Progress and Achievements of the Colored People / Containing the Story of the Wonderful Advancement of the Colored Americans—the Most Marvelous in the History of Nations—Their Past Accomplishments, Together With Their Present-day Opportunities and a Glimpse Into the Future for Further Developments—the Dawn of a Triumphant Era. A Handbook for Self-improvement Which Leads to Greater Success

by Kelly Miller; Joseph R. Gay

Stiffen Your Backbone and Keep on Climbing

The owner of a stiff backbone is not easily put down by adverse circumstances.

No man’s troubles overwhelm him unless he gives in to them weakly.

This is the experience of men since the world began: You must fight your way up and never look back to slipping places, for then you will surely stumble.

Worry is one of the symptoms of a weak backbone. Everybody should know that small stumbles are not killing matters to mourn over or worry about. You may have had in your own experience, many cases where your worries and anxieties proved nothing but phantoms. You think you will not survive until tomorrow, but you always see the sun shining the next day whatever befalls you today.

Things always come out as a rule much better than you expect, or dared hope.

If you have health and good friends to encourage you, why should you worry or fret over the things of life which are always small and insignificant?

Keep your eyes open and watch for another opportunity to wedge yourself back in, if you should happen to be crowded out of anything.

You must not think that every avenue to opportunity is sealed up against you because you do not find a wide open way to get in. Try a small way first, and keep on pushing and the road will widen. That is you must not weaken, if you do you will slide back and so be always climbing up and sliding down the hill.