Bubbling Gladness
the opposite of a dour face and sour speech
As I continue my journey through Charlotte Mason’s 4th volume, “Ourselves,” I can’t help but have immense gratitude for the work she did. I am so grateful for Miss Mason’s writing and efforts and that they are still available to us today.
This quote is found at the end of a section convincing us of the need for gladness in our lives:
The outwards and visible sign of gladness is cheerfulness, for how can a dour face and sour speech keep company with bubbling gladness within? The inward and spiritual grace is contentment, for how can the person who is glad at heart put himself out and be dissatisfied about the little outside things of life? “Rejoice evermore, and again I say, rejoice.”
As someone who used to be a chronic cranky-pants, I have found in the last few years that real positivity is one of the biggest blessings to be had in this life. The ability to see the good in every situation is a skill and a gift. It is a gift to myself and to my children to be an optimist of the utmost quality.
⬨ Development of the habit
The subsection the above quote comes from is entitled, “Gladness a Duty.” You may be familiar with Mason’s famous mantra, “I am, I can, I ought, I will.” About gladness in this particular section she says, “I can, because I ought!”
She expands on the mastery of the will to be glad, chasing away the black dog every single time he shows his scary, ugly face. Sometimes it takes many times in one day, but every single time the black dog appears he needs to be chased away.
I am of the opinion that this is the habit to end all habits. If we can master this chasing away of the black dog, our lives will look vastly different than if we sit back and watch the black dog take over, or hide from him, or crouch and cower, or cry in despair.
⬨ Fruits of the habit
Once this habit of gladness is achieved, we will see the fruit of it in cheerfulness because it can’t help but bubble out of us. This is a blessing to those around us. Who can stay sad or discouraged in the face of bubbles of gladness?
Maybe even more importantly, this habit produces inside of us the ultimate reward: contentment. A glad heart can’t be troubled with the little inconveniences or small discouragements that others allow to grow into large problems.
Miss Mason ends by quoting Philippians 4:4, proving to us that she didn’t just make this up. But the concept of ‘rejoicing always’ is biblical and important to the Christian life. Important because it produces the sweetest fruit.
⬨ For Further Reflection
Do you know someone you bubbles with gladness? What is it like to be around them? Share in the comments!
For your journal: Do I have a black dog plaguing me? Do I tend to hide, cower, or cry when he shows up? Can I challenge myself to chase him away every time I notice him popping into my life?
With joy and wonder,
Katie Viola
This article is filed under 🌸 Pondering with Miss Mason.