As a Matter of Course

As A Matter Of Course by Annie Payson Call is a practical manual for reducing nervous irritants in daily life and aligning the mind and body with natural laws. Through a sequence of short, essay-like chapters, the book argues that many forms of nervous trouble arise from habitual responses to minor annoyances—‘stones’ on life’s path—and that these can be overcome by acting as if the proper order already existed. Call advocates a simple, natural approach: physical care (fresh air, nourishment, exercise, rest) followed by balanced amusements; then training the mind to correct false brain-impressions, to minimize the trivialities that crowd daily life, and to master moods without suppression. Later sections address tolerance, sympathy, and better relations with others, the self, children, and illness. The work emphasizes that civilization should be viewed as a means to natural vitality, not a source of neurosis, and that problems and sentiment can be met “As A Matter Of Course” through steady practice and open-mindedness. Its aim is to cultivate a calmer, more effective life by anchoring behavior in simple, repeatable habits.