As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Alex Ababio(Ghana)
1.What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The book is trying to “conscientizing” its readers to see themselves as masters of their own life the molder of character, and the maker and shaper of condition, environment, and destiny and also understand that whatever condition they find themselves emanates from their thought .This means that man cannot live a fruitful life by enjoying good health, riches in material things and a complete state of mind when he continuously harbor and nurture ill thought. In fact the main idea which permeates in this book suggest that every noble and honorable thing we see around us including wonderful creative inventions, mansions among others are as a results of proper use of thought . In the same vein, the bad things we see around are but equally the product of bad thought.
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.
- Circumstance does not make the man, it reveals him to himself.
This particular idea has reinforced my believe that the “circumstances” I find myself in was deliberately chosen by none other than myself and this has, indirectly but truly, manifested out of my thoughts . This idea has taught me that the current condition I find myself whether I am comfortable with it or not reflects the kind of decision i took a couple of years ago. I have been a writer over the years and this career is, but what my life is dependent on. Whether I am happy with this my present condition or not I have to accept the very fact that I made it myself and thus I cannot hold any body responsible for it but myself. I strongly believe the notion that a “Circumstances grow out of thought” I truly cannot blame anyone for where or who I am today but myself. In fact my thoughts. I cannot but agree with the writer that “Men imagine that thought can be kept secret but it cannot. It rapidly crystallizes into habit and habit into circumstance. “Yes under stably my circumstances reveals to me the kind of thought I had but I strongly believe that I can change my circumstances by changing my present thinking or thought. I created my present condition and that I have the power or control over it but it is a matter of working on my thought to change things for better. Yes I can as it was put up by President of United State of America, Mr Barack Obama.
- Achievement is always guaranteed with the right thinking mind.
There is nothing momentous that is achieved on silver platter. Therefore, there is the need for well planned and coordinated attempt with a well defined focus and purpose underpinned by right thinking ability to make greater and effective achievement. With the right thinking, one will continue to pursue their dream irrespective of some drawbacks, threats and failure no matter how long it will take to make that accomplishment. This means it is pertinent not to dwell too much on your failure or defeat, but continue to pay attention to positive thought and believe yourself that you can make those accomplishments. You should always motivate and try to inspire yourself to make conscious effort with continued positive attitude to be efficient in taking decision to arrive at your goal.
iii. There is no progress without sacrifice.
Yes this is arguably true. There is no gain without sacrifice. I believe nothing is achieved on silver platter except a well calculated and defined purpose and focus which calls for consistent sacrifice in terms of time, material resources,will power,sacrificing comfort and enjoyment in order to realize ones dream. There is also the need of commitment and hard work coupled with principles
- Your vision is the promise of what you shall be one day; your ideal is the prophesy of what you at last unveil.
Indeed without a vision one would not know what he or she would become in the years ahead of them. Your vision is the lead to what you want to become in future. It is also the matter of interest in life, meaning the burning desire within oneself is the raw product or the vision which need some ingredient to shape it into reality. I believe that if I am able to pursue my vision then the likelihood that I am able to attain the ideal that I am striving for becomes possibility.
- The body is the servant of the mind.I believe in this notion “garbage in garbage out.” This means what is entrenched in the mind is reflective of what is seen outside of us. Our mind is a minute organ but it is so strong and has the power over our huge body. Yes the mind always controls the body and makes it appears as if it is its servant. The body is at beck and call of the mind and it does what it pleases the body. Whatever the mind thinks the body is made to carry away that action. This means that we have to feed our mind with the right stuff in order to maximize the most of our mind to ourself and others.
When we continue to think over our pass failures it influences us to stop making meaningful advancement in our life. This will oppress us to see ourselves that nothing good will be able to come out of our life. That is the more reason why we have to think positively and prepare very well towards what we want to accomplish in life.
- Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.
I believe that the mind can only become calm when is it well trained to produce noble things. This means all distractions have to be discarded to pave the way for beautiful things to be produced.
vii. Responsibility
What is sowed will definitely be reaped in its kind .If one wishes for something valuable in their life then they should endeavor to stick to all those things that will cause those good things to happen. This I believe comes with greater and effective responsibility with right attitude. If one wants to see good things in life it means they cannot continue to do the same old things that resulted in negative results. They have to change their thought and do things differently from old ways of doing things.
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 every human being including the so called “the wise” need knowledge and right lesson at certain point in their lives to make right decision and to put those decision into action so as to create right environment and good condition for themselves and others. Now, this idea and lesson have reinforced and shaped my thinking and approach towards life. I have come to realize that people create their own circumstances whether good or bad, and that they have the power to improve their circumstances or entirely change those circumstances. This lesson indeed has taught me a great deal of fundamentals of life and how I will able to manipulate it to salvage my current condition and circumstances. In fact, it has given me the understanding to deeply reflect the world I have created around me and the kind of impact it is having on my life and others around me. I find this lesson as great tool which has shaped my thinking to take responsibility for my actions which emanates from my thought and positively look at the world around me with a view to create circumstances that will give me an assuring leverage to conquer every failure and defeat for better life for myself and that of others. I believe I need to have a vision of a better world and with the right attitude and capacity I will be able to bring it into fruition. It will take a lot of sacrifice though and I must have a vision of this better world. It will involve getting people to understand that every noble thing they aim to have is achievable but it takes right knowledge, attitude and persistence and a good amount of self control. People must be taught to understand that it is good to have positive thinking in their quest to pursue a better life . We must endeavor develop right attitude and control our thoughts to create a better world.
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 man’s mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weed seeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind.”
To me the understanding I get from this quotes is simply seeing a garden as a place where originally and purposefully food is produced to feed the family. However, every effort has to been made to cultivate the garden to reap what is sowed so that weeds do not incorporate themselves in the garden to compete with the produce for space in the garden. This means that when our development agenda or plans are allowed to be impeded by setbacks it will hinder or undermined our growth and we shall fall short of our expectation. This lesson teaches me that if I want something valuable to come out of my garden I will have to plant same in the garden and work hard with the right frame of mind. It is not possible to reap what I have not sowed .I cannot expect something precious in life when I continue to harbor negative thought. I believe that good thing come to those who feed their mind with good thought and innovative ideas.
“A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.”
I learned from this lesson that my character depicts the kind of thoughts I possess .This means that whatever I am today is as results of a decision I took some time past in my life. If I consider that the condition I found myself in is not good then I have to change my line of thinking or thought and work towards perfecting it.
“Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves.”
There is nothing good that comes out of blue moon. It takes greater effort to realize better condition in one’s life. Furthermore, wishing to have better life only will not only change ones condition for better, but is important to develop conscious effort to improve one’s condition .This means that the essence of this statement is to develop the right attitude and willingly put in their maximum effort to improve their circumstances.
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?
No. I must say I perfectly agree with every issue raised in the book .The main theme ,ideas and ideals spelt out in this book are well explained and I really understand them.
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?
Yes. To me the book is very much rewarding and it contains useful exercises. I find them helpful ,so I completed them.
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. The questions are well intune with the contents of the book I must say the questions really covered the main content of 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? 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? 9
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Alex Ababio (Ghana)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea the author is seeking to imbibe in his readers is the power of self reliant and rising above the status quo that is commonly known to every ordinary people. The book has taught us that although it is difficult to set oneself apart from others it is possible and the result is great and rewarding. At least we know from the book that we as individual have capacity to be different from others. We know that we have the capacity to make our own decision to develop ourselves in a very unique way so as to make an impact. We have to accept the very fact that we posses special ability to change our circumstances, and it does not matter the common phenomenon, obstacle that is intimidating and undermining our new found skill, tool, and power that will be able to help us to make the difference and make an impact in our quest to reach the very higher height in life. We all have the power to realize our dream but it takes determination and a well defined purpose and in addition to believing in our ability even if it is the first time of making it available to be utilized. All what we need to do is to keep on making use of our ability by sharpening it ,thereby making all the necessary attempts all the time even in the face of glaring failure.
- 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. Personality
Though Jonathan sees himself as an ordinary seagull he possesses a strong personality who does not follow the crowed and sway in his though, but maintains his principle of trying to learn a new thing irrespective of strong influence from his immediate environment so as to make a difference and make greater impact to change his life and that of others. He prefers to choose flying over eating. He is more interested in spending a greater proportion of his time in learning to new skills of flying although it is very demanding and risky. He knew that eating will replenish and refresh his body, but he realized that it will not make any greater difference in his life as compare to flying. Hence his decision to strenuously engage himself in this arduous task of flying to make an impact in the life of gulls even when his parents were pestering him that he cannot be like the rest of the flock, and being bone and feathers that did not bother him. Jonathan’s personality is a great lesson to me since it has taught me not to be intimidated by my immediate and external environments but strive harder to stick to my dreams and burning desire till they are accomplished .
- Determination
Determination is one of ingredients to successful life and I see it echoed through every action of Jonathan. He never allowed himself to be taken over by failures even after several failed attempts to fly higher as his ultimate goal. We learnt that Jonathan was hit by some failed attempt as he ultimately decides to quit and join the Flock, thinking it will make everyone happier. We read that as he was returning to the Flock, he discovers how to fly like falcon and is able to set the highest speed limit in the history of seagulls. He saw himself practicing every night and day, he did not allowed himself to be carried away by temporal defeat, but rather encouraged himself by so doing he was able to share his findings with the Flock.
iii. Personal Goal
One of the ideas the book taught its readers is goal setting. When you have a goal set before you it help you not to lose focus irrespective what challenges you will encounter along the journey. Jonathan saw that he could make great feat in his desire to fly all the way from eight thousand meters above sea level at two hundred and fourteen miles per an hour reaching terminal velocity. Jonathan seagull had this goal in mind and there was no way he could lose focus and be distraught from the goal. Eventually with the right attitude and positive thought he was able to accomplish the goal. Jonathan attained the art of flying all the way from eight thousand meters above sea level at two hundred and fourteen miles per an hour reaching terminal velocity because he had this as a goal in mind . This has taught me that one has set a well defined goal with good planning and necessary attitude and definitely the sky is the limit, meaning greater things can be accomplished.
Selfless Service
Jonathan realized that his discovery will be meaningless unless he made it known to other flock who abandoned him. He assumed the responsibility to teach them to benefit from his innovations. He did not keep his valuable findings to himself rather he opened up allowed his knowledge to be taped by the flocks without any hesitation. He selflessly taught an increasingly large portion of his former flock, until he passed leadership of the school to his best student. This taught me that to be great among your peers is to whole heartedly serve them without being selfish.
Self Reliant
Jonathan chose to motivate himself for greater task ahead of him. This he became self made who brazed the trail for other gulls to follow suit .He took every opportunity to learn new skills with respect to flying higher Into greater height which has not been reached by any of the gulls . He became more proficient as he spared no moment in seeking knowledge as to how to make most of his new found skill set. He did not depend on anybody as he alone possessed the desire to make the difference. Due to Jonathan’s tenacity to make a complete history which eventually changed the kingdom of gulls into champions, he chose to ignore any one who will dare stop him from making his accomplishment.
Jonathan’s determination to fly was not dependent on anybody’s strength .He did not focused on wings and feathers, but his thought and imagination; eventually he becomes the first gull to fly fifty miles an hour, then ninety miles per hour and later flies the first acrobatics of any seagull on earth. This has greatly taught me to rely on myself and takes decision for myself in my quest to make a mark in my life.
vi. Tolerance
Jonathan saw the need not to look down on other gulls for initially failing to appreciate his vision and drive to make a difference among them. He did not fight the other gulls for failing to lend a helping hand to him in his difficult task. Although he alone strived harder to pursue his dream, he was tolerant to other gulls who painfully abandoned him in his lonely place of flying. Despite how indifferent they were to him and his vision to accomplish his new found desire to fly higher, he never fought them but he humbly respected them and r their right to make decision to follow food instead of flying
vii. Refrain from being embittered
Jonathan after several humiliation and harassment did not harbor bitterness against his countrymen. Despite the very fact that he was summoned by the Council and Jonathan declared outcast for going against the norms and common practice with his attitude and behavior which was considered as taboo Jonathan was practically disowned by members of his community .He was utterly rejected and as a results he was forced to live his life all alone, yet not bitter as he took his situation and turned it around to make it blessing instead of curse. He flew way out beyond the far cliffs, and spent more time each day to train himself until he became perfect in flying. Later when he was able to master his flying, he went back to his people at home to teach other flocks in spite of how they hated him for flouting their community norms. This taught me that it is good to forgive those who despised and treat you with disdain and rather pay them back with what you have to salvage their condition for better. To me this kind of attitude makes one a hero and he will be remembered forever in his community and beyond. This reminds me of Late Nelson Mandela of South Africa who was imprisoned several years for speaking the truth in his attempt to fight for liberation for his people. Yet when he later became president of the same country he did seek revenge against his political enemies
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 these ideas from this book will help me to seek for creative innovation and a new set of leadership skills that will equip me to transform my community positively. It will empower me to continuously launch intensive research into my circumstances and that of my community to found out what is prevent us to make a breakthrough for socio-economic transformation .This book will encourage me to set myself apart from others so as not be distraught by their actions and focus on my vision with determination to make a difference irrespective of any setbacks.
- 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.“I don’t mind being bone and feathers, Mum. 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.”
This lesson touches my heart and I see it as words of inspiration that depicts courage, sacrifice and adventurous behavior that can bring about something valuable which is nonexistent. It teaches me to be daring even in the face taking risk to accomplish my dreams that I believe will be able to turn my life around and that of my community for good.
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 think reading this book has reinforced my believe and perspective to life .I really do not have any misgivings or whatsoever to any of ideas expressed in this book.
- 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?Yes. The book contained some useful exercises for readers and I did to complete them.
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.
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? 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? 9