The use of this Law of Association made it possible for you to recall the list of objects. To be easily available the objects must be linked together as strongly as possible, and this is accomplished by the associated picture. Association is one of the fundamental laws of mental activity, the use of which is absolutely essential to memory operation. In the pages following you will notice the application of this same principle, always using the visual method because of its unusual strength and accuracy. Much has been written on the subject and some memory courses dwell on it at great length. There are just two essentials to be always kept in mind: First, to be able to recall the new fact at will it must be impressed upon the mind in association with some familiar knowledge that will be easily recalled. Second, the visual picture is the strongest association, therefore the most lasting and easily remembered and at the same time it can be used for all needs. This law of association must be used continuously, without it there can be no accumulation of knowledge or memory. Its operation is simple and need not be in the least confusing. Reminder Pictures A simple use of the visual memory is to make a picture of the thing which you wish to do, in the place where you wish to be reminded of doing it, called Reminder Pictures. This principle can be applied to errands and to very important ideas. Seeing the thing you wish to do will form the strongest possible impression. By seeing this picture in the place where you wish to be reminded of it, you have associated it in your mind in connection with the thing which is to be used to bring it again into your consciousness. The latter half of the picture--the place in which you wish to be reminded of it--must be familiar, at the same time a place or object which is going to be physically visible at the time you want to be reminded of doing the errand. This principle can most easily be understood by the use of illustrations which are actual examples of how others have used the idea. Forming a Health Habit [Illustration] Believing in the value of a glass of water taken before meals one person made a picture of a large glass of water covering a greater part of the dining table, and when coming to the table he saw himself spill the glass of water. It is essential to have two objects in the picture--one, the thing you wish to be reminded of doing; and the other, a familiar scene which you are going to see at the time. In this case, when the person sees the table, which is half of the picture, it brings back into consciousness the large glass of water. This reminds him of drinking the water before sitting down to the meal. [Illustration]