The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-10-28
THE ZEST OF LIFE.

We suppose that there are very few per-
sons who have not at one time or another
in Their lives felt the encouragement thai
comes from apparently unappreclated en-
deavOr repeated failure or even that hope |
less realization of never being able to
achieve results. At such moments, when
the Encouragement is greatest, we assert
that life is not worthwhile, that there Is |
really nothing ia it. "What's the use,
we cry again and again, and for the mo-
ment we are entirely sincere in our belief
that there is nothing very much to live for,
but after we have spent our first despair
we gradually gather new hopes and new
interests and find that after all there Is
something left that is worth while. 1t Is
the zest of life that keeps hope young in
our hearts and interests ever fresh at hand
1t is the zest of life which keeps US willing
to crush down our disappointments and
seel. out new interests. 1t is the zest OF
life that helps US to live down our failures
and make new beginnings. 1t is the zest
OF life that enables us to look discouraging
conditions in the face and work on in spite
Of them. With this bright beacon ever
signaling US the way out Of the darkness it
is unreasonable to suppose that We shall
stay within the gloom longer than is nee
essary, but, gathering all the forces at our
command make an earnest effort to come
within lis cheering rays.
We may not be always conscious of the
fact that we have something to live for and
work for, because in time of trial our view
point often becomes narrow and warped
and it is impossible to look ahead, but the
very fact that life in itself is mystery, an
ever new problem that requires almost
4
correctly its many phases, is sufficient to
keep our interest alive and make US wonder
what is coming next, whether of happiness
or sorrow, Of joy or regret. Without this
ever present interest, this unconscious ex-
pectancy. as it were, existence would soon
become fla and stale and in very truth not
worthwhile, but as it is, with each day alive
with its own particular affairs, with some
thing ever new to hold our attention, with
the great road winding before US in unex-
pected turns and counter turns, with ad
venture and achievement always possible
life cannot lose its flavor. To live patiently
from year to year is a wonderful accom-
plishment in itself; to silence our regrets
over the dear things of the past is better
still: I'd welcome whatever the future holds.
whether it be to our gain Or to our loss is
perhaps the best Of all. Each turn in the
road may offer surprise to gladden. our
hearts, or yet darken for time the bright
ness of our day, but whatever it may be
we know that it is only temporary and must
give way sooner or later to other and per-
haps more wonderful interests. Chew
friendship. high adventure, and a crown''-
these are the things that We set out TO find
if not in early life then perhaps later on,
and if not then why at some later period,
and so on until the end. There is always
something just ahead to hope for and work
for even though at times we cannot under
stand some phases Of the universal prob
lem.
It is happy heart that recognizes the
zest Of life and responds to its exhlarating
influence, happy because although realiz-
ing that changes must come from time to
time it is not afraid to face them, and happy
because it does not fear to pay the toll ex-
acted whether in youth or in age, and af-
forwards to take up the course Of life again
and find pleasure and profit in the new in :
terests and conditions. The happy heart
does not rely altogether upon its personal
interests; tits big enough and warm enough
to take in the wider prospects of life and
accordingly to enjoy to the full many things
that do not exist for the purely selfish view
point. 1t is the varied appeals which life
has for it that helps to make its happiness,
not the narrow course Of q selfish exist
ence, and it is because of it's wide vision
and generous impulses that it is able to re-
spond SO surely to the wonder calls it hears
Were it not for the zest of life, or at least
for part Of it that appeals most directly tc
Us, We would not be able to recover from
the various trials that come to us all from
time to time. Their weight would be toe
heavy to cast off, and the calls of duty anc
affection alike would fall upon deaf ears
But the spirit of hope, the desire for one
more chance, is strong within our hearts
and before we know it we find ourselves
answering the calls that begin to be hearc
as soon as we listen for them.