Susan’s Thursday morning note October 17, 2019 Excerpt on Mental attitude by Elbert Hubbard (Including account of his final moments before death on ship Lusitania 1915)
Good morning! What peace my angel of dawn is handing through the curtains this morning. Peace. Fall. Those words seem to fit together on perfect mornings. Days that we don’t wish we were elsewhere. When the smell of harvest is everywhere, the moon is large, the sky on fire with the red fire of dawn. There is one old book from my mom’s bookshelves that I pull out sometimes when I need to have something worth thinking about in my head. When I don’t have the mental capability to concentrate on an entire book. This treasure was published in 1906 & has the feel and smell of an OLD book. Love that look and smell! Thoughts That Inspire by George Knox. This book is full of quotations by subject collected over 100 years ago.
Following is an excerpt under “Mental Attitude” by Elbert Hubbard. He had a printing press in New York (Roycroft Press) and drowned with his wife on the sinking of the ship Lusitania in May 1915. A survivor of the event wrote to their son with the information that when the couple knew they would not survive they were seen calmly entering an empty room on the ship, shutting the door, not wanting to part in the water as they died.
Hubbard’s excerpt on attitude:
Whenever you go out of doors, draw the chin in, carry the crown of the head high, and fill the lungs to the utmost; drink in the sunshine; greet your friends with a smile, and put soul into every hand-clasp. Do not fear being misunderstood, and never waste a minute thinking about your enemies. Try to fix firmly in your mind what you would like to do, and then without violence of direction you will move straight to the goal. Keep your mind on the great and splendid things you would like to do; and then, as the days go gliding by, you will find yourself unconsciously seizing upon the opportunities that are required for the fulfillment of your desire, just as the coral insect takes form the running tide the elements it needs. Picture in your mind the able, earnest, useful person you desire to be, and the thought you hold is hourly transforming you into that particular individual. Preserve a right mental attitude – the attitude of courage, frankness, and good cheer. All things come through desire, and every sincere prayer is answered. We become like that on which our hearts are fixed.
Carry your chin in and the crown of your head high. I have ordered his book entitled Elbert Hubbard’s Scrap Book: Containing the Inspired and Inspiring Selections Gathered During a Life Time of Discriminating Reading for His Own Use. Doesn’t that sound good? Below are more quotes that he collected (published originally in 1923). What inspired him. What thoughts he filled his mind with. Who he respected. We learn by going back. Reading what those that inspire us read.
Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped.
He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words.
Know what you want to do, hold the thought firmly, and do every day what should be done, and every sunset will see you that much nearer to your goal.
Never explain – your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man.
Reversing your treatment of the man you have wronged is better than asking his forgiveness.
To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.
I loved his line, “Whenever you go out of doors lift your chin up, carry the crown of your head high.” My mom would say, “Put on your red lipstick and stand up straight…” as her main advice before entering the world or an important meeting. How often I’ve thought of that simple advice. Go out. I can also picture Anne of Green Gables – walking with pride down a street with her nose stuck up in the air. Possibly haughty to some onlookers, but from her perspective – taking the next step with her head held high. Don’t you love that scene? (And, if you don’t know of the scene, I pity you!)
Have a great Thursday. I am so glad you have been able to run over – to see what is new and find gifts and great books in our store. Don’t be overwhelmed with life today. Never forget the promise that if you will look up to the hills in prayer you will be given a peace that you will not understand. Just a drop to your knees. Such a short distance. Peace. Thank you for letting me send you my notes. I hope I’m working when you come in the store! Go, take on your day. Lift your chin up & carry the crown of your head high. Susan
Latin for this week:
Quam bene vivas refert, non quam diu – The important thing isn’t how long you live, but how well you live. (Seneca)
Works Cited:
Hubbard, Elbert. Elbert Hubbard’s Scrap Book: Containing the Inspired and Inspiring Selections Gathered During a Life Time of Discriminating Reading for His Own Use. Gretna, LA. Pelican Publishing Company. (First published in 1923).
Knox, George. Thoughts That Inspire. Des Moines. Personal Help Publishing Co. 1906.