The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1916-01-20
Opportunity


broader heritage of ability and endeavor, life seems
one vast opportunity along the lines of his or her
ambition The youth stands with eager hand upon
the door, with bright eyes peering into the future
He believes that the world needs him; he has faith
In himself Some spirit within urges him to plunge
Into the battle and win the victory.
Obeying this natural impulse he enters the conflict
and few years tells the story. Will he CONQUER or
will he fail? The wise among all peoples and In all
ages have looked upon life as an opportunity to
work out some task. They consider each and ev-
cry soul cog in the machine of endeavor If this
is true, then the work of every one must be in
measure planned for him, and the opportunity for
taking it up and working it out must be indicated
The main requisite then. is keeping an expectant
attitude of mind and wide. opened eyes for the lead
ing that shall come Some one has said. LET ey-
cry occasion be great occasion. for at any time
tate may be taking your measure for higher place."
Much of success is traceable to the habit of
looking for it and expecting it and trying our best
to be ready and worthy of it, We must be greater
than our environment, and it follows that, if we
feel oramped we mus. make our environment to fit
our needs. That does not mean that we must be-
little present occupations or socalled commonplace
things; 1t means that turn our attention to grow
ing and developing those God given talents of ours
until we environment to adjust itself
more In accordance with our needs Wemust
make ourselves worthy and our opportunity will
come.
The saying that opportunity knocks once at
every mans door, is true. but not entirely adequate
for, even tho we lose chances in one line or an
other, other opportunities will come every day of
our lives. We know when we rise in the
morning what good gift that day holds In it's hand.
And, IT the gift is one of sorrow, in it's shadow may
rest some increase Of strength or peace that comes
OF grief endured. Opportunity is not a thing re-
mote and divided from US; it is within u.s. 1t seems
to be summoned by something within ourselves If
we demand chance to make good and fit ourselves
for it. when it shall come, and look for it as our
God-gven right, We shall realize it without fail
Opportunities are very likely to come masked
In very ordinary guise. 1t is not until we have
made the most OF them In small way that we real
lie their possibilities for greater things We can
not afford to let even the small ones Slip for we
never know to what they will lead US. Then too,
1t is wise to acquire the habit of getting the most
out OF life. even in little ways, while are waiting
for that big chance that we hope will come our way
OOmetlmes II seems as tho the great opportunity
was made up of little ones. strung together one af-
ter another following in series like the problems in
an arithmetic text book. graded in difficulty AMI
each giving knowledge and experience for the next
harder. So it is safe rule follow that we must
not scorn the little things in holding ourselves aoof
in expectation of the wonderful chance that is to
come. We may seek, like Sir Launfa for the Holy
Grail. and find it at last very gates.
To those who able to look hack over their
lives. comes the realization that. with few excep-
quite ordinary fashion. Opportunities do not come
with flying banners and sounding trumpets; they
steal into lives quietly, unobtrusvely often fol-
lowing small duty we'll done, day well lived in
little ways, effort to be our best whatever role
we are called upon to play. 1t is certain comfort
that we can make ourselves deserving. can round
out our character and develop our minds and bodies
so worthily that, whether we are summoned to do
great things not, can be if we cannot do. It
is always safe to rest the fact that the "oppor-
tunity seeks the man" but not the unfit man. There
are so many laws governing what we call opportun-
ty that We must be our best to put ourselves in it's
way. Even if it seems to choose one not so well
equipped are, we can be sure that unless that
fortunate person is equal or make himself equal
to it's demands he will not succeed.
There many different kinds Of opportun-
tiles. 1t sometimes happens that we map out our
lives along some line of work and that everything
seems to be against in endeavor follow our
plan. There is, to be sure, the overcoming of OBJ