Each one is so apt to think that his own conditions, his own trials, troubles, sorrows, disappointments, reverses, or his own struggles, as the case may be, are greater than those of the great mass of mankind, or possibly greater than those of anyone else in the world. We forget that each has his own peculiar trials or troubles to bear, or struggles in habits to overcome, and that his is but the common lot of all the human race. We see and feel keenly our own trials or adverse conditions, but we almost entirely forget those of our neighbours.. We may set it down as an indisputable fact that there are thousands upon thousands who would only be too glad to change positions with us if they could.

We have only to put ourselves, in imagination, in our neighbor's place, to get on the other side of the fence from where we are. A brief experience of it and we are only too glad to return to our own side, pleased that our own trials and troubles are not greater. We must resolutely shut our eyes to all the disagreeable things in this world; and keep them wide, wide open for all the pleasant and beautiful things. There will be no occasion to worry then. Worry weakens the mind and engenders indecision. Indecision and procrastination are twin brothers, both of which lead to nothingness. Better be firm and decisive, on a stand, even if we make a mistake, rather than vacillate, waver and do nothing.

If any one has troubles he must learn to ignore and to rise above them. If discontented, to do the best possible under the circumstances. Be contented in your discontent until an opportunity presents itself to convince you on trial that all is not gold that glitters, that happiness and contentment are conditions of and within themselves, and not always to be found in places. The world presents equal opportunities for every individual. The one who succeeds is the one who works incessantly.

Be your natural self as far as you can, and do not trouble yourself about what others think or say of you. Do what you think to be right. Endeavor to live your own life, irrespective of others. Be cheerful, "a light heart lives long." Think only healthful thoughts, "as he thinketh in his heart so is he." "It's worry, not work, that kills." So work like a man but don't be worked to death. Avoid excitement. Don't carry the whole world on your shoulders. Don't rush and hurry, the world wasn't made in a day; so that one can afford to take a little time in doing the trivial things of life. Never despair. "Hope springs eternal in the human breast."

"It is not easy to be cheerful when everything one undertakes seems to go wrong, especially after one has done his very best. When the business enterprise that looked so promising ends in disaster; when the little dinner party, so carefully planned, fails, or at least is not the success you hoped it would be; when the position for which one has worked and waited so long does not materialize; when your plans - plans which it has taken years of toil and sacrifice to carry to the point of success - are suddenly overturned by some unforseen occurrence - these or any of the thousand and one disappointments, great and small, which come to the most sheltered lives, to the greatest of fortune's favorites, are trials to one's soul. But should one sit down and weep and wail and bemoan his hard luck because things go wrong? The ordinary person gives up, but the extra-ordinary one never gives up; he tramples down and crushes obstacles - otherwise he would not be extraordinary. If you rise superior to your disappointments, whatever they may be, you are adding a hundred per cent. to your power to conquer future difficulties."

Above all be an optimist; keep the heart young; cultivate kindness, cheerfulness and love; with Henry Van Dyke determine to go forward and to be glad of life, because it gives you a chance to love and to play, and to look up at the stars, to be satisfied with your possession, but not contented with yourselves until you have made the best of them; to fear nothing but cowardice, to be governed by your admiration rather than by your disgusts, to covet nothing that is your neighbor's except his kindness of heart and gentleness of manners, to think seldom of your enemies, often of your friends, and every day of God; and to spend as much time as you can with body and spirit in God's out-of-doors. If we follow these little guide posts we will learn that to live is a delight, to breathe a pleasure, to think a luxury, to sleep is soothing rest, and we will find life to be as beautiful as the sunshine - A reflection of Heaven itself.