YOUR CLUB AND MINE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 52, 24 May 1927, Page 5

YOUR CLUB AND MINE

AN OPEN PAGE

We will reserve a column every Tuesday afternoon for original contributions that are of general interest to womenfolk, and offer for the best short article submitted a book prize, the title of which may be selected by the winner each week.

Contributions must be brief, plainly written on one side of the paper only, and should be addressed to the Lady Editor, THE SUN, Auckland. This week tlve prize has been awarded to Miss D. Little for the following article:

FOIBLES, FADS AND FANCIES

If we could see ourselves as others see us in a mirror-like reflection of their conception of what we are, what surprises we would get! Would we change, remain the same, or commit suicide? , And what surprises would our friends receive if they could see us as we see ourselves. If all our foibles, fads and fancies were laid bare; all our funny little secret thoughts revealed; what ridicule and teasing we should get. Childhood fancies that have taken shape at some odd moment and have remained with us will hold a life-long sway over our actions. Little superstitions carefully hidden away—all so secret and cherished in our inner selves. We cannot let them go as they are a part of us which we would never show to others. They are ingrained in us, and help to make up our character—the character which others see all unsuspecting of the fads and fancies shielded by a kindly outer wall of reserve. We are always sensitive about these vagaries, and though they may lead us to take an action we would not for worlds tell why. We keep them buried well within us, ashamed to give them birth for fear of ridicule. And yet, could others read our minds and see our cherished foibles, would we let them go? I think not, for they are the intimates of our brain, and the more “secret” they are the more we love and shield them. They may be ethereal nothings, but they can have very solid effects, and we would rather keep them and sink, than swim without them. If a census could be taken of all our private superstitions, fads and fancier what queer reading it would make. How strange to find your neighbour hates you with a deadly hate because your hair resembles that of an aunt disliked in childhood! How odd to know your sound position is due to the shape of your nose being like that of the man who helped your employer years ago, and, not as you had always thought, due to your own foresight and brain! It would be strange indeed. Asked why you do a certain thing you may answer that you do not know the reason of your action, and perhaps will say it was an impulse of the moment, but if you stop to think you may find the action was the result of a private little superstition, or a childish fancy which has grown in years with you. For worlds you would not tell; you keep your secret and go your way; for who but you would understand the importance of that hidden fad?

It is a merciful providence that we do not see ourselves as others see us, and perhaps it is a more merciful providence that others do not see us as we know we are, for though “we are such stuff as dreams are made of,” there’s a good big dash of foible, fad and fancy in us too. D. LITTLE.