EXPECTING TROUBLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17192, 8 November 1923, Page 9

EXPECTING TROUBLE.

You all know the story of the man who tell from the top of a very tali I ouilding. As ho passed the third floor window ho was heard to say, “ Well, all right, so far.” Unfortunately, the story ends there. One would like to know- that the cheerful fellow gut safely over his mishap, it would be splendid to hear that he ioil on something soft, and i.s to-day none the worse for the adventure. For he is the sort of man who is wanted in the world. He must have oeen a comfort to himself and to ali iio met. There are too many grumblers, too many people who. even if they're ‘ .all right up to now,” think so much about the misfortune that may lie ahead, that they never enjoy a moment's peace. They make themselves miserable, and do al! they can to make everyone else miserable, too. When you see u man going out in tTie morning with a long face to tight another day's buttle you see a man who has already half lost the light. He doesn’t know what is before him, but he lias made up his mind that the work is going to be too hard, that the people he meets are all going to be disagreeable, and that all the world is out to make things harder for him. He is expecting trouble, and trouble has a habit of going' out of its way to meet the man who expects it. Trouble is a very shy and sensitive tiling. It likes to be expected ; it is easily frightened away by a man who snubs it. and shows that- lie does not expect it. Half the trouble in tho world is having an easy time, because so many people expect it, that it never has to hunt about for someone to visit-—never has to tear a cold welcome or a re buff. On tho other hand. when a man goes out to his day’s battle with a oravo and cheerful heart, not thinking about trouble, but expecting only good things to come bis way. trouble is so disgusted at being slighted and ignored chat, in ail probability, it will pass nim by. Even if it should drop in, it will not bo encouraged to stay long. . Care and trouble—they are dreary guests to invite into your daily life, fi they force a way in. and will not oe denied, that is another matter. But co give them the idea that you want them, by letting them see that you quite expect them to drop iu—that is co make them permanent guests who c\i!J soon be masters. They must never be allowed to settle down and feel at home. If they come, make them feel strangers. Keep smiling. They hate that. Turn a brave and cheerful face on them and. shy and sensitive as they are, they will lie chilled by the strange welcome, and lake the first opportunity to leave. Hustle them about with smiles, crowd them out with cheerful thoughts, and they will decide that your life is uo place for their comfort.