on new projects. He feels the
call 10 arms. as 1t were. Frolicking AID
waiting are over; the real work beslr s.
lie is happy in the thought that he g
20 try his mettle on new tasks, and
great plans engage his thoughts and his
attention.
Enthusiasm Is OF the winter It is then
that Charity stretches out her hands 10
be filed The poor and the forsaken and
the homeless need help, and Nature. in
her need to give the earth and the grow
ing things a rest, is hardest on the chill
dien Of the world. All our energies are
required to combat the cold. and the bat
tie gees on fercer than ever to overcome
difficulties and impending distress.
It is then that enthusiasm for work is
needed.
! have endeavored 10 show you the
natural courses Of enthusiasm. and have
done so because I believe that enthusiasm
Is natural and unconscious quality Of
the mind. The enthusiast, though ac-
cused of lack of judgment, helps to make
the world happy.
How unhappy must be those who are
blase and who have no eager Inspirations
20 color the monotony Of their lives.
Happily the most Of US have our enthusi-
asms. When We have lost them all we
are objects Of pity.
To awake enthusiasm is one OF the OBJ
jects Of our club. 10 show other people
how blithe and gay an optimist can be.
70 grasp every opportunity to give an
object lesson in right living, in enthusl-
astic living.
The enthusiastic man is not easily
downcast; no amount OF setbacks can
dash his spirits to the earth Give me the
man or the woman Of enthusiasms and I
will show you the true missionaries of
optimism. And optimism is the essence
OF right living
II you are not enthusiastic by nature
cultivate an interest in things. Keep I'D
your enthusiasm and you will never grow
old. II doesn't matter in the least that
others may think you childish or lacking
in judgment. There is more in life than
the frigid contemplation OF facts.
1t is the glamour of imagination and or
enthusiasm that lends brightness and
happiness TO the daily life I would not
part with one of my enthusasms, for
they are not easy to replace.
Enthusiasm is born of impulse, and as
long as there are good impulses I Will
endeavor to keep my mind out of track
OF the bad ones We can all do this
Conscience and principle tell US right
from wrong. and the worst enemy of en-
thusiasm will not accuse any one of this
band of optimists Of being enthusiastic
over evil.
Don't let your enthusiasts die. As
long as you have them you have happi-
ness.
We have another cartoon to-day by
Optimist Lamborne, and I am sure Won
VIII agree with me that It is an apt one.
want to repeat my invitation to all the
optimists who are artists TO send in
sketches illustrating some phase of op-
timism. I am planning TO have a con
test OF cartoons for the very near future.
but I cannot tell. unless you send me
samples of your work. how many of you
are eligible or whether there are enough
OF you TO make such contest an inter
esting one.
Also. please remember that II any Of
you have special subject dealing with
optimism that you would like 10 have
considered all you have to do Is 10 sue-
gest H. l am anxious 10 have ALI tba