Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 January 1917 — SELF IMPROVEMENT. [ARTICLE]

SELF IMPROVEMENT.

The youth who is at all times taking advantage of every opportunity to improve himself and conditions, tc make himself a little better informed, to get a little mare knowledge, who puts in all his leisure moments at cultivating the habit of reading good literature, who is always observing, looking ahead, endeavoring to get an education with the means (j tfhat may be at hand, cannot help tat at some future time realize the fact that the, time now being occupied in improving each spare moment, is time very well spent, indeed. In fact, it may be the very key that unlocks the .door of opportunity. There never was a time when educa-

tion was of more importance, was more essential to success and power, than in the present day. Competition is so keen in eve endeavor and life so strenuous that the lack of a liberal education will not only be a serious handicap, but in a great ■number of cases would be a calimity. The striving for enlargement, for growth, is an-ever worthy object, and should be the, desire of everyone. Men and women of brains still continue to ocupy ordinary or mediocre positions in life, not because they lack the ability, but tm of failing to take advantage of -and training their faculties. These same men and women apparently are satisfied to travel in the same rut, neither endeavoring nor caripg to advance, to improve, to excel, nor to occupy a niche of their own. A trained»mind can perform wonders and is invaluable.. ' * , ’ Study during school and college tife ls usually considered drudgery. The judgment of the young person is not mature and he Cannot realize what ah education really means to him or how serious the loss of it would be. It is only in later life when one takes cognizance of this and endeavors to make It up, that the true value of an education can be estimated. Objects unattainable are always |he most desired. The loss of the time idly wasted in., senseless ahd frivolous pleasure cannot be compensate! for later in life. Too often this is realized too late. The mere deriving of pleasure from the time not devoted to actual labor is not a worthy desire. There,, is only one best time to take advantage pf your opportunities and that is at the present moment, when the time is yours. Have a definite aim in life and strive to get there. Certain it is that the youth who is ambitionless and indifferent, who has no time nor inclination fori acquiring knowledge, will never ascend very high on the ladder of achievement. Steady, er“sistehf“effort will start one to wan the goal and the desire and resolve for self-improvement cannot but help tp lead one to success.