The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-02-03
LEARNING OUR LESSON.

Every now and then, perhaps because
feel as though there is really very little in
selves to any great trouble to please others.
Indeed, sometimes when the shadows are
deepest and the way seems hardest We feel
more like giving up the fight and letting
things 60 as they will. Nothing seems to
be of very much use and somehow we feel
as though any efforts that we make are not
appreciated and therefore wasted. We do
not take into consideration the fact that
disappointment Of any kind is depressing
and that when we have such feelings, which
for the most part are unusal to the average
nature, we are really not ourselves and
therefore are not in position to reach any
important decisions. We mistake the
shadow for the substance in many cases
and owing to our depleted condition, be-
cause mental distress weakens the strong
est constitution, dwell upon the darker side
of life. We imagine all sorts of grievances
that really do not concern US; we arm our
selves with our suspicious and are on the
watch always for something unpleasant to
happen; we feel that we are not understood
or appreciated and consequently feel it is
only natural to lose interest in what goes
on about Us. We put ourselves on the de-
fensive in some instances and make facts
out of our suspicious in such way as to
lay up for ourselves distress of mind and
for others intense annoyance.
Thanks to the bouyancy of human ma
ture, however, we do not tarry very long
in the vale of our distress, comparatively
speaking, that is to say. If we did we
would soon find ourselves cut adrft from
our noorngs and left to sail or float at our
own will. Nobody likes to be forever as
ISOLATED with the unhappy aspects of life,
nor does any one care especially to be forced
to fill the place OF sympathizer for too long
a period. In way, of course, our interests
are r-dependent one upon the other,
and while something that affects us very
intimately may not interest another person
to the same extent, still it is associated
either directly or indirectly with one or
more Of his many interests. Were it not
for this fact we would learn what real lone
illness means, for it is in community Of in
terests that we find encouragement and
satisfaction. We cannot lose sight of the
fact that we are all factors in very large
problem, and that unless each one of US
acquits himself satisfactorily we are going
to hinder the natural solution of the prob
lem itself. More depends upon our neigh
borl1ess Of feeling than we think at first
glance, because it is this feeling that en-
ables US to work together for common
end. The disgruntled person is his own
worst enemy because while he has the
remedy at hand with which to benefit him
self he refuses to make US of it, either
through ignorance or because of i'll feeling.
Lack ofinterest in life in general, of course,
makes it all the harder for a man to sue
coed or, indeed, to make anything of him
self hut suoh- -intaaAL- x
lacking in ones breast, to the contrary
notwithstanding.
The best thing. for anyone to do when
disappointment and trials come is, first of
all MOTTO give way to his painful reflections
and too often bitter realzations, but to turn
his back if only for short while upon his
thoughts and enter actively into some &C.
cupation which will keep his attention oc-
cupied for time. 1t does not make very
much difference whether the occupation is
to his taste or not; the point is that occu-
patton is the best remedy for a diseased
outlook upon life. 1t is remedy that has
to be taken constantly, else it will not have
good effect, but given fair chance it is
sure to prove efficacious. Once we are able
to turn our thoughts away from our disap-
pointments and consequently unhappy con
dit!on we give ourselves at least the chance
of taking new and perhaps stronger hold
upon life itself. The new interests which
come to engage our attention will probably
not appeal at first with anything like the
intensity which characterized their prede-
cessors,. but at any rate, they mean the
beginning Of hope for US. And after a
while we shall not find it so hard to follow
their lead and eventually we shall learn to
like them for their own sake and for the
good they bring into our lives. Relief from
memories that torture is always to be de-
sired and while the great transition from
hopelessness to new hope cannot be accom- :
r!lshed IN day, yet with determination
and perseverance we can make something
very sweet and desirable of what seems at
first only. the wreckage of our lives. While
we must expect to experience sorrow in its
varied forms from time to time, because we
are but heirs to all the ills of flesh, yet we
certainly have no right to sacrifice our
happiness on the altar of affection. God
expects something far better from US than
such proceeding, and it is in learning how
to subordinate ourselves to His plans that
we eventually find the way back to happi-
ness.
Items of interest.