The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-15
Nv THE OPTINIIST.

Results is very suggestive OF optimism
An work should tend toward some def.
mite end. Unless you are working for q
purpose you are simply going round and
round in a circle. accomplishing nothing
II you were suddenly asked the ques-
ton What is your object In life?" you
might have to stop and think twice be-
fore you could answer satisfactorily
Even then you might not be able to
frame a reply that would do you justice
The idea must give us pause.
We all know what the aim Of the opti-
mistic person IS. We have discussed
The OptimiSts Aims" before in this col
Umn. and we came thoroughly TO the
conclusion that the chief aim OF the OPP
tlmst was human betterment. the ulti-
mate complete happiness and content
ment Of mankind. We found also that
this noble project found it's beginning in
the individual; that we must first work
out our own destinies before attacking
the wider problems Of how to make the
world happier and better.
The question to-day is not what we are
aiming at. but what we have accom-
plshed
There is a vast difference. as you viii
see
Necessarily OptImsts aim high Per-
haps those who are nonoptimists. or anti
optimists, are of the opinion that we aim
too high l have heard il said that the
optlmist does not mind his own business
when he seeks to force his propaganda
on his neighbor
Now. I would not have Il said that the
members Of this club mind other peoples
business nor do I want It said that we
neglect our opportunities 10 spread the
cause OF optimism. Il is well to remem-
Der that optimism is an individual state
Of mind: it comes from within. You can
not 60 TO a man and hand him a cheerful
disposition in the same way that you
would present him with coat and tell
him TO put it on and wear it, You must
achieve your results in an entirely differ
ent fashion.
Example IS. Of course. the most effec-
tive way Of making optmists The proof
that a cheerful disposition and a bright
outlook is a good thing for you may sug-
Eest 10 the downhcarted neighbor that II
would be a good thing for him. Your
hearty hand-clasp and slap on the pack
give him the idea that you are a happy.
good-naturcd sort, and unconsciously he
begins to initiate you. If he is the proper
kind. the result is that he is an optimist
before he knows It,
Results are what really count in the
long run. and yet no effort In the right
direction may be said TO be entirely
wasted Each step that you go forward.
even though you may be forced to retrace
be robbed Of your experiences. any more
than you can be robbed Of the years Of
your age.
The only practical way OF measuring
success in any undertaking IS by looking
at the results.
That IS what the business man does-he
looks at his profits. If there are none. it
would be absurd to say that he is a sue
cess in that particular line. If they are
large he has done good work, his efforts
have amounted TO something.
The way measure the success Of The
Washington Herald Optimist Club is by
the membership. AS it increases it en-
courages the belief I'm the cause Of opti-
mism. II we did not spread the good
word Of cheer, we would not be living up
10 the motto Lets help" and the num-
Der OF people who have been helped bv
the sentiments which YOU have contrib
uted' the good, kind, and happy thoughts
you have expressed. may never be actu-
ally numbered, but we know that they
exist and that they in turn will reach
others. so that the movement We have
started will keep on and on. reaching out
as u goes and bringing people TO a reall-
cation OF the benefits OF optimism.
print in full letter received this
week:
Dear Brother and Sister Optimists: used 10 he
an Opimist IN what now seems 90 me ages ago and
] used 70 wonder how any person could remain long
IN the gloomy side when there much bright
ness and happiness the optmists side Some
months ago I met with some trouble and since Then
cannot get nd Of an awful feeling Of depression
o.. rather. perpetual "buos" Every SUNDAY I
eagerly read the optimist columns and from them
derive strength % enable 10 bear the ext week
know II viii please some OF the contributors 10
know that they have helped at least one person 10
endure patiently what seems a rather heavy cross.
Try TO get ON the bright side. but my attempts gen
orally end IN failure.
Thanking you all for the help have gained fr5n
yo7r contributions. I am
A GLOOMY oPrrmsT.
I viii say TO Gloomy Optimist" that
he misjudges himself. I do not think he
will have any trouble crossing over on 10
the sunny side II he keeps his mind Off
his trouble. Some troubles. as we all
know, are very difficult 10 forget; tbere
are some things that enter into our lives
that crush US to the earth. But GLOOMY
Optimist." whatever his trouble sbould
remember that time softens all grief and
that perspective VIII make it seem small |
er as he goes along. In the meantime he |
should rechristen himself Hopeful On
tinist-" There is q cure for every I'll and |
silver lining TO every cloud
Cheer up. Gloomy Optimist,'' Now that |
you have unburdened yourself to the club |
you will begin to hold up your head
As announced last Wednesday, the SUBJ |
feet for next Sunday viii be Conf !
dence." Confidence is a good thing 70 1
have, and I am sure smost OF the men, !
bers Of this club will have something to |
say about it as desirable quality. Per- |
haps you can inspire some Of the back |
ward members to write down their |
thoughts for the Sunday page through /
year remarks on Coincidence" Some /
OF the members have never yet written |
anything, and we feel sure they must /
have message Of some sort for us.
something which VIII fit in with the gen.
eral scheme Of Improvement.
The prize-winners this week:
Life is a result From morning until
night, over the broad expanse Of earth
snd water. individuals are carrying on /