FOR WOMEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18457, 21 July 1923, Page 6 (Supplement)

FOR WOMEN.

TEE power- WITHIN us.

BY VIVIEN'.

"Amid all the bitterness and rancour and violent conflict of opinions in regard to the pressing problems of the hour, amid ail tho chaos and confusion of pre-sent-day thought on matters vitally affecting, net only people and nations, but humanity generally, perhaps theio is no more hopeful sign of clearing vision, no Burex manifestation of a definite step forward in tho march of progress than the rapidly growing disposition all over the world to stamp out sickness and disease, poverty and crime, by preventive rather than curative measures. Not to cure the mischief, after it has been done, but to prevent i! from being done at all; rot to punish crime, but to remove its cause and cut out its root; nob to heal the sick and feed the starving and clothe the ragged and house the homeless, but to make it impossible for disease and starvation and hopeless poverty ever to exist in the first place—this is the slogan of to-day, tho cry of tho nations since new light has begun to dawn on these ageold problems.

And it is in the realm of disease that this now attitude, this new point of view, 1.3 most strongly manifesting itself. The fact, that it should be so is in itself indicative of real progress, since the possession of a healthy body is the first stop, the essential step, "towards the acquisition of a healthv mind, and only healthy minds, thinking along right lines, can cope successfully with the great problems of modern civilisation. Whether wo uphold the doctrines of M. Coue or are passionate believers in tho underlying principle of the Hickson mission, whether wo find help end inspiration in the practices and ideals of Christian Science or in those of theosoph>, whether wo incline to a belief in auto-suggestion or in fnith healing, the all-important point Is that we are really beginning to understand something of the influence of mind over matter, wo are really beginning to realise something of the power within ourselves, something of ihat all-pervading, omnipotent Power which is all about and yet within ti3. Even tho most unobservant and unthinking of people must, many times in their own experience, have oomo across pimple instances of the subtle effect of mini on matter. At the present time, influenza is prevalent in many districts throughout New Zealand. Tho thought of it, the suggestion of it, is more or loss in everybody's mind, the atmosphere of it is all about us. Consequently if, having set out to business in the morning feeling perfectly fit, you nevertheless during tho day meet a 'procession of doleful _ individuals who advise you to take quinine beoause yon "don't look well," or who remark that yo-j. show every sign of " getting influenza," you will need to be a very strong- minded person indeed not to go home weighed down with a depressing conviction that you really have doveloped the popular malady. It is surprising how many of these dismal prophets, these " Job's comforters " there are in the world. They seem to abound in every district and they are particularly partial to sick rooms—probably because their influence is greater there. They love to tell the poor invalid struggling back to. health that she ■will neve? bo quite as well and strong again as before her operation. They seem to enjoy recounting to you the number of deaths they have known resulting from illnesses such as that from which you are suffering. And when yon are congratulating yourself on your rapid recovery from such a complaint as that now prevalent, they delight •in hurling Ton down from your impious heights by Imparting the comforting information that It is " not influenza which Is so serious, but the after-effects of it!"

Oh yes, decidedly mind has a tremendous influence, over matter. And if thiols a terrifying thought, it is also a greats, and Inspiring thought. It is only when the body is broken by accident, or so .enfeebled by disease that the will seems weak or dormant '• ly when tho mi*..'.' is distressed or so' sick w " <■. msliing sorrow or long-continued men. a? strain, that stone it can no longer lift itself out of this abnormal condition— is only at such times that outside agencies.- whether mental, spiritual, or material, should ever • have to be called in. For iho rest, even eow while thought on the subject is still iso confused and indefinite, the most unobservant can hardly fail to suspect that •people are more often cured by their belief in a certain medicine or "treatment" 'or doctor, than by the a<~' ual agency Itself. Wo are, in short, beginning to realise more and more that the power to heal or, butter still, to ensure, permanent health of mind and body rests within ourselves, and that therefore it is within the grasp of every singio individual, whatever the ago or sex, means or station in life.