--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Weekly, Pearson’s collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 20 number: 8 published: 1917-06 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Pearson’s Weekly, "Be Contented," *Improvement Era* 20, no. 8 (June 1917): 676.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2008unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera2008unse start_page: 676 end_page: 676 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1917-06) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2008unse publication_year: 1917 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1917, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Be Contented Contented (Selected) Life is one continued struggle; from our birth the strife extends; Though we find some peaceful moments — still the .struggle never ends. Many pains and many bruises; many burning tears are shed — We must fight if we want freedom; we must toil if we want bread. Bravely face each situation, though it be so hard to bear — Each man has an equal portion — every woman has her share. If the world seems cold and cruel, don't despair nor sigh in vain; Try and smile, and look contented — you will soon be right again. Thank the Lord for all his blessing; force your spirits to arise; If you're always sad and gloomy very few will sympathize. Sadness spreads in all directions, gladness spreads far quicker still, Hide away your little worries, though it be a bitter pill. Smiles are like the rays of sunshine flashing on a flowing stream In a thousand bright reflections — dazzling, wonderful, supreme. Try and smile on all occasions — watch how easily it blends - You will find your load seems lighter, and you'll soon have many friends. — Pearson's JFeekly.