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Contents |
LAUGH AND LIVE
CHAPTER V
ENERGY, SUCCESS AND LAUGHTER
There are many essentials to success, but there
is one that is of such importance that without it
all the others become as naught. The man who
wins success is invariably impelled to do the great
work allotted him by something within that tells
him he can. He may not know exactly what it
is, but he knows he possesses it and is able to
act on that faith, accomplishing things which
seem utterly impossible to other people. This
inner determination, once firmly implanted in
one's nature, cannot be destroyed or conquered.
And this element is energy—energy of mind,
which rules the body. But where does this come
from? How do the great minds generate this
glorious means of self-propulsion? The answer
is that in a healthy body it is inherent from
birth, and proper care of the body therefore ac- [42]
centuates within their minds the will to do.
If the preceding chapters have been carefully
read we may readily believe that the successful
youth must start with a wholesome, generous
viewpoint, a good constitution, and a clean mind.
We have had an inkling by this time of what
one must do to achieve success in a world where
competition is keen. We are beginning to realize
that these matters are of vital importance and
that we are face to face with a problem.
Energy is the natural outpouring of a healthy
body. It must be directed, it must be controlled,
the same as any other living force. Not only is
it a positive necessity to the winner, but it must
grow and become a natural quality. It does not
stand after years of abuse. It does not spring
up in the night after a long season of neglect and
ill-health. All of us possess it in varying ways.
That fact ought to convince us that we can get
hold of ourselves and build up that which nature
has given us, rather than allow it to die away.
We all have a certain amount of energy . . .
why shouldn't we all be successes? We might to [43]
a certain extent, but that doesn't mean that we
shall all get rich in the money sense of the world.
When we say: "Why shouldn't we all be suc-
cesses?" we do not mean that everybody in the
world must be greedy for money, nor for power
and position. It does not mean that we should
be selfish and eager to take everything away from
the other fellow. On the contrary, it means that,
with energy, we shall be successful according to
our brain tendency.
Going back to our second chapter we find the
phrase "taking stock" of ourselves. Done rightly
that alone will inspire success. Now if we are
a little farther along on the way towards sane
living and the ability to laugh and we know
that after this struggle is over the battle is won
we must use the powers that self-analysis gives
us—to fight. The mere recognition of them is
power and we must not let them go to waste.
Energy is like steam—it cannot be generated
under the boiling point. In other words, half-
heartedness never produced it nor made it a prac-
tical working tool. We must be energetic in [44]
order to augment energy. We must have con-
fidence along with it . . . the more the merrier.
The greater the confidence in ourselves the
greater the energy which brought it about. Some
minds naturally feel confident. These are the
lucky ones, the slender few who have grasped
life's meaning at the start by "taking stock" be-
fore they were threatened with defeat. Success
comes to them as easily as rolling off the pro-
verbial log. They come sweeping along, con-
quering, sure of themselves, confident, aspiring,
true. to their inner selves, ready for work, un-
afraid of experiences, and sure of a smile when
the clouds are darkest.
This does not mean that these successes have
exceptional ability. If that were the case we
would not waste time either in reading or writing
about the matter. If we didn't feel that we were
potentially able to become successes and pos-
sessed the elements of victory in our present
make-up not another moment would be spent on
the subject. The very simplicity of this use of
energy proves to us that it is a quality bubbling [45]
forth in the least of us and the strongest. It
only needs to be put to work and it becomes self-
strengthening. Living in the open air, sleeping
out of doors, taking the proper exercise, look-
ing wholesomely upon life, believing in ourselves,
are all parts of the sane existence which leads
to success and laughter.
We ought to feel that everything in life pos-
sesses elements akin to human feeling. We
should not arrogate to ourselves the sole right
to rule and reason. And what has this to do
with energy? It is only one of the many vistas
that open to us when we learn how to laugh and
live. And man alive! If we never learn to
laugh we will never learn to live.
We must not forget that there can be more
than one use made of energy. In the same way
that electricity might be misused so might energy
be placed in the wrong service. We must not
waste any time, therefore, in getting this energy
of ours worked into enthusiasm . . . enthusiasm
for our life work, for our fellow man, for the
zest of life. We must throw ourselves into the [46]
battle and carry the standard. We must leap to
the front, not waiting for the other fellow to show
the way. Spend your enthusiasm freely and be
surprised at how it thrives on usage.
Enthusiasm being produced by energy must of
a necessity depend largely upon that. Now the
point is, how shall we guard and keep fresh this
element in ourselves? We know that the body is
producing this quality. Like the steam engine
we are keeping the fires going by exercise, whole-
some thinking and sincerity of purpose. We are
the engineers. Our hand is on the throttle.
Sharp turns lie ahead but our eyes look forward
fearlessly. We glance about us to see that we
are in the pink of condition. We know that our
mind is functioning properly and that the awak-
ened confidence is already inherent in our na-
tures and stands beside us night and day like the
officer upon the bridge of the ship. Indeed we
are on our way!
Out of energy and enthusiasm comes some-
thing else that must not be neglected . . . in fact
it must be cultivated and guarded from the very [47]
beginning . . . laughter. The mere possession
of energy and enthusiasm makes us feel like
laughing. We want to leap and jump and dance
and sing. If we feel like that don't let us be
afraid to do it. Get out in the air and run like a
school boy. Jump ditches, vault fences, swing
the arms! Never fail to get next to nature when
responsive to the call. Indeed we may woo this
call from within ourselves until it comes to be
second nature. And when we rise in the morn-
ing let us be determined that we will start the
day with a hearty laugh anyhow. Laugh be-
cause you are alive, laugh with everything. Let
yourself go. That is the secret—the ability to
let one's self go!
If we follow this religiously we will be sur-
prised how successful the day will be. Every-
thing gives way before it.
CHAPTER VI
BUILDING UP A PERSONALITY
More and more personality is coming into its
own as man's greatest asset. There was never a
day when it was not, but in former years this
essential quality was not listed under the name
. . . personality. Had we lived in the days of
our fathers' youth we would have heard about
"remarkable men," "men of big caliber," "large
character," "splendid presence," and the like.
But it remained for our day and generation to
discover the real word—personality—meaning
the most perfect combination possible of man"s
highest attributes. At least that would be the
definition in its fullest sense.
Of course everyone has a certain personality
and, no matter in what degree, its possession is
valuable. Personality is an acorn, so to speak,
which may be cultivated into a sturdy oak. Per- [49]
sonality is one's inner self outwardly expressed.
It represents the conquest of our weaknesses and
naturally impresses our strength of character
upon others.
With personality our foundation is firm. On
this pedestal we may stand squarely and face
life with equanimity. For such there is no end
to achievement while good health and youthful
spirit remain.
It is impossible to come into the presence of
a personality without becoming immediately
aware of it. It is reflected by people of small
stature . . . poor physiques . . . homely visages,
as well as men of the highest physical develop-
ment. The great Napoleon was just above five
feet while Lincoln towered over the six-foot line.
Men of personality are the last to say die. Their
store of combativeness carries them beyond their
real span of existence either in years or achieve-
ment. Thus, the mind shows its mastery over
matter. Alexander Pope was still writing while
propped upon the pillows of his death bed. Mark
Twain joked with friends when he knew his hour [50]
was at hand.
Personality is magnetic. It can charm the
friend or put fear into the heart of the enemy.
Joan of Arc, a frail woman, won battles at the
head of her troops. History is filled with inci-
dents where men of personality have turned de-
feat into victory by leading their soldiers back
into the fray.
Wholesome personality is the fulfillment of
self-development—physically, mentally and spir-
itually. But all personality is not wholesome for
it often shows in the face of the man who is a
rogue at heart. Therefore, all personality is not
for the good of the world. It is only of the whole-
some kind that we speak. To such as possess it
the goal is divine. Personality could never be
perfected without living a life of preparedness
backed up by our most earnest and honest con-
victions. Personality is made up of many quali-
ties and differs in man only as man is different
from his brother man. Perfect personality re-
quires constant care in its development and con-
stant guard for its safety. It cannot be pur- [51]
chased in the open market. It must be built upon
piece by piece and everything we are becomes a
part of it.
Personality would be indeed imperfect if it
did not give us full poise. If we neglect our
physical poise we pull down our mental poise,
likewise our spiritual poise. That is why person-
ality must be kept constantly protected against
encroachment; but this can be so fixed by pur-
pose, plan, and power of will that it becomes au-
tomatically safeguarded. Once in possession we
have only to make it part of our natural selves
and wear it unconsciously to the last breath of
life.
Then the question is, why should we allow our-
selves to be satisfied with an imperfect person-
ality? It only reflects back upon ourselves.
Haven't we often heard a man say: "He is all
right but . . . !" Perhaps the personality in
question was untidy, or that his walk was that of
a laggard, or that he affected an egotistical air
of superiority—whatever the impairment it [52]
should have been done away with.
A man of personality should never be haunted
with worry from the sneers of his inferiors be-
cause of their own laxity. Some men perfect
their manner of speech to a degree which takes
it above that of their weaker fellows, others de-
velop fine qualities which are viewed by ordinary
individuals as affectations but which are in real-
ity the result of innate refinement.
The man of no refinement has indeed an up-
hill fight but with persistence and ambition to
succeed he can win. Lincoln, the rail splitter,
is the most shining example of the power to will
victory. For him to have fallen by the wayside
would have caused no comment for it would have
been expected in those early days of struggle,
but to those who have the benefit of inherited
tendencies toward personality, to fail in its de-
velopment is in the nature of a crime.
Personality does not mean over-refinement.
Sturdy qualities are the necessary ones. Over-
refinement leads to the softer life and ofttimes to
degeneracy. Exalted ego is an indication of [58]
degeneracy and may have been inherited. Of
those things we inherit that are good we must
hold, and everlastingly must we watch those
which are bad. It is never wise to wander far
away from basic principles into preachment.
What we need is guidance along the road to the
goal of personality. First of all we need health
and second, the will to do. Next, we must use
these weapons in the right direction, for person-
ality is at its zenith when backed up by strong
physique and brain power.
From previous chapters we have learned that
success of any kind is predicated upon keeping
ourselves in trim, and in good humor. Keeping
in trim is no trick at all. We can make it a part
of every physical action and as keeping in trim
means perfection of body and soundness of mind
we should never neglect to utilize any effort that
will help us toward bodily efficiency. There is
exercise in stooping over to pick up a pin if we
will go about it the right way. We can correct
an ill-formed body by adopting and maintaining
a certain carriage. We may hold our chin in [54]
such a way as to provide against stooped
shoulders.
We have opportunities both morning and eve-
ning to indulge in various forms of light, sys-
tematic exercises which will push forward the
day's work with zest and vim.
Poise has everything to do with personality,
therefore the physical structure must come in for
its share of proper attention. No man of refined
personality would walk the streets with a soiled
face or uncombed hair. Such things do not give
poise. They are the evidences of a laggard spirit.
The more we exercise the more energetic we be-
come, the surer we are of ourselves, the farther
we get in the development of our personality.
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