If they ever get one, they really do not get it,--it gets them.
They are like molasses in winter--there is no run to it.--And the worst
is, they do not think it is very important.
But it is.
I know all about the old proverb, "Slow and steady wins the race." But
I think the real word of value there is "steady" and the proverb was
never meant to tell any one to tie up their feet and crawl along. It
was meant to tell you to keep at it. Even if you are not clever and
brilliant you can get there just the same. And so you can.
Lots of girls and boys have had bright brains and great gifts, but they
do not use them, and somebody who has less gifts passes them, because
they work hard, and stick to it.
They are like postage stamps. They stick!
Their perseverance conquers difficulties, and keeping at it steadily,
readily, constantly, they arrive at the goal, while the more gifted
ones, trusting to what they think is their inspiration, forget the need
of perspiration, and never get anywhere.
That is all true, but it is a mistake just the same to be slow.
In fact, the successful people are not slow. They are quick to see the
end and march straight at it.
Quick does not necessarily mean galloping. Quick is just another word
for alive. The quick girl and boy have life in them.
The slow girl and boy are only half alive. Their step has no spring.
Their eyes have no gleam. Their movements have no brightness. They
never do anything. It is impossible to do unless you are alive. It is
the lively, lifelike people who do things.
Life always is like that.
Wherever you have life, you have action.
And it is so unnatural for you; for if there is anything that should
describe a natural normal girl or boy, it is liveliness!
Sometimes, what people call "lively kids" are a trial. They keep you on
the run looking after them, but I tell you, if they are guided and
controlled, they become splendid men and women.
It is very queer to see a sit-still boy. You feel he must be sick. It
used to be thought a very becoming thing for a girl to be a sort of
lovely, good-for-nothing sort of wall flower. It was not supposed to be
ladylike to be too stirring.
But now we look for the red-blooded, red-cheeked, blooming, alert,
bright, breezy girl as much as we do a boy like that. That does not
make a girl unladylike.
You can be a lady and still be alive. What's the use of a dead lady?
There was once a boy who came into the office of a big business place,
carrying a notice that said, "Boy Wanted." He asked the manager if that
was his sign, and the big man said, "Yes, you young monkey. What did
you take that off the door for?" And the boy answered, "Well, I'm the
boy!" And I think he got the job. He should have, anyway, for he was
alive.
Oh, stop your slowness!
What do you want to shuffle along in that snail-like way for? Pick your
feet up!
Get a move on!
Quicken your steps!
Opportunity lies just around the corner.--Run after it!
Things do not just happen. You have to seek things.
Jesus once said:
"Ask and it shall be given you,
Seek and ye shall find,
Knock and it shall be opened unto you."
May I add just one word?
Do you know, girls and boys, the future of the Church is in your hands?
We elders are going to drop out soon, and we want you to be ready to
take our places.
Do you know, moreover, that you get to a very important age between
twelve and sixteen?
You make great choices then. It is called the age of adolescence. You
are flowering out; and around those ages the highest of all choices are
made--The choice for God and a religious life.
As we grow older we get set, like plaster, and it is hard to change.
But you are plaster, like clay, and are being formed now.
If you let these days pass by you may never choose, and if you do not
choose the Church, your country will lose what it sorely needs.
Therefore, be quick now to make your choice.
Slowness here is fatal.
For you it is literally true,
"Now is the accepted time, and now is the day of salvation."
And if a girl or boy is speeding up religiously, do not let any parent
or any older person put anything in their way. Help them make the
choice and in the days of youth remember their Creator.