Balmoral Hall School - Optima Anni Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

Page 6 text:

M...-

Page 5 text:

CONTENTS c'XfJ QZTJ MAGAZINE EXECUTIVE THE NEW UNIFORM EDITORIAL . . , MISS SI-IARMAN , VALEDICTORY PREFECTS I .L A I ., LETTER FROM THE HEADMISTRESS I LITERARY SECTION I I , I I I A DAY IN THE COUNTRY I I L, LIBRARY EXECLITIVEI , OUR IUNIORS I I L, I THE HOUSES I CLASS NOTES I RESIDENCE NOTES I MUSIC NOTES INITIATION' , I SPORTS GRADUATES I ALUMNAE NOTES I I CALENDAR I SCHOOL DIRECTORY I ADVERTISEMENTS I AUTOGRAPHS C

Page 7 text:

5 clitoria Hamlet asked the perplexing though interesting question, What is a man? He ans- wered it by describing man as an animal W hich eats and sleeps, but one that has been given a finer, more receptive brain. Intellectua-lly, spiritually, and physically, every man is different. He is a sensitive individual, distinguished by his own marked characterise tics. He is unique, a solitary figure, capable of destruction, yet able to create and per- form wonders. He is also part of the massive population, which forms our world today. He is independent of his surroundings, yet his character is influenced by his situation. Man is seeking a personal identity by which he will be known and respected. He is also seeking to learn about people, about the wo rld, about life - for through learning comes mwledge. Man has had many different ideas about his purpose on earth. The Buddhists, for example, believe in a life of blissful worship, meditation, and devotion in the form of com- plete tolerance. They follow a straight path, the path of life which will eventually lead them to Nirvana, a state of peace and comfort. However, as it is impossible for man to live a perfect existence, one free from sin, a Christian explains his purpose this way: he believes that by accepting his position in society, whether he be a doctor, businessman. or labourer, and by making the best of his abilities, he can hope to fulfil his God-given purpose. Every man wonders why he was created, and whether it was by accident or by a divine being. After finally deciding for himself, he can then use his knowledge to reach the goal of his beliefs. We also, have a purpose. We must strive to do better through continual efforts, for, as satisfaction makes us complacent, we do not improve ourselves. We must meet com- petition as a challenge. In this way civilization progresses. lf we strive for a purpose. our knowledge grows: our ideas, based on knowledge growg our concept of God grows clearer. Those of us who are Christians believe that everything we do affects someone elseg this is how Christianity is spread, thou gh we may be unaware of it ourselves. We are what we believe: what we believe is what we make ourselves. When we finally achieve our goal: we have found ourselves through our purpose. Then we can say, as Hamlet said, What a piece of work is a man! ELIZABETH WEBSTER School Editor