TO HELP TIRED FOLK

NZ Truth, Issue 1202, 13 December 1928, Page 21

TO HELP TIRED FOLK

Mrs. Russell Expounds Creed of ; Good Cheer , 0 ;i ,

"Psychology maybe the science of the soul, but it is also, far. more," says Mrs. Albert Russell, prominent Wellington teagheiL and student of the psychological realm. 1 -"It- is really'-the t&eh^ ing of an attitude which helps, one to meet -and overcome difficutties for soul and body alike. ;

"TT is the meeting-ground, of all reli--1 gions and 'brings the : best ;bf. old, forgotten creeds out of the shadows to the very substantial earth where., people live 'and work. "Have you ever heard of Unity? I hadn't, until I went to America. Then I came into contact with agreat f; bp^ of psychologists— not gropers,,. m_. the;;, nether darkness, but people who tried to bring their psychology' into the common round .of life. _ "Every religion was represented among , them,, and they common grounds of thought which transcended the narrow wails of creeds. "The difference that practical psychology can make,- more particularly to women, is amazing. In the rush and hurry 6t modern American life it is thex thing which gives the American woman her serenity, poise, and cheery self-confidence. "We believe, you see, that cell life is intelligent. By" the exercise ' of intelligence, it is possible to ■ control the subconscious powers of the body as easily as the conscious. "Our first step is to try to conquer the psychological enemies of the human mind _doubt, fear and diffidence. The 'getting better and better* slogans of Coueism and its branches may sound trivial to some, but they are the outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual positive attitude. "There is no doubt that, m. the wrong hands, psychology can be a dangerous weapon. Take the 'power of mind over matter* theory- This is very debateable ground. "But what is quite unquestionable is that'happiness and calm do change and direct the nervous : pf ocesses of the body. The number of physical ailments that arisafrom bervpus debility or mental worry is almost .incalculable, particularly m th'is* -age^ of intense strain. .' ' , ; " . .: .'..'■■''■':.! ':'■. "A very, interesting ■■feature is the \ blending of • Oriental, 'with: .Occidental ideals m ltli;J.3Jnatter.]Vlost of the old faiths;- ahd • dreams; on . which modern. 'psychology; .;is-basdd come from the East.. ••,' ; ■.-"■! .-, "This spirit has been iiitroduced^ into the Western worldi -mdre- particularly into the United: States;: of ;■ America. I can tell by a woman's'^ace' whether or not she has this. safe, '.calm -background m her life. .' , ; -:^ ; -, ' "As I say, the practical psychologists try to i bring the beauty of their crjeeds into the ordinary world, and the result is that to-day the Most arts are being restored In America. J saw everything

from perfume-blending" to pottery- <- " making amongHhe women. "There Is certainly a place for prac- ' * tlcal psychology m New Zealand. We, , 100, have our ordeals and our anxieties J" and anything that will help us to meet - them,;« N th a smiling face should be *