Dr. Clyde M. Narromore, iduate of Columbia Uni- ersity, New York City, is rchologist and Consultant n Research and Guidance Il one of the largest shool systems in America.
Sex and Life Q. Do you think our lives are moti vated by sex? I know a number of psychologists who do. A. Sex, of course, is an integral and wholesome part of all of our lives. But sex does not motivate all our actions. The greatest motivating power in a Christian’s life is the Holy Spirit. If we have the right rela tionship to Christ and if we have a basic understanding of body func tions, sex is likely to assume its proper place in life. Homesickness Q. Each summer I serve as a camp counselor for boys and girls. Many of the campers get homesick. Is there anything we can do? A. It is natural for people to get homesick. There are few, if any, who haven’t gotten homesick at least a few times during their lives. So you should not be too concerned. However, if a person is habitually homesick, you should look for the causes. One common cause is insufficient sleep and rest. When boys and girls are at a low ebb physically they become homesick easily. Have you noticed that very few boys and girls are homesick when they first get up in the morning? This is be cause they’ve had a good night’s rest. So make sure that your camp ers get plenty of sleep and rest. Another way to help youngsters leap homesick hurdles is to get them busy in all kinds of activities. If they have keen interests at camp, there is a reason for them not being at home. Some boys and girls do not take part in activities because they haven’t mastered simple game skills. Your job then is to teach them how to play ball, swim and
do all the other things campers do. When they are in the middle of activities they will not likely get homesick. Another help for homesickness is “ talking it out.” This relieves emotions and clarifies thinking. In other words, the camp counselor who draws a person out about his homesickness becomes a substitute for “mom” or “ dad.” I have heard counselors say that they don’t think it is wise to let people who are homesick “ talk it out” because they will only get more homesick. How ever, this is not true. Another important thing you can do for children who are home sick is to pray with them. God is interested in every boy and girl and He will flood their lives with joy and peace. Elderly People Q. What can be done about older people who get stubborn and mean? We have several in our church and they are very hard to work with. We would appreciate any sugges tions you have. A. Old age does not necessarily make a person stubborn and mean. It merely crystallizes one’s lifetime A woman has written requesting her letter be printed in the hope someone will have some answers to her problem. If you have an an swer, especially one based on per sonal experience, won’t you write me in care of The King’s Business? W e will print as many of the an swers as possible. No names will be used. Now here is our reader’s letter. I have one daughter who is 17.
attitudes and experiences. If a per son has been kind and thoughtful during his life he will be that way in old age. On the other hand, if he has been critical and stubborn dur ing his life he will be critical and stubborn in his advanced years. We are what we have been becoming, and advanced age merely “ freezes” what we have been becoming. Some of the sweetest, most un derstanding people in the world are elderly people. They have much valuable experience and insight. Their perspective of life is at its best. You say you are having prob lems with older people in your church. I am wondering if it is because nothing is being done for them. Sometimes we get so busy employing youth directors, form ing youth committees and arrang ing our budgets for the young peo ple that we forget the older ones. I suggest that you follow the pat tern of many churches — have a committee which devotes its time to meeting the needs of the elderly people in your church. I am sure that you will be surprised with the many suggestions this committee will turn up for meeting the needs of your senior citizens. She is going steady with a very fine Catholic lad of 21. I have talked to her about the unhappiness of a mixed association and eventually marriage. My heart is very heavy as she has asked me to sign for her to get married and for her to be come a Catholic. I feel if I sign for her I’m not o n l y s i gn i ng away my future grandchildren but my only child. We need your prayers and advice.
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Needed: help from our readers
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The King's Business/December 1957
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