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Show Uncommon Sense By John Blake "BLUES" AMONG the worst of fancied ailments ail-ments is "blues." But imaginary diseases can make trouble, as well as real ones. I have known temperamental ladies who had nothing whatever the matter with them to render life miserable to themselves and their families for weeks at a time. And it is actually possible for people peo-ple to worry or fret themselves sick. But for the "blues" there is little excuse. It is a trouble of inferior -minds. It will come on at any time, usually when there is no apparent cause for it, and last for an indefinite period. Meantime the patient is not worth much. His work is bad. His temper is tricky, and it is wise to avoid him and let him get over it Give a victim of "blues" something, to think about something that he has simply got to think about, like hustling for a living, or keeping his job, and he quickly gels over it. Coddle him, and sympathize with him, and he will have a long spelL The "blues" come to people who are sorry for themselves who think they are misunderstood, or that they are not getting half as much out of life as they are entitled to. It comes sometimes, of course, to genius, but genius can be spoiled by petting till it is intolerable. Ask any grand opera impressurio about that. Normal people are not much affected affect-ed with the "blues'' while they are in good health. Even habitual worriers do not get lino that state of constant "lowness" which makes them want to get off into a corner and pity themselves. The "blues" victim just remains In a sort of coma, shedding actual or mental tears, and looking upon the battle of life us already lost. It sounds rathei trite and preachy to say thai hard work and plenty of it is the best cure for the "blues," as il is for most other mental foolishness. But there has to be a little preaching preach-ing now and then, or people would have no reminder of their own Infirmities Infirmi-ties and how to dispose of them. Among colored people, naturally happy, there are many who not only get the "blues" but sing about them dolefully. But these are people vIk are slow in developing, and who cannot keep up with their brethren In their remarkable re-markable climb up from slavery and illiteracy to a place among thinking, achieving people. If you have friends vho have the "blues" don't laugh at them, but don't sympathize with them either. If you have them yourself, and can't get over them go to a psychiatrist and get him to tell you what Is the matter wilh you. They are not normal nor natural (ConyrlKht.) |