HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12609, 20 November 1926, Page 15

HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

(By

Phyllis Monkman.)

Every man. woman and child strives for happiness! And to create the circumstances which make for happiness, to mould the conditions which ensure it, is the right of each.one of us. But if we speak of our right to happiness, we must have a thorough understanding and a true appreciation of what real happiness is and means. Jn our every-day world, failure to attain happiness is surely a result of the false impression that happiness can only be attained from the acquisition of some material thing. This idea is foolish and destructive, and, if persisted in, is bound to bring discontent and dire unhappiness instead! Cowper says: “Happiness depends, as nature shows, less on exterior things than most suppose.” This homely philosophy brings us near to the heart of a great and abiding truth. Happiness comes from within ; not from without. The general tendency of modern life for adults, as well as children, is to seek happiness in a multitude of undesirable ways. For growing children, home is “too slow” ; yet, if they and their parents did but realise it, home is the true source of all happiness. Parents should realise this before it is too late. “Seeing life” and “getting about” are very unsatisfying quests. Right thinking and right seeking alone bring the happiness that is worth while. The things most needed for complete contentment —home, love, friends, remunerative work, pleasure, and. above all, health—come directfrom a right mental attitude towards life.

Happiness can ho cultivated by the correct appreciation of character in others, and beauty in nature. Simple, everyday life is full of opportunities for producing happiness. It opens a gateway for service in the home and outside the home: it creates the kind heart and th<* generous hand —unspeakable gifts, bringing reward in happiness and health.

Tronbark pumpkin is & favourite vegetable, but difficult to cut and peel. Place it in a warm oven for a few minutes and it will do both quite easily afterwards.

Don’t allow flip soap to remain in a bucket or pan of hot water; it wastes. Ha-vo soaD oups to fasten to the sides.