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Timebinder, v. 1, Issue 1, 1944

philosophy on the "Inasmuch" teaching of Jesus (you remember it, of course -- "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the last of these my Brethren, ye have done it unto Me".) Also, on the Golden Rule, of "whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them". I now fully believe that these are the fundamentals of all Truth.

So I found that my first step, and my greatest happiness, was to be found in doing things for others. Not only material things, but spiritual things -- a compliment hero; a word of deserved praise or thanks there; a cheerful helpfulness to one momentarily downed by trouble or sorrow.

Have you ever stopped to consider the dynamic power of a simple, heartfelt "Thank you!" Do you ever think to say it in the unusual places -- unusual in that they are so common as to be generally overlooked? For instance, did it ever occur to you to say "Thank you" to the waiter for his or her good service (even when it was not so good)? I have made it a point to do this, and I know that it makes them feel uplifted -- they have often told me so, and how rare it is. I know that it brings back pleasurable happiness to me worth far more than the tiny amount of effort involved. But don't overlook the fact that there is a responsibility there, too. Also, do you ever drop a little note to someone who has done a nice piece of work; or to some one who has suffered the hurt of death or other calamity? But you must follow it up.

One of the most magnificent pieces of constructive Psychology ever put into general practice is the Boy Scouts' "do a  good turn daily" precept. It engenders in those growing and impressionable boys a knowledge of the giving of THEMSELVES in service to others.

Yet, in my giving, I sometimes speak of it as my "Philosophy of Selfishness", for I approach giving not so much for what it will mean to the recipient, as for the inner joy and satisfaction that it will bring me.

One of the next steps in my progress towards that personal Utopia I was seeking, was in looking only for the best in other people and in other things. You friends have often jokingly referred to my "Pollyannaish" tendencies, because I say loudly and always that "people are the swellest people!" But it is absolutely and literally true -- the little amount of bad is so far over-shadowed by the great areas of good in almost everyone's make-up -- if we will only look for that good rather than seek for what is bad that we may criticize it. "Goodness", you know, "is in the eye of the beholder"!

This takes practice, naturally, as does all this program

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philosophy on the "Inasmuch" teaching of Jesus (you remember it, of course -- "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the last of these my Brethren, ye have done it unto Me".) Also, on the Golden Rule, of "whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them". I now fully believe that these are the fundamentals of all Truth. So I found that my first step, and my greatest happiness, was to be found in doing things for others. Not only material things, but spiritual things -- a compliment hero; a word of deserved praise or thanks there; a cheerful helpfulness to one momentarily downed by trouble or sorrow. Have you ever stopped to consider the dynamic power of a simple, heartfelt "Thank you!" Do you ever think to say it in the unusual places -- unusual in that they are so common as to be generally overlooked? For instance, did it ever occur to you to say "Thank you" to the waiter for his or her good service (even when it was not so good)? I have made it a point to do this, and I know that it makes them feel uplifted -- they have often told me so, and how rare it is. I know that it brings back pleasurable happiness to me worth far more than the tiny amount of effort involved. But don't overlook the fact that there is a responsibility there, too. Also, do you ever drop a little note to someone who has done a nice piece of work; or to some one who has suffered the hurt of death or other calamity? But you must follow it up. One of the most magnificent pieces of constructive Psychology ever put into general practice is the Boy Scouts' "do a good turn daily" precept. It engenders in those growing and impressionable boys a knowledge of the giving of THEMSELVES in service to others. Yet, in my giving, I sometimes speak of it as my "Philosophy of Selfishness", for I approach giving not so much for what it will mean to the recipient, as for the inner joy and satisfaction that it will bring me. One of the next steps in my progress towards that personal Utopia I was seeking, was in looking only for the best in other people and in other things. You friends have often jokingly referred to my "Pollyannaish" tendencies, because I say loudly and always that "people are the swellest people!" But it is absolutely and literally true -- the little amount of bad is so far over-shadowed by the great areas of good in almost everyone's make-up -- if we will only look for that good rather than seek for what is bad that we may criticize it. "Goodness", you know, "is in the eye of the beholder"! This takes practice, naturally, as does all this program 10