Habit of Self-Improvement

Education, as commonly understood, is the process of developing the mind of means of books and teachers. When education is neglected, either by reason of lack of the opportunity, or because advantage was not taken of the opportunities afforded, the one remaining hope is self-improvement. Opportunities for self-improvement surround us, the helps to self-improvement are abundant, and in this day of cheap books and free libraries, there can be no good excuse for neglect to use the faculties for mental growth and development which are so abundantly supplied.

When we look at the difficulties which hindered the acquisition of knowledge even as little as twenty-five years ago; the scarcity and the costliness of books, the physical weariness which had to be overcome, we may well marvel at the giants of scholarship in those days of hardship. And when we add to educational limitations, and physical disabilities, we may feel shame as we contemplate the fullness of modern opportunity and incentives to study and self-development which are provided for our use and inspiration.

Self-improvement implies one essential feeling, that is desire. If the desire exists, then improvement is usually accomplished. For all of us who seek self-improvement "there is a lion in the way, the lion of self-indulgence."

It is the right use of spare moments in reading and study which qualified individuals for leadership need apply. And in many historic cases the "spare" moments utilized for study were not spared in the sense of being the spare time of leisure.

Individuals that have a thirst for knowledge and a desire for self-improvement, overcome every obstacle in their path. He snatched every spare moment at the anvil and forge as if it were gold. He believed, that thrift of time would repay him in after years with usury, and the waste of it would make him dwindle. Think of a working individual nearly all the daylight in blacksmith shop, and yet finding time to study five languages in a single year.

Self-improvement only comes to those who seek it, it is there you just have to want it.