Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-06-01
IF YOU ARE AMBITIOUS
.By H. Addington Bruce
A MBITION S no. merely, indispensable
IN IA, ale diffici1t "a

a MBITION no. merely. indispensable to
IA ones advance along the difficult road
= \ of business success. 1t is a factor which
counts for more than most people appreciate
in the maintaining of health.
Indeed, it is not too much to affirm that
there are many people in the world whose
chronic iIl-health would soon become a thing
of the past if only they would avail them
selves as they might of the tonic of ambition.
For when a man is rightly ambitious he
applies himself with real enthusiasm TO his
chosen life work. 1t becomes to him source
of keen and abiding interest. He finds a
positive JOY in the doing of it. t
And this reacts to his physical good in
more ways than one.
Under the influence of Joy, of interest, of
enthusiasm, as have elsewhere and re-
peatedy insisted, all the bodily organs func-
tion more vigorously. The blood circulateS
more rapidly, and is of an improved quality
because. of Improvement in the processes of
digestion, assimilation, and nutrition. ~
There results, in fact, general increase in
vitality. Which means increased restivity both
to fatigue and to external or internal condl-
tionS which make for disease. Herein we have
the explanation of the seemingly paradoxical
circumstance, noted by students of vital sta
tiStics, that hard work may be actually con-
tributory not to shorten ones life, but to
lengthen it.
So true is this that among the most emf
nent men are many who, extremely hard
workers from early MANHOOD, attained a re-
markabe old age although in childhood and
youth their health was none of the best. 1t
was their ambition that conserved them and
invigorated them-the achievement craving that
made them take more than ordinary delight
in their work. and that through this delight
raised their energy level and their vitality
level. .s g.. .--.. ..- ,..-
Also, it should be added, ambition leading
to enjoyment of ones work promotes the
health by saving the ambitious from morbid
overattention to the little bodily dscomforts
and aches that come at times to all of US.
Such overattention is the bane of the imam
bitious of those who work not at all, or work
with no genuine interest in their work.
Because. their minds are not occupied as
they should be- physical sensations which ordi-
narily would be diSregarded are made much
of. And because sensations are intensified in
proportion as one thinks about them the SEN
sations which trouble the mentally unoccupied
tend to become exaggerated into pains.
Then the health is lekly to begin to break.
As. pointed out. long ago by veteran physi-
clan, with reference to large class of so-iallet
nervous invalidS: .-.. ..
"The minds of these people must do some
thing, and since there is nothing really occupy
ing for them to do, they are doing themselves.
Mental energy is exerted har1nfully within the
machine instead of in doing work.
~ Ambition, as l say, is prime preventive Of
this. And. it is a prime remedy for it.
Create in the neurotic inert a fervent de-
sire to accomplish something worth while, point
out to him how he may realize that desire, and
already you have done much to aid him in
conquering his neuroticism. AS his ambition
grows, as his interest in productive work in
creases, SO will his health improve day by
day.
copyright, 1922, by The Associated
NeWSpaperS.)