The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-02-10
THE SPIRIT OF DISSATISFACTION

We doubt if there has ever been an age
when there were more dissatisfied and dis
appointed people. Many people will not
be disposed to admit the fairness of this
supposition for the reason probably that
their lives are so happy that personal obser-
walton does not disclose more than an Or
binary degree OF disappointment. 1t cannot
be denied, however, and particularly by
those whom experience brings into Intimate
contact with many phases of life, that ap-
parently there is a larger percentage of
dissatisfaction and disappointment at pres
ent than perhaps at any other period OF the
world history. Of course, the larger mass
of population accounts in large measure
for this fact but, On the other hand, it is
true that the desire for the rewards OF this
world has reached higher degree than
ever before. We are not, as rule, salts
fled with that quiet, dignfied existence
which we are assured distinguished the
life of other days but, on the contrary, we
welcome the excitement of competition, it's
hopes and it's promises, its antcipations
and it's rewards, and are willing to put our
selves to Inconvenience and discomfort and
even to make bitter sacrifice in order to
advance our material prospects. Indeed.
there are many of US who believe. even if
at heart we do not really admit the belief,
that inacton and an absence of display
characterize the quiet worker as old.fash-
toned and out-of- date. We take it for
granted that the world preferment is desir-
ed by all and cannot understand why it is
that anyone should be content to rest in the
shadows, as it were. AS a rule, we place
too high value upon our material aims
We set our hearts upon the attainment OF {
certain goal the distinguishing feature O.
which is self gloriication and unless WI
make the mark our disappointment is keen
and all the more so because we have moth
ing to fall back upon. He who passes b.
the finer things Of life, who deliberatel,
shuts himself out from any participation il
the more normal If less active interest
which are easily accessible, does not prov
himself a wise arbiter of his destiny. H
pays his tribute to the more exacting de
mands of existence and sometimes yer,
heavy tribute indeed, and believes that h
is doing his full duty to himself regardless
of future needs. He neglects to conserv
his resources but becomes profligate,
squanderer, as it were, of his energies an
strength. Then, when the pain and regre
of disappointment become less acute an
he feels the desire to resume again his los
grip upon things he is confronted by tn
fact that he has no other resources at hi
command Of any kind whatever and, con
sequently, is obliged to build anew upo
the ruins Of the old.
Of course such spirit has always ex
listed in various forms but it seems as if i
this day of large ambition and large re
turns it is more pronounced. We are NOR
influenced in many ways by what othe
people think of us, and have come to tn
conclusion that the better show we max
and the greater worldly distinction an
wealth we gain the greater influence W
shall yield. The large rewards that go
those who make big successes Of their live
arouse not unnatural interest for thos
who long to share them and yet who do NJ
know how to obtain them. The appeal {
wealth and position sinks more deeply in,
some hearts than into others and leaves a
indelibie trace upon their characters, PAL
.icularly when that appeal is not satisfied
The failure of their hopes embitters Iii
and causes dissatisfaction which nev'
completely disappears. They build te