Emily Dickinson

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The grander natures and the more thoughtful are always looking for and in conversation dwelling on the better things in others.  It is the rule with but few, if any exceptions, that the more noble and worthy and thoughtful the nature, the more it is continually looking for the best there is to be found in every life.  Instead of judging or condemning, or acquiring the habit that eventually leads to this, it is looking more closely to and giving its time to living more worthily itself.

It is in this way continually unfolding and expanding in beauty and in power; it is finding an ever-increasing happiness by the admiration and the love that such a life is always, even though all unconsciously, calling to itself from all sources.  It is the life that pays by many fold.

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We just shake hands at meeting
With many that come nigh
We nod the head in greeting
To many that go by—­

But welcome through the gateway
Our few old friends and true;
Then hearts leap up, and straightway
There’s open house for you. 
Old friends. 
There’s open house for you!

Gerald Massey

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Many times the struggles are greater than we can ever know.  We need more gentleness and sympathy and compassion in our common human life.  Then we will neither blame nor condemn.  Instead of blaming or condemning we will sympathize.

          “Comfort one another. 
    For the way is often dreary
    And the feet are often weary,
      And the heart is very sad. 
    There is a heavy burden bearing,
    When it seems that none are caring,
      And we half forget that ever we were glad.

          “Comfort one another
    With the hand-clasp close and tender. 
    With the sweetness love can render,
      And the looks of friendly eyes. 
    Do not wait with grace unspoken,
    While life’s daily bread is broken—­
      Gentle speech is oft like manna from the skies.”

And then when we fully realize the fact that selfishness is at the root of all error, sin, and crime, and that ignorance is the basis of all selfishness, with what charity we come to look upon the acts of all.  It is the ignorant man who seeks his own ends at the expense of the greater whole.  It is the ignorant man, therefore, who is the selfish man.

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To get up immediately when we stumble, face again to the light, and travel on without wasting even a moment in regret.

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We are on the way from the imperfect to the perfect; some day, in this life or some other, we shall reach our destiny.  It is as much the part of folly to waste time and cripple our forces in vain, unproductive regrets in regard to the occurences of the past as it is to cripple our forces through fears and forebodings for the future.