Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-07-18
CLIMBING AND SLIDING.

The author who said that all men
we're the creature Of circumstances
1verlooked the fact that We very
argely make our own circumstances
Some things must be taken into ac-
count that are beyond our control,
but the most Of the circumstances OF
life are either the direct creations OF
our own effort or the logical result
e our course Of conduct It all de-
1ends on whether we are disposed 10
~ 10 climb or are content to slide.
Il is much easier to take things as
hey come. but we get nowhere by
hat method. II is not worth our
while 20 struggle and fret because
things around US do not lend them
selves to our purposes, because in op-
position Is our greatest inspiration 90
reach out for better things. The man
who Invariably follows the lines OF
least resistance is not the man who
accomplishes things that are OF great
oenefit 10 himself or to the human
pathway to stir us up 10 noble
achievements. No man. unless he is
mentally and physically indoient. puts
forth his best efforts IL the road Is
creased beforehand for him. But let
there be rocks in the way. rivers to
cross and mountains to climb. and he
takes pride In conducrng all op-
position and when he has overcome
these Obstacles he is in a much better
position to appreciate the value Of
what he has done than II It had come
TO him easy There is nothing that
rouses a mans ambition more than to
he compelled TO conquer his way
through a. series Of difrcutics There
Is nothing that cncrvates him and
makes him 50 near worthless as to
have everything worth while fail into
his hands without an effort
This Is true in school, as well as IN
rrownup life. We arc disposed to
commisserate the child who has great
difficulty In getting his lessons and
whose grades are made only after
severe and determined effort; but II Is
the other fellow who needs our pity
The exceptionally bright child in
school Is usually laboring under q
greater handicap than the dull one.
The bright pupil knows that every
thing comes easy and viii not bestir
himself TO really absorb into his
mentality the education that Us in
tended TO be conveyed by the lessons
he conquers so easily. He does not
need 70 work hard and the chances
are he acquires a laIiness OF intellect
that in after years makes him unit
for serious business. He has the abil-
ity to make a useful citizen. but the
very ease with which he disposcs OF
the tasks set before him is apt to Kill
ambition and smother energy The
dull pupil, on the other hand, knows
that hard work Is his only salvation.
While he learns slowly and with ef-
fort, yet everything he acquires Is
slowed carefully away IN the pigeon
holes OF his mind. labeled and classi-
fed and ready for use when needed.
The very fact that nothing comes 70
him without struggle bcgets in him
a habit Of industry and an ambition
TO conquer. qualities which stand him
In good stead when he goes forth 10
battle with the grownup world. He
has not the qualities that make for
brilliancy. and he knows II, 80 there
is stirred up within him the aspira-
ton to ,Ievelop to the utmost the tall
ents he docs have 20 as to make up
In thorOpg hness what he lacks in