Most of our troubles in later life started with failure to take hold of ourselves when we were young.  It may be that we put off making our choice of something to do.  If we had been companionable to ourselves we might have thought out the proper course while taking long walks in pursuit of physical development.  That would have been a fine time in which to fight out the whole problem—­the time when optimism and the will to do are as natural as the laughter of a child, or the song of a bird.  That was the time when the world appeared roseate and beautiful, when success lay just beyond the turn of the road, when failure seemed something illusory and improbable.  Then was the time to jump in with both feet and a big hearty laugh to solve the problem of what to do and how to go about it.  It is surprising how readily the world follows the individual with confidence.  It is willing to believe in him, to furnish funds, to assist in any way within its power.  And that is where the man with a smile is sure to win—­for the man who smiles has confidence in himself.

So long as we carry along with us our atmosphere of hearty good will and enthusiasm we know no defeat.  The man who is gloomy, taciturn and lives in a world of doubt seldom achieves more than a bare living.  There have been a few who have groaned their way through to a competence but in proportion to that overwhelming number of souls who carry cheer through life they are as nothing—­mere drops in the bucket.  If the truth were told their success came probably through mere chance and nothing else.  Such people are not the ones for us to endeavor to follow. We cannot afford to allow our visions to sour.

Beginning early takes away timidity and builds for success while we are young enough to enjoy the benefits.  Although it is never too late to start a cheerful life we don’t have to kill ourselves in the attempt.  There is no necessity for throwing all caution to the winds, but we should press our advantages.  With self-analysis comes a certain poise, a certain dignity and kindliness that tempers every move with precision.

Once we get the proper start we have only to take stock now and then in order to keep our machinery in a fine state of repair.  If we have chosen wisely we love our work and stick to it closely—­not forgetting the home duties and our share in its success.  Right here we run up against the danger signal if our business success wins us away from the hearthstone. Love of home is a quality of the workers of the earth.  “What doth it profit a man to win the whole world if he loseth his own soul?”

To sum up the case—­once we have made up our minds to win and how we are going to do it, the next step is to act. Health is synonymous with action. The healthy man does things, the unhealthy man hesitates.  And when we get ready to act we will act with the air of a conqueror.  We must supply from our own store our atmosphere of confidence in order to win confidence.  The successful man is the one who knows he is right and makes us realize it.