IF ONLY

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1933, Page 16 (Supplement)

IF ONLY

WORKING UNDER DIFFICULTIES. The would-be cook says that if only she had a correct egg separator of beater, if only she had just the right-sized tins, if. only the oven worked perfectly, what cakes she could produce. The would-be writer says if only he had a fine desk to work at, if only the place were quiet, if only he had no worry, what masterpieces he could produce. The home-dressmaker says if only she had a large table for her patterns, if only she had a dummy to experiment on, what creations she could turn out. The would-be financier says if only he had capital, what sensations he would create. And most of us, at some time or other, say if only we had our chance, what marvels we could achieve. It is no untrue saying that a bad workman blames his tools. A good workman rises above handicaps; he makes tools his slaves, not his masters. We have only to examine the ranks of successful people a little to discover how manv rose to their positions in spite of difficulties. Of course, anyone can get to the top with perfect means of ascent. But can we get there with imperfect means? Well, others have done it, so why cannot we? The achievement is so much the sweeter. If we are honest, we must confess that bad tools are frequently just an excuse, either for failure or for lack of determination. The story of the writer in a garret, or in eouivalent surroundings, is no legend. Many a prominent writer once almost starved! And many a great financier started with about twopence-halfpenny. And many a well-fitting garment is produced after being cut out on the floor and fitted before a half-length mirror. As to having our chance, why, it is the greatest of platitudes to say that we make our chances ourselves