Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-29
Useful
A Mental Inventory
What Did You Do to Improve Your
ST This Summer,
,copyright. 1915. star Company
(By ella Wheeler Wilcox

tCopyright. 1915. star Company
Now that the summer season is end.
o. and YOU are at home again, suppose
YOU make a mental inventory OF the
past three months ana see what YOU
have accomplished with Yourself and
life.
What did YOU do with your summer
vacation: 'p.d you add to your store
of knowledge in any way? Did YOU
lay foundation for better health, bet
ter work. greater usefulness and
greater happiness
Did YOU read anything Of value and
did YOU mink amy worth while
with whom YOU associated happier.
more hopeful and more ambitious ~
emulate Your example. and ala YOU
add, in any way. To their respect Tor
human nature by the examples YOU set
them
There are people who feel that they
are taking a vacation when they eat
am. drink 10 excess and pass all their
leisure moments in gossip ana crlti-
cisrn. Nothing could be more depress-
inS to one who has the interests "i
humanity at heart than 10 listen TO the
conversation OF bevies "i smar'N
dressed men ana women on hotel Yer
andas In the summer season Idle Cos
sip. malicious crcticism. trivial chatter
prevail. as rule. IN such places
Try To Avoid Gossip.
Many = young woman : character
has been torn to pieces ana many an
ugly, untruthful scandal has been set
ahoat by men and women at summer
resorts who believe themselves 10 be
good Christians, and who return home
to be faithful attendants at some es-
tablished church of Christ. There are
so many interesting subjects OF con
yersation to occupy our minds outside
OF the faults, failings and foiblcs Of
our fellow creatures.
Before you so away on your summer
vacation next year II might be well to
plan out a little coarse OF procedure,
and 10 make few resolutions First
OF all. resolve that YOU Will not enter
into any conversation which lowers the
moral tone on those who participate OF
who listen, add that you will indulge
in no criticism OF any one who is alb
sent
Then resolve that YOU will use what
fact and skill YOU possess 10 chang
ing the tenor o! such conversation
when you find yourself in a company
of people Intent upon gossip. 1t Is
no, difficult matter to lead idle minds
away from individual themes TO one
of universal interest.
Not for Health Only.
4 host III private home who had
grown tired II the rather aimleSS talk
OF his family ana guests at table, sug
sestcd that cach member bring an
item OF scientific or historical interest
TO embell!sh the dinner hour This
suggestion vas carried ont. and proved
TO he a feature OF great pleasure and
profit TO all concerned.
Each member OF the household did
u little careful reading through the
day In the library, and was enabled
Ia introduce "a topic of general in
.terest during the repast Their minds
were enriched memories strengthened
and knowldSc increased.
II ones happiness Is gained mainly
from a discussion OF the Weaknesses
Of human nature this tendency can be
INDUCED by reading history and scor-
ing the dcrclictions OF people who have
passed from earth. II is much safer
and less liable to provoke unpleasant
results than giving this proclivity
reign with ones personal acQuaint-
anccs as the subjects under discus
sion.
To build up ones health by breath.
ms fresh All and eating pure food is
not the only object to he sought in a
summer vacation.
TO avoid bad company. cheap habits
Of conduct. unwholcsome and unworthy
topics of conversation is quite as I'M
portant rs Ia avoid bad air in city
Offices There arc scores of women
who have returned home from summer
hotels declaring they have had most
glorious season, yet who have left
behind them a trail OF idle gossip and
meaningless chatter: women who have
done nothing 10 increase the respect
FOR womankinA. 'notMna which has
cheercd, h.ipSa, Encouraged or
strengthened any human being who
came within their radius. .irc YOU