THOUGHTS FOR THE NEW YEAR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 199, 5 January 1942, Page 4

THOUGHTS FOR THE NEW YEAR

IT is usual at the opening of a New Year, to review the past and to resolve anew for the future. Two excellent practices in themselves, but as Ve all realise, flavoured with a good deal of that valueless quality known as 'hot air.' In the past we have been prone to talk a, good d.eal about 'good resolutions' and leave it at that. With the world of to-day in the throes of tumult and despair, we: have atleast taken one thing to heart and that is—that actions speak louder than words. Indeed if there is one good lesson arising out of the welter of war,, it is that we, most of us at any rate, have: been jolted to the conclusion that swift decisive action is the only thing that counts in the world toThe lesson has been borne home to us asi a nation; it is u,p to us to apply it to ourselves as individuals. In our own town and district we realise only too- well that we are part of the Empire and are now threatened with war for the first time in our history. Our thoughts are continually directed to the possibilities of invasion, raids, bombings and evacuation. Disturbing, disconsolate thoughts which have their root in the same war-fever which terrorised the mid-European States and the Balkans prior to the German engulfment. We must therefore keep our thoughts balanced and our outlook ca,lm. Steadiness and courage are the two essentials, and as Britishers of the finest stock, we have these qualities' in endless abundance to draw upon. "Selfdiscipline first" is a slogan which we all might adopt, and having adopted proceed to put it into actual, everyday practice. Our duty to our nation and community will follow automatically thereafter. One of the finest and rarest qualities of a sane, sound, healthy mind is an abundant supply of genuine tolerance for the views, ideas, and prac-. tices cf others which differ from your own. True, you may be right and they may be wrong. This is an additional reason. why one must be generously tolerant and not attempt to dictate to them in any way except by ones practice and example. Practice goes a long way ahead of precept, and it is the daily life that counts most and exerts the greatest influence for good or for ill upon neighbours. A resolution to practise, real tolerance from now on for the remainder of life would, if honestly carried out, be a magnificent achievement, and would bring much happiness into the lives of those who carried it out. Resolutions to be willing to acknowledge one's faults and to be generous and magnanimous. to forgive; the mistakes of others, to avoid pride, which so often is deceptive, to multiply courtesy, consideration, kindness and friendly attention to associates and acquaintances, are recommended. It does not seem necessary to mention the: vital importance of giving up envious thoughts, feelings of hatred, and exhibitions of anger and wrath, all of which are poison to manhood and have* a very definite, destructive effect upon the body, causing not only innumerable nervous aches, pains, and distressing misery,, but also actual physical disorders. These are only a very few of the many things of life that require reform and improvement. With the year spread before us; and with the knowledge that somewhere buried in its- days lie the crucial events which will determine the whole course cf world history, we can feel rather insignificant in the face of the immensity of the swift evolutions which are taking place. DL942 in spite of the gravity of the times will stand the same personal resolutions as its fore-runners, but to be effective world events have taught us to give our good resolutions life, by putting them into purposeful and permanent practice.