WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19550, 5 August 1925, Page 3

WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

university tutorial classes. “SELF EXPRESSION” (An Essay by an English W.E.A. Student). Although the idea of self-expression is very familiar to-day its full meaning and significance is a comparatively modern conception. It is largely due to the recent development of psychology, especially analytical psychology, that the fundamental Importance of self-expression was realised. The fact that the idea has been commercialised by such institutions ns “The Pelman Institute,” “The School for Self-expression,” etc., is a good indication of the supreme value of the idea to the individual and the need for knowledge and guidance in this subject. Before proceeding to discuss the various questions that arise, it is necessary to explain what I mean by self-expression. Any clear-cut definition seems impossible which does not use the same terms; for example, “the expression of the self or the individuality." I will therefore not attempt the impossible, but endeavour to make my meaning clear by brief analysing the subject as to remove any ambiguities. Every individual is a self, an ego, which thinks, feels, and acts according to its character, which is determined, roughly speaking, by its heredity and environment. As there can be no two people who have exactly the same heredity and environment, it must follow that no two people are alike, and that every person possesses an individuality of his own, which is different from that of other individuals. Following on this, there is in every individual an urge to express his individuality in his own way in thought, feeling, and action. It is the purpose of self-expression to enable an individual to express his peculiar individuality to its fullest extent, and herein lies the root of all human happiness.

Whenever the question ns to what people most desire from life is raised, it is often settled by simply saying happiness. When it comes to defining happiness, there is a great divergence of opinion as to what it is. The fundamental basis of all happiness Is self-expression, since that is the only real cause which produces the desired state of happiness. When people are expressing themselves freely and fully they are happy, when they are thwarted and prohibited from doing so, the natural flow of life is disturbed, and unhappiness results.

The advantages of social life can be obtained only at some sacrifice of the individual end of his desire to express himself unhindered. Therefore it is impossible for any social animal, and man is a social animal, to do as he likes without having due regard to his follows in the group. Hence arises the constant struggle between the individual who tries to express his own individuality, and the group which endeavours to restrict its expression whenever it interferes, as it inevitably must do, with the welfare of the whole group. This struggle is rendered less acute by the fact that each individual has a group consciousness which also makes a powerful demand for expression and consequently keeps in chock the impulses which are antagonistic to the group. This group consciousness is a natural result of evolutionary development, and it is this factor in particular that makes social life possible It must, however, be mentioned that the social impulse has not yet fully developed, and that although tho power of individualism is diminishing, it still exercises a great hold on the individual. It is by the cultivation of the social impulse to become part of the mlividual’s character that complete self . . . ession will become easier of attainment, since restrictions are enforced only upon the anti-social desires. As many of the impulses of the individual do not run counter to- the group’s dictates, there remains a large field for the self-realisation of the individual which is unaffected by the group, and it is wiih this part of tho problem that I propose to deal now. Since man can live only by virtue of his capacity to labour in order to produce all his necessities and requirements, labour and effort constitute a large part of the selfexpression of his nature. To work is a E rimary and natural form of self-expression, ut as individuals differ, so do the variety of their services differ, and it is only by the proper adjustment of the kind of work for which an individual is suited and fitted, that there is that happiness and contentment in daily toil which comes from the natural self-expression of the individual in his work. Unfortunately in modern society very few people are in their right vocations. There are numerous square pegs in round holes. Owing to tho complex and difficult economic conditions prevailing, much of his maladjustment is perhaps unavoidable. Be that as it may, most of our vocational misfits are not due to hard circumstances, but are largely due to the extraordinary ignorance which exists in this matter, and it is only when vocational psychology has become properly recognised as part of the organisation of a complex society, that people will work with greater contentment through finding self-expression in their work. Many people are so situated that they have a wide field of choice in the matter of taking up a vocation, but know so little of their real selves that they invariably make mistakes which seriously affect their future happiness. If ignorance is the cause of this state of affairs, it must follow that knowledge is the remedy, and this brings me to the practical side of the question. Every individual, however humble, has something within him which is unique, and as this uniqueness is a social heritage, there is always an acceptable form of expression which the world needs and appreciates. It is the duty of every individual to discover his special attributes and to endeavour to express them. It may often happen that these attributes may be as far apart as polishing boots or directing a railway company. It is true that no individual desires to bo constantly blacking boots or directing railways, since most people possess various qualities which all demand self-expression. Some of them as I suggest, should find it vocationally, others can find an outlet by recreative hobbies pursued in their leisure. Many of those who voluntarily engage in fretwork, gardening, painting, etc., are simply indulging in forms of self-expression. You can never make a good poet or artist if there is nothing there to express. It has often been said that great writers have written their works through some compelling power within themselves, the urge to express themselves. . Tho highest degree of happiness and efficiency is only possible where there is a high degree of self-expression. Much of the unhappiness in the world could be avoided if people learnt to express themselves. It is lamentable to see people developing habits which retard their self-expression, and ignoring those aids which assist them. Of these aids, by far the most important are the ordinary channels of self-expres-sion in speech and writing. The group laws rarely interfere with these avenues of expression, and there oan bo no excuse for their neglect. It is a sound maxim that there should be no impression without expression. Everything that impresses us ought to be expressed in speech or writing or in some other convenient forms. Ihis would prevent it from being lost in the mind, since by expression it gets emphasised in the memory and can find a place with associate ideas which leads to greater mental efficiency. Let us assume, for example, that we have just listened to music or witnessed a play which has either moved or impressed us. If we remain silent about it, its effects on our minds becomes easily obliterated; if, on the other hand, we talk about it to our friends, or write about it, wo clarify our ideas, which become firmly embedded in the mind. To possess fine thoughts and not to utter them or write them down is of little benefit to their possessor or to the world at large. We should endeavour to express every thought and feeling if we are to make the most of ourselves. If we are not able to do this in conversation writing is even more effective, as it also has the advantage of permanency. Selfexpression is the basis of all mental ability; without it our ideas get bottled up and obscured. This truth is now being recognised by educationalists, who are embodying these suggestions in practical educational work. As soon as this desirable element in education becomes more universally established, we may look forward to seeing better typos coming out of our schools. It is a mistake to assume that adults cannot benefit by it. It simply means making a new_ habit, the habit of self-expression, which is of the utmost importance to human happiness and efficiency.