The Washington herald., 1915-08-03

l sometimes wonder how much this man gains
by hurrying. In time he saves at most an hour
or so day. This hour or so he loses by the loss
of physical and mental and moral efficiency
caused by his hurrying
So there is really gain in time. There is
only loss
And besides the damage and loss created on
every side by the mans habit of hurrying there
is the injury to the man as social being
His nervousness created and fostered by hur-
rying, has made it impossible for him to secure
the calmness OF mind and the poise that help to
develop the higher qualities. both of mind and
heart.
His irascible manner causes him to seem very
dictatorial To the opinions of others he listens
with iinpatience. Often he can't wait for people
to stop talking. He saves time by cutting in with
opinions of his own
You see, his hurrying, which him to en-
croach so heavily the rights of others, Is only
an expression OF egotism 1t has grown to be an
indulgence, like a vice. And it preys on him, ex-
actly as vice would do.
This man is, in some ways, exaggerated
type of the typical American. His hurrying
thrives because it harmonzes with one OF our
most popular ideals. BY hurrying he believes he
an important man.
Here we should bear in mind the remark made
by the historian Justinian about the mad Roman
Emperor Domtian, that may be busy
catching flies. Much OF this particular mans
hurrying exactly like a great part of all hurry
ing, is wholly unmportant
Many of the things that he does might be left
undone or might be far better done quietly and
with more time.
If we look carefully into the lives of most hur-
ried people we shall find that they arc not really
the important and effective people OF the world
They noisy workers who think far OF
themselves than of being really useful.
On the other hand if we look into the lives OF
the people who do really important work we shall
find that they seldom never hurried
Some people act as if they were always just
few minutes behind time. If they could catch
up their lives would be serene. But they never do
catch up. Rreathlessly they 60 through the day
as il in pursuit of phantom. Often they live
under great nervous tension. At the end of the
day they exhausted. One hears them speak as
il they were subjected to great trials. including
overwork. But, as matter of fact, the trouble
lies wholly within themselves. If they would only
calm down and do quietly and serenely what they
have to do life would take on a wholly different
aspect for them, becoming, instead of torment, a
source OF peace and happiness.
There arc those who seem to be afraid of be-
ing ahead of time. If they make an appoint
ment they can't endure keeping it promptly. They
hate to be on hand a minute or two in advance
That minute or two is too precious. They mus,
not be wasteful. Besides, in the interval, what
would they do' The thought of idly waiting is
distressing. And yet such people are nearly al
ways wasteful of time. They do good deal OF
idling. What is more serious, by being late, they
keep others waiting and encroach on time not
their own. Moreover, when they arrive they are
likely to be in state of nervous excitement which
is not at all pleasant.