The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-06-20

- - ~ ~
mind. you see. II you turn at once to
find out what concentration means.
II is a common trick to hold glass
in a certain way SO as to catch the rays
OF the sun and unite them on one point;
If that point happens to be one Of your
eyes you can not bear the binding
light-you drop the lid at once. Or II
you draw the rays 10 a paper it il
scorched; the heat which is 50 gentle
when diffuscd through space burns
when focused thus.
So, think concentration is the
focusing OF power; or. to put it in
simple phrase, it is the ability to do
one thing at time, and that may not
be 50 easy rs you suppose. 1t does not
follow that you should use more power
than is necessary for given purpose;
you need not take a slcdge- hammer TO
drive "A tack; but the ability to employ
just the power needed, TO so put your
thoughts on the matter in hand as not
to be distracted by other things. is
what l have in mind. It is habit
distinctly to be cultivated by the con-
straint of will.
do think it comes easier 10 men
than to women. because women have
such multitude Of cares which beset
them all the time. One can not won
der II in the midst OF delightful con-
versation the house-mother's thoughts
wander to the jelly which Bridget may
let burn. or question whether the new
maid will spill the soup at dinner. But
such anxictics will not come to you
How many Of you can read with any
satisfaction in room where others are
talking? How many can come in from
the playground. and in two minutes
be absorbed in the lessons? don't
think it would be 50 difficult ques-
ton to determine how many could go
out to the playground and instantly
leave the lesson behind. There would
be great show of hands on that.
You will not fail to catch sight OF
the advantages gained by this ability
to do one thing ut time. 1t will
make you thorough in any work,
physical or mental. thorough in play.
too. 1t is sign of healthy mind;
none but a sound mind can SO act. It
will make you clear thinkers; yo: will
be able to follow an argument through
many windings, and detect the falla-
cies If there be any. It will give clear
expression to thoughts, and you will
find it great time saver. He who
thinks clearly, thinks quickly; his
thoughts are not like brood of chick
ems, only gathered to stray away
again; he need not spend his time
in continually calling them back.
1t will be safeguard against
temptation and wickedness. since you
have gained the power to turn the
thoughts and keep them turned. and
for the same reason it will save you
from the harassing cares and sadness
which SO often darken LIES day, by
enabling you to persist in looking on
the bright side. 1t will multiply a
thousand-fold your power for good
work. The suns rays might fall all
summer long on the white paper, and
only dim its whiteness; it is when
they are focused, concentrated ut one
point that the paper burns.
The world has seen many examples
of this power. Most men who have
had great influence have been able to
say when occasion reguired: This
one thing do" Perhaps would bet
ter say here that am not wishing you
to become fanatics, men with hobbies,
those who are called men ''of one
idea" for that means narrOwness of
mind, but rather that whatever comes
within the circle of your duty or your
rightful pleasure. you may attend upon
without distraction" IN. Y. OBJ
snryar