As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Akem Sewuese (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The author of the book is trying to make human beings understand that man holds the key to his existence and the outcome of his life is dependent on him alone. Whatever he thinks or act upon is controlled by his thoughts and at a long run reviewed through his character, be it good or bad. He alone can decide on what his life would or should be. The character of man can be discovered and manifested through his environment and circumstances. Good thought bears good fruit and bad thought bears bad fruits. Circumstances do not make a man but it reveals him to himself. Men remain bound because they are not willing to improve themselves rather anxious to improve their circumstances. Clean thoughts bring about clean habits. Man should have or conceive a purpose in his heart and always set out to accomplish it. A heart that doubts and full of fear can never accomplish anything because it actually leads to failure. Man can only rise, conquer and achieve by lifting up his thoughts. The higher he lifts his thoughts the greater his success and achievements, achievements is crown with efforts.
2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why. List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
The seven ideas which were personally most important to me are:
i. A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.
ii. Thought and character are one, and as character can only manifest and discover itself through, environment and circumstances
iii. Good thoughts bear good fruits, bat thoughts bear bad fruits.
iv. Circumstances does not make the man it reveals him to himself.
v. Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves
vi. Men imagine that thoughts can be kept secret, but it cannot
vii. Until thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment.
A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts: Man is really what he thinks through his character and the attitude he portrays towards people around him. It is important to me because looking at who I am, one would always think am more of a church girl because all I think about is how people will view me in my dressing, speeches, action and attitudes so I turn to be very careful in doing things which has really affected my character.
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in particular way, both in your personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?
I believe these ideas can go a long way to help me particularly in my personal life cause I have come to understand that it is only me that can determine what, who, whom I want to be in life and if I set my mind to do anything positive it will come out positively. Any circumstances I find myself does not determine who I am but helps me in knowing my capability. If I have good thoughts and actions I will be able to produce good results.
4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.
“Man is the make of his character, the molder of life and of his soul.”
“The master of thought, the molder of character, the maker and shaper of condition, environment and destiny.”
“Make holds key to every situation.”
“Thought and character are one.”
“Circumstances does not make the man, it reveals him to himself.”
“Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are.”
“Men are anxious to improve their circumstances.”
“Suffering is always that effect of wrong thought in some directions.”
“The body is the servant of the mind.”
“Thoughts of doubts and fear can never accomplish anything.”
“The higher man lifts his thoughts, the greater will be his success.”
All these statements are important to me after reading the book because it has opened my eyes to the fact that the outcome of who I want to be is dependent on my thoughts and characters. If I want to be successful in life I need to have a serious thought about want I want to do before proceeding and not forgetting the fact that whatever I conceive in my heart determines the outcome of my character. So they all will serve as a guide to me in life.
5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and if so, why?
Yes there is a particular statement been made in the book that I do not understand which is on page nine paragraph six, line five which says “It rapidly crystallizes into habit, and habit solidifies into circumstances.”
6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?
There are no exercises contained in the book.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
The previous question covered all that I learnt from the book so I have no other comments concerning the book.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 10
B. How helpful were the contents? 8
C. How easy was it to understand? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Akem Sewuese (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The author of the book is trying to make readers understand that success does not come easily except one is really determined. He spoke about the challenges, pains of failure, persistence but at a long run make one understand that the ability of one going through all these helps one discover that success cannot be achieved just like that and any determined person will definitely discover something new in his/herself.
2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why. List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
i. Practice
I don’t mind being born with feathers mom. I just want to know what I can do in the air and what I can’t, that’s all. I just want to know. Most times I also want see my capability in things people feel cannot be done but out of curiosity I want to know and if possible practice it or do it even when someone may think I cannot.
ii. Failure
Jonathan encountered failure when his parents were criticizing him and then he vowed to be a normal gull. Most times I look at my friends and the life style they live and a feeling just comes to me to just join them and may be things can also turn around for me.
iii. Freedom
They only true law is that which lead to freedom. It views to me and understanding to how people approach events or things and thereby enslaving their minds in keeping their law.
iv. Creator
I do things the way I feel and see it’s the best way with free conscience as long as I do not find myself wanting by my creator (God).
v. Why aren’t there more of us here?
When Jonathan reached his heaven he was expecting to see a crowd of gulls but he saw few and that was when he asked the question. Most times I feel people around me should see life the way I view it but I end up getting only few people who understand the angle or my own point of view.
vi. Jonathan practice style.
Flight is all he most desired, he gives his best time to practice how to fly, and anyone who flies automatically becomes his friend so that he could learn from such person.
Consistency has always been my challenge in almost all I do, especially in the aspect of sports.
vii. The importance of being alive.
Jonathan discovered a reason to live, and was delighted about it and a future to hope for, this made him focused when practicing. I always ask myself what is the reason for one being in this present environment I am today, is it about just waking up in the morning and going to teach students and then back home?
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in daily personal life and in helping create a better world? If so how?
The ideas revealed in this book make me understand that change is constant and persistence should be my watch word and at all times which by practicing and learning things I will get to understand that success is real, which I also need to build myself up no matter what challenge that may come my way. If I can make up on anything, be determined I could then be able to achieve a lot and it will help in developing myself and also understanding people around me then the world around me can be a better place.
4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and commence as to why there were important o you.
“The gulls who score perfection for the sake of travel go nowhere, slowly.”
Perfection has no limit, when I build my mind to perfection, I will see things from a more perfect point of view.
“Heaven is not a place and is not a time, heaven is being perfect.”
It helps me to know the true meaning of happiness, wealth and success even though not in abundance but in being contended and accepting what one has.
5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and if so, why?
I do not disagree with any idea in the book because all the ideas I read have personal impact in my life.
6. Did the book contain exercise for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all the exercise and did you find them helpful?
There are no exercises contained in the book.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
No, there is none.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 8
B. How helpful were the contents? 8
C. How easy was it to understand? 6
D. Would you recommend it to others? 8
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8