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“How
to Develop Self-Confidence
In Speech and Manner” eBook Online Version
The fresh-air fiend has the best side of the argument. There are some persons who still insist that too much fresh air is dangerous, but we know of some of the wonders that have been wrought by this comparatively new treatment. One in very delicate health will be cautious not to overdo this, and will properly be advised by a physician. But for the rank and file of men, more life in the open air would mean to them more joy in their work and greater longevity.
It is said that the hopefulness of consumptives is due to accelerated breathing, and that living in the open air produces bodily exhilaration and arouses sanguine expectations even on the edge of the grave. Is it not strange that people who reject stale food, will breathe stale air with perfect complacency? Closed cars, closed offices, closed bedrooms, in these they live the greater part of the day, and wonder they are lacking in self-confidence.
It was Huxley who said that "The health of the mental and bodily functions, the spirit, temper, disposition, correctness of judgment, and brilliancy of imagination, depend directly upon pure air." The memory itself depends upon good physiological conditions, and when properly nourished receives better and more enduring impressions.
Oxygen is the universal scavenger. Professor Tyndall says _" _There is assuredly morality in the oxygen of the mountains, as there is immorality in the miasma of a marsh," and goes on to say that the purer the stream of blood the greater will be the glow of the heart. When we take air into our lungs the blood absorbs the oxygen and carries it to all parts of the body. After it has performed its life-giving office, it returns with its impure products of combustion as "cinders of the fire within us."
Physicians assert that the majority of men do not use three-fourths of their lungs in ordinary respiration. Children who play and run do so, but neither men nor women in their daily occupations exercise their lungs as they should.
Which do you prefer to look at, a silver stream of pure flowing water, or a muddy one? Which would you prefer to have flowing through the arteries of your body, a stream of red blood or a muddy one! If you would be self-confident, live out-of-doors as much as possible, breathe pure fresh air, and be a lover of nature, for, as Humboldt says: '' Mere communion with nature, mere contact with the free air, exercise a soothing yet strengthening influence on the wearied spirit."
One of the most favorable times to practice deep breathing, coupled with positive mental suggestion, is immediately after retiring at night. Lie flat on the back, inhale deeply, slowly, and fully, expanding both the abdomen and chest; then slowly exhale while allowing all the parts to relax gently. The mind is peculiarly amenable to suggestion just before one goes to sleep. Positive suggestions made at this time sink deeply into the consciousness and become a permanent part of one's personality. The student will find it helpful in connection with this exercise to impress his mind with the thoughts he seeks to materialize in his life and character. He may formulate his own sentences, and mentally repeat them several times with great sincerity and positiveness. He may say: "I am growing daily in self-confidence. I have unlimited power within me. Tonight I shall rest calmly and cheerfully. I now relax every part of my body, and shall have deep refreshing sleep. All my power comes from God and I commend myself to His care. I shall to-night gather new power for the new day. I am an immortal soul, and know no limitation. My arms and legs grow heavy, my head is heavy, my eyelids are heavy, my entire body is heavy, heavy, heavy as lead, and my mind is relaxed, completely relaxed, and I grow sleepy, sleepy, sleepy."
At a banquet given in New York to Herbert Spencer, the eminent thinker was fearful that he would inadequately express himself on that occasion because of impaired health. "Any failure," said he, "in my response you must please ascribe, in part at least, to a greatly disordered nervous system.'' Here was fear- thought arising directly from physical weakness. "Without good health there can not be endurance, and therefore little confidence in one's abilities. Gladstone owed his wonderful staying powers to robust health, maintained by careful mastication of his food and exercise in chopping down trees. His splendid physical powers were the basis of his more wonderful eloquence.
The marvel of it all is that the human body endures so much abuse and neglect. Here are upward of two hundred bones, and more than twice as many muscles, and yet many men expect this wonderfully intricate and complex machine to run itself! Is it any wonder that a well and healthy man is so rarely seen?
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