Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1875 — Happiness in Action. [ARTICLE]

Happiness in Action.

There am several different points of view from which active industry is seen to be desirable; several reasons for which it p r gjoiaed as chief among the practical duties of life. Its primary necessity as a means of procuring all the ©omforts of life, and even of sustaining existence itself, can hardly be overestimated. Bo also its Internal effect upon the individual, developing the powers, stimulating the faculties, maturing the judgment ana giving to the character firm and solid stamina, obtained in no other way, »even more important and accords to it, at once, the more honorable position. There is, however, still another result of active industry, which has seldom received its true emphasis, vis.: the actual enjoyment it conveys. There is a common notion that, while practical action is needful and right, and to W performed faithfully as a duty, we are not to expect to reap pleasure from it. Not is labor but in cessation do we anticipate enjoyment, and, however valuable in Other ways industry may be, we seldom regard it in'itself as a source of happiness. Doubtless, one cause of this general opinion fs the common practice of abusing our artieities by over-driving them in a single direction. As a people we are too much inclined to concentrate our whole time, thought and energies on one pursuit, pushing aside with something like contempt the many other claims that surround ns. We work hard and persistently in one rut until we are too weary in body and mind to put forth our activities in another channel. It is not surprising that industry, thus narrowed, cramped .and driven, should becohm,distasteful and that we should look forward far its cessation as the only period of enjoyment Activity, however, in its best sense is many-sided, and combines a variety of *c,cupatioiis in harmonious relations. Even hard manual labor, if not to* severe, or too much prolonged, is enjoyable to any healthy person. It quickens the circulation, strengthens the muscles, imparts a sens* of renewed vigor ana increased power, and actually sends a glow of eheerIhl vivacity through the frame. If now, before weariness ensues, this kind of activity is exchanged for another, where a different set of faculties come into play—if the mind also be set to work, gently and gradually, if the social activities are allowed full acope, and the natural cravings for change of scene and place and action he regarded and provided for—we should u.ca begin to realize how full of happiness is a life action. We are happy in knowing that there are some who already realize tins truth in their «w* life, and if they are but the exception it is because the majority of us have not learned how to use our activities. We over exert some until they groan in weariness ; we suffer others to rust for want of exercise; we blunder along with the flattering idea that we are industrious; and claim much credit on that account, while in reality we are abusing our powers, some bv over-taxing and some by neglect. 'Here would indeed be few greater evils than the rest which is ao often craved were it perfect and total. The entire absence of activity is death, and the tiniest plant that pushes its way into the light and air would be far more exalted than man robbed of his activity. Life, indeed, is intrinsically action —the less action the less life, and necessarily the less enjoyment. For this reason it is that so many who toil arduously to obtain wealth, hoping to enjoy the leisure it will com-* , mand, are disappointed. Their end is simply cessation from labor, their aim is tody rest, and when they attain it they lind too late 'hat it has no sweets to offer, but only a narrower and more contracted life. Even 11:s toll, "hard and unwearied *3 it was, con'deed more true enjoyment than the bl&na vacuity that attends the fruition of the r hopes. Whatever change in our lives wmay contemplate or prearrange. let u<- never seek to limit or lessen our activities, but rather to enlarge them, to give them a broader field and wider range, forthm only can any benefit a*crue from Ik’ing down a harden that from its mono* ony may have grown heavy and toilsome. We should all live more healthful, more useful and lo- -er lives did we so employ our activities .is to extract from them that enjoyment which is their natural and legitimate result Let every one be sure that if his work is toilsome, arduous and depressing friers is something wrong; some of his faculties are restrained while others ms overburdened; some of his powers are exhausted while others are dormant. It is not rest so much as a change that he needs—not to lay* down his work and fold his hand* Ip idleness bat rather to embrace other fields of action hitherto untrodden. It will doubtless be difficult to apply this to all details of practical life, but weshall have gained one important only be attained through activity of mind ana body, and the more fully and harmoniously all our powers are eifercised the fuller will be out life and the more real enjoyment will it yield.— Exchange. r