News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1915-02-03
Eloat People Their Own
Worst Enemies
BY ORiSON SWEET MARDEN.

This is John Wanamakers recent
advice to men: Don't be blue. If |
only thought of my mistakes | would
be miserable all the time"
Many a once prosperous man has
gone down in financial ruin because
he dwelt so much on his mistakes and
gave way to encouragement and the
blues.
The so-called hard times" which
we have been passing through and
which have distressed business men
for many months were not so much
due to the actual financial condition of
the country as to the mental condition
of the people.
| have in mind a man who suffers
so terribly from blue" fits that his
whole appearance is completely
changed while under their influence.
He does not look like the same man.
He is absolutely untitled to attend to
business, and even his best friends
try to avoid him. His whole appear
ance is that of utter despair, of in
tense mental suffering.
You would think by his expression
that he was bearing on his shoulders
all the troubles of mankind. 1t is
difficult to smile or feel serene in his
presence. No matter how enthusiast
tic or joyful you may be, his icy ex-
preston and discouraging converse
ton, his doubts and pessimism, chill
you. Every time l go near him feel
as though l were running out of the
sunshine into a dungeon.
Isn't it pathetic to see a strong,
vigorous man, made to be giant
ering, the abject slave of mental
clouds which cast dark shadows over
his life?
Think of a man capable of leading
hundreds or thousands of employees
in a great enterprise-a man Of
achievement, born to do great things
the victim of the "blues," in the clutch
of mental demons which he ought to
be able to throttle in five minutes!
Think of the life force wasted
every time he talks of failure, of
hard luck, of troubles and trials, of
past errors and mistakes!
There is no place in civilization for
the morose, gloomy or Respondent
man. Nobody wants to live with
him or do business with him. Every
body is detected and depressed in his
presence and tries to get away from
him.
When you look at it squarely it is
a very foolish, almost criminal thing
to go about this beautiful world,
crowded with things to delight and
cheer us, with splendid opportunities,
showing a sad, detected face, as
though life had been disappointment
instead of priceless boon. Just say
to yourself, Il am man and am going
to do the work of man. It's right
up to me and I'm going to face the stu
alton"
No one is capable of correct judg-
ment, of using good sense, when there
IS fear or doubt or dependency in
his mind. Discouragement colors the
judgment. People will do all sorts of
foolish things under the pressure of
fear. l have known men who own
their own homes to sell property or
do the most ridiculous things, in or
der to raise money, because they
were afraid they would come to grief
in their business if they did not have
it, when, as a matter of fact, there
was no real cause for anxiety what
ever. When you are at your wits
end and do not know which way to
turn, you are in danger, for you are
in no condition to plan anything or
to do the best thing. You should do
your planning when you are cool and
calm.
Most people are their own worst
enemies. We are all the time queer
ing" our life game by our vicious,
thoughts and unfor-
tunate moods. Everything depends
upon our courage, our faith in our
selves and others, and In our holding
a hopeful, optimistic outlook.
When you are low-spirited and feel
The blues" getting a grip upon you,
lust stop whatever you are doing and
make business of driving these enc
mics out of your mind, neutralizing
hem, killing them, by their opposite
suggestions. You know perfectly well |
hat a cheerful, beautiful thought, no |
natter how difficult it may be for you
o hold it when you are suffering, will |
oon bring you relief. Assume the |
hopeful virtue, if you have it |
lot, and it will soon be yours.