The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-11-30


notony that may at last bring revolt
and break for freedom. And two
who have loved may just grow tired Of
each other, hardly knowing why or
when or how--and both may be to
blame.
Monotony means surrender to an
environment, not conquest OF It, Man
Is the only animal that can consciously
change from within, change manners,
thoughts, impulses, desires, dreams,
ideals. Man is the only animal that
can consciously modify his environ
ment, by deliberate choice move to an
entirely different one. transform an old
or create new environment
The blight Of monotony is not sole
ly one of wealth or of poverty. The
less the income and the more restricted
the life the less is required to do some
thing that will break the spell Of mo-
notony, that win bring a change, new
impulse, new impetus, new lnspira-
ton. A dinner away from home, an
evening at the theater, long ride or
sail, day at the beach, walk in the
country, visit or a guest, some new
books, may be the trifie that may break
the deadly dullness of uniformity.
Business men realize the effect Of
cleanliness, comfort, convenience and
change In making store more attrac-
tive to customers. They vary the dis
play In the shop windows, they deco
rate in harmony with the seasons, they
rearrange departments, they continu-
ously seek to Danish monotony. This
| philosophy of change might well be
| introduced In many homes where the
same articles of furniture stand In the
same places for years as If they were
| built into the walls. Rearranging the
furnishings, changing the position of
the pictures packing out Of sight the
| surplus of ornaments and bric-a-brac
that make rooms look like museumsand
bringing them out later and retiring
the old ones, may freshen and bright
en- a home and give new life and In
spiration.
There is tendency on the part OF
many married people to surrender to
their moods, not to bother about maxi
| ing themselves agreeable to each 9th
err. There are times when guest comes
to the home and the husband may be
surprised to see how entertaining his
wife can be; he hears her tell stories
and incidents that are new to him, that
amuse and brighten the atmosphere.
He may narrate entertaining episodes
of his business life, talk Interestingly
of new inventions, new discoveries,
city improvements, national men and
measures, facts and fancies from his
reading, observation and experience
and she may look across the table in
a pleased wonder and try to keep back
the expression of her rebellious pro
test that with her alone he usually sur.
passes the oyster in silence except or
the old subjects now talked to tatters
Monotony comes from many causes
1t can be held at bay In many ways
The courtship method helps by keeping
the two from settling down into mat
ter-of-fact, humdrum existence, by
hallowing trifies, by banishing sense
of duty and putting the spontaneity OF
love in its stead. Comradeship helps
too; it puts both on a basis of conse
Grated friendship, willing to talk un
complainingly together the rough OIL
the smooth, the lights or the shadows
the deeps or the shadows of living, just
as equals, with no awe, no oppressive
dignity, no fear, but with freedom
frankness full respect and confidence
that smiles away sorrow and suspicion
Humor helps; 1t livens trifles, take:
the sting out of little troubles and mis-
cries. When the servant leaves a.
: four minutes notice, there need no
! be grumbllng, and protest, and fret
ting What If the meals are not up Il
! par or the house not manicured ant
given heavy polish, for day or two
, There is no need for worry, the worlC
! is not vet come to an end. If taken ii
the right spirit 1t may be picnic tim,
] for both, Children have the advantage
Of us older folks; they know how t.
, pretend and to play things are differen
from what they are.
: A little of this spirit, sometimes
n keeps us young; it brings imagination
I to the rescue; 1t crowds out the op
!. pressiveness of the serious side o
n things when tears may be just trem
i bling near the edge of the eyelids, Xix
q actors In the wings waiting their cue
! An honest laugh is worth hundre
' signs In any market. II does not real
r ly make much difference IL the hume
: seems bit homemade and show sign
q Of wear. If 1t please the two. who er
q Joy without criticizing, and carry
: buhbling laugh from their lips to thei
living.
o Reading aloud. music in the hom,
e the romping play Of the children, tn
8 welcome guest--all help to keep me
/. notony at bay. Looking out for tn
joy notes In the commonplaces, fine
! Ing happiness like a four-leaf Glove
s because we know Just where to loo
!. for 1t, seeing reason for thankfulnes
In what we have rather than regret I
v what we have not. singing and smi