River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-12-26
PERSONAL MAGNETISM.

lie ulOSC COMPREHENSIVE USuDlllOu
I can give of personal magnetism rs
a subtle influence, vibratory in char
acter radiating either consciously or
unconsciously, for good or evil, from
every human being.
All magnetism is personal, but all
personal magnetism is not attractive,
alike, to all persons. Every public
man, every business man, every mir
lister, every teacher; in fact, every
body either compels, repels or i'm
pels.
When we come within the atmo.
sphere of a strong personality, we
are influenced in either mind or body,
sometimes both. What is it that in
fluences us? Is it the dress or out
ward appearance? Is it the voice?
Is it the manner? The last two
are strong and desirable elements,
but they may prove deceptive; there
fore we would better seek deeper. Is
it hypnotism? Never. 1t is not what
one appears to be, but that which
one actually is.
One may be beautiful of face, fig
ure and form, and may be exQu'sitely
dressed, yet be unattractive. On the
other hand, one may be homely in fea-
ture, lacking symmetry of figure and
form, neatly but plainly dressed, yet
be attractive.
1t is this something" that lies hid
den, this unseen but ever-felt power
chat we call personal magnetism"
It is a personality as distinguished
from individuality.
Although this force is, per Sc, in
volitional it may be directed in ac-
cordance with the desire or through
the act of the individual. A man is
what he is through heredity, environ
ment and education, but he does not
need to remain what he is if what
he is is not desirable. But what
he is and not what he appears to be
is manifest to every close student of
human nature.
This personal magnetism" like
electricity, also has it's opposite poles,
and will either attract or repel The
veriest wretch of the slums possesses
personal magnetism" attractive
personal magneti9m"-fo his kind,
but would repel involuntarily, one of
higher and purer motives.
Then again, those two forces Cat
traction and repulsion) act on three
different planes; in other words, we
have three distinctively separate
phases of personal magnetism"
mental, spiritual and physical. We
are sometimes drawn toward a per-
son mentally; i. O., we admire him
for his intellectual attainments, but
are repealed because of his physical
radiations. On the ether hand, we
may admire his physique although
he is lacking in either his mental or
spiritual makeup, or possibly, both.
Personal magnetism" mental and
physical, well spiritualized Cthe soul
element) is a key to the most guard
ed vaults of human nature, unlocking
the most stubborn hearts and open
ing more doors in business and social
life than any other one element
known to mankind.
Personal magnetism (physicaD
may be acquired by the general
ing and conserving of that vital prin-
ciple we call life. Physical exercises
alone will not do it, as they often tend
to dissipate the power that should be
husbanded. There is as much diff
ference between physical strength
and vitality as there S between ell
ergy and force. A man may have a
wonderful physique, and yet be lack
ing in vital force. On the other hand
a man may be slight in build and ap-
parently weak, and yet have great
vitality. So it is with energy. Pow.
er is energy in repose; force is en-
ergy in action.
Personal magnetism (physicaD is
sometimes called human electricity
Be that as it may, by whatsoever
name it may be known, its character
is positively electrical
This electromagnetic influence is
of vibratory character, and gen
Grated by the principle of life This
vital energizing element becomes
stale by non-use; wasted by overuse;
and produces nervousness by misuse.
Electricity is, somehow, insepa-
rably connected with the ultimate
atoms of matter; and in the same
mysterious manner the universal
life force is connected with every
nerve, fiber and molecule of animal
creation. If electricity and nerve
force are not identical, they are so
nearly allied that they may be called
twin forces.
Whence cometh this power? We
speak of generating power This is
not strictly true, and is likely TO be
misleading. Ali power exists now,
and has always existed. We may
generate force; i. e., put the power
in action. All that we can do is to
evolve it from a latent condition, or
use it in the form in which we find
it. Man becomes powerful in the
measure that he learns to evolve; to
use and direct power-the power that
is.
All force is generated within from
the life essentials-air, food and wa
ter. The same elements exist for
all persons, but all persons do not
have the same force. While the diff
ference may be one of temperament
or constitution, am inclined to think
it is more largely due to the fact that
the elements within reach are not
utilized.