To many people there is nothing which so retards their progress in science as worry. They strive and struggle, and after vainly fretting, because they worry, say: well, I give it up, I must worry, I cannot see how I am over to be placid with so many household cares, etc., etc.; and to these, we can only say ever tho same thing, you must give it up—you will make little or no advancement until at least you begin a steady warfare against this great foe.
They will readily admit nothing is ever made by worrying, on the contrary, many things are unmade. They know it is a builder of headaches and neuralgia, yet this unwelcome companion still sticks like a burr; the worries of the house are daily taken out for a walk, talked over with friends, and generally return home somewhat enlarged by airing; instead of getting rid of, as the holder fondly hopes.
Now for one of many methods for the dislodgment of this enemy. Suppose on going out in the morning we make up our minds to leave all cares behind, and to that end commence the instant the hall door is shut to contemplate or study some sentence or word; for if we can lift our daily burdens from off our shoulders for only half an hour, or an hour, by steadily thinking in another direction, this will soon grow into a brighter view of things, and a contented temperament will become ours habitually.
Take the word Joy; how seldom we make it a companion, yet it belongs to us and is our eternal right; why should we neglect it? Perhaps we say it over a few times, and it does not at first seem to mean much, then it forms itself into sentences, and we begin to feel that just to Be is a joy, to walk along the pathway and take long draughts of air is a joy, and a little bit of thankfulness creeps in, and we remember some blessings we possess which lately we had forgotten.
Those fleecy clouds and that fleeting stretch of blue look more lovely through joy; perhaps it is raining, each little drop comes down with a business-like air, and quite a spring of joy. Is there a fog, and we long for sunshine? well, by-and by we shall get it, and in the meantime, we know the sun is shining somewhere; shining for others if not for us; and anyway, we can make it shine in our hearts, and that’s a joy.
Some of the people we meet look glad, and others have care and sadness written too plainly for joy; and as we pass them, we can bless them, and tell them of the joy and love which is really theirs for all time, help them in thought to realize it, and be thankful for life, and this beautiful world.
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, how few of us realize sufficiently that fruit comes after sowing, first the little bud and leaf, then the flower and after the fruit, and so it is with the cultivation of joy in our soul, we must create thoughts of joy.
Our work or shopping will be got through more easily than usual with some thought of this kind held all the time in the background; the people who wait on us will seem kinder, and most likely quite unknown to them, why? they will be pleased to wait on us. That little word will gradually fill us, and we shall feel calm and contented, when on another morning we might have given way to impatience and irritation, after a little while we shall meet some one we know, and in all likelihood they may say to us, “well we need not ask after you this morning, you are looking as happy as possible,’’ and then we shall realize for once worry is afar off, for in this kind of atmosphere worry cannot live, we shall return home strengthened and refreshed, and things there will have taken on quite a roseate glow compared to their condition when we left them.
The realization and knowledge of the eternal presence of God (Good) is a sure way to expel all worry and fear.
“Thou wilt show me the path of life; in Thy presence is fulness of Joy.”
Zelda. | Expression- October, 1900