"But, friends, you know, and I know, that all this--or most of it--is
all foolishness. We know that 'as a man thinketh in his heart so is
he.' If he thinks gloomy things, he will be a gloomy man. If he thinks
glad things, he will be a happy man. So, let us consider this matter
now at the beginning of the new year. Strange to say, smiling is a
serious thing! It affects our influence, it means much to the
happiness of those about us, it has a direct connection with the state
of our health, and, therefore, with our material prosperity. It is
true, of course, that we are bound to have our little annoyances and
our depressing sorrows as we go through life; but, surely, we can
avoid most of the troubles which keep us unhappy if we will but lift
our thoughts above ourselves and employ our time in seeking to comfort
and brighten the lives of those about us. Happiness is largely a
habit, and we can do no better than to 'get the habit" and let others
catch it from us.

"Let us learn the truth that peace of mind is health to the body, and
that it is worth more than we ever imagine. Joy is essential to the
truly Christlike life. When the angel proclaimed to the shepherds,
'Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all
people,' you and I were included, and we have not accepted that
message of great joy, and Christ abides not in us if we do not reflect
the sunlight which has come from above.

"And so I am going to ask that we join together today in 'turning over
a new leaf.' What do I mean? Simply this: To meet our troubles fairly
and squarely, grasp them firmly and then completely overturn them;
when lo! we shall find their threatenings, their warnings and their
fearful aspects shall have faded away, and brightness and peace shall
have taken their place. [At the beginning of this paragraph grasp the