Self Help

ve us, until we learn our true position toward them. Whenever we feel all of the meanness of our undeveloped nature welling up within us, it is a good plan to just keep it to ourselves, and cultivate the appearance and atmosphere of recognition. After a while we will displace the chill by the sunshine we have willed into expression. If we conquer it a little, day by day, we will soon cease to have it. A smiling face, a happy life, a soul full of appreciation which shines and radiates from us; this is the proof which the soul offers to the world that it has learned how to create its own kingdom. We should train our eyes to see the good, the true, and the beautiful in everything, and then recognize it by every avenue of expression. It is not always enough to a life that we think it is good or great; we should tell the life what we think. "A little word in kindness spoken, a motion or a tear; has helped to heal a life that's broken, and made a friend sincere." When a life needs encouragement, give it. Don't see its limitations, even though they almost overshadow its power; help it to grow into what it believes it can be. Encouragement is only another name for appreciation. It is no harder to see the good qualities in others than it is to see the faults, and it is a whole lot more comfortable for everyone. Life is a continual process of selection, and since we cannot choose but select something, learn to make it from the beautiful and best qualities, and then hold them up before the eyes of the possessor and see it with all the high lights of love and appreciation turned upon it. If we make the most of all the good and great things we find in our lives we will have very little time left to grieve about what we do not have. When we go into a store and find all the clerks, who wait upon us, cross, distraught and uncivil, don't report them to the proprietor; that will never cure them. Just treat them yourself by appreciation; give them sunshine; pour out all the warmth of yourself upon them and watch the effect. It won't be five minutes until the effect begins to show; just the tones of your voice can start a new vibration. Do not be afraid to express your appreciation of them or for anything they do for you; there is no life on earth that can stand against real, sincere recognition. When someone answers us in a hateful manner, don't answer them back in the same tone; stop a moment, give them a thought of warm love and a kind word and see the storm clear a