How to be happy though human / by W. Béran Wolfe.

How shall we discard the useless tools and make the most of those that will lead us to the happy life ? Fundamental Attitudes of the Flood Life Four fundamental tools should be in the kit of every individual who strives for the good life. Of these the first is an awakened awareness of the human comedy in which we all must participate because we are human beings. The second is kindliness, the consideration and apprecia¬ tion of the efforts of our neighbour, the willingness to identify ourselves with his efforts, the generosity to encourage and to help him on his way. The third is a sense of humour. We do not mean the ability to laugh at a good joke at the expense of another, less well-off than we, but the ability to laugh at ourselves, to appreciate the infinitesimal value of our own lives in the cosmic scheme, the willingness to see ourselves as very temporary fixtures in an ancient design whose nobility is beyond our complete comprehension. At the same time a sense of humour demands that we go on, courageously and optimistically, making the best of the realities of existence. Without this sterling quality, life becomes a tragedy full of unnecessary conflict and pain. Men go to war, murder their wives’ lovers, suffer from nervous indigestion when the stock market goes down or their golf scores are low, because they lack this quality. Because they lack a sense of humour women slander and libel and gossip. For lack of this quality men kill each other because they disagree about God, religious rituals, or the ownership of a horse, pig, or political doctrine. It is the saving human virtue without which there is little use in living. The fourth essential quality of the good life is zest. Zest is the correlation of healthy mind and healthy body toward a healthy goal. It implies contribution and cooperation, and the active pursuit and use of the fore¬ going qualities of awareness, kindliness and a sense of humour. It is the integrating character trait, an essential to life and happiness. It implies the catholic ability to