The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-11-25
TALKING AND DOING.

TALKING AND DOING.
If we could look back upon our lives and
see our records in tangible form perhaps
their most prominent features would be the
things we meant to do and did not, the
things we talked so much about doing and
vet left undone, the things we counted as
among our accomplishments yet which
never were performed. Perhaps one NJ our
greatest faults, and certainly very easy
one in which to fall, is that OF talking IN
stead Of doing. We make up our minds
that We shall! do a certain thing and then
before we enter upon its performance we
sreaE Of our intentions and connde hrSt to
o"e person and then to another the object
WE have in view; we speak Of it In this way
an We speak q it in that way; We say
why We are going to undertake the task
and how We shat. perform 1t; we weave
bright dreams about our plans; we say how
happy we shall be when we accomplish our
h~art's desire, and all the time we are SIM
ply talking, never acting. We wait for 8
good opportunity, perhaps. before entering
upon the Ierf0rrlanc4 of the work we may
have, in view. and while We wait something
else happens t. take our minds away and
ore opportunity alter another passes before
We can prepare ourselves. We believe that
We are 700 busy to undertake new du1y
when really We are doing very little except
waste time that could be we'll occupid other
WISE We tell OF the many fine results we
could accomplish if we only had the chance
OF getting down to real hard work, and
while We wait for our Interruptions to grow
fewer we lose sight of the fact that our
opportunities also are becoming fewer.
In many cases our lack Of action is really
caused by our want Of concentration. We
do not seem equal to the task of fixing our
minds for any length of time upon single
object because we are easily led away from
the work in hand by other more interesting,
but less important influences. II we were
to learn the lesson of concentration we
would find to our surprise that many things
We had considered impossible of achieve
ment are easily accomplished once We give
our whole mind and attention to their per-
Torrance. While the good results which
others work should be a stimulus to US,
such is not always the case. Indeed, it
often happens that the big achievements of
others make US only more dissatisfied with
the opportunities afforded US to succeed,
and because we fancy there is no chance
for Us we put off doing and talk all the
more. 1t may be that many persons miss
their chances of showing what they can do,
and because of this fact become discour-
aged and Indifferent. However, the man
who really does not intend to show definite
results can always find an excuse for not
doing so, and explain at least to his own
satisfaction why he has not yet been able
to accomplish something.
It is SO easy to talk and so hard to act
that it seems almost unkind to criticise
anyone for taking the easiest way, yet it is
only those who act who are respected and
who become worthy to become trusted cit
liens. There must be something radically
wrong with the man who cannot find the
chance of doing something worthwhile in
this progressive day. 1t need not be some
thing that shall hold the attention of the
world; indeed, it may be only trifle so far
as worldly achievements go, but it is pos
sible for it to influence at least one heart in
the right way and that is saying a good
deal when we begin to think about it.
Talking, however, has really worked more
harm than good in this world, and it would
seem part of prudence if instend of saying
all that we would like to do we would at
least refrain from idle talk until we de-
monstrate by our actions what we are capa-
bic of accomplishing. Anybody can talk
who has the use of his senses, but not
everyone can accomplish all he had in view.
We must be satisfied with what we can
show for our efforts little though it may be,
and in being satisfied We lose the desire for
talking necessarily of ourselves and our
interests. In many cases, naturally, it is
quite important that we should discuss the
manner in which we shall act, but at the
same time we must bear in mind the fact
that it is the actual doing of the thing thai
counts. 1t is useless to keep up contin
ued discussion as to how, why, where and
when we should undertake the accomplish
ment of some object in mind it is highly
important that we should show by our prac.
teal efforts that we are capable of acting
While, of course, it is no disgrace tt
have failed in the accomplishment of oul
most valued ambitions, still at the same
time we can at least avoid the appearance
of failure if we keep silent about many o.
our hopes and desires until We find the
time and opportunity to bring them to sue
cess. Our greatest hope OF success anc
happiness lies in the fact that we must no
waste ourselves in idle talking, but direc
our energies in honest action.
In asking Democrats to play the gam,
like men, the Monroe News-Star says
Both Mr.. Barrett and Mr.. Pleasant ar,