The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-05
The Bystai,diI.g Mind

We sometimes say Of man that he tskss
himself too seriously ~
What do we meant That ons should've
gard himself as n joke7s Hardly.
1t seems that tic point Is this -that :
person should not oyer-estimats his import
lance In the scheme Of things.
No one is indispensable, In any plaza. en-
capt perhaps in the heart Of one who loves
him.
We are tenants at wills m this lifes and
liable to be ousted any day;
The white-goods clerk who gets the notion
that the department store could not get along
without him, Is on the way to become 4 nni-
sance. Some Monday morning he WIN b
looking for a job, and the store viii sti1i
be doing business as before.
This huge express train we call humanity
rolls right along. If you or drop off the
rear platform it goes on just the sames
IL you die tonight the agitators will keep
on agitating, and affairs in Chile and Al
ghanistan win proceed as If nothing had hap-
pened. q
The flying bird leaves no track In the ain,
the speeding ship no furrow In the sea.
If you drop pebble in the pool 1t leaves
no hole.
The great ones Of earth are removed, and
village affairs are not disturbed. Even when
Napoleon is captured ANA taken away, Lin
the country dies, Martha must still 60 on
with her spinning and Mary with her studies
at the woman's club.
8 We are at this passing show Of life but a
few days, and when we 30 out another stands
ready to take cur place.
It's huge affair this world. and none
Of us viii be missed.
Hence little souls have been shaken. The
prospect has SO oppressed them that they
cry, Eat, drink and be merry. for tomorrow
we die"
B Men tend to run to extremes, ana that Is
one Of them.
The other extreme Ii to- imagine that the
church, the state, the bar, the medical pro-
fession, the business, or whatever small world
we may be In Is entirely upon our shoulders.
The middle way between these two en-
tremes is both the wisest and the most conn
Portable.
There are some proper responsibilities that
rest on me. Let me bear them seriously, nut
because no one else could bear them so wen,
but because they happen to be on me. Not
for the sake Of the universe, but for my own
sake, let me be serious enough. cannot
remain on the earth with self-respect unless
Ipay my way. soa
But on the other hand leo me mob forget
am but lodger for night in this mn of
the world, I am but d bystander In the great
game Of destiny, I am only laborer hired
by the day in the construction works Of the
edifice Of the coming race.
Then let us not sweat and fear over the
large aims Of fate. Evolution win 70 on
evolving, whatever you do The zone increas-
ing purpose that through the ages runss' win
run right ahead. The United States wiz moi
stop for you. Art literature, music, work
and amnsemenk win flow on as broad human
rivers when you have passed down the stream
into the ocean.
Let us do our dsy1s work, enjoy he sun
shine, eat our dinner ID thankfulneas, and
get as worthy satisfaction out Of Il an a
we can.
Let us be as happy as we-can for our M.
tie day, and as nobIy, a. much like greed
spirits, and as little Ike beasts as we can
Let us cultivate the bystandzng mind,
Wi" says Bersot 'is the git az rsne.
trating things without becoming entane1sd g
them =