A DAILY MESSAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1929, Page 1

A DAILY MESSAGE

THE “ DEAD » LIVING ! . Wiikn anybody dies, it’s the proper tiling to call up the undertaker. Yet thousands of men and women persist in walking around long after they are dead. True they sleep and wake, wear clothes, and respond to the dinner gong. Rut for all that, they are extinct—something has “gone out” in them, and that something is the vital difference between a dead man and a living one. The “ dead ” living should not be confused with the “living” dead. The “ living ” dead are the august company who lived so radiantly while they were alive and left an inline.re so vital that it can truly he said i’> y “ live ” still, though they are dea l. Rut the “dead” living are that company of animated human husks in whom the real “ self” died long ago—who are so dead while they live that they may truly lie said to he dead long before they die. The “ living ” dead influence us even after their bodies are dead, hut the “dead” living influence us neither living nor dead. Why do so many men and women die before they are dead? Perhaps it is because they have too small a ieart tor the great business of living—:oo Lint a spirit to fight their way out to file light. So they just “ die ” as a way of escape—to avoid the struggle, .'ud what do they achieve by dying? They certainly do not achieve happil c:.s, for that means a struggle '' ofttacles and over self—and they nave died to avoid the struggle. Nor no t» ev achieve failure—and failure re achieve is an achievement comp red with dying as a way oi escape—it means at least a struggle, and* if olti" •„;,g key to profound wisdom.

They do not achieve love, 'for we o ust he a magnet drawing love hv I be j ~wer of attraction before it can ‘'mi us. And as they give no love out no n* Carnes back to them. I lie love ,ustim t i,. the “dead” living has withered to asl es.

They do not achieve power, for t-hoio is no power without .life —and they nic dead. They move about the busy haunts of men —“ in ” but not of them. Sometimes they arc mistaken for the living, but when they are. asked to lend a hand to this or that—then we find that they are dead. They take no part in any struggle; that’s what they died to avoid. Oh, yes—they may look like other men, but there’s a difference—they’re dead.

They may be shingled—dingled—tailored—manicured, but at Lost they are animated tailor’s dummies—perambulating lasbion - plates mm in amongst the throngs off living men, imprevious to every interest except self-interest.

Oil, don’t die until you have to! Don’t let your heart die until your body dies. “ You ” don’t really need to die at all. Whatever your position in life may be. you can live so that your influence will live on long after your body is dead. A “living” dead man means motto the world than a “dead” living one. Don’t die while you’re alive—it’s a tragedy! M. PRESTON STANLEY.