University Missourian., 1910-12-22
THE TURNING POINT IN LIFE
Occasion Does Not Make a Man But
Brings Out His eBst.

| lueutS Ill lie llldu tIldt III WHICH young
people decide for good and all on their
life-work. 1t Is said that occasion
out what is in him. That there are
many gifted men and women in the
world whose lives have been practi-'
cally wasted because the proper oc-
casion never offered itself, there can
be no reasonable doubt. And on the
other hand, there are unquestionably
many who would never have made
themselves known to the public had
their lines not been cast in surround
ings or crises favorable to the display
OF their peculiar talents. Still, ad-
mitting all this, occasion is not the
only factor in bringing to light the hid
den talent. Would Napoleon have
shone conspicuously if he had not been
thrown into the vortex of the French
Revolution? or Washington apart from
his connection with the War of Inde-
pendence? No one can say with cer-
tainty, but from our knowledge of the
men and the mettle they were made
| of. we have good reason to believe
that. while they might not have be-
come as prominent in other circum-
stances and conditions, they would
have made good in any sphere While
the occasion counts for vast deal,
still men and women of character. en-
ergy and determination often manage
yet exists.
There is another, and a most weigh
ty, element to be taken into account
in the effort to utilize every mans
gifts for the benefit of himself and his
kind-and that element is direction.
While in the company of man of
undoubted ability, with veritable
genius for languages, electrical science
and a dozen other things TO boot
but who. in spite of all. has never ac-
complished anything really worth
while-the uppermost thought was;
What useful life his would be if he
only had a good manager! And the
same can be said with truth OF hun
dreds of others. Much of the worlds
best intellectual and moral fibre goes
to ruin because of a lack of proper d.
rection. While the early years of
childhood are of great importance in
the life of the individual, there is per-
lhapS an even more crucial stage. and
that is when budding youth begins to
look out over the broad horizon and
seek a field for the exercise of its
powers The choosing of ones life
work IS no light matter. A first false
step may mean blighted future, and
it is particularly at this crisis that
Sound advice is needed from those of
ripe experience. Here is a most ex-
Icellent opportunity for parents, guar
Idians, teachers, etc, to show their
real interest. Some may, and do drift
naturally into the places for which
they are fitted, but the vast majority
do not; and perhaps great deal OF
lifes misery is due precisely to the
failure of many to find their proper
Iplace or function in the worlds ma
chinery.
Owing to the atmosphere of liberty
which they breathe, there is in many
young people a tendency to be per.
fectly free and Independent in their
choice of calling. They have little
or no doubt about their ability to shift
for themselves. Their strong point
in self-assurance. Doubtless this is
better than its opposite, but it is fire.
quently overdone. The boy just out
, of school, or even the college grad
uate, knows little practically of the
world he is entering, and it would as
: suredly be no discredit to him, and
: no infringement of his native inde
? pendence. to take counsel Of wise ant
!, mature elders VINO have been through
, the mill and can give him the benef
: OF their dearly-bought experience.
i On the part Of the elders themselve:
it is of great moment that they vii
the confidence OF their proteges b.
y showing a real interest in them, b.
becoming their friends II ultra-dig
;. nified and stand-offish parents-fath
y ers especially-only realized what thi
u confidence means for their children
- they would not hesitate to sacrifice
- small portion of the parental dignit
to secure it; nor would they run tn
= slightest risk thereby of impairin
:, their children's genuine respect 10
~ ithem.-Baltimore Sun.