The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-09-09
LOOKING FOR EASY WAYS.

LOOKING FOR EASY WAYS.
1t is only natural to our way of thinking
that we should take the easiest way at all
times and to avoid all unpleasant tasks as
far as possible. When difficult situation
arises we try to make ourselves believe that
the easiest way to dispose of it is to run
away from it, particularly if in order to
overcome it it is necessary to tax our
strength and energy. We do not take into
consideration the fact that by Sinking an
unpleasant task we simply procrastinate its
performance, because there are always
certain disagreeable duties which are nee
essary in life and the avoidance of which
only means future and more often keener
annoyance than at first. What appears at
first glance to be the simplest way out of
difficulty is really the hardest and longest
way; while on the other hand, were we to
sacrifice our incinations and dispose of the
unpleasant duty once and for all we have
the satisfaction Of knowing that we need
fear no further annoyance from that par
ticuar quarter. The habit of running away
from our difficulties is one that is easily
contracted and hard to break. 1t is in a
way a sign of weakness Of character in that
we allow our inclinations to sway our pur-
poses. We become moral towards simply
became we lack the courage to stand up to
our better judgment and do what is de-
manded of US irrespective of individual
preference. We may think that by keeping
out of the way and never meeting the diff
culties which arise from time to time we
are finding short cuts to success, but sue
cess is never founded upon weakness and
cowardice. 1t is the product Of courage
and perseverance and industry and it is
largely by the careful cultivation of these
latter virtues that We insure for ourselves
the elimination of orr ambitions.
1t is absolutely necessary to give the best
that is in US to the conduct of our lives.
1t makes no difference how many and how
great our trials may be, if we meet them
with high courage and the determination
to overcome them if only by endurace we
are giving part of ourselves to the task,
and that means achievement Of a high Or
der. 1t is true that we are largely judged
by what we accomplish, by the finished
tasks that form part of our record, yet it is
also true that we are judged in no small
degrees by our unfinished tasks, those
duties that we ran away from when We
found them rksome or more difficult than
we had anticipated Thusit is that in seek
ing easy methods of doing our work We
cultivate, perhaps unconsciously, it is true,
a weakness of character which denies US
the right to success. He who runs from
the more responsible duties of life misses
the best of life. His lot is unenviable be-
cause he has never tasted the real sweet
ness of life; some persons would call it.,
perhaps, bitter sweetness, because it
means knowledge at the expense Of suffer-
ing. Life, however, is but experience in
varied forms and we cannot expect these
experiences to be always easy and pleasant.
1t is through life's crosses that We learn
many things hitherto unknown to US, and
he who runs away from the bitternesses
that must come sometimes to each one
misses many things which are most TO be
desired. Were it not for the harder phases
OF existence we would tire of the continu-
ing ease and brightness. Even the sun
shine would be uncomfortable at times with
out the compromising shadows, and so it
that when we face task that seems more
than we can undertake, or that fills US with
distaste or even rebellion we must learn tc
look upon it as one of the shadows which
are cast across our lives for some gooc
purpose. We must enter into its gloon
with the intention of exploring its depths
and who knows but that We may come ou
refreshed and strengthened by the restfu
shade?
Responsibility cannot be thrust aside az
one pushes aside a branch that projects
across his path. 1t must be met and borne
and even welcomed if We would make i
influence curl lives in good and wholesome
way. We might try and go around it, as i
were, and get out of its way, but such {
course acts as deterrent upon our health,
development. The only way to achieve
either moral or physical success is by fight
ing our battles with the same degree O
enthusiasm that We evidence in enjoying
our pleasures. We must be master of our
selves in every way and not the weak tool
of circumstances. Our lives are our owl
and naturally we would like to live them il
way which seems most desirable to US, bu
our ways are not always Gods ways, AM
when He sends Us our trials we must NEE
them in the spirit in which they are i'm
posed. We are tested when least expected
and he who runs away from his difficultie
often runs away from his truost tests, albei
he is unconscious of the fact.
1t will hardly be disputed that in the va
rious relations which enter into and affec
our daily lives, the consideration Of what
personal to ourselves, of how we are to b
affected by it, and of what will be most ad
vantageous, pleasant, and profitable for US
is with the great majority the controlling
L i e