My experience teachers me that, if one learns to
follow this plan, he gets a freshness of body and vigour of mind
out of work that goes a long way toward keeping him strong and
healthy. I believe that when one can grow to the point where he
loves his work, this gives him a kind of strength that is most
valuable.
When I begin my work in the morning, I expect to have a
successful and pleasant day of it, but at the same time I prepare
myself for unpleasant and unexpected hard places. I prepared
myself to hear that one of our school buildings is on fire, or
has burned, or that some disagreeable accident has occurred, or
that some one has abused me in a public address or printed
article, for something that I have done or omitted to do, or for
something that he had heard that I had said--probably something
that I had never thought of saying.
In nineteen years of continuous work I have taken but one
vacation. That was two years ago, when some of my friends put the
money into my hands and forced Mrs. Washington and myself to
spend three months in Europe. I have said that I believe it is
the duty of every one to keep his body in good condition. I try
to look after the little ills, with the idea that if I take care
of the little ills the big ones will not come.
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