Laugh and Live | Page 6

early in
the study of self--the serious realization of their own capabilities.
[Illustration: _Preparing to Pair With the Prickly Pear_]
This makes it easy to understand their plight. If we know ourselves we
are strengthened that much, because we can bolster up our weaknesses.
We will know enough to combat timidity. We can then know what we
are capable of, and thus become conscious of our innate powers that
only need to be called into action in order to become useful. We cannot
imagine for an instant a great violinist going out on the concert
platform in ignorance of the condition of his instrument. And yet
failures go out on the stage of life knowing nothing of their strengths
and weaknesses--and still expect to win!

If we are to become successes we must _keep success in mind_--banish
all thought of losing. Success is just as natural as anything else. It is
only a matter of the mind anyhow. We are all successes as long as we
continue to think so. Self-depreciation is a disease. Once it gets a hold
on us--good-bye!
And that is why it is wise to begin early--to take hold of affairs while
we are young. Superiority over our fellow man comes from a
superiority of mind and body. A healthy mind breeds a healthy body.
The most superficial study will convince us of this fact.
Appearance counts for much in this world. We judge largely by
appearances. We haven't time to know everyone we meet intimately
and as a result must base our opinions upon first impressions. The
fellow who comes in an office with his head hanging down between his
shoulders and a frown upon his face doesn't get far with us. We find
ourselves looking over his sagging shoulders toward the individual
behind him who comes in with a swinging step and the confidence born
of health and good spirits.
Self-confidence in youth makes for self-confidence in after years. This
is far from meaning that one can be brazen and inclined towards
freshness and get away with it. It merely means the marshalling of
one's forces, _the command of one's self_ and the ability to make others
recognize that we are on the map because we belong there. And one of
the quickest ways to accomplish this is to have a smile tucked away for
instant use. Again, this does not mean that we are to carry round a
ready-to-wear grin which we wear only as we are ushered into the
presence of another. _A real smile, or a hearty laugh, is not to be
counterfeited._ We easily know the genuine from the spurious. A real
laugh springs naturally out of a pure, unadulterated confidence and a
good physical condition. What triumphs, what splendid battles, have
been won through the ability to laugh at the right moment.
Whenever we find that we are losing our ability to smile let's have no
false notions. We are neglecting our physical well being. Let us then
and there drop the sombre thoughts and get out into the open air. Run
down the street and if possible out into the country. If we see a tree and

have the inclination to climb it--well, then, climb it. If we are sensitive
about what our neighbors might say--too bad! But we can romp with
easy grace. If we but knew how gladly our neighbors would emulate
our gymnastics if they knew the value of them the laugh would be on
us for dreading their opinion. One thing we do know--they will envy us
our good health and spirits.
CHAPTER IV
PROFITING BY EXPERIENCE
_Experience comes by contact._ There is no way we can have
experiences without passing directly through them. If we are up and
doing they come thick and fast into our lives, some of them weighted
down by the peculiar twists and turns of circumstances, others simple,
easily understood, and still others complicated to the point of not being
understood at all.
People are divided into two classes--those who profit by experience and
those who do not. The unfortunate part of it all is that the latter class is
by far the larger of the two.
The man of vigorous purpose, fine constitution, and the full knowledge
of self, sees through an experience as clearly as through a window. The
glass may be foggy, but he knows what lies beyond. Self-reliant and
strong he seeks knowledge through experience, while the weak man,
the unhealthy-minded, the inefficient, stands aside and gives him the
right of way. In later years, however, they bitterly complain that they
were not given the same chance to succeed.
The man of experience having long since passed through the stages of
indecision has, through careful self-analysis learned to bridge
difficulties that would make others tremble with fear.