Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1915-03-13
DIR. Marden's
Uplift Talks
BY oRIsoN SWEET MARDEN.
CULTIVATE THE HABIT OF
CHEERFULNESS

A woman in California, who, be
cause of crushing sorrow, had
fallen victim to dependency,
insomnia and kindred ills, determined
to throw OF the gloom which was
making life so heavy a burden to
her, and established a rule that she
would laugh at least three times a
day, whether occasion presented or
not Accordingly, she trained herself
to laugh heartily at the least provo
cation, and would retire to her room
and make merry by herself She was
soon In excellent health and buoyant
spirits, and her home became a
sunny, cheerful abode.
To people who have lost the laugh
ing habit I would say: Lock yourself
in your room and practice smiling.
Smile at your pictures, furniture, look
ing-glass, anything, just SO the stfh
muscles are brought into play again
In order to become normal, the
natural fun-loving forces within us
must be released. Laughter is one
form of exercise which sets them
free. rescues men from the blues"
Somewhere I have read of a man
whose Laughing muscles" were SO
,paralyzed that his laughter sounded
like q voice from the tombs. Ameri-
can life is so serious that many men
lose their power to laugh. They can
force a little sepulchral chuckle, but
the genuine side-shaking laughter Is
almost a stranger to their experience
They are in such a serious chase
after the dollar, their life is so
strenuous. so given to scheming and
planning, that they do not have much
time to laugh. They do not know the
medicinal value there is in the habit
Iof laughter, how it clears the cob
webs out of the brain, disposes of
the pangs of worry and anxiety and
business pressure, takes the mind of
the grind of things, removes friction,
and helps to make life worth while.
You may not be able to cultivate
1.-THE optimistic temperament to any
great extent, if you lack it, but cheer
ifulness can be cultivated. We all
know that If we brood over our sor-
rows. and dwell upon our misfortunes,
our physical being very quickly SYM
pathizes with our moods.
Talk happiness. The world is sad
enough without your woe"
A woman who has had great attic
ltion says: 81 have had nothing I
could give but myself. and so made
the resolution that would never sad
den anyone with my troubles. 1 have
laughed and told Jokes when could
have wept. I have smiled in the face
lof every misfortune. I have tried to
llet everyone go away from my pres
Ience with a happy word and bright
Thought to carry with them. Happi-
mess makes happiness, and 1 myself
lam happier than I would have been
had I sat down and bemoaned my
Hate"
Encourage your child to be merry
French surgeon. "a good hearty
laugh expands the chest and makes
|the blood bound merrily along"
We realize that it is very necessary
ITO train the mind in business prin-
Iciples; to train certain faculties to
do special things, but do not seem
ito think 1t necessary to cultivate the
habit of cheerfulness. Yet not even
IAN education is as necessary to the
Ichild as the formation of the cheer
Iful habit. This ought to be regarded
as the first essential of the prepare
ttion for life-the training of the mind
toward sunshine: the developing of
levery possibility of the cheerful facul-
tiles.
Cheerfulness is one of the great
of the world. 1t re-
lenforces the whole man, doubles and
itrebles his power. and gives new
meaning to his life.