MENTAL CALISTHENICS

I have two quick questions for you, what is the capital of Nevada? What state is Montpelier the capital of? How did you answer these questions? Did you know the answers by heart or did you look them up? If you did either of these things good for you!

Too many people now days would say who cares. They would rather not exercise their minds, they do not enjoy the thrill that comes from finding things out through research.

A few years ago on PBS a motivational speaker named Leo Buscaglia told of how at the supper table every night his papa would ask each of his children what they had learned that day. Any child who didn't have an answer incurred papa's wrath.

This attitude towards learning, which use to be so prevalent seems to all but have disappeared in our rush about society. When your kids ask you a question how often do you tell them to look it up?

I remember asking my dad so many questions about words that he bought me my own dictionary and thesaurus just to get some peace. Dad's method of teaching worked well and I still enjoy keeping my mind busy and active. Try remembering things that you have forgotten and if you can't remember look it up.

You will be amazed at how good it feels to relearn things you once knew by heart but have forgotten. As an example complete this quote " The evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones."

For a little summertime lift, try some mental calisthenics and see if they don't put a little smile on your face. By the way the capital of Nevada is Carson City and Montpelier is the capital of Vermont.