As A Man Thinketh
By Akinwale Evelyn Tolulope (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea the writer is trying to convey in the book?
The writer is trying to convince the reader that a man is literally the product of his thinking and thought pattern. This tends to reflect in his character. (i.e.) his character is the sum total of his
thoughts. This is a further pointer to the fact that there is nothing like “unpremeditated”. We become what we think about always and our actions also are the bi-product of her thoughts. According to the writer, “Act is the blossom of thought………………. Thought and character are one, and as character can only manifest and discover itself through environment and circumstance, the outer conditions of a person’s life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state. This does not mean that a man’s circumstances at any given time are an indication of his entire character, but that those circumstances are so intimately connected with…………….”.
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.
• Men don’t usually attract what they want but what they are.
• Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results;
• Bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results.
• Whenever man alters his thought, there would be an automatic transformation that will have an effect in the material conditions of his life.
• A man cannot directly choose his circumstances, but he can choose his thoughts, and so indirectly, yet surely, shape his circumstances
• Disease and health are rooted in a man’s health.
• He should make this purpose his supreme duty, and should devote himself to its attainment.
“Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are”.
This clause states that every man most times do not get what they expect or deserves but his wishes and prayers are only gratified and answered when they harmonize with his thoughts and actions. Most times, whenever I planned to do something for instance, when I wanted to obtain an MBA from Lagos Business School, having planned on how to go about. Along the way, circumstances led me to wander in my thoughts towards marriage before the MBA. This led to the abortion of the dream till date. I wanted it badly then, to have an MBA but I did not work towards it with a strict discipline and decision.
Another fact in the second idea that caught my attention is the fact that a man only begins to be a man when he ceases to whine and revile, and starts to search for the hidden justice which regulates his life. And as he adapts his mind to that regulating factor, he ceases to accuse others as the cause of his condition, and builds himself up in strong and noble thoughts; ceases to kick against circumstances, but begins to use them as aids to his more rapid progress, and as a means of discovering the hidden powers and possibilities.
Disease and health are embedded in a man’s health. Sickly thoughts will express themselves through a sickly body. Thoughts of fear have been known to kill a man as speedily as a bullet, and they are continually killing thousands of people just as surely though less rapidly. The people who live in fear of disease are the people who get it. Anxiety quickly demoralizes the whole body, and lays it open to the entrance of disease; while impure thoughts, even if not
physically indulged, will soon shatter the nervous system. Strong, pure, and happy thoughts build up the body in vigor and grace. The body is a delicate and plastic instrument, which
responds readily to the thoughts by which it is impressed, and habits of thought will produce their own effects, good or bad, upon it. Men will continue to have impure and poisoned blood, so long as they propagate unclean thoughts. Out of a clean heart come a clean life and a clean body.
A man should conceive of a legitimate purpose in his heart, and set out to accomplish it. He should make this purpose the centralizing point of his thoughts. It may take the form of a spiritual ideal, or it may be a worldly object, according to his nature at the time being; but whichever it is, he should steadily focus his thought-forces upon the object, which he has set before him. He should make this purpose his supreme duty, and should devote himself to its attainment, not allowing his thoughts to wander away into ephemeral fancies, longings, and imaginings. This is the royal road to self-control and true concentration of thought. Even if he fails again and again to accomplish his purpose (as he necessarily must until weakness is overcome), the strength of character gained will be the measure of his true success.
3 How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?
These lessons would help me in a practical way because the mind which is the seat of power and purpose is greatly involved. Until thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment. I must understand that there must not be any room for carelessness and wandering of thoughts because it may lead to catastrophe and destruction. Someone with no central purpose in their life fall an easy prey to petty worries, fears, troubles, and self-pitying, all of which are indications of weakness, which lead, just as surely as deliberately planned sins (though by a different route), to failure, unhappiness, and loss, for weakness cannot persist in a power evolving universe.
A man should conceive of a legitimate purpose in his heart, and set out to accomplish it. He should make this purpose the centralizing point of his thoughts.
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.
…..“He should make this purpose his supreme duty, and should devote himself to its attainment, not allowing his thoughts to wander away into ephemeral fancies, longings, and imaginings. This is the royal road to self-control and true concentration of thought”.
This quote caught my attention because it is an essential and bitter truth that is responsible for most failures in life. Apart from making my purpose my utmost duty to follow strictly, I must devote myself to achieve it, without which minds can drift away from the purpose gradually until it goes into extinction.
…. “Having conceived of his purpose, a man should mentally mark out a straight pathway to its achievement, looking neither to the right nor the left. Doubts and fears should be rigorously excluded; they are disintegrating elements, which break up the straight line of effort, rendering it crooked, Ineffectual, useless. Thoughts of doubt and fear never accomplished anything, and never can. They always lead to failure. Purpose, energy, power to do, and all strong thoughts cease when doubt and fear creep in.”
This quote is important because it emphasizes the need to plan thoroughly for the attainment of a goal or dream, without that, no guarantee for achievement. I must dutifully follow through laid down plans to get what I want out of 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?
………. “A man whose first thought is bestial indulgence could neither think clearly nor plan methodically; he could not find and develop his latent resources, and would fail in any undertaking. Not having commenced to manfully control his thoughts, he is not in a position to control affairs and to adopt serious responsibilities. He is not fit to act independently and stand alone. But he is limited which he chooses.”
this paragraph is not 100 percent correct where the environment is corrupt and a selected few within the populace are ruling the others, including the intellects. The irony is there are some who gets to position of power without thinking of it, or having the intellectual capacity to get to the position and maintain it. I can only agree that the statement above is partially true in some environment but not all instances and environment.
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?
I don’t know of any assignment or exercise in the text to be completed. I only recognized a piece of advice on the importance of serenity in ones’ life.
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 book is a complete text because it focuses on not only the heart and what we thinks, how we do the thinking, results of our thoughts and all other relevant information that can help an average man to live a balanced life.
RATINGS:
A. How interesting was it to read? 9
B. How helpful were the contents? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 9
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8
Jonathan Livingston Seagulls
By Akinwale Evelyn Tolulope (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea the writer is trying to convey in the book?
The writer is trying to make the reader understands the essence and importance of going the extra mile to stand out, becoming a leader with the plan to teach others what you have learnt over the years. The writer wants the reader to understand that learning process takes a lifetime and the joy of continuity lies in the hands of the learner to train others the art and skills learned before he or she leaves the scene.
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.
• Thinking outside the box
• Standing out of the crowd-refusing to be an average person
• Enduring Patience and Perseverance on the path of achieving the innovative
• Ability to remain focused even at the point of discouragement –keep
the hope alive.
• It is important to walk in love –the mind to train and mould others
to be great like one self.
• Having a teachable spirit.
• Believing in change no matter how long or unusual.
Thinking outside the box had been an idea which I have and still continue to imbibe in my daily living because it helps one to achieve feats which seemed insurmountable. It is important to leave our comfort zone and try to do the so called “impossible”. A lot of average thinkers stay on a level, believing that life is all about living, eating, sleeping, and dying while an extraordinary thinker believes that he can set the pace for an innovative idea, which in another term be called thinking outside the box., relating it to my personal life experience, there were instances I have set the pace to do projects that people thought would fail.
I remembered when I wanted to start an African Boutique with collections of purely African traditional attires. A lot of people believe that it is unwise for me to stock only traditional wears from different cultures in this age that the western culture had almost taken over the fashion industry market. I started all the same, and did a lot of advertisements and spent a lot to create awareness, until the second year when few people started asking for our supplies, artists and cultural groups now develop interest in what we do. Standing out, not blending in with the crowd had been my motto over the years. When most of my friends are opening stores, selling products that can move fast in the market. I decided to do something different and unique. Now they are envying my innovative visions on the set-up of the place.
In order to become an achiever in life, enduring and persevering on the path of the innovative is paramount. Throughout the period of advertisement with huge sums and not selling for a year, I was tempted to close down the business with the mind that the line of sale is going into extinction.
It was a long wait which, If not for endurance and perseverance, the traditional clothing line business would have a thing of the past in my life.
The ability to remain focused in life matters a lot to me now because at any time of life, if I remain focused at anything I set my mind on, it will become a success, after a period of time. I nearly change my line of business but kept nudging myself to be more patient and try new ways to penetrate the market. Now we can record sales good enough to keep someone happy for waiting.
…..Fletcher Lynd Seagull, do you want to fly so much that you will forgive the Flock, and learn, and go back to them one day and work to help them know?” this excerpt from the text proved love, pure unselfish love for others… it is important that a leader should have undiluted love for people around him/her.
Lately we have started consultative services for students and people who desires to understudy the art of selling traditional outfits only. we give free information on sourcing for materials , currency appreciation in different African countries and market values of different products among others. Even though I found it hard to penetrate the market, I did not see anything wrong in helping others to avoid the loopholes and errors I made when I started the business. Having a teachable spirit would help a lot of people with dreams of becoming leaders someday.
No one is an island. It is important for one to cultivate the art of learning something new everyday. I love to learn because it helps me to know something no matter how little about everything or almost everything. Presently, as a graduate of Communication, I want to undergo a short course on practical drama-which is an aspect of communication. When I registered for a part-time course in aviation management years ago, my siblings thought I love to poke my nose on issues not relevant to me. But today, learning the programme is helping me tremendously now.
Finally, I believe in change no matter how long or how much stress involved. A good leaders should always seek innovative and positive changes in his or her environment. Growth and development are the true essence of life.
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?
i believe that applying these ideas to my personal life, I would be one of the best leaders , in fact, 360 degree leader who is capable of influencing the world. The ideas will mould me to be a very responsible and reliable leader who would have been tested and trusted over a long time to come. Applying the lessons to my practical life daily will also help me to withstand pressure in time of crisis. It will affords me the opportunity to impart knowledge to my immediate subordinates in the office, so also have the chance to learn from my senior colleagues.
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.
(a) Most gulls don’t bother to learn more than the simplest facts of flight – how to get from shore to food and back again. For most gulls, it is not flying that matters, but eating. For this gull, though, it was not eating that mattered, but flight. More than anything else. Jonathan Livingston Seagull loved to fly.”
This comment is very important to me because it’s emphasis the fact that going the extra mile to become an achiever makes one stand out in life. An average human being always like to do the usual, not the unusual (i.e) they like to go one office, make little money, have babies, send them to school, feed their family members and keep working till retirement or death stops them and the cycle continues, but in reality, and in deed, it is important for someone to look inwards to what he can make out of life apart from the regular ways of living common to an average man.
(b ) Jonathan nodded obediently. For the next few days he tried to behave like the other gulls; he really tried, screeching and fighting with the flock around the piers and fishing boats, diving on scraps of fish and bread. But he couldn’t make it work. It’s all so pointless, he thought, deliberately dropping a hard-won anchovy to a hungry old gull chasing him. I could be spending all this time learning to fly. There’s so much to learn! ….”
This quote is about the fact that people, especially close allies and family members may be the ones discouraging us from achieving our dreams, it is important to understand that such period is a stand-alone time when one needs to take a stand to obtain the seemingly unachievable.
(c ) “Jonathan Livingston Seagull,” said the Elder, “Stand to Center
for Shame in the sight of your fellow gulls!” It felt like being hit with a board. His knees went weak, his feathers sagged, there was roaring in his ears. Centered for shame? Impossible! The Breakthrough! They can’t understand! They’re wrong, they’re wrong!
This above quote is just a prove that we may not be appreciated and applaud for a good deed especially when others don’t believe in our dreams. The crux of the matter was that Jonathan was highly disappointed and depressed for what his family members did to him. Quite alright, he was dismayed, discouraged, dumbfounded and depressed which s normal at that time, nevertheless, he summoned up courage and continue to become great in life. However, I derived joy in the fact that he later found another group of birds who fly even higher, where he learned more than he had imagined possible. This means that heaven would be the limit for anyone who set his mind to achieve the impossible because in truth, nothing is impossible just that so called
impossible may be difficult.
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?
To a large extent, I disagree with the idea of the brotherhood of all seagulls not believing in him at all, not even one of the whole flocks. It is rather unusual in this age, there would always be at
least one person, secretly at least, who would have an inkling to what Jonathan is referring to, but lacks the will and courage to accept or declare it openly. Also, I don’t understand how Jonathan seagull learnt to sleep in the air. I don’t know how possible that is.
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?
I didn’t notice any exercise(s) for the reader to complete.
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 fact that heaven exist, and heaven was liken to perfection, not that there is no heaven. Chaing told Jonathan Seagull that no heaven anywhere but a state of perfection.
RATINGS:
A. How interesting was it to read? 7
B. How helpful were the contents? 8
C. How easy was it to understand? 7
D. Would you recommend it to others? 7
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8