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HOW HABITS ARE FORMED 



like to form and then form them. Second, make a strong start 

 No half-hearted effort ever was successful in forming a fiabit. 

 Third, allow no exception. You cannot establish the new pathway 

 in the nervous system, if you, like Rip Van Winkle, " don't count 

 this one." Fourth, for the had habit establish a good one. Most of 

 us know our own besetting sins. Some of us have far too many. 

 Perhaps it is only a little thing such as forgetting some of the 

 numerous conventionalities that make up table manners ; it may 

 be something far more important, an uncontrolled emotion or feel- 

 ing. Anyway, there is some opposite helpful habit you can substi- 

 tute in its place. For example, instead of saying sometimes, " That 

 noise drives me wild,'' say nothing, but think to yourself, " There's 

 no noise that I can't stand when necessary." Fifth, summoning 

 all the man within, use effort of will. Happy is the boy or girl 

 who has much of that something we call will power. Happy, too, 

 are those who have come to look beyond their own personalities 

 and who can ask with assurance, " Lead us not into temptation, 

 but deliver us from evil." Habits which are rooted when young in 

 moral and religious training are those which in later life will do 

 more than any others to steer us straight on the course we would 



take through life. 



Health Habits for the Nervous System. 

 -— The nerve cells, like all other cells in 

 the body, are continually wasting away 

 and being rebuilt. Oxidation of food 

 material increases when we do mental 

 work. The cells of the brain, like muscle 

 cells, are not only capable of fatigue, but 

 show this in changes of form and of con- 

 tents. Food brought to them in the blood, 

 plenty of fresh air, and rest at proper 

 times, are essential in keeping the nervous 

 system in condition. One of the best methods of resting the brain 

 cells is a change of occupation. Tennis, golf, baseball, and other 

 outdoor sports combine muscular exercise with brain activity of a 

 different sort from that of business or school work. 



Necessity of Sleep. — But change of occupation will not rest 

 exhausted neiu-ons. For this, sleep is necessary. Especially is 



Effect of fatigue on nerve 

 cells, a, healthy brain cell ; 

 b, fatigued brain cell. 



