The Bossier banner., 1916-01-06
RECOGNIZING OUR CHANCES.

has to decide for himself ana IL is because
SO many Of US take so long to reach the
necessary decision that we do not avail
ourselves to the fullest extent of the possi-
bilities at our command. We are much
more likely to compare our opportn mites
with those of our neighbors to the detriment
of the former, and we try to delude our
selves into the belief that given half the
chance that others have in certain condi-
tions we would make much better use of its
resulting advantages. We seldom take
into consideration the fact, however, that it
is a moral as we'll as physical impossibilty
to put ourselves in the place OF another and
to assert what we would do in this or that
condition. Indeed, our own observation
and ability to appreciate the sterner facts in
life should make US understand that many
of the chances which others have and which
into our lives. They would be worse than
useless in many ways; we do not need them
or else they would have been given to US
consider this latter fact, however, but in
our ignorance and over confidence attrib-
ute our lack of success in many instances
to the very causes which could not have
contributed to that success were they at all
within our reach. There are no two lives
in all this world whose conditions are iden-
tical; some circumstance or train of cir
cumstances distinguishes them one from
the other and for this reason the opportu-
mites afforded US must necessarily differ
materially from those afforded others.
That which means success to one person
may prove positively inimical to another's
best interests, although at first glance per-
haps this fact is not apparent.
The question which concerns each one
of us individually is how to recognize our
opportunities when they come. Of course
there are many such that are easily distin-
tinguishable and not to be passed by but
there are many others, and perhaps those
that count for the most and which may be
the means of changing the course of life
for US, that are not easily recognizable.
Indeed, it is probable that many of these
opportunities when they first become known
to US seem anything but opportunities;
they do not appear to possess any particu
lar benefit and on the contrary seem to
work for time at least to our positive dis
advantage. The Almighty works in strange
ways at times, or so it seems to our faulty
human vision, but that He works for our
best interests we cannot doubt even though
at times We may question His methods. 1t
is said that there is never sorrow so great
that joy does not lie hidden somewhere
within it, and by the same token there is
never condition so trying to our faith that
does not contain the promise of a blessing
s. ii 5he HeEK ask ta
ergy and has wearied US by its monotony
and apparent hopelessness contains the
basis of what may we'll prove to be our
highest opportunity. 1t may be that just
when life seems hardest and the day is
darkest the reward of our long service
comes to brighten and make easier the
roads we are so laboriously travelling.
Perhaps it was necessary that We serve a
certain period to be able to partake in full
measure and with the necessary apprecia-
ton of the benefits that ultimately accrue
to US. Perhaps our noviate may last longer
than that of others but in the end it is richer
in its compensation and nobler in its full
fillments.
We must watch for our chances unceas-
ingly. They come sometimes when least
expected and when we believe ourselves ILL
prepared to meet them but these are only
details in the great work of life itself anc
must be adapted to the immediate purpose
in hand. There is no reason to concern
ourselves about the chances of others MOI
the manner in which they are realized. L
is sufficient to look for the opportunities
that are intended for US and to make ths
most that we can of them. Whatever thei
merits they belong to US and because it i:
God who sends them they fit into our lives
as no other can. Many of them promis'
but small return for the changes they worl
in the immediate present out no one cal
foresee what is to come nor foretell in jus
what manner the misjudged occurrence O
! the present develops into the real opportu
nifty of the future. Just as we rise through
sorrow into our better selves so, too, w
find our highest realizations in the modes
chances within our grasp. 1t is better t.
have one opportunity that is entirely ou
own, one chance to make good in the wa
in which God intended, than to continue t
waste time and stength in the fruitless oc
cupation of waiting. We can work won
ders with our chances if we recognize ther
in time and make use of them in spite G
the fact that they may not be exactly whs
we had hoped for. 1t is far better to do tn
best we can with those things that ar
clearly and solely ours, than to waste tim
in wishing for the chances that Others have
AS will be seen by his card elsewhere
to-day's Banner Hon. w. F. Millsaps {
Ouachita is candidate for the Democrat
nomination of Attorney General of Louis
ana. Engaged in the practice of law