DO NOT FRET.
Fretfulness never remedied any evil. It never mended a broken dish, or untied a hard knot in a boot-string, or solved a problem in arithmetic, or settled the question whether or not it would rain on a holiday. When it is considered what an indolent, useless thing this fretfulness is, the wonder only grows how it comes to be harboured in so many families.
Fretfulness never made any one useful or necessary to another. If you would be useful, act — do something; do not stop to fret. If you cannot do a great thing, do what you can. Fretfulness never secured one friend.
Fretfulness will not add to beauty. A very plain face may become decidedly attractive when a cheerful temper and a kind heart have left their impress upon the features.
Fretfulness leaves its marks upon the face, and if you look at yourself in a mirror the next time you are in an ill-humour, you will be startled to see the ugly lines there.
Fretfulness will not prolong life, and, on the other hand, will do much to shorten it. If you wish a serene and happy old age, do not fret. Fretfulness will never promote happiness. If fretfulness comes in at one door, happiness goes out at the other. They will not both be your guests at the same time, so you must choose which you will receive and entertain.
The best cure for fretfulness is an honest purpose to lose sight of self and selfish gratification and selfish complainings, to use the best efforts to make others happy, and promote their welfare by every means possible.
Source: HINTS FOR HOUSEHOLDS. (1890, May 9). Port Adelaide News and Lefevre's Peninsula Advertiser (SA : 1883 - 1897), p. 4 (SUPPLEMENT TO THE PORT ADELAIDE NEWS).
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