_{Tell me, how long has it been since you eagerly toyed with a new idea? How many weeks, months, years has it been since your mind cried out for a new area of life to study? Every man needs to be alert, abreast of the times. Have you ever had the experience of being out socially with a group of well-informed people and finding that you have no real knowledge of the topics they are discussing? It leaves you with rather a “how-ignorant-and-uninformed-I-am” type of feeling, doesn’t it? But when you get home again, what do you do about it? Do you forget it, or allow yourself to be challenged to greater heights?}

Pixabay CC0

We must let our minds feast on the courageous and noble things, and we shall find that our lives will be elevated to heights that we never dreamed were attainable. The areas of life that may interest me, you may not find quite so interesting. But, if our minds and eyes and hearts are open, we shall see many areas of life that arouse our interest, delight our souls, and tickle our curiosities. There is only one of each of us in this world; let us not be drawn too tightly into a mold. Be an individual thinker. What are your interests?

I’d like to suggest that you adopt a study plan. Let life be your university. Pick out some areas of life that really interests you. Study every side of it, learn all that you can about it. When your thirst for knowledge on the subject is quenched, begin a new study on another subject. Learn as if you are going to live forever. Live as if you are going to die tomorrow.

Here are some "study" suggestions. Which of these areas interest you the most?

TRAVEL

It costs a lot of money to travel, but have you ever considered traveling via books? Take a lengthy European tour. Read about the traditions, customs, way of life, history, geography and resources of each European country. Study them one by one. Such beautiful coloured photographs and slides are available at your library that you can look at them and almost feel you’re there. Travel to South America, to the Orient, on to Africa. A world tour — at no expense.

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CHILD PSYCHOLOGY

I don’t feel that most of us are “prepared” mothers. So few of our classes in school, so few of our experiences have been geared to prepare us for the responsible role of motherhood. A great deal can be learned from those who have devoted their lives to the understanding of children and their growth mentally, physically, and spiritually. Read the available books on understanding children. Knowledge we acquire in this area can often be applied immediately. So many behavior and discipline problems could be eliminated if parents knew how to cope intelligently with them.

POLITICS

A lot of people are keenly interested in politics. We must be well-informed voters. Do you stand for one party or another because your family has always done so, or have you done some independent thinking on the subject? Study party platforms, the history and legislative records of the parties, on a national and state level. Read all you can about candidates for office and what they stand for. We can never maintain a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people” unless we, the people, are interested and informed.

Pixabay CC0

MUSIC

To hear the works of a great composer should make one stand in awe of such God-given talent. Music has power to guide our emotions and feelings. Happy, gay music will put a smile on our lips; great and mighty choruses may send a chill through our bodies; a soft, lifting song will soothe and comfort us, a love song will warm our hearts, a rhythmic tune will set our foot tapping, a great hymn will bring inspiration to our souls.

You are not too old to play an instrument, if you sincerely desire to learn. Or have you thought of joining an evening class in music appreciation? Purchase season tickets to a concert series. Let your musical tastes guide your record selections, and include a variety of music in your collection. After all, variety is the spice of life!

^{Other study suggestions include:}

• Poetry
• Art
• Education and Schools
• Writing, etc.

You don’t have time to study? Funny, isn’t it, how we can usually find time to do what we really want to do. Use your evenings to relax and read the newspaper, magazines, news publications, and books.

Develop Your Mind, Elevate Your Thoughts, Broaden Your World!!!