Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-07-29
GOOD HABITS.

Speaking of Il man who III mo-
ment OF sudden temptation denied a
former benefactor, then in misfortune
and need O. friend, George Eliot
points out that such actions are not
excusable ON the ground Of want OF
time for reflection; that such a denial
could only have come from a mind
which had used itself both to deceit
and ingratitude in little things. Those
who study life know how true this Is;
luat 1t Is the way we meet the little
difficulties and trials OF every day life
which will determine our action when
some great crisis or emergency comes
suddenly and unexpectedly upon US.
Hence the Importance OF forming good
habits in our children and ourselves.
Looked at closely, the word tells ita
own story. We have 1t IN French as
the name Of coat. and it still survives
among us in its origina! meaning, for
do we not call a lady s tight-llLtlng rlu-
ing dress a "habit?" The word, by
natural transition, has been adapted
from the close, tight-fitting covering
of the body, which seems part of the
very man himself, to describe those
frequently-repeated actions of mind or
body, which become second and
stronger nature, and are, In truth, part
of our very selves. Repeated actions
make habits; habits make character.
DO we not see daily the difference be-
tween households where good habits
are the rule and those miserable
homes where want OF order and bad,
slovenly habits are the custom? Take,
for instance, getting up In good time.
Where everyone comes down late. and
at whatever time pleases them, instead
OF the work being got through early"
everything Is thrown out for the day.
And this Is a matter OF habit. So also
where people do not come in regularly
to dinner; but first one drops In, then
another. How uncomfortable 1t all Is.
and how the work of providing and
serving Is doubled and trebled. A
great man said. "The first habits
formed in childhood. as rule. will
govern the whole life after, even to
the death bed" and an old proverb
tells that the Ruling habit Is strong
even in death" The Importance Of
this to parents Is that 1t Is far easier to
learn good habits when we are young
than after years OF bad and careless
habits have given us a bent In the
wrong direction. We grown up peo-
pie can even now. with great deter
minatlon and watchfulness, overcome
evil habits or learn good ones; but
those of us who have tried to do 1t
alone know how hard 1t Is. So we
should see the necessity Of moulding
our children's characters into good
shape while the material Is soft and
plastic. II we think of twenty or
thirty years hence, and what bad hab-
Its formed now will lead to then, we
shall realize how much it matters.
And what Is true Of habits OF body is
quite as true of habits" Of mind. II
we get into the way Of trying to see all
in our lives. all the faults
in our friends. and the hardships Of
our lot. we shall inevitably grow un-
loving. sour. and heartless; while II,
on the other hand, we try to see how
much we have every day to be thankful
for. to recognize the goodness and un-
selflshness in those around us, and to
gather up the sunbeams lying all
around our paths. how we shall fill our
own lives and those of others with
light and sweetness.