The Iola register., 1881-09-02
Mind and Body.

~ eAV ASVuJsF
The effect of mind upon BODY is. as to
experiment, matter within the reach
OF every one. It does not demand cost
y apparatus or expensive chemicals. So
that more or less metaphysical knowl-
edge IS within the reach of all.
1t Is here suggested that the habit of
indecision is injurious to body as well
as to mind. And also that the habit of
decision strengthens body as well as
mind.
An undecided person is, SO long a. he
is in the undecided state, in a worry
and fret of mind. Mentally he is on q
see-saw, now half descending on this
hand, now. half on that, until, wearied
and disgusted, he sickens of the matter
altogether.
An hour of such mental agitation
wearies the body. Something has been
used up. 1t is an invisible something,
but it is none the less potent for steady
ing nerve and Strengthening muscle.
Let us remember that the strongest
known elements in nature-electricity,
caloric and all explosive gaseous forces
are invisible. Indeed, visibility con-
stitutes but small part of what is.
Without some object or purpose on
which to concentrate this mental as well
as physical force the body soon tires.
Why is mere waiting 80 wearisome? So
well as it can be expressed in words,
mind force, while demanding something
to concentrate its power on, is at the
same time losing such. force uselessly.
But suppose in such weary waiting an
interesting companion appears, and the
effort of conversation and interchange
of thought concentrate this mind power
in single channel on one given point.
The result is both mind and body are
rested through the very exercise of this
force.
1t has been stated that the mortality
among the London policemen is greater
than among laboring men, and one rea-
son given for this is that their walking
their beats is an employment almost OBJ
jectless and purposeless in its nature,
and like waiting is one which wastes its
mental force, and with mental its physi-
cal force.
1t is interesting and profitable to
note the effects on the body of combined
decided mental and accompanying
physical action. Hesitation in the per-
formance of the simplest act brings
WEAKNESS. Walk straight up to the
person that you, from diffidence, fear or
other cause, dislike to address, and
though the interview be irving one,
still there comes feeling of relief when
it is over. The strain is off. But half
an hour of hesitation, half an hour of
walking up and down before the door
hesitating to enter, brings its wearied
body and wearied, dissatisfied mind. A
mind decided as to the performance of
a number of trifling acts, and doing
them, implies mind and body far more
at rest than with one who ''doesn't
know exactly what to do.''
There is reason for believing that the
habit of mind which lives, regarding
the performance of the thousand things
which enter into the sum of our daily
existence in chronic condition of "to
do or not to do," has been through its
action on the body a fruitful cause Of,
first, weakness. and, secondly, sickness.
Fear of deciding on the best course
sometimes prevents minds from decid-
ing at all. Indecision and consequent
dissatisfaction in such cases may pre-
vail for years. The face in time as
sumes cast of feature in consonance
with the minds condition. 1t is not a
pleasant face. 1t is the face indicative
of mind not 6 made up"
1t may be better then in perplexing
circumstances to make up ones mind
to decide and :sgo it blind'' rather than
not make it up at all. Or, perhaps, it
may be better, if there be time, to sum-
mon up sufficient will power as to drive
the subject for time out of ones head
and wait for circumstances and clearer
brain to decide.
This point involves also the necessity
of doing but one thing at time. Or, in
other words, of concentrating all will
and strength for the time being on the
single purpose. Indecision involves the
attempted doing of too many things at
once. Hesitation half ties its shoestring
and thinks of something else. Hesita-
ton speaks but half its mind and stam-
mers in doubt whether to speak out the
other half. Hesitation is slovenliness.
Chronic hesitation seems to imply weak
or unexercised will, weak mind and
weak body. The firm grasp on the as,
sailant's collar is as much a mental as
a physical act. The holding oneself in
the face of danger when all the danger
is known and the head is cool, is entire
ly mental act, and decided act. II
is suggested, then, that the cultivation
of decision is a means of developing not
only mental force but physical health.
Let it here be understood that these
are but partial statements. Let it be
understood that this is subject which
can only be discussed in part. By de-
cision is not meant'pig- headed obstina
cy, which keeps on certain course
right or wrong. This is not firmness al
all. 1t is the weakness of anger, spite
and stupidity. A truly decided mar
NAV not be a consistent man, as many
understand consistency. He may alter
his mind and change his course from
time to time as with new light and new
knowledge he gains new convictions.
In this connection it may be suggest
II thot tboro are thousands who never