PSYCHOLOGY CLUB

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 110, 5 April 1930, Page 12

PSYCHOLOGY CLUB

OPENING LECTURE. The Palmerston North Psychology Club had a most successful opening last evening when Mr- J. L. Harwood occupied the chair and said that the club were not affiliated with the Theosophical Society, but were indebted to them for the use of the beautiful hall. He said, that the whole course of lectures were free and everybody was Welcome to the meetings. Ho introduced Mr C. F. Spooner to give the lecture of • the evening, “Mind’Your Own Business.” ' r Mr Spooner’s opening statement was the keynote of his very popular address—A man who is a- busybody in the affairs of others is never master of his own. • Success in life depended upon the viewpoint of the individual, whether it was success in a commercial undertaking, wealth, fame or power. The speaker contended that in the linal analysis everybody was in the pursuit, of happiness and in tho at-' tainmenfc of this desired condition the lecturer sought to be helpful to his hearers, struggling under adverse conditions. He said that life was controlled by law and that there was no such thing as chance or luck in Nature. Tne trees and flowers in the gardens, the pasture in tire fields, the cattle on the hillsides all lived their life and reproduced their kind in response to well known natural laws. This was taught by the great Christian Master Himself when he. said: “Do men gather grapes of thorns or 'figs of thistles?” , .The laws of cause and effect, attraction and repulsion were also . touched upon. Success in life was controlled not by man-made systems or methods, but by certain basic principles. Man’s progress in the past from a state of savagery to the modern civilised individual" had been and his further progress on the path of life would be as he was found to live and work in harmony with these great natural laws. Man had mastered the forces of gravitation, : steam, hydraulics., electricity and others and made them contribute to his pleasure and use. Some of tho success laws enlarged upon by the speaker were the following: Know Thyself.—He said that psychologists had agreed that every man started life endowed with a four-fold man power derived from his intellect, sensibilities, body and will, the development of which powers increased the ability, reliability, endurance and action of the individual. The man who could do the best work or produce the best article was jilie man who knew his job better than the other fellow, and this might mean the difference between success and failure. That these powers could be developed was amply illustrated. Have a Plan.—A man who accidentally drifted upon a success was just as likely to drift out of it again. “Think out your plan positively and constructively and then don’t hurry, but maintain your balance with steady persistent effort, always looking towards the desired achievement.” A man must have faith in his own ability and power of accomplishment without doubt or fear as there was nothing in the universe we should be afraid of but omselves. “This ability, .plan and faith begets enthusiasm for our 'work. A mail’s best effort is always put into the job he likes best; therefore, concentrate upon your own undertaking and find your pleasure in your work and learn the truth of the old teaching, “Whatsoever thy hands find to do, do it with all your might.”