The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-06
PROBLEM EACH
WOMAN MUST SOLVE.

The simple life has been preached
and advocated and harangued upon
since the earliest times. Yet to-day
we are more sorely in need of it than
ever before.
How to simplify our mode of living
in order to bring into it more that
is worth while? How to spend fewer
hours upon the gaining Of a mere ex-
istence in order to find leisure to en-
Joy the pleasures which are possible
to us?
These are questions, says the Chica-
20 Record Herald, which are perplex-
ing the hearts and brains of the TWEEN
tieth century women, women who are
striving to solve the problem of what
is really the essential and the nom
essential of right living and true home
making.
With all the privileges, so new and
illuring, and all the responsibilities
and duties which rise up to confront
her. and all the praise and censure
and advice and criticism aimed at the
twentieth century woman, it is no Won
der if sometimes her perspective be-
comes a little blurred, and in her con-
fusion she may take a, wrong path.
But we may still trust to the fidelity
of every true, Womanly heart to at
last realize the utter folly of giving
the best part of life to simply play
ing to pawns."
There is always hope for every wom-
an who is honest enough to once in
awhile stand face to face with her
own conscience, and ask and answer
the question of what things in our
complex civilization are really broaden
ing and satisfying, and what things
make for the best interests of the
home life of humanity.
And it is only by asking ourselves
these questions honestly, and answer
ing them fearlessy, that we shall get
at the gospel of simple living and in
the way of simple living lies happiness.
Shall we strive for social position
and favor at the cost of a quiet and
peaceful home life?
Shall we run after every new fad at
the expense of health and happiness
and peace of mind? Shall we regu-
late our lives by what people say, and
shOll we try to be something we are
not capable of being, do something
we are not fitted to do or live as we
are not able to live?
Or shall we determine to stamp our
own simple individuality upon our
lives, and make them simple and hon.
est and satisfying to our best and
highest ideals of what is really worth
while?
Why should we wish to wear clothes
that we are not able to wear? Why
should we wish to make a show place
of our homes at the expense of our
peace of mind, and why should we
overtax ourselves mentally, physically
and financially simply to keep up
with the procession, when the opinion
of the procession has really no bear
ing on the things in our individual life
that are really worth while?
Why should we strive to right all
the wrongs of humanity?
Why should we seek to reform the
world to the neglect of our own homes
and the simple duties which lie close
at hand?
If we look closely within our own
four walls we may find greater need
than any which lies beyond.
Do you think l am preaching the
gospel of narrow living? l am not, for
this very simplicity and conservatism
is the open door through which Nom-
en- may pass to the realms of reading
and self-culture and a broader and
higher life.
1t has been said that simplicity is a
state of mind. 1t is a state of mind
to which we must attain by ''the Cos
pei of healthy need, and not the life
Of fancied want"
To make our lives simple and
wholesome and quiet and peaceful, and
to stamp our own individuality upon
our homes, this is the true secret of
the way to the higher life.
Not that we should ignore the rare
and the beautiful in the decoration of
our homes. Beauty and luxury are
often necessities. The beautiful pic
ture, the rare bit of statuary, the
graceful outlines of a Morris chair or
the handsome centerpiece, are all a
fitting accompaniment to simplicity in
the home.
1t is the OVERRIDING in our daily lives
and the overcrowding Of our homes
with useless furnishings, our desire to
outshine our neighbor and attain to
social distinction, which crowds out
the things which are really worth
while-the peace and happiness and
sweet serenity which is benediction
in our home and the sign and seal of
a regnant life.