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Exam
Name___________________________________
MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the one alternative that best completes the statement or answers the question.
1
2) The primary role of the parish nurse is: 2)
A) Personal spiritual guide. B) Friend.
C) Integrator of faith and health. D) Home health nurse.
Answer: C
Explanation: A) Personal spiritual guide is not one of the primary roles of a parish nurse.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
B) While a parish nurse often functions as a friend, it is not the primary function of
the position.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
C) Although there are many functions of a parish nurse, integrator of faith and health
is one of the most basic.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
D) Parish nurses and home health nurses may work closely, but they do have different
functions.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
3) Religion is defined on various levels. Which option is not a correct definition of religion? 3)
A) A belief in a supernatural or divine force that has power over the universe and commands
worship and obedience to a supernatural force
B) Spirituality
C) A personal and institutional system of beliefs
D) A comprehensive code of ethics or philosophy
Answer: B
Explanation: A) The definition of religion includes a belief in a supernatural or divine force that
has power over the universe and commands worship and obedience to a
supernatural force.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
B) Religion is related to, but not synonymous with, spirituality.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
C) The definition of religion includes a personal and institutional system of beliefs.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
D) The definition of religion includes a comprehensive code of ethics or philosophy.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
2
4) Why might a study of world religions pose semantic difficulties? 4)
A) Because most religions do not have an ethical code
B) Because an expression in one religion may have no equivalent in another language
C) Because most religions are focused on what happens at death
D) Because concepts in different religions are so very different
Answer: B
Explanation: A) Language in religion dictates what people think, how they act, and how their
religious beliefs are carried out, or their moral code.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
B) Studying world religions poses semantic difficulties. For example, an expression in
the Chinese-based religion of Confucianism may have no equivalent in the
English language.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
C) Each major religion has many characteristics including a world view; a basis of
authority or source(s) of power; a portion of scripture or sacred word; an ethical
code that defines right and wrong; a psychology and identity so that its adherents
fit into a group and the world is defined by the religion; aspirations or
expectations; and ideas about what follows death.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
D) Each major religion has many characteristics in common.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
3
5) Which is the best example of how the ancient Chinese principle of yin-yang influences lifestyle and 5)
health status in Taoism and Confucianism?
A) Yin is positive or masculine dry, hot, active, moving, and light.
B) "If I am sick, I will get better."
C) Yang is feminine or negative wet, cold, passive, restful, and empty.
D) "If I am sick, I will probably not get better."
Answer: B
Explanation: A) Yang is positive or masculine dry, hot, active, moving, and light.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
B) "If I am sick, I will get better. Life is like going up and down a mountain;
sometimes I feel good and sometimes I feel bad. That's the way it is."
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
C) Yin is feminine or negative wet, cold, passive, restful, and empty.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
D) This statement is fatalistic in nature and is not an example of yin-yang.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
6) "There is no God but Allah; Mohammad or Muhammad is His Prophet" provides the key to which 6)
major religion?
A) Buddhism B) Jainism C) Confucianism D) Islamic Muslim
Answer: D
Explanation: A) This statement is a summary of Buddhism.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
B) This statement is a summary of Jainism.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
C) This statement is a summary of Confucianism.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
D) This summarizes the Islamic religion. It is required that this is said once in life but
expected to be repeated by Muslims many times as an affirmation.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
4
7) Your role as a health care provider dealing with people professing many different types of religion 7)
is:
A) To never acknowledging a belief system that seems illogical to you.
B) That of astute client assessment, consultation with other professionals during intervention as
appropriate, and community educator.
C) To evangelize as needed.
D) That of confrontation about folk and scientific belief systems even if such a confrontation
might appear to be a rejection of the person.
Answer: B
Explanation: A) Acknowledge a belief system, even if it seems illogical to you. Related practices
may provide physical or emotional comfort.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
B) These actions represent correct and professional behaviors.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
C) Do not evangelize, overwhelm, or antagonize.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
D) Avoid confrontation about folk and scientific belief systems and apparent rejection
of the person.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
5
8) According to actuarial predictions, what is the value of church attendance? 8)
A) Church attendance, if positive, has been reported to add 7 years to the Caucasian's lifespan
and 14 years to the life of African Americans.
B) There are no actuarial predictions.
C) Church attendance, if positive, has been reported to add 2 years to the Caucasian's lifespan
and 2 years to the life of African Americans.
D) Church attendance has been reported to take away 7 years from the Caucasian's lifespan and
14 years from the life of African Americans.
Answer: A
Explanation: A) Church attendance, if positive, has been reported to add 7 years to the Caucasian's
lifespan and 14 years to the life of African Americans, per actuarial predictions.
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
B) Actuarial studies and predictions do exist.
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
C) This is a false statement. The correct figures are 7 years for Caucasians and 14 years
for African Americans.
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
D) This is a false statement. Research shows that church attendance adds years to
individuals' lives.
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
6
9) What is neurotheology? 9)
A) The study of the proof of God
B) The study of the religions of the world
C) A subset of the study of biology
D) A field of research that examines the biological basis of spirituality
Answer: D
Explanation: A) Neurotheology is not the study of the proof of God.
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
B) Neurotheology is not the study of the religions of the world.
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
C) Neurotheology is not a subset of biology.
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
D) Neurotheology is a new field of research that examines the biological basis of
spirituality. Brain imaging techniques pinpoint brain activity when people
meditate, experience enlightenment, or have visions.
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
10) What two major religions represent the beta group? 10)
A) Taoism and Shintoism B) Hinduism and Judaism
C) Christianity and Judaism D) Buddhism and Hinduism
Answer: D
Explanation: A) Taoism and Shintoism are in the gamma group.
Cognitive Level: Evaluation
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
B) Hinduism and Judaism are not in the same group. Hinduism is in the beta group,
and Judaism is in the alpha group. These two groups have many fundamental
differences.
Cognitive Level: Evaluation
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
C) Christianity and Judaism are in the alpha group.
Cognitive Level: Evaluation
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
D) The beta group includes Buddhism and Hinduism. These religions have their roots
in Indian soil.
Cognitive Level: Evaluation
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
7
11) People of this major faith celebrate Christmas as Christ's birthday; Lent as a season of penitence 11)
and self-examination preceding Good Friday, Christ's crucifixion day; and Easter, His Resurrection
day.
A) Buddhism B) Judaism C) Muslim D) Christianity
Answer: D
Explanation: A) Buddhists do not celebrate these Christian holidays.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
B) Jews do not celebrate these Christian holidays.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
C) Muslims do not celebrate these Christian holidays.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
D) These are the core celebrations of a Christian.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
12) Confucius's teaching makes use of five important terms. Which is not a term from the teaching of 12)
Confucius?
A) Jains B) Te C) Jen D) Chun-sui
Answer: A
Explanation: A) Jains is a term referring to people of the Jainism religion.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
B) Te is a term of Confucius that means leading by virtuous character rather than by
force.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
C) Jen is a term of Confucius that means a striving for goodness within.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
D) Chun-sui is a term of Confucius that means establishing a gentlemanly or
womanly approach with others.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
8
13) What behavior should be avoided as a health care provider? 13)
A) Deal with your own negative reactions.
B) Share personal experiences or beliefs freely.
C) Respect the client as a person with spiritual needs who may or may not want them addressed
specifically.
D) Take time to prepare yourself for encounters with the spiritual dimension through literature,
media programs, peer discussions, and following a plan.
Answer: B
Explanation: A) Deal with your own negative reactions. Some religious practices may cause you
dismay because of your medical background.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
B) Be careful about sharing personal experiences or beliefs. It may be inappropriate.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
C) Respecting your client as a person with spiritual needs who may or may not want
them addressed specifically may be comforting. During illness or times of crisis, the
spiritual dimension may become a major focus, even if it is suppressed in daily life.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
D) Take time to prepare yourself for encounters with the spiritual dimension through
literature, media programs, peer discussions, and following a plan to clarify your
beliefs, either within or outside of a specific religious denomination.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
9
14) What do Christianity, Judaism, and Islam have in common? 14)
A) Adherents are interested in "being" rather than "doing."
B) All have their roots in the Indian culture.
C) All look inside themselves for answers: common sense rather than commands from God
determines good.
D) All adhere to a Biblical revelation of a supernatural, monotheistic God.
Answer: D
Explanation: A) People in these religions are considered "doers."
Cognitive Level: Evaluation
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
B) These three faiths have their roots in three different cultures.
Cognitive Level: Evaluation
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
C) The philosophy of the beta group includes looking inside for answers: common
sense rather than commands from God determines good. These three faiths are
members of the alpha group.
Cognitive Level: Evaluation
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
D) As a part of the alpha group, these three faiths all adhere to a Biblical revelation of
a supernatural, monotheistic God.
Cognitive Level: Evaluation
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
15) A client describes his religion in the following manner:"The most expressive and universal word of 15)
God is Om, or Aum, providing the most important auditory and visual symbol in Rama's religion.
Om, or Aum, God, and Brahman are synonymous and mean a Consciousness or awareness rather
than a personified being." What is his religion?
A) Gautama B) Confucianism C) Buddhism D) Hinduism
Answer: D
Explanation: A) Gautama became the Buddha in Buddhism.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
B) Confucianism is an incorrect response.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
C) Buddhism is an incorrect response.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
D) These ideas are the basis of Hinduism.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
10
16) In research many themes indicate ways to foster spirituality. Which option does not? 16)
A) Gaining transcendence over the present situation
B) Affirming others with love and quality interpersonal nurse-client relationships
C) Enabling hope
D) Fostering separation from a concern for others
Answer: D
Explanation: A) Gaining transcendence over the present situation is a theme for fostering
spirituality.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
B) Affirming others with love and quality interpersonal nurse-client relationships is a
theme for fostering spirituality.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
C) Enabling hope is a theme for fostering spirituality.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
D) Fostering connectedness, not a separation from others, is a theme for fostering
spirituality.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
17) The rabbi is the spiritual leader of this major religion. 17)
A) Catholicism B) Judaism C) Buddhism D) Christianity
Answer: B
Explanation: A) The priest is the spiritual leader in Catholicism.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
B) The rabbi is the spiritual leader of Judaism.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
C) The priest is the spiritual leader in Buddhism.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
D) The pastor or preacher is the spiritual leader in the Christian faiths.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Planning
11
18) According to a qualitative descriptive study with well adults ages 18 to 24 years, which option does 18)
not indicate a strengthening spirituality?
A) Using personal resources to get through life
B) Reaching out to others even if others do not respond
C) Recognizing that God is everywhere
D) Avoiding responsibility for personal life
Answer: D
Explanation: A) The concept of "walking through" indicates a strengthening of spirituality, or using
personal resources to get through life.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
B) Connectedness is a strengthening of spirituality: relationships form with self,
others, nature, universe and a Higher Power. The person reaches out to others even
if others do not respond.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
C) Recognizing the concept of Divine Providence indicates a strengthening of
spirituality. It involves recognizing there is an ever-present and benevolent
guidance of a Higher Power; God is everywhere.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
D) Strengthening spirituality is demonstrated by having a deep commitment and the
beliefs that guide behavior, attitude, and existence; taking responsibility for
personal life.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
12
19) The Spirituality and Self-Transcendence in People with HIV/AIDS study concluded all of the 19)
following except:
A) The person cannot be assumed to feel well when CD4 and viral loads are normal or
improving.
B) Health care providers need not assess patients who complain of fatigue, low energy, pain,
depression and the consequent effect on meeting spiritual needs since clinical indicators of
immune system function are accurate indictors of well-being and ability to participate in the
spiritual dimension of life.
C) Energy level, pain, and depression may be interactive.
D) Physiological needs must be met before the person can meet higher-level needs.
Answer: B
Explanation: A) This is a correct statement.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
B) Health care providers should assess patients who complain of fatigue, low energy,
pain, depression, and the consequent effect on meeting spiritual needs since
clinical indicators of immune system function are not accurate indictors of
well-being and ability to participate in the spiritual dimension of life.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
C) This is a correct statement.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
D) This is a correct statement.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
13
20) In this major world religion, the people observe the law and believe that their historical role as 20)
God's chosen people brings hope for better days.
A) Eastern Orthodox Church B) Judaism
C) Roman Catholic D) Protestantism
Answer: B
Explanation: A) This statement does not describe the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
B) Through the Jews' observance of the law, belief of their historical role as God's
chosen people, and their hope for better days, they have survived seemingly
insurmountable persecution.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
C) This statement does not describe the Roman Catholic faith.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
D) This statement does not describe the Protestantism movement.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Psychological Integrity
Nursing Process: Assessment
SHORT ANSWER. Write the word or phrase that best completes each statement or answers the question.
14
22) Using the acronym of HEALTH, describe the role of the parish nurse. 22)
Answer: H Health Counselor
E Educator of wholistic health
A Advocate/resource person
L Liaison to community services
T Teacher of volunteers/support groups
H Healer in body, mind, and spirit
Explanation: An acceptable response will relate each letter in the word "health" to a function
of the parish nurse.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Nursing Process: Implementation
23) Ideally, religion provides strength, an inner calm and faith with which to work through 23)
life's problems. Name and discuss two possible negative aspects of religion.
Answer: A correct response will both list and discuss two negative aspects. The responses
may come from the following:
· To some, religion seems to add guilt, depression, and confusion.
· Some may blame God for making them ill, for letting them suffer, or for not
healing them in a prescribed manner.
· One Protestant believed she had made a contract with God: if she lived the best
Christian life she could, God would keep her relatively well and free from tragedy.
When an incurable disease was diagnosed, she said. "What did I do to deserve this?"
· Another Protestant took the opposite view of her contract with God. She said, "I
wasn't living as well as I should, and God knocked me down to let me know I was
backsliding."
· Other clients view disease as "something that happens to people."
Explanation: A full understanding of all aspects of religion and faith will lead to a more
sensitive health care provider. Views of religion and faith are not always
considered to be positive by all clients.
Cognitive Level: Application
Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Nursing Process: Implementation
TRUE/FALSE. Write 'T' if the statement is true and 'F' if the statement is false.
24) In the U.S., religion and spiritual involvement is as diverse as the cultures that make up the 24)
populations.
Answer: True False
Explanation: This is a true statement.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Nursing Process: Planning
15
25) The practice of spiritualism's use of God or spirits as a form of help and healing is central to the 25)
African-American experience.
Answer: True False
Explanation: The practice of spiritualism's use of God or spirits as a form of help and healing is
central to the African-American experience. Spiritual powers are evident in the praying
to God or a Higher Power, the calling on of forces seen and unseen, the use of laying on
of hands, and all other acts of spiritual beliefs.
Cognitive Level: Evaluation
Client Need: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Nursing Process: Evaluation
MATCHING. Choose the item in column 2 that best matches each item in column 1.
16
Answer Key
Testname: C7
1) D
2) C
3) B
4) B
5) B
6) D
7) B
8) A
9) D
10) D
11) D
12) A
13) B
14) D
15) D
16) D
17) B
18) D
19) B
20) B
21) A correct response will both list and discuss two of the following:
· Some will demand that God provide a quick and miraculous recovery.
· Others will expect the process to occur through the work of the health team.
· Still others combine God's touch, the health providers' skills, and their own emotional and physical cooperation.
· Some even consider death as the final form of healing.
22) H Health Counselor
E Educator of wholistic health
A Advocate/resource person
L Liaison to community services
T Teacher of volunteers/support groups
H Healer in body, mind, and spirit
23) A correct response will both list and discuss two negative aspects. The responses may come from the following:
· To some, religion seems to add guilt, depression, and confusion.
· Some may blame God for making them ill, for letting them suffer, or for not healing them in a prescribed manner.
· One Protestant believed she had made a contract with God: if she lived the best Christian life she could, God
would keep her relatively well and free from tragedy. When an incurable disease was diagnosed, she said. "What did I
do to deserve this?"
· Another Protestant took the opposite view of her contract with God. She said, "I wasn't living as well as I should,
and God knocked me down to let me know I was backsliding."
· Other clients view disease as "something that happens to people."
24) TRUE
25) TRUE
26) B
27) A
28) C
29) D
30) F
17
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flowers, beautiful and refreshing and cleansing fruit, wherever it is,
and without the aid of special soil, air, light, warmth, and rain. For it
has, as it were, its own subtle, ethereal, and eternal soil and air and
light and warmth and rain within itself.
Therefore, keep happy.
The Gospel of Happiness—the word “Gospel” once meant “good
news,” but now has lost much of its gladdening vitality—is, when we
examine deeply and widely, “perspectively” and prospectively, sound
Philosophy and sound Religion. To the devout Hindu, God is not only
“Wisdom, Love, Might,” but also Bliss. Sat Chit Ananda meant
Lasting Reality, True Knowledge, and Blissful Happiness. A Perfect
God—and this applies whether we believe in a Personal Being or
not, for an Impersonal Being cannot easily be imagined as sad!—
cannot surely be sad; and we are told to become perfect as God is
Perfect.
We are often recommended to fill the mind with healthy, invigorating,
purifying thoughts. This, again, is a New Testament Commandment.
The words in the ordinary rendering of Philippians, iv. 8, do not bring
out the vitality and force and verve of the Greek words, but they give
the general idea:—
“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, just,
pure, lovely, of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any
praise, think of these things.”
It is a Commandment to attend to—to fill the mind by repetition with
—eternally true ideas, ideas that command respect, ideas that are
right, ideas that are clean and pure, ideas that are welcome and
sweet; ideas that have words of good omen, ideas of manliness and
womanliness, ideas of praise and appreciation.
Therefore, think of Happiness: keep happy.
In keeping happy, we obey the frequently reiterated Commandment
to “Rejoice,” and, without any special attention to the negative and
prohibitive Commandments not to worry, and not to be angry, and
not to be unkind, and not to criticise unkindly, and so forth, we, ipso
facto, obey these Commandments as well, just as the person who is
encouraged and inspired does not need to be comforted in so-called
“misfortune.”
Therefore, keep happy.
Happiness helps you. “It is profitable in every way to learn to be
glad.”
Happiness helps yourself and others, and hurts none.
“No selfish heart can really be glad.”
Happiness is the right thing to keep. Happiness is our duty, and is
“good form.”
Happiness increases itself.
“The more things you are glad for, the more things you will have to
be glad for. Gladness is a magnet. Because you were glad, even
when there was nothing to make you glad, you proved that you
deserved everything that has the power to make you glad. And that
which we truly deserve must come to remain as our own. Possess
gladness, and you will soon possess those things that produce
gladness.”
But how?
or to Reasoning
When things seem amiss, then is the time to give all your thoughts
the upward direction. Keep happy. Hold on to Happiness, not like
grim death but like irrepressible life.
Remember that “everything serves some useful purpose.” If you
refuse to keep happy, at least determine to find out the useful
purpose. But, as soon as you can, come back to yourself, and keep
happy.
Help Others
Help others. This is the old and ever new way. As Maeterlinck says:
“Before we can bring happiness to others, we must first be happy
ourselves. Nor will happiness abide within us unless we confer it on
others. If there be a smile upon our lips, those around us will soon
smile too; and our happiness will become the truer and deeper as we
see that these others are happy.”
Therefore, keep happy by helping others. We can help others by our
thoughts—by wishing them to be well and happy and successful, or
by imagining them to be well and happy and successful. We can
help them by all our expressions—our words, our looks, our acts—
and by our very abstinence from non-happiness.
“Self-Suggestion”
Self-Suggestion is a great help, if we would keep happy. We can tell
ourselves to keep happy, in the same way as Peter Latham, at a
hard and critical point in one of his Professional Championship
Matches, kept not only happy but also plucky by telling himself to
“buck up,” as this was the chance to bring out his best game!
Self-Suggestion has many forms and varieties. Henry Wood, in his
“Ideal Suggestion Through Mental Photography,” advises us to write
down inspiring “Self-Suggestions,” and to look at them often. Leland,
in his “Have You a Strong Will?” advises us to determine, the last
thing at night, that the next day we will, for example, work calmly and
easily and successfully. I myself find that now one form of Self-
Suggestion is most effective, now another. It may be Imagination or
Realisation or Assertion, or it may be a quiet order to the Servant
Mind or Manager Mind, or it may be a strongly-felt and repeated
Desire, or it may be nearer to Silence and Receptivity, together with
“the attitude of expectancy.”
Self-suggestion is feasible at all times and in all places. It is
unobtrusive. It is “without money and without price.” It is effective. It
tends to become a sub-conscious habit, and, as it were, to “do itself”
without our attention.
To keep happy, we can use happy words. Words have vast and little
appreciated power. Think how useless we should be as regards our
power of controlling ourselves and helping ourselves and helping
others, if we had no words! It would be easy to write a long book on
this aspect of the Art of Happiness, alone. But I must be content with
just one idea.
We should speak with a cheerful voice and tone, as well as with a
cheerful face; and we should prefer, to such words of ill omen as
“miserable” and “cruel,” words that end rightly, such as un-happy and
un-kind—words that leave us with the right and happy notion.
Conversely, however, when we are—or think that we are—absolutely
obliged to mention some unpleasant episode, in order to get others
to help to put it right, we must not use such vivid expressions—we
must not speak whiningly nor even keenly. This is preeminently the
occasion for such a monotonous and expressionless voice, as is
unusually put on by a Secretary when reading the minutes of any
previous meeting!
Can we not speak of pleasant things with the excitedness of the
French, if indeed we wish to be excited at all; but speak of
unpleasant things, if we feel we must speak of them, with the apathy
of the Hindu?
When you have finished any Self-Suggestion, be sure to keep
happy.
To keep happy, we must use Repetitions of Self-Suggestions and of
Happy Words, and we must use them long before we seem to need
them. In place of the old adage, “In time of peace prepare for war,”
one can substitute, “In time of peace prepare for victory”—and then
there will be no real war.
Persistent Repetitions
The persistent Repetitions may be in the form of sheer repetitions; or
in the form of Synonyms—such as Happiness, Gladness,
Enjoyment, Joy, Welcome; or in the form of cognate words, words
that suggest not so much Happiness itself, as the father and mother,
the brothers and sisters, the sons and daughters, of Happiness.
Thus, to take the letter P alone, it has a decided effect upon our
feelings of Happiness to repeat, with as much attention to and
realization of the idea and the inner spirit and soul of each word, as
possible, the words Purity, Poise, Peace, Plenty, Power, Pluck,
Pleasantness.
As to the influence of Repetition, we must remember that we are
mainly what our sub-conscious mind is; and our sub-conscious mind
is largely what our conscious mind has chosen or allowed itself to
think, and what our conscious mind every moment—every now—is
choosing or allowing itself to think.
Or, instead of repeating the ideas themselves or the words that can
convey them, we can keep happy by Reason and Argumentation.
While an Assertion like Robert Browning’s,
Laugh
Some people have a genius for seeing the funny side of so-called
“misfortunes,” like the Chinaman who could not control his laughter,
just before his execution, because they were going to hang the
wrong man. In a little booklet called “Fifty Years not Old,” I wrote:—
“Laughing is a capital relief for unpleasant mental states, as well as
fine exercise for the stomach and liver! Democritus, the laughing and
smiling philosopher, may have carried his excellent principle to
excess; but he was a safer guide than the weeping and moaning
philosopher.
“It is worth while to collect cartoons and cuttings from the ‘Daily
Mirror,’ ‘Punch,’ and other papers, and to look through them when
the dumps try to dominate.”
Laughing and smiling can come under muscular control, no less than
walking and sitting—no less than frowning and grumbling. We can
tense or relax muscles. We can equally easily laugh or smile. And
the mere muscular action will help the mind and the feelings to be
free from non-happiness.
There are, of course, wrong kinds of laughter and smiling. I read a
book devoted almost entirely to the abuse of laughter and smiling.
But the right kinds are as valuable as they are rare.
Several people that I know have the supreme art of making troubles
almost blessings by catching at once the ludicrous aspect—going
round to the other side and seeing things from a different approach.
And sometimes, entering into the trouble by the Gate of Humour,
they find that the trouble is not a torture-chamber but a factory of
Success and Happiness.
The right laugh and smile is an expression of real Faith; and, as we
have seen, the expression, if persevered in, tends to bring the reality.
After all, what is our real Environment? Most people would say, at
once—the air, the building, the scenery, in which, and the people and
paraphernalia among which, we happen to be at any time. And these
are indeed part of our Environment.
But our true Environment is, first of all, the contents of our mind, and
especially that part of the contents—whether memories or
imaginations—to which we give most attention and interest;
secondly, the Divine influence in which, whether we recognise it or
not, we “live and move and have our being.”
And, chiefly, we live in whatever we think of or allow ourselves not to
refuse as residents in our mind.
I have said little, in these few pages, about what are ordinarily
regarded as Environmental helps. I rather wished to emphasise the
importance of keeping happy, and of using such means as we had
always or often with us. I could have written much about colours,
music, books, friendship, and so on. But I had to leave unwritten far
more than I have written here.
If these ideas help the reader to keep happy more consistently, less
spasmodically, and more independently of outside conditions, they
will have served their purpose.
Perhaps even the mere titles of some books may be of use towards
this end—“All’s Right with the World,” “Just Be Glad,” and “Keep
Happy.”
To keep happy means enjoyment and ease, peace and poise, health
and fitness, during work-times and non-work times; it means more
work and better work; it means better opportunities and openings for
our activities in the future; it means better rest and sleep after work;
it means constant, all-round improvement for oneself and others. It
is, like Health, part of our duty towards God, our neighbour, and our
self, and the myriads of cell-lives working within us.
A Concluding Suggestion
It is not a bad plan to make a point of writing down every day (in a
note-book, or on slips of paper) some special reason why we should
keep happy. Mr. Arthur Knight and I have done this regularly for
many months, and have exchanged our records from time to time.
The following are a few out of many of our reasons. They are not
arranged in any particular order, but are put down just as we wrote
them, from day to day. We recommend every reader to try the
practice.
Keep Happy. When happiness is present, the petty things of life fail
to disturb and poison us.
Keep Happy. This means living in the higher part of the mind, where
the air and light and warmth are greater, and where all good things
originate. Keep your thoughts in this happy region of yourself, and
you will not only get the right ideas—the ideas that you really need—
but you will draw other minds up to the same level.
Keep Happy. The more you insist on—and persist in—keeping
happy, the more you will realise and be convinced how absolutely
and progressively beneficial Happiness is.
Keep Happy, and the things that would, in the ordinary way, loom
large and important, and upset our peace and poise, either fade into
nothingness or else become obviously useful as training us to play
the game of life.
If we would be at our best, in body, mind, and spirit, we must keep
happy. Gloom and sorrow lessen our power to be our best and to do
our best.
Keep Happy. There is nothing to be said against it. There is
everything to be said in favour of it.
Keep Happy. Happiness is as much a duty towards God, our
“Neighbours,” and ourselves, as is Purity or Kindness or any other
Virtue, and Happiness makes every other Virtue easier and
pleasanter.
However good a physical or mental “system” you may follow, and
however many excellent rules you may obey as to diet or exercise,
and so on, the rule “Keep Happy” is found to be a good addition to
your daily régime.
Keep Happy. The happy spirit is a magnet, and draws all that is most
pleasant and profitable from all sources to seek you and to become
yours.
Keep Happy when you are inclined to be ill-tempered or depressed
or anxious. Then your sight and your perspective will change, and
you will see the good in every one and every thing.
Keep Happy, and give out Happiness. When we give out Happiness,
we always receive more blessings than we give to others.
Keep Happy. Difficulties and troubles enlarge through unhappiness,
which is their fertilising manure.
Keep Happy. To keep happy is good and God-like.
Keep Happy. Whoever is happy, longs and tends to make all others
happier and happier.
Keep Happy. To keep happy is true heroism—no less so than any
spasmodic act of courage.
Keep Happy. Then every good quality within you will grow and
flourish and multiply and radiate.
THE END
FOOTNOTES:
[A] “Economy of Energy.”
[B] For instance—“Economy of Energy,” “How to Begin a Change
of Diet,” “First Recipes,” “Health without Meat,” “The E.M. System
of Physical Culture.”
[C] See “The Uric Acid Fetish,” “How Food Poisons Us.”
[D] See “Curative Exercises.”
[E] See “Curative Exercises,” p. 46.
[F] See “The Uric Acid Fetish” and “How Food Poisons Us.”
Transcriber’s note
Spelling has been retained as published.
Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been
standardized.
The following printer errors have been changed.
CHANGED FROM TO
“Whatsover things “Whatsoever things
Page 33:
are” are”
“or if the “or of the
Page 45:
disadvantages” disadvantages”
*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK KEEP HAPPY
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