There is a propensity today to make life seem so complicated and angst ridden-so that we can then proclaim ourselves victims of all the confusion and chaos…..wo, wo, wo is me. (Ya gotta have THREE wo’s to be considered extremely serious ya know). In my research today I came across the following little gem from Harold B. Lee’s book Decisions for Successful Living and wanted to share it’s simple truth.
Suppose you have a great-hearted friend who calls you in for a consultation and makes the proposition that he has decided to give you the opportunity of going to college to get an education, at his expense, which will give you training to become a competent and well-trained artisan, executive or mechanic. Beyond this you may continue to take post-graduate work and receive higher education after you graduate from the university. If you successfully complete this university course offered you, your generous friend agrees to take you into his business where you will have the opportunity of becoming a partner and joint owner, thus giving you security to the end of your days. But this wonderful opportunity is yours only on certain conditions. You must complete your university education in a limited number of years. You must make passing grades in each course you take, or if you should fail to get a passing grade you must spend extra hours to make up your losses. The courses are so exacting that your mind must be clear and your body strong. If you cloud your mind and weaken your body through the use of substances that are harmful or by practices that sap your vitality, you will fail in your final examinations and will be “washed out,” as they say in the army. You will find plenty of play-boys along the way who will try to persuade you to “sow some wild oats” in disregard of the possible consequences. All your tests will be private. There is no chance to cheat. You can’t make amends for your failures by merely saying, “I’m sorry.” The one who gives the tests will base his judgment not alone on the actual results as written on your examination papers, but will take into account the vital factor as to whether or not you have done all you could have done according to your native ability. Thus even if you are physically or mentally handicapped, you have an equal opportunity with him who seems to have greater physical strength or mental vigor.
What would you think of such a proposition? Is it fair? If you failed to meet the requirements, would you have anyone to blame but yourself as the cause of your failure? If you lose the business partnership promised you and are limited to the position of merely a hired man or servant in the house of the man who offered you a place of ownership in his business, could you blame your friend for your failure? Should you fail he would probably feel as badly as you because he needed you and wanted you in his business and was always ready to give you counsel and advice any time you wanted to go to him and were prepared to listen to his voice.
