Personality

way. There is no force on earth higher than the constructive energy of appreciation, warmed by a great love. 52 There is a latent spark in every being which flares up in answer to the stimulation of appreciation; and the knowledge and use of this power widens our lives and our field of usefulness. The whole business world everywhere is clamoring for live, vital workmen, who can attract and hold the outside world. It pays big salaries to those who can prove themselves "mascots" in whatever work they represent, but there is positively no place whatever for the "dead ones"; they already glut the market. Appreciation; the power of sincere recognition of our own abilities and capabilities; and side by side with it, the same approval of other lives; these are all factors in the foundation of a life success which cannot be fully understood until it is tried. In order to get real appreciation, we must get real love into our hearts and then teach ourselves how to connect with our words. We may manufacture a grin and an artificial approval, but at the same time we must be getting the real thing into our inner being or there will come a time when our words will be only as sounding brass or tinkling cymbals. There is a great truth in the power of thought transference, and it is just as easy to create a mental atmosphere of appreciation as it is to speak it; and for some lives this is sufficient to encourage them, but be wise and know when the spoken word is necessary to complete their character. Live appreciation; radiate it; let it shine through you, but by all means learn to make your lips declare the truth your heart has known. "Encourage people; tell them of their good qualities of mind and heart and person too; it will revive them; make them think they are understood; perhaps awaken hope and will and power to do"; and when this is finished be sure that we recognize and appreciate all that others do for us. To aid others in developing to their uttermost and to "dare to be what they will to be," is the great testimony of our capacity of controlling, directing, and completing our own life. There is no power so impressive, so strong for success, so powerful in life building, and so certain in its everlasting benefit to mankind in general, as this one great human attribute, appreciation, or the power of universal recognition. Then each life is great in itself and increasing in its greatness with others. Then life and love and God are one. 53 SIXTEENTH SUCC