The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-06-08
Helping Ourselves.

billions that seem vain and futile,
the thought must sometimes pre-
sent itself that we are in way
responsible for our failure to DO
more than we have done. Is 1t
not true that we are inclined to
depend too much upon the help of
others in making our dreams come
true? Do we not think that if we
had the chances that others have
we, too, could show good results
and achieve the distinction which
somewho seems to mean success
for so many persons? DO we stop
to think that We must help our
selves first, last and all the time?
Unless we are able to do this, not
withstanding obstacles and hard
ships of many kinds, we cannot
in reason look for the help which
we deny ourselves. There can be
little hope Of success if we are not
built for it, and by that we mean
unless we have it in US to make
our way regardless Of obstruction
and determined only to attain our
ends by virtue of our individual
merit, and not altogether through
the good offices Of others. We
may, perhaps, accomplish our
ambitions more easily with out
side, for there are many ways in
which a helping hand in time Of
need may work wonders; but, on
the other hand, if we make it a
practice to depend upon the aid
that is offered by those who take
an interest in us thsre is small
chance Of our really coming into
our own. We might be able to
reach a pinnacle of success with
the help of others, but unless their
interests retained and their kind
ly offices as we'll, the chances are
we shall rot remain long in our
exalted position. "Those who
climb by the efforts of others never
climb high,' says a thoughtful
writer, land never stay up long"
There is world of truth and wis
dom in this observation which
merits careful consideration. We
may be pushed into prominence
by some interested friend who
imagines that We are perhaps
more worthy of good fortune than
we really are, but if left to our
selves we shall probably fall OF
our own weight.
When we come down to the ROO
of the matter self-dependence is
the most necessary factor in ou1
natural progress towards success
The progress we make in such
circumstances is due to our own
efforts and we advance perhaps
in a painstaking manner, but a
least surely and profitably. W.
know where we stand, in othe
words, we do not fear being lef
to ourselves. We are certain o
our progress, and no matter a
what stage success comes we ar
able to meet it squarely and hon
estly and to have the satisfaction
of knowing that it comes as re
ward for true merit and hard work
There is scarcely any limit to sue
cess attained in this way; it ring
true and we are indebted to n
whim Or caprice OF fortune for tn
fine results accomplished. 1t j
only when We undertake more tina
we can in reason perform, whe
weassume responsibility for whic
we are not qualified, that We re
alize that our so-called good for
tune is but an air bubble easil
pricked.
Perhaps if we looked into OF
minds and hearts and made a
honest effort to read there til
limits of our possibilities; if "
studied our ability and determir
ed as far as possible to follow tt
natural bent Of our inclination
we would be in better position
realize our ambitions and max
for ourselves part of the succe:
we desire, regardless of outsic
help. If we wait for the promise
assistance of others we shall fir
that we allow many golden or
portunities to pass. 1t would /
better not to count too strong
upon what others intend to do #
us, because while they are waitir
for some opportune moment
render us aid we are often able
make for ourselves the chan'
which renders US independent
them. 1t is far better and mo-
to our credit to feel that we ov
our success to our own grit al
determination rather than to tt
friendly help of others, becau
while the latter undoubtedly h.
its good points and is essential (
occasion, still the experienc
necessary when we work by GU
selves strengthen and develop
and make US deserving of winnil
our way in this world. We ca
not hope to succeed unless we a
willing to pay the price in tin
and effort necessary, and we c;
do this better by ourselves al
with more lasting results, than