The daily Alaskan., 1918-04-12
Little Problems
 ScWarriedLife
HOLDING MoNoToNY AT BAY.
By WILLIAM GEORGE JORDAN
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 (Copyrghy

Business men realize the effect or cleanliness, comfort, convenience and change in making store more attrac- tive to customers. They vary the dis play in the shop windows, they deco rate in harmony with the seasons, they rearrange departments, they COntinu- ously seek to baniSh mOnot0ny. This philosophy of change might well he introduced in many homes where the same articles of furniture stand in the same places for years as if they were built into the walls. ReurrangIng the furnishings, changing the position Of the pictures, packing out of sight the surplus of ornaments and bric-a-brac that make rooms look like museumSand bringing them out later and retiring the old ones. may freshen and bright en a home and give a new life and in- SpiratIon.
 There is q tendency on the part of many married people to surrender to their moods. not 10 bother about mak- Ing themselves agreeable to each oth- ar. There are times when guest comes to the home and the husband may be surprised to see how entertaining his wife can be: he hears her tell stories and incidents that are new to him, that amuse and brighten the atmosphere. He may narrute entertaining episodes of his business life. talk interestingly of new inventions, new discoveries, city improvements. national men and measures. facts and fanCieS from his reading, observation and experience and she may look across the table in pleased wonder and try to keep back the expression of her rcbclliouS pro test that with her alone he usually sur passes the oyster in silence except on the old subjects now talked to tntters.
 NIonotony comes from many causes; 1t can be held at bay in many ways. The COurtShip method helps by keeping the two from settling down into mat ter-of-fact, humdrum existence, by hallOwiug trifeS, hy hanishing sense of duty and putting the Spontancity of love in its stead. ComradeShip helps too: 1t puts both on a basis of ConSe- Crated friendship, willing to talk un- COmplaIningly together the rough or the smooth. the lights or the shadows. the decpS or the ShIlluwS of living. just as equals. with no awe, no oppressive dignity. no fear, hut with freedom, frankneSS. full respect and confidence that smiles away sorrow and suspicion.
 Humor helps: if livcnS trifes. takes the sting out of little troubles and mis- cries. When the servant leaves at four minutes notice there need not be grumhling. and protest, and fret ting. What if the meals are not up to par or the house not manicureG and given heavy polish. for day or two: There is no need for worry, the world Is not vet come to an end. If taken in the right spirit if may be picnic tlme for both. Children have the advantage of us older folks; they know how to pretend and to play things are different from what they are.
 A little of this spirit, sometimes. keeps us young; it brings imagination to thc rescue; it crowds out the Op- uressiveness of the SrriouS side of things when tears may he just trem- bling near the edge of the cyclids, like actors in the wings waiting their cue. An honest laugh is worth a hundred SighS in any market. It does not real ly make much difference if the humor seems d bit homemade and show signs of wear. if it please lhv two, who en- joy without criticiZing and carry a hubblng laugh from their lips to their living.
 Reading aloud, music in the home, the rompinS play of the children. the welcome gur>t--all help to keep mo- nOtOny at bay. Locking out for the Joy notes in the commonplaceS, find Ing happiness like fuur-lcaf clover because We know just where to look for it. seeing reason for thankfulncSs in what we have rather than regret in what we have not. Sim'ing and $mil- ing at ones work, make mou0tony fade away like mist hc"orr the sun nf the morning. Really ln"ing ones home is the best wav to make if worth liv- ing; having a pride iu if will m"kc it proud of Us. Doing more for c"ch oth- CT intensifipS love, for We love most those for whom We GO most. Love grows ana gains !y giving.