Life is hard enough at best;
But the love that is expressed
Makes it seem a pathway blest
To our feet;
And the troubles that we share
Seem the easier to bear.
Smile upon your neighbour’s care,
As you greet;
Rough and stony are our ways,
Dark and dreary are our days;
But another’s love and praise
Make them sweet.
One writes in a letter: “A friend of mine was speaking to me about self denial. She does not think one ought to sacrifice one’s self too much, even for one’s own people. Often we find one person in a family doing things for another member of the household, waiting on her, bearing her burdens, when she is more able to do these things herself. My friend does not think it is right to wear one’s self out for others. It only makes the others selfish, and they do not even thank you for it, but sit with folded hands, expecting you to continue to do and do and do for them. Please give me your opinion about this.”
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