Article February 16, 1957 Issue

LABELS

DEANE WHITTIER COLTON

Error is often fostered by the human practice of pinning various labels on individuals. Some of these labels we ourselves attach; others the world seems to affix. Some of the labels we like, are even proud of; others are far from welcome, sometimes indeed quite frightening.

What are these labels? They are the human designations, titles, and descriptions relative to our so-called human situation or condition. Thus, one may be named "sales manager" or "banker" or "engineer"; or again, "bankrupt" or "invalid" or "sinner." Yet regardless of how much pride he takes in the good labels, one soon learns that they confer far less peace and joy than initially promised in their acquisition, while the bad labels weigh him down with despair and hopelessness. Both categories are in terms of the human or material, which is always limited.

For example, take a person with the title or label of "sales manager." This label gives him no certainty of success. As long as that is the only way he sees himself he can be a sales manager of a big or a little concern; he can achieve maximum sales quickly and easily or struggle along with unfilled quotas; he can accomplish his objectives at low-cost or have an unprofitable operation. In short, he can be what the world terms "successful" or "unsuccessful."

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