stir up your loathing —
so why not avoid it?
Wednesday: Give yourself some pleasure and contentment. I know a lady, successful in practical life, who complains endlessly that she cannot be satisfied with her present situation, since she gets only one month of holiday out of a year of exhaustion. This looks like an extreme; better that a person allow himself a little pleasure and ease from time to time.
Thursday: Swear that you will not withdraw into a corner to finger your pain and your deprivation. Do not allow yourself this pleasure of pain, whose current sweeps away the timid; and think of the circle around you, and of its effect on those you live with. If you want to be happy, try to reduce the frequency of these tempting states of mind.
Friday: Resolve to create something new every day. If you look for the happiest person among your acquaintances, you will find that he is forever inventing something new. Helping others to grow is the shortest road to happiness — no matter whether it be planting a garden, writing an article, or working in society.
Saturday: Stop criticizing others and watching their conduct. Then search out the cause of your despair of life — is it illness, or a misfortune you could not bear?...
Someone's behavior may not please you; but we cannot forever expect only kindnesses, and meet only what pleases us. And remember that every person feels lonely and deprived at times. It is easy for you to adopt this philosophy, which stands as a barrier between you and bitter pain, once you consider that however disgraceful your friend's conduct may seem, it is, for her, the soundest course she can take. And the more your criticism of others grows, the thicker
grows the barrier between you and happiness.
Sunday: Spend a portion of your time on yourself — today and every day. If you are incapable of performing this task — that is, of remaining alone for a spell — you cannot reach the goal of life, which is contentment; for a person cannot hope to fit himself to others if he is not at peace with himself.
Do not run away from these hours you spend in solitude; welcome them and use them — for the only way to fight the fear of loneliness is to learn to accept these interludes as a gift whose value grows each time the world moves a step forward!