PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHERS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21200, 24 August 1940, Page 11 (Supplement)

PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHERS

GOSPEL OF NO HURRY :: LOOK FOR THE BEST

(~)NE CANNOT be blamed if one is sceptical of some of the high-powered tenets of popular psychology. For instance, there’s a definite delight in being chosen as a friend and influenced by people. Tony, the cobbler and shoe-shiner, for example, is not one of those who bubbles over because you are his customer. He is a philosopher of first rank, a man of judgment, a craftsman in his field. “Tony,” I said recently, “you are my friend, and I am yours, so I want to ask you a question. I’ve had my shoes made smiling in many cities, but you take the longest of any place I’ve ever been. You never seem to be rushed, even if three or four customers are waiting. You could do more business perhaps if you speeded up.” Tony smiled as he went on brushing, slowly, carefully. “What for you want to hurry so ? Everybody hurry. Everybody rush. One time, long ago. I rush. From morning to night I hurry. I make more money, yes. But I get no fun in living. Now I take my time. My shop-is quiet. You have said you like it. Other men say they like to come to me because I don’t hurry. Now I Enjoy Every Day all day long. Each job Ido slow. Same way I work in my garden each night. Makes life better not to hurry too much.” Then there’s “Aunt” Carrie who runs the notion store at the corner. No man could comprehend the stock in trade she carries. Most of it is composed of all the essentials that women need. But she also has newspapers and magazines, stationery, paper clips, heavy manila envelopes, and chocolate-covered peanut bars. “Almost all men like chocolate and peanuts,” she remarked once as I bought a couple of bars for a midnight snack.

“Aunt” Carrie is a philosopher whose great strength is an ability to see to the heart of a problem. She influences people. Somewhere one has read a statement to the effect that one of life’s secrets of success is to be influenced by the right people. Many men 'and women why buy their papers and magazines from her have formed the habit of passing knotty problems to her. “Aunt” Carrie has the ability to listen which is one of the outstanding traits of any true philosopher. When she says with a gentle smile, “It seems to me the right thing is this,” one wonders why he couldn’t see the difference between the right and wrong, as simply as she. One statement she made as we discussed an Unusually Tangled Problem, will always remain. “Usually, one can decide by asking, ‘What is the kindest, or most honest thing to do?’ ” Farmer John who runs a general dairy farm is reckoned one of the best farmers in the country. When he goes to the pasture, all the stock comes around him. I had heard that he and his wife were responsible for sending several boys and girls through college, and establishing the boys on farms. As the money was paid back, it went into a sort of revolving fund to help others. When we first became acquainted through a local farm organisation, it was noticeable that his neighbours trusted his judgment. When we exchanged visits, a shelf of David Grayson’s books near his chair by the fireplace indicated his character. From many good talks, one bit of his philosophy remains : “If you look for the best in people, you always find it! What one gets from life is peculiarly dependent upon what he looks for.” —H.S.B., in Christian Science Monitor.