TO ALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 4042, 1 September 1931, Page 70

TO ALL.

Dear Little Folk, “ ‘ If I had the chance ’—how often has this been said with wistful longing, despair, and even with jealousy. ‘lf I had the chance that he had, I should go to the top,’ enviously declares the boy who thinks that all the good fortune has somehow gone down the other road and passed him by. ‘ I never had any luck.’ “ This widespread belief in luck is tragic. Great numbers of people believe that they have been born at a time when the omens were evil, and that fate has assigned them to a dreary and colourless lot in life. Y r et in front of them, just out of their reach, keeps dangling the hope that the big chance will turn up some day. “ There was a time in the world’s history when men were, perhaps, justified in believing in chance. Before it was discovered that the universe was governed according to law, there was some reason to think that things happened as the capricious gods decreed. Science has taught us to count upon definite effects following certain causes. “ Choice, not chance, determines our destiny. An opportunity comes to two men: because of the choices which the one has made, he is unprepared to make the most of it; while the other, because of wise decisions, is ready to seize the opportunity and tp profit by it. “ You can depend on choice, but chanee is fickle.” The above, children, is copied from a magazine called Great Thoughts. I hope you will “ read, mark, and inwardly digest it,” for it is full of good ideas. Your holidays are now all coming to an end, and the days of lessons are closer than tliey were before. Do you all feel rested and refreshed? I have liked all your letters this week. Good luck to you when school recommences.—Your loving DOT.