We should work when we work and play when we play. We should not play in a half-hearted way worrying about our work; and when we work we should do so with all our might.
We ought to have regular periods of rest; we ought to avoid unpleasant topics in conversation. Everyone should have a vocation as well as an avocation.
May we not summarize all these suggestions into a few statements which will enable us to co-ordinate work and play, and aid us in our daily lives to obey the principles that should govern us from our first waking moments? Every Day:
1. Smile when tempted to frown; look for and enjoy the best around you.
2. See, hear or read, that is, receive an impression from something beautiful in nature, art, music, poetry, literature or your fellow-men.
3. Think, feel or realize something in the direction of your ideals and in some way unite your dreams with your every-day work and play.
4. Express the best that is in you and awaken others to express the best in them.
5. Serve some fellow-being by listening, by kind word or deed.
6. Share in some of the great movements of the race.
All these refer to an important point—that we should be teachable and should receive right impressions. This is of primary importance. Breathing means the taking of breath. We should begin the day with joyous and glad acceptance of life and all that it brings. A spirit of thankfulness and acceptance is the true spirit of life.