The “letdowns” in life – Sunday, July 15, 1956
People approach different seasons with different inner attitudes, and summer is often approached with an intent to let down the tensions, the pace, and performance. In some ways it isn’t altogether assured that this hoped-for relaxation is realized, because we sometimes work so hard at entertaining ourselves and so often come back tired from vacation time.
But a change of pace often seems essential—for none of us is at his best all the time. We all have our off hours, our off days, and even our off seasons, and the -point of diminishing returns enters in. We all have need to relax from relentless routine. And the fact that we return in a sense more tired does not necessarily mean that the change was not successful.
One can be physically tired, and still be refreshed in outlook and interest. But the let-downs, in life ought always earnestly to be looked at. And no matter how tired or bored a person may be, no matter how weary of routine, the means by which he seeks change and diversion, and relaxation should never be inconsistent with safe and sound principles. This isn’t always easy to remember, because perspective is so dependent upon present places and people—and upon our own passing moods.
Sometimes we are resolved to see things through and sometimes we think we are ready to give up. The answers we give to the same questions may be different from time to time, not because the answers should be different, but because we feel different.
In the shadows of night decisions might be different (but shouldn’t be) from those made in the clear light of the day-not that the problems or the principles are different, but the perspective is different. It is we ourselves who often add the variables, with our resolutions and relaxing of resolutions, our determinations and letting down of determinations.
And so, in the passing days and seasons, well would we remember to look critically at our feelings of any moment, and well would we consider what our feelings may be at the next moment, or the next morning, or the next month, the next summer, the next season—and well would we refrain from letting passing moods lead us to shortsighted decisions.
Summer will soon be over, but the constants, the commandments, the everlasting things of life are for always and forever. And always we shall live with ourselves and our decisions. A change is good at times—constructive change—and a rest also.
But peace does not come by running or by resting, but by an inner sense of rightness and a quiet consistency that continues, that endures, through the change of pace of summer and the endless successive seasons.
July 15, 1956
Broadcast Number 1,404