Of Success and Happiness

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 45, 22 May 1931, Page 8

Of Success and Happiness

F doctors it has been said they | do not take their own medicine, Mrs. Albert Russell’s talk on "The Principles of Success in Everyday Life" left me with the thought that, as a pragmatic psychologist, she might fittingly have made more practical application of the principles of psychology in "putting her message across." With the © general tenor of what she is hoping to achieve by these talks I have no manner of complaint; but I strongly believe she would increase their efficiency tremendously by a slightly different presentation. If there is one thing more than another which the average human being hates, it is being preached at; good advice is the worst possible kind of advice unless very skilfully adiministered, just as that little boy takes his pill more easily who absorbs with it the tastiest kind of jam. Her very title made me nervous: "The Principles of Success in Everyday Life." Would she not have intrigued her listeners better if she had asked "Is it Possible to Succeed and be Happy?" And on that peg have chatted brightly? Then her talk lacked illustration, the power of example. There was no break in her steady exposition of high principles, no little quip, no small illustration, no good or even bad example by which to profit. Albert, you let your wife down! And you, who know so well the value of a joke! With Mrs. Russell’s teaching I agree hiartily. Financial and material success is not sufficient, she says, without happiness: achieved by the fullness of j.iellectual and spiritual life. But why not have cited a-case or two? Miss Hetty Green, in her day the world’s richest woman, won by persistent shrewdness and greed served by financial genius: was. she happy? Then those other poor souls mentioned in the cables recently. Two maiden ladies with forty millions: forbidden marriage by their father to hoard . the family wealth. Where is the success of lives with never a man about the-house, or a baby on the porchstarved, in the happy field of domesticity? ‘ "A man’s power to achieve increases in the same ratio as his belief in that -power increases"; "Whatever is held in the mind must eventually come forth;" "No one limits you but yourself"; "You can overcome heredity, environment and every obstacle if you so will"-these are familiar texts, but to their expression Mrs. Russell brought vigour, clarity, enthusiasm, and perhaps a trifle too much of melodrama and soothing syrup in her voice, While. agreeing that he is happiest who finds play in his work, I distrust her advice to change that work forthwith to find the proper balance of playfulness. Not in these days. But IT endorse and commend her statement that the capacity for success lies in us all. Within the measure of the talents given us we can all achieve success: it is not limited to the few. A more intriguing title, so as not to frighten the timid; a few examples to point the moral; a little lightness to gild the pill; and this series of talks would be increasingly effective in achieving success. In conception they’ are admirable, and in execution of a good standard-but one that might he bettered.