Here you will learn Self Confidence, Building Self Confidence ,build Self Confidence
Page 16 of
83.
The advantages of
judicious reading are many. Not only is the mind stored with precious thoughts
and the imagination filled with exquisite pictures, but unconsciously a free and
melodious English style is acquired. There should be daily reading aloud. It is
of distinct advantage to learn the author's words through the additional sense
of hearing. It makes them more enduring, and the very act of expressing them
aloud will often cause the reader very particularly to bring their meaning into
full view. Reading aloud should be more widely cultivated than it is. There is a
charm in the spoken word that is not found in the cold printed page. Speech
invests a writer's words with new life and bids them live again. These great
treasures, gathered up in the books of the world, mean much to men who know how
to claim and use them. "In books," writes Carlyle, "is the soul of the whole
past time--the articulate audible voice of the past, when the body and material
substance of it has altogether vanished like a dream. Mighty fleets and armies,
harbors and arsenals, vast cities, high-domed, many engined they are precious,
great; but what do they become? Agamemnon, the many Agamemnons, and their
Greece--all is gone now to some ruined fragments, dumb, mournful wrecks and
blocks; but the books--_i.e., _the thoughts--of Greece! There Greece, to every
thinker, still very literally lives--can be called up again into life! No magic
Rome is stronger than a book--a thought, or collection of thoughts. All that
mankind has done, thought, gained, or been, it is lying as in a magic
preservation in the pages of books. They are the chosen possession of men."
A source of inspiration to one who would cultivate self-confidence is that of
mingling with self-confident men. We grow to be like those with whom we
associate. Human society is the great leveler, taking man out of himself, and
teaching him the power of sympathy and unselfishness. Man was not made to live
alone, and it is only in some form of service to others that he attains unto the
truest greatness.
Beecher called the study of man the highest of sciences, and his own marvelous
wealth of illustrations and anecdotes was due largely to his habit of keeping
close to the people. "I take great delight," said he, "if ever I get a chance,
in riding on the top of an omnibus with the driver, and talking with him. What
do I gain by that? Why, my sympathy goes out for these men, and I recognize in
them an element of brotherhood--that great human element which lies underneath
all culture, which is more universal and more important than all special
attributes, which is the great generic bond of humanity between man and man. If
ever I saw one of these men in my Church, I could preach to him, and hit him
under the fifth rib with an illustration, much better than if I had not been
acquainted with him."
The blush-persecuted, timid man is usually found to have lived too much by
himself. He has had too much time for introspection. The result is that when he
steps out into society he is ill at ease, and its very strangeness causes him
embarrassment. Such men very often act awkwardly and unnaturally, not for lack
of knowledge, but for lack of familiarity and practice. A gathering of people
confuses him, and at the first opportunity he seeks refuge in solitude. Such
men, diffident, self-conscious men, should force themselves out into the common
society of others where they may learn some of the most inspiring lessons of
life.
When you rise from reading a great book that has inspired you to better and
greater things, then is the time to set down in writing your new-made
resolutions and to put at least some' part of them into immediate practice.
Perhaps you have decided to seek a higher place among your fellow men? Then go
out among them, prepared to render service. Be interested in their welfare, and
give to them freely of your sympathy and cheerfulness. Cultivate a true-hearted
and intelligent optimism toward everyone. Carry in your voice and manner a
message of hope and good will, and give what you can without thought of
receiving.
Possibly you have determined to employ your time to better advantage. Begin,
then, to do so to-day. Have a definite program. Be economical of the little
spare moments that are so easily frittered away. When a thing is to be done, do
not merely survey it, or worry about it, but begin it at once and keep at it
until it is done. If you are interrupted, excuse yourself as soon as possible,
and apply your time and energies with increased diligence. Work daily toward
larger and more important things. Think of nothing as being too high or too
great for your ambition. Resolve to waste no time. Outside of your regular
calling, devote yourself earnestly to studies and recreations that up build,
strengthen, and fit you for larger pursuits.
Perhaps you have resolved to develop more courage and independence. Stand up at
once, lift your chest high and full into the attitude of the man you would be.
Look the next person you meet straight in the eyes, and as you talk to him put
earnestness and conviction into every word you utter. Think of yourself as a
strong, energetic, cheerful, positive character, while all the time endeavoring
to express these qualities in your face, voice, words, manner, walk, and daily
life.
Our
featured links related to Self Confidence, Building Self Confidence ,build Self Confidence
