The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-26
Women Should Burn
Bridges Behind Them

or all classes of humanity, the clast
which considers itself infallibe that
believes 1t can rever make a mistake
is the most absolutely didactic and
the least companionable. Women who
pose as being the possessors OF error.
less Judgment are usually insufferable
in their attitude toward others Being
always in complacent frame OF mind
and deadly sure OF their right of way
and direction. they lose all the thrill
OF making venture and OF feeling the
excitement OF a hit or miss chance
They arc on the nnending level OF GER
beyond expression.
| Dependent on Others Judgment.
| Along with the evaporation nwak-
ened By women who reckon themselves
| nawless in their conduct OF the re.
| sponsibil!ties Of life must be taken
| into account those who are altogether
| destitute OF self-reliance, who never
| arrive at a conclusion on any sub.
| iect until they have consulted every
| body within reach and even then are
always ready and willing 10 reopen
question and reconsider a determi-
nation. so that perpetual vacillation
constantly interposes between them and
success. Women OF this kind are to
| be met with in every class and condi-
| tion and in every walk of life. A dis
| cussion with them produces the same
| mental effect that a boxing contest
with feather bolster might bring
about physically. Tho bolster never
hits back. and however much 1t is
| prodded. 1t rounds again into the Same
shape when the prodding Is finished.
| Should Mako Final Dectsions.
Failure IN enterprise and effort could
be far more readily forgiven than an
everlasting balancing, weighing and
considering. which characterize wo-
men who perpetually hesitate over tho
doing OF thing until they have for
tined themselves by every opinion they
can lay hold upon, that the result Is
| going to measure up to or surpasz ex-
peotat!on.
Women should acquire. by training
and self-discipline, the habit OF max
ing final decisions. Then they Will
study TO use the best Judgment OF
| which they are capable before de-
cis!on is reached. The question IL
thus viewed by them from different
standpoin,s and is set in an !rnper-
sonal and unbiased light II women
are unendingly hating over tentative
decisions, IL they are conscious that a
conclusion when attained need not be
final. but that It may be taken UP
again for fourthly or fifthly revision,
they are never apt, in the process OF
se.t-evolution TO become the possessors
OF fine, strong and upchanging tudg-
ment,
should Burn Their Bridges.
The women who plunge in. cross their
Rub!con like Caesar, and after cross
ing. burn their bridges behind them,
know that they must trust to their
judgment or suffer from the conse-
quences OF It's immaturity Therefore.
as all faculties are improved by use,
Judgment that is depended upon and
exercised becomes in time of need o
friend in deed and IN truth.
The minds OF women are clogged
and dulled by being crowded with
half-decided things. The necessity o.,
careful investigation and firm and fnal
decision Is at once apparent from this
reason. Against the evil OF being
swayed by the opinions and argu.
ments OF others is the advantage of
hxedness and concentration OF purpose
that turns neither to one side nor the
other and settles the mental poise ono.
for all.
Decide First, Discuss Afterward.
When there Is something on hand.
women should let decision precede dis
cussion. Until an adjustment is made,
minds refuse to centre on an ob1ec-
tive point and are teasngly intruded
upon by dozens OF minor issues that
crop up hero and there. Clarity OF
vision is darkened and confused, IL
expended on hundred half-rormed
points. instead of being focused on
the one that is really important En-
ergy. to be forceful. must be conserved,
not split enthusiastically
Greater Incentive to Action.
When bridges are burned and re-
treat is impossible. there is greater
incentive to action and to effort. The
hold on what has gone before is cut
off and women are free to look for.
ward to the future and what it will
bring forth They are not hampered
l by past distractions. their minds being
| fully made up. Their working indie.
] pendently to bring about results which
. they estimate as desirable produces in
them larger mental grasp and a
Judgment that improves In proportion
to the way in which it is depended
: upon. used and trusted.
THE PAssER-BY.