Las Vegas daily optic., 1906-12-01
woMAN's GREATEST TASK.
ny EIla M'heeler Wilcox.

! 10y Ella W nCGtGF W AACDA-
Hundreds uf women yes. thous-
ahds-haye written to me. asking how
10 become an actress--an author-a
lecturrr-an artist --an elocutionis;
etc
Only one has written me the Gues-
ti0n contained In the following inter
esting letter:
cDar Madam-Would 1t be asking
too much of you 10 write an article
on forming tho destiny or temper. etc.
OF child by an expectant mother?
! Do you not think its character could
be nodded by mothers thoughts,
actions, etc, as well as its looks. by
thinking Of pleasant things. and look
/ ing at pretty pictures?
! have read different articles on the
! subject. and know there are books.
but do not know the titles or authors
Of them.
, Here is woman who realizes what
motherhood means-and how rare
they are'
| II every expectant mother In Ameri-
CT felt this interest In making her
child's character and body beautiful.
what race Of people we might have
to show the world In the next genera
tlOu.
First Of all, the woman who has
+ an unborn immortal soul nher keep
ing wants to keep a cheerful, hope,
full and reverent state of mind. !
would advise her TO read Emerson's
ESSAYS, II she has the education to
appreciate and understand them, which
it Is evident my correspondent has.
There Is little book called
Friends and Helpers" which would
prepare her mind to think tcnderly of
all created things, and to influence
the unborn mind to do the same.
A series of books called Seaside
and Wayside" would also be good
reading, since they tell OF the won.
derful universal life going on all about
us-and show how closely allied to us
in their family affections and hopes
the most insignificant insects are.
The woman who reads about the
mother ant, who sends her wee baby
out in the sun for an airing, and who
hurries back into the ant-hill at the
approach of a foot or a storm. must
grow tender toward all Gods crea-
lures. and the child uider her heart
must be born with sympathy.
The expectant mother should avoid
reading or thinking of talking about
cruelty. sin, folly or sorrow She
should hear all the good music posi-
BILE, look at beautiful pictures and
objects in nature, and, IL she desires
her child to possess some one talent,
let her read the lives of men and
women who have been thrown In that
especial work. annd think much about
them.
Much outdoor life and deep breath.
ing Of pure air will help produce a
robust child with strong lungs.
One hundred deep inhaiations should
be taken every morning with closed
lips. and the whole lungs filled with
fresh air. During the daily promen-
ade inhale while taking seven steps,
and think of the seven most important
qualities you would wish your child
to possess, such as goodness, health,
wisdom, talent. beauty, affection, In
fluence.
With each breath believe you are in
haling one Of those qualities from
Gods great reservoir for your child.
Then exhale slowly, and repeat the
exercise until weary.
Avoid thinking of any one you do
not like, or dwelling on disagreeable |
or annoying events.
When depressed moods come, get |
out in the open air and begin your
breathing exercises.
Think Of all the noble and great |
people who have made the world bet
ter for living in 1t, and ask at your
library for books about the great phil
anthropists and philosophers, poets,