The Washington herald., 1911-08-14
YOUR OWN FAILURE
TO Do YOUR BEST
Only Thing Which Can In
terfere with You.
ny ELLA WHEELER WILCOX.

When you look out on the solar sys-
great universe does it ever occur to you
how utterly small and contemplate are
many of our aims, ambitions and efforts?
And what a pitiable waste of time,
thought and strength we put into miser-
able worries and mean troubles!
The stars in the heavens are count
less; there are Solar systems back Of
solar systems; and tr;liions OF billions of
considerations exist which the strongest
telescope has not been able to discern.
Each has it's place and purpose.
Just so our earth is dotted thick with
human beings; and each has his part in
the eternal scheme, and just as good
right to air to breathe, earth to stand on
and food to nourish him as another.
The moment we begin to begrudge any
human being his privilege TO enjoy the
benefits OF life, o. the right to make an
effort TO earn success, then We are as
ridiculous as one of the stars would be
If It used up its scintiliating power in
envy and selfish jealousy of another star
only we add sinfulness to the folly, be-
cause we have thinking minds and know
better.
A well-to-do man, with more business
than he could attend to, has been known
10 lie d"ahe nights trying ~ utNiSc
means TO prevent another poor young
nan from starting a similar business;
albeit there was work enough and to
spare for both; and the public would be
benefited py having the extra accozlno
Ea:ion.
Petty Jealousy.
\ music teacher, worn and overworked
and obliged to turn away pupils, has
made himself hoarse crying down an
other teacher who attempted to earn an
honest livelihood by opening an avenue
Of independence for himself.
A man in art work with an assured
position has felt himself insulted by the
advent of another man into the same
field Of endeavor, and he has found de-
light in ridiculing the newcomers work.
A poet NOW dead whose verses had
received high praises, and who was not
dependent upon his pen for support
turned green with jealousy and black
with rage over the vogue of Kipling,
when he first came into popularity, and
wasted precious vitality in talking and
writing derogatory criticisms Of the new
star.
A physician, unable to answer the calls
made upon and almost upon the point
of retiring with a comfortable fortune,
yet turned q violent face of disapproval
upon the young doctor who opened an
once a feW OlOckS away.
Do not these mean and contemplate
phases of human nature seem an insult
to the God who created man in His own
image, and who sent us here to work
out and develop the divine nature to the
utmost?
What a wicked waste of vitality, of
thought electricity, of creative power,
which, If conserved, would mean achieve
nents undreamed Of!
Unchristian Impulse.
II you harbor in your heart one single
thought which does not allow you to
wish spontaneous "godspeed" to any
one and every one who is trying to carve
out a career, or to make a living in
his own line of 'ndeavor, Or in the line
of any one near and dear to you, then
go alone to your room and shut the
door, and say to this unholy and un-
Christian impulse: Get thee behind me,
Satan; 1 will have none Of you''
Reason with yourself that there is no
more possibility of your being crowded
from the place you are fitted to fill than
for one star to be crowded from its
orbit by another.
God gave to each little world its, own
sphere; and He gave to each soul its
sphere as we'll.
No one and nothing can crowd you or
interfere with you but your own failure
to do your best.
No one can give the same individuality
to your effort-that belongs to you-and
If you feel you possess no individuality,
conserve all your forces to develop It.
Impediment to Self-deveIopment.
Every time you let a mean and petty
thought go out into channels of envy,
jealousy, caustic criticism, or ridicule of
another, you are just so much farther
from developing originality in your work |
It is as II you were trying to get a
clear stream Of water from a mountain |
and deliberately blocked I'D the ped Of |
the stream with refuse.
Clear out the river bed; let nothing |
fall into 1t from your mind but love |
for the Creator Of the Inexhaustible |
Fountain and for your thirsting fellow |
creatures.
Then will the waters Of inspiration |
flow into your soul, and you will have |
enough, and to spare, for all VINO come |
to you, and just In the measure that you |
rejoice with others whose glasses and |
pitchers are flied will your own vessels |
be supplied forever and forever.
For unto those who have the love OF |
God and humanity in their hearts shall |
more be given and all other things added |
thereunto. |
(copgight)