Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1909-03-18
NOTES ON THE
PROBLEM OF LIFE
(By julius Helm, of Danville. }

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for existence, not only for all human
kind but for all animals as we'll as
plant life. For instance, plant tree
in good soil aud it will flourish and
survive to a good old age. A child is
born to healthy parents aud while
helpless is we'll taken care Of That
child will grow to be a healthy man
or woman When thrown upon its own
resources it becomes necessary to rely
on its own ability in leading a useful,
sensible life.
There have been written innumer-
able books giving rules and reguls-
tions as how to live, but we must not
forget that the same rules will not ap-
ply to all alike. A rule may hold good
for one but would not do for another.
How, then, should we discriminate.
The first rule to be observed should
be moderation in everything. in eat
ing, drinking, working, resting. A
healthy body can do certain amount
of work but il the strength be over
taxed it will work injury to the sys-
tenn. 1t is, therefore. ones duty to
study the system in order to regulate
habits of life accordingly.
Another rule which will apply to all
alike is to cultivate oontented mind.
When we begin life it is certain that
there will be dark as we'll as bright
days ahead of us Realizing this we
should not feel discouraged when trou-
hle comes On the contrary we should
enjoy to the full exteu. all the bright
days. IL there were no clouds TO dark
Ell the sunshine st times one would
not enjoy sunshine, so in the life of
every individual if there were no dark
days we would not enjoy the bright
ones. Happy the man or woman who
realizes this fact.
Another fact to be considered is the
avoidance of worry. This disposition
can be cultivated if we consider that
all the worrying will not mend mat
ters. On the contrary. to worry over
an unpleasant thing only makes it ap-
pear worse than it really is. If we
make up our minds to take things
philosophically as they come the bet
ter for our peace Of mind. don't mean
to say to let we'll enough alone. When
things 60 wrong set to work to rectify
them and they will come right in the
end. This may not be done without a
struggle, but struggle we must, which
is sure to give real zest to life. If it
had not been for this constant struggle
we would not have any civilization
today.
Look back into the history of the
world, and we don't have to go back
very far. Note the struggles and priva-
tions of our forefathers. Everything
in nature seemed to combine to make
life hard for them, but they struggled,
AS we do today. The life of every in
dividual today is much more pleasant
than were the lives of our fathers of
only one hundred years ago, and how
much more enjoyable is life today than
800 years ago every reader of history
knows.
We today enjoy pleasant things. con.
veniences and comforts that never oc-
Cured to our forefathers. Take for in
stance, travel, improvements in our
houses, reading. music, all of which
are within the limit.of the people and
contribute to make life worth living.
In the foregoing have stated three
decentralization, contentment and
don't worry. These rules apply to all
alike. Now let me state sane regula.
tIuus Which every individual must use
his own judgment in applying to his
owu Conduct in life For instance. in
order 70 sustain life we must have
nourishment of the right kind For
this no rule can be laid down. Every
one must study his own capacity. for
seldom are two lives just the same.
They require different treatment II is
therefore, everyoue's duty to keep
watch over his own inclinations, shun
that which is bad and assimilste that
which is good, according TO the OBJ
servation of the individual himself.
This same rule holds good as to work,
either mental or physical. as we'll as
to the pleasures we enjoy. | maintain
that We are put into this world Ito !
have "a good time" and il we use pro- |
per Judgment the pleasures will far |
outweigh the SORROWS. There will be |
in everyone's life more sunshine than
clouds, providing we don't find fault
with the quality OF the sunshine.
Told II In Rhyme