Consideration for others does not necessarily involve only the big things.  It is the sum and total of numberless acts and thoughts that make for friendships and kindliness.  People who are thoughtful surely brighten the world.  They are ever ready to do some little thing at the correct moment and after a time we begin to realize how much their presence means to us.  We may not notice them the first time, or the third, or the fifth, but after a while we become conscious of their persistence and we esteem them accordingly.  Such men are the products of clean, straightforward lives. They are never too busy to exchange a pleasant word.  They do not flame into anger on a pretext.  Their code of existence is well ordered and filled to the brim with lots to do and lots to think about.  The old saying:  “If you want anything go to a busy man,” applies to them in this regard.  The busier men are the more time they seem to have for kindliness.

Another word for consideration is service.  Nothing brings a greater self-reward than a service done in an hour of need, or a favor granted during a day’s grind.  The generous man who climbs to the top of the ladder helps many others on their way.  The more he does for someone else the more he does for himself.  The stronger he becomes—­the greater his influence in his community.  Doing things for others may not bring in bankable dividends but it does bring in happiness.  Such actions scorn a higher reward.  We have only to try out the plan to learn the truth for ourselves.  A good place to begin is at home.  Then, the office, or wherever life leads us.  And in doing these things we will laugh as we go along—­we will laugh and get the most out of living.

Our little day-by-day kindnesses when added together constitute in time a huge asset on the right side of our ledger of life.  We should start the day with something that helps another get through his day ... even if it isn’t any more than a smile and a wave of the hand.  And he will remember us for it.

It is said that advice is cheap and for that reason is given freely.  But the proper kind of advice is about as rare as the proverbial hen’s tooth.  In order to give real advice we must understand the man who asks for it.  If what we say to him is to become of value we must see to it that his mind is put in proper shape to receive advice.  Be sure that he laughs, or smiles at least, before we seriously take up his case.  And when we have done our stunt in the way of advice let’s send him away with a fine good humor.  A friendly pat on the back as he goes out our doorway may mean a bracer to his determination. “You’ll put it over,” we shout after him—­and thus we have been of real help.  He needed sympathy and courage.  He needed a cheerful spirit—­so came to us and we didn’t let him go away until we gave him all these.  Bully for us!