Take the one particular characteristic known as vivacity. How we envy
those who possess in abundance this great gift! No matter how
irregular one's features may be, even though they repel, if a smile
shows vivacity associated with a keen, intelligent personality,
one cannot be otherwise than attractive. John Bunny, with features
rough, unchiseled, ugly, almost uncouth, yet possessed a personality
that spread its contagious good humor to millions of people in all
quarters of the world who mourned his recent death as that of a personal
acquaintance. On the other hand, even though a man or woman possess
regular features, the lack of animated expression, of vivacity, causes
the person to be regarded as "cold" and "repellent." Speaking in the
vernacular, it puts you in the class of the "dead ones." One may say
that magnetism and all the desirable qualities that draw others to
us are closely associated with the supreme development of the forces of
life. No vivacity, then no personality.
The average individual goes through life without living. In other words,
he scarcely exists. He has never felt the throbbing exultation of a
keen joyous moment. Nor on the other hand has he ever suffered the
tortures that are supposed to be associated with the damned, for we
must remember that the power to enjoy carries with it a corresponding
power to suffer. But we should also remember that the possession of
these extremes, the ability to enjoy or to suffer, indicates the
attainment of what might be termed the most complete human development.
If we wish to find a perfect picture of the phlegmatic temperament, we
can study a pig to advantage. And yet there are many human beings
incapable of manifesting life-forces equal to those of this humble
animal.
But why not be alive, vital, vivacious? Why not be alert, keen,
energetic, enthusiastic, ambitious, bubbling over with fiery
ardor? The possession of these pulsating, vibratory forces proves that
one's physical development has closely approached to perfection. To
such vital individuals life opens up opportunities that are almost
countless.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account