Evening star., 1937-01-16
Beauty of
Starting the
Day Right
Repose in
Morning Always
Helpful.
BY ANGELO PATRI.

Il he emu Oh ally uIIoci taAAA6 ID wv
in its beginning. A healthy seed.
a careful plan, rounded thought
will give the beginning such a sturdy
impetus that the end cannot but be
worth while. A kindly Providence so
arranged the schedule Of our living
that we have a beginning every "a
hours. We do not make enough OF
the privilege OF fresh start. More
often than not we forget We are max
ing a start and hurry stupidity along
into another messy and unworthy day.
Whatever work one does Is done by
the grace and the strength Of the
spirit. It Is spiritual courage, spir-
itual power, spiritual will that calls
out physical strength and endurance.
Not the other way round. Even the
most needless give some thought to
their physical preparation for the day,
bathing and dressing and eating be-
fore starting, but even the most
thoughtful and careful forget about
the all-important preparation Of the
spirit. Mothers and fathers and
teachers stand in special need OF this
preparation.
The tension that growing children
create in the adults who are close to
them Is something that has to be con-
sidered gravely If there is to be har-
mony and health in the family. The
children cannot help being noisy, out
of time and tune with the adults, but
the adults can do something to main
tain their poise, their good sense and
calm Judgment, all Of which they must
guard for the good Of the group.
They can nourish and adorn their
spirits before they give thought to
their bodies when beginning the day.
The two can 60 forward together to
some extent. A few minutes can be
devoted to the cultivation Of the spirit
while the body rests. There is always
q way.
Each must decide for himself what
will best nourish his spirit for the
day. The handbooks that offer a
daily thought help some; the prayer
book and the Bible are for others;
some grain of religious philosophy
helps others. Singing a hymn, quot
ing q fine bit of prose or poetry serves
for others. Some bit Of buoyant
beauty Is what Is needed and for each,
his own.
It will not cost too much time. The
few minutes necessary in the quiet
of ones spirit will not hinder the work
of the morning, but will further It
because on the power gained in those
few quiet minutes the best OF the
days work is going to be done.
This Is not a matter Of willing to
do right. No will beyond the win to
be still and know that the spirit will
speak is needed. This is only re-
sponse to q great need; easily given
by yielding to the stiffness Of mind
and body that Is waiting to take over.
It Is not necessary to say, "Now, I'll
be quiet and read my lesson for the
day and make myself peace-filled and
calm" Forget about making yourself
anything and be still. Let your spirit
grow and wax strong within you. Al
low it, don't try to make 1t. Spiritual
life cannot abide with force. 1t is a
pervading force in itself and SO none
other Is needed.
Try starting the day with your spirit
In tune and you will find that your
body goes along with 1t, that your
work goes along with 1t, too, and that
your day will be happier, richer and
truly worthy.
Mr.. Patri will give personal atten-
tion to inquiries from parents and
school teachers on the care and de-
velopment Of children. Write him in
care Of this paper, inclosing q Scent
stamped, self-addressed envelope for
reply.
tCopyright. 1937)