The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-05-11
Giving Our Best.


that we can? The question is an
old one that has been discussed
many times and probably will be
discussed far into the future, but
as vet it is an open one to many
of US who, perhaps, rarely think
it worthwhile considering. 1t is
SO much easier to expect others to
do the necessary good work that is
to be done in this world, so much
easier to wait for others to set a
high standard Of living, so much
easier to sit back and criticise
others for not filling the high mis-
sion entrusted to them than it is to
enter vigorously into the great
work that is to be done for the
universal welfare of man. The
temptation to make life ne-sided,
as it were, is very great and many
of US are not strong enough to
resist but, on the contrary, yield
only too readily and pass on to
others what appears to US trou-
blesome, tiresome, monotonous
task. We know, of course, that
the higher and better phases of life
call for fair return for all that we
accept; it is against the law of
nature to prey upon others and
that, in truth, is what we do when
we allow ourselves to draw the
best from others and give nothing
in return. We must be willing to
arouse our consciences from the
stupor into which we have forced
forced them and give them fair
chance to make themselves heard.
We must be willing to put our
selves to trouble and inconven-
fence and if need be, make sacri-
fees in order to be of at least as
much use to others as they are to
US.
The give-and take of life keeps
our spirit fresh and hopeful; with
out it's benificent effect we would
very soon develop into selfish,
soulless beings content to prey
upon the goodness of our neigh
bors if by so doing we advance our
personal interests. 1t is through
our intercourse with others that
we develop or degenerate, and un-
less we are strong enough and
fair minded enough to be willing
to place ourselves upon the same
footing as those with whom We
associate, and to take no unfair
advantage of them, shall make
but small progress. Many of US
accept all we can and give moth
ing and yet expect to derive both
happiness and prosperity from our
selfishness. There is key some
where which unlocks the doors Of
even the most selfish nature, and
as it happens, We are sometimes
the last to find the one to fit our
selves. 1t is often through the
influence Of someone else, some
one who has swayed US for good
far better than we realized, that
we find the key to the secret re-
cesses in our hearts, and the rec
ognitiOn of the debt we owe to
such a person is in itself a two
fold blessing. 1t makes US ap-
preciate something of what we
have done in draining the best
from others and making no fair
return, and it arouses the desire
10 find out the best that is in US
and give it freely for the benefit of
those upon whom we have preyed
for so long time. tits in the give
and take of life that we find ou1
greatest earthly happiness. 1t is a
condition that embraces hundreds
Of little things that we scarcely
knew existed for US until their
absence creates their need, and not
the least among its many bless
ings is the opportunity it affords
of giving and taking in exchange
on an equal basis.
We all know what it is to be
attracted toward Il person who is
ever willing to give the best thai
is in him for the benefit of those
for whom he cares, and to be
counted friend of such a man is
one of life's choicest blessings
We know how kindly an influence
be yields and we know too how
easy it is for others to make con
venience of him, yet if we correctly
appreciate his worth and under.
stand something Of what he does
for US individually we find tina,
unconsciorsly he is bringing GU,
the best that is in US also. There
are some persons who Influence
others simply by giving them.
selves freely, and while they arc
imposed on and taken advantage
Of in many ways yet the resulting
disappointment is forgotten in the
pleasure Of the good influence
they exert upon those who are MOI
afraid to admit its power. We
would not get very far in life were
We to depend wholly upon our.
selves;i t is in our friendships with
others, our friendly intercourse
and our pleasant companionships
that we develop and the man who
has looked for the best in Others
and found it, and who has like.
visa pivar tho boct n a 10 in him