Arizona republican., 1902-11-20
CURRENT COMMENT
Postponed Happiness.

The only way to be happy is to take that come to us to brighten life as WIG go along. To postpone enjoyment day after day, and year after year. until we get more money or a better position the means to travel or buy works oi art, to build an elegant mansion, or to attain some distant goal of ambition, is to cheat ourselves not only of present enjoyment, but also of the power to en- | joy in the future.
 Speaking of looking forward to happi- ness, some one has aptly said: '1 would as soon chase butterflies for a living or bottle moonshine for a cloud ' night. " Postponed enjoyment is all | ways a failure. Many young married people, starting out with little capital work like slaves for years, putting 1 aside every opportunity for pleasure or relaxation, denying themselves the lux ury of an occasional outing. attendance at theater or concert, a trip to the country or the purchase of a coveted book, and postponing even their read ing and general culture until they shall have more leisure and more money. Each year they promise themselves that by the following year they will be ready to take life easier. perhaps to indulge in little travel. When the next year comes, however. they feel that they must economiZe a while longer Thus they put off their enjoyment from year 10 year. scarcely realizing the import or the fact that each successive post ponment causes less pain than the pre- vious one.
 Al length the time comes when they decide that they can afford to indulge in a little pleasure. Perhaps they go abroad. or they try to enjoy music and works of art, or attempt to broaden their minds by reading and study. But 1t is too late. They have become hope essly wedged into the rut the years have made for them. The freshness of life has departed. Enthusiasm has fled. The fire of ambition is dead. The long years of waiting have crushed the ca Pacity to enjoy. The possessions for which they have sacrificed all their natural and healthy longings for joy and brightness have turned to dead sea fruits.
 Such lives. which are repeated in thousands of homes all about us. are al- most worthless. They contribute little to the sum of human happiness and progress. Such living is no real life: it is only existence.
 Has life no higher meaning than to craw in the breath and blow it out again? Has it no broader signifi- canoe than that indicated by the dollar mark. or by lands, houses and big bank account? Why did the Creator make us in his image and put within us marvellous powers, if they are to be mocked or allawed to die without de- velopment or satisfaction? If man is to live like a brute, why does he bear the human form, the impress of divin- ity?
 Aspiration for enjoyment and long ing for brightness and happiness were not implanted in us without a pupose. They were meant to play their part in our unfoldment, but as truly as ambi- ton. desire for knowledge or beauty. or virtue, or any of the other nobler quali- ties of mankind. As rule the man who cultivates a habit of enjoyment. who gladly avails himself of the oppor- tunity each day offers to indulge in some innocent pleasure, to brighten and broaden his life by listening to good music, looking at rare works of art. studying the beauties of nature. or reading an inspiring book, will. uncon- sciously, find himself far ahead. in the race for success. of the one who post pones all his enjoyment and relaxation until he has accumulated a fortune Success" for November