Milford chronicle., 1921-06-10
is LIFE WORTH LIVINGl
BY Lima NJ. West, DagsborO, Del.

Is life worth living? For some
"yes" for others no" 1t lies with
us and life is mostly what we choose
to make it. The life of any one who
does not try to make the world bet
ter by having lived is not worth the
living. A life of selfishness and use
lessness is not worth living because
no one derives any benefit from it.
A life of unselfishness and usefulness
is worth living because the world is
benefited by that life. The deeds of
that life will continue to live long af-
ter the person himself ceases to exist.
A selfish person sees no real joy
in life and can see none for he has no
vision. His time is spent trying to
gain for himself the things he desires
regardless of the welfare of others.
1t may be only trifle, yet he will
make every one around him miserable,
if that whim isn't satisfied. He thinks
the world should respond to his ev-
cry wish. He thinks of no ones hap
piness but him own, and that he can
not find for he destroys it. The story
of king Midas" gives us a good il
lustratiOn of the selfish life. He was
so selfish that he wished everything
he touched to turn to gold. After
that wish was granted he found he was
the most miserable man alive. A sell
fish person destroys the happiness of
others, is his own worst enemy and
makes his life not worth the living.
Is it the woman who has more jew
els and clothes than she can wear and
who thinks of nothing else or the
man who thinks of nothing but money
and politics who is living the life
worth while? Or is it the man or
woman who lives a life of usefulness,
giving the best that is in them? If we
make our lives worth living we must
have courage. The person who has
courage enough to meet obstacles
bravely and grit enough to try again,
and can put joy and happiness into
the lives of others when he is facing
defeat will make the world better by
his living. We may become discour-
aged because we do not get what we
most desire or reach the goal for
which we are striving. Sometimes it
is best that we have difficulty while
trying to reach that goal for when we
overcome one obstacle it gives us
strength to master another. What we
consider almost defeat may prove to
be a blessing if we only take courage
and try again. 1t may cause us to de-
velop along some line that would not
have otherwise appealed to us.
Why be discouraged because we
cannot accomplish that which anoth-
er can or because we do not have the
talents that they have. Each one of
us have talent of some kind although
it may not be the one we most de-
sire, yet it may be just as valuable.
If we develop that talent it may ac-
complish more than we think. When
all looks dark, if we can look thro'
the clouds, and forgetting our own
despair encourage others along and
devote our best efforts to the well
fare of mankind we will indeed find
that life is worth the living? The
one who makes the lives of others
pleasant and lives a life full of Civ
ing is living a life worth the living.
The happy song birds, the flowers,
and all Nature is calling to us to give
the best that is in us.
Let us try to live a life. worth while
remembering that
If we build on the joy that He gives
us,
A Joy that shines bright as star;
He will give us happiness ever
That shadows of earth cannot mar.