The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1920-01-03

To make the most of opportunities
that are presented to us from time
to time, is probably one of the fore
most essentials contiguous to u sue
cess in life. There are thousands of
people each year, who fail to accom-
plish to any great extent, from the
mere fact that they do not avail
themelves of such opportunities as
come to them in the way of grasp
ing the small and simple things that
are obtainable in their immediate
sphere. We are confessedly too prone
about turning the small things in our
daily lives to account; ordinarily, we
reason that we must aim high, and
we are forever casting aside the
smaller things in life. But can we
say we are always right? Admitting
the fxity of the laws Of nature, we
cannot say that we are always on the
safe side of this question. When we
turn our eyes toward the forests, and
view the stately oaks therein; when
we cast our glances down the val
leys and view the beautiful flowers,
we hesitate for the moment in medi-
t~ation, and reflect that he mighty
oak, like the flowers, were at one
time small and each had their begin
ming alike, and in the same sphere.
Likewise individuals have their be-
ginning and the fact should not be
lost sight of, that from without the
small emanate the larger things, and
that no great and lasting achieve
ment is possible at a single bound,
but it is through the appreciation and
better usage of every opportunity
that makes it possible for man to
mount the steps to success.
To such persons as have not spent
their time and means in the proper
channel during the present year, the
opportunity to recover such waste
has been utterly lost, and no matter
how good their intentions, nor how.
ever bright their ideas for another
year, this year has been lost and can
not be lived over again. Lost! Los
opportunity! How sad, how painful
llt pClSOI WIN IIldhCS lllG ldISSSI
batch of resolutions at the New Year
is by no means the most successful
but the one who says they are going
to take the world as it comes, who
says they will handle things bare,
handed and do his best, are the ones
that avail themselves of every oppor-
tunity at their command, and the
ones who have generally scored at the
end of the year.
And so it is in all the walks of life
there is not enough concern about
living up to our opportunities, and
while there are many who see they
do not realize their error until toe
late. 1t is our duty to God and. our
selves to so spend our time and en-
ergy, that it may rebound to the good
of Christian civilization, and to the
betterment of society generally.
We were not placed in creation ia
spend our time in idleness; time is
golden, and each fleeing moment
brings to us something to be done.
If not by labor of the hand, it is
through the exercise of the mental
faculties, and this we find ourselves
in a continual state of occupation.
Some have asked Must there be no
time for play?"
There should not be in the light
that many view it. The human sys-
TEN needs so much rest, but not play.
There must needs be some pleasure,
from whence comes the clear mind
and the cheerful heart, which is nee
essary to a healthy body, and a pleas
ant disposition, which stirs our am