Many disappointments and failures are simply the results of superficial
expectations of easy success without patient preparation of the needed
preliminary conditions.
A famous English gardener once heard a nobleman say
complainingly, “I can not have a rose garden, tho I often have
tried, because the soil around my castle is too poor for roses.”
“That is no reason at all,” replied the gardener. “You must go
to work and make it better. Any ground can be made fit for roses
if pains are taken to prepare it. The poorest soil can be made
rich.” It was a wise saying, and it is true in other cases than
rose gardens. Some young people say, “I can’t be cheerful,” or,
“I can’t be sweet-tempered,” or “I can’t be forgiving,” as if
they were not responsible for the growths in their soul-garden
because the soil is poor. But “any ground can be made fit for
roses,” and any heart can be made fit for the loveliest blossoms
of character. (Text.)
(2481)
=Preparation a Safeguard Against Loss=--See CONTROL OF
CIRCUMSTANCES.
=Preparation, Aimless=--See AIMLESSNESS.
=Preparation by Training=--See TOUGHNESS.