| The Lesson of Love |
Chapter 2 |
Page 3 |
Selfishness is unlovely. It has many ways, too, of showing itself. Indeed, it cannot be hid — it crops out continually, in act and word and disposition. There are those who are disobliging, never willing to put themselves out to do a favour or to show a kindness to others. They may talk unselfishly, protesting their interest in people and their friendship for them, but when the test comes self asserts itself. Selfishness is simply the absence of love — love seeketh not its own. Unselfishness is lovely. It does not count the cost of serving. It loves unto the uttermost and never fails in helpfulness. It thinks of others, not only as of itself, but, like the Master, forgets itself altogether. This old lesson, old as the Christ Himself, is rephrased in this fragment of conversation in one of Anthony Hope’s books—
“Life isn’t taking in only; it’s giving out, too. And it’s not giving out only words or deeds or things we’ve made. It’s giving ourselves out, too — fully, freely.’
“Giving ourselves out?’
“Yes, to other people. Giving ourselves in comradeship, in understanding, in joy, in love. Fancy not having found that out before!’”
Another lovely attribute in the Christian life is peace. It never worries. It is never fretted. It is quiet, not noisy. It is the quality of a self-discipline life. Hurry is always unbeautiful. The lovely life is never in haste, yet never loiters. It is self-poised. If women knew how much a quiet, self-controlled manner means in the making up of a winsome personality, they would seek for it more than for great riches. Nervous flurry, especially in a woman, is unlovely. It shows itself in flustered manners, in hasty and ofttimes rash speech, to often in ungoverned temper. The exhortation, “Be ambitious to be quiet,” does not refer merely to speech, but especially to the inner spirit, to the manner, to the whole bearing of the life.
Nothing is lovelier in life than the spirit of contentment. Fretting mars the beauty of many a face. Discontent spoils all one’s world. Out of whatever window he looks the discontented person sees something that is not pleasing. If there be a contented mind there is only good seen everywhere. The happiest homes in the world are not those in which are the finest carpets, the costliest pictures, the most luxurious furniture, but those in which glad, happy hearts dwell. A mind at rest glorifies the plainest surroundings and even the hardest conditions. Saint Paul was in a prison when he wrote: “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.” The secret was in himself.
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