As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Mayo Joseph (Mozambique)
1. What is the idea the author is trying to convey in this book?
The main idea conveyed by this book is that “Man is made or unmade by himself.” Whoever we are today or who we shall be in the future, we are the determiners of our destiny. So in order for our lives to go well as we wish, it merely depends on us not other people or circumstances. If thinks also go wrong, it is because of who we are and not what other people do to us. The decision we make determine who we shall be and we have.
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. “He that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
Whatever we wish for in life, we have to seek for it until we find. It may be difficult, we may face challenges or criticisms but we should not give up until we find it. At times we shall need to knock on other people’s doors for help and answers, we have to knock until the doors are opened for us. It inspires me not to give up on my dreams even if it takes time and challenges to reach them.
ii. An empty mind is the devil’s workshop.
The idea is brought by the author in the book where it states that “A man’s mind is like a garden. If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weed-seeds will fall therein.” This quote reminds me of how it is important to keep our minds busy and occupied with positive thinking. When we leave our minds unoccupied there are great chances that negative and evil ideas come up to push into doing that which is not good to us or others.
iii. Do not judge the book by its cover.
The author says “This does not mean that a man’s circumstances at any given time are an indication of his entire character.” We normally judge and criticize people basing on what we see with our own eyes without understand the whole picture behind their situations, forgetting that those circumstances are so intimately connected with some vital thought element within themselves that, for the time being, they are indispensable to their development.
iv. Nothing good and great comes out of no sacrifice.
The author states that “Even the man whose sole object is to acquire wealth must be prepared to make great sacrifices before he can accomplish his object.” This reminds me of how much I have failed to achieve great things because I have not been willing to make some sacrifices. The book inspires me to try once again pursue my dream of getting a master’s degree but with a lot of sacrifices such as having to quite my poor paying job and concentrate on my studies.
v. Every case is a case.
Sometimes I generalize in making conclusion and judgments on some issues. But in this book, the author says “But the conclusion usually formed that one man fails because of his particular honesty and that the other prospers because of his particular dishonesty, is the result of superficial judgement.” The author affirms that we should not run into conclusions without analyzing all factors.
vi. The author teaches us to accept all that comes along our lives; be it bad or good.
The statement “to know and declare that his sufferings are the result of his good and not of his bad qualities.” Sometimes I feel so discouraged when bad things happen during a journey to pursue my dream. I feel like it has happened because I did something wrong and forget that challenges are there to make us stronger.
vii. In life, we harvest what we sow.
It idea is backed by the book where it says “Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results.” What we get in life is the result of what we think or do. If we do well to others and the environment, we will always get good results. I agree and commit to do well to my surroundings so that I can get good results.
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 ideas will help me in life as they will determine how will handle my issues. I will learn not to be judgmental on situations or people without clearly understand the perspective of other people involved. From now onwards, I have learnt that I have to give more space to positive thinking is order to ensure my success. I have to treat the world the way I want it to treat me; “he will find that as he alters his thoughts towards things and other people will alter towards him.” The author goes on to state that “Clean thoughts make clean habits. The so called saint who does not wash his body is not saint.” If I have to identify myself with whatever title, then I shall have to walk the talk.
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.
“Act is the blossom of thought”
It affirms that what we do comes out of our minds; that what we thinks. No action comes out spontaneously. So, if we do bad, it minds that we have been thinking bad thinks and they come to reality. I learned that I have to think good in order to act good and avoid bad actions.
“Nor does a pure-minded man fall suddenly into crime by stress of any mere external force. The criminal though had long been secretly fostered in the heart, and the hour of opportunity revealed its gathered power.”
This proves that what we are is a result of what we think and not of the circumstances.
“Only by much searching and mining are gold and diamonds obtained, man can find every truth connected with his being, if he will dig deep into the mine of his soul.”
The statement encourages me to search for what I desire because that is the only way I can get it. Nothing is for free, therefore I have to do all it takes to realize my dreams.
“His wishes and prayers are only a gratified and answered when they harmonize with his thoughts and actions.”
This statement inspires me to pray and wish but not forgetting to act in such a way that helps me reach my personal goal. I can never be a successful leader if I don’t start acting like one. I am usually anxious to improve my circumstance but am not willing to improve myself; therefore I remain bound.
I usually accuse others or circumstances for my failure to achieve goals but the author states that “he ceases to accuse others as cause of his condition.”
This statement is so important to me because I usually fail in life and waste time looking for fault in other people instead of searching for solutions to overcome my barriers.
As a leader in my community I fail to concentrate my attention on a specific issue and work on it until in succeed. The authors teaches me to dedicate and focus my attention on one issue at a time rather that spreading effort on many issues at one time and end up failing to achieve even one.
“He should make this purpose his supreme duty and should devote himself to its attainment, not allowing his thought to wonder away into ephemeral fancies, longings and imaginings.”
“Doubts and fears should be rigorously excluded.”
“A strong man cannot help a weaker unless the weaker is willing to be helped.”
Sometimes I feel disappointed when I try to help some people out of difficult situation and I blame myself for the failure. This quote reminds me of how much important it is to have dedication from the person who needs to be helped. It does not only count for me to want to help. In times of oppression, the oppressed keep on complain instead of uniting to defeat the oppressor. In most cases, the oppressor is outnumbered by the oppressor but he oppressed even though that can still not liberate themselves.
“One man is an oppressor because many are slaves; let us despise the slaves.”
This reminds me of the xenophobic attacks in South Africa where the black South Africans cannot defeat their white oppressors, instead they turn their fury to black foreigners.
“Humanity cannot forget its dreamers; it cannot let their ideals fade and die, it lives them; it knows as the realities which it shall one day see and know.”
It reminds of leaders such Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Malcom X whose ideals are still being learnt, studied, preached, taught, proclaimed and spread across the world. We have not let them be forgotten by time but we have held unto their teaching up to now, as we take to the future generations. They did not live to see what they dreamt of but we are. I should also work everyday thinking not only about me today but the future of my people, making sure that the decisions I make today shall pave way to a better 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?
No
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?
No.
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.
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? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Mayo Joseph (Mozambique)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea being conveyed by the author is persistence as a quality of leadership. In the book, persistence is clearly displayed by the character Jonathan Livingston who was persistent in his dream of learning to improve his flying skills. Persistence is the quality that allows someone to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult or opposed by other people. Jonathan shows us how persistent he was towards his dream despite the challenges and difficulties he face from within his family and flock. Right from the word go, Jonathan was opposed by his parents who discouraged him from thinking outside the box by trying to learn to fly, which didn’t actually identify the behavior of seagulls. Apart from that, he faced criticism, opposition, rejection and exclusion from the flock when they saw him behaving differently from the culture of the “normal” seagulls. Jonathan was even considered an outcast and chased out of the flock as the flock leaders were considering him a rebel and threat to seagull identity. In addition to that, as he learnt to fly, he faced difficulties and was involved in accidents which could have injured him or other birds. So, despite these challenges he did not give up his dream of achieving perfection in flying. His persistence allowed him to improve his flying skills and learn better fishing techniques. He also ended up inspiring other seagulls to take the challenge and break barriers set by the flock elders.
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. We are free.
The book brings out the idea that sometimes we think we are not free when in actual fact we are free; it is our mind which is not free to think differently. At the end of the day we fail to innovate, act or think differently because we are afraid of the barriers that have been placed before us. Such barrier, we can easily remove them or adjust them to our reality and move forward towards our goals.
ii. “To stall in the air is for them disgrace and it is dishonor.”
This expression shows us that the seagulls were groomed to believe that they were supposed to stay on the ground and should not adventure into flying. There was no clear explanation to why they could or should no fly and discover the heights. Therefore, they stayed on the ground even though they were birds with wings to fly. I sometimes feel challenged or afraid of things that actually do not exist (fear of the unknown). It makes me fail to pursue my dreams and I end up only seeing challenges and problems rather than identifying opportunities and strengths.
iii. Not all good ideas gain support from people around us.
Sometimes, people take time to understand us and sometimes, it is people from distant relationships who recognize our potential before those who are around us. Jonathan did not get immediate support from his parents when he showed that he was passionate about flying. His parents could have been the first and only ones to support his dream when they discovered. Unfortunately, they did not even understand nor support him until other birds in the flock decided to break the barriers and follow him in his adventure. I have seen myself in situations where the society does not approve of some decisions that I make and I decide to give. This book teaches me to believe in my dreams and living my life rather than have other people live my life for me. I have to believe in my potential and not take into consideration what the society has to say against my ideas. I
Indeed practice makes perfect. Jonathan practiced a lot his flying skills on daily basis. As others birds stayed on the ground looking for food, he was flying high. In these adventures, Jonathan tried all flying techniques that he could come up with in order to achieve perfection. As he practices, he even had accidents but he kept on practicing to improve day by day.
iv. Success carries risks.
As Jonathan, practiced flying, he had accidents which could have been fatal to him or to other birds. Such risks needed to be faced for him to reach his targets. There was no way he was going be that fastest bird without facing these challenges. I have seen myself improving m performance in some activities due to continued practice no matter how many times I fall. The book inspires me to continue investing in my individual potential though practice, doing trial and error and accepting my failures as reasons to continue fighting.
v. Time management is the secret to successful individual.
Jonathan woke up very early in the morning to go practicing. He would spend the whole day out flying and rest at sundown. He used all the available time to practice and it helped him to make the best out of it. This lesson reflects a lot on me because I have difficulties in managing my time. I usually post some activities until the last moment and at times I fail to complete them.
vi. Age in just a number; any can do anything.
Chiang the elder seagull “who, it was believed, was soon to be moving beyond world.” could out-fly any bird in the flock the despite his age. I believe age and any other criteria we may think of should not be a reason for us to judge ourselves or others of being incapable of doing something.
vii. True leaders inspire more leaders to emerge.
Chiang was one of the old birds and he inspired Jonathan to “Stop seeing himself as a trapped inside a limited body.” Jonathan was fortified by Chiang’s personality and words to continue following his dreams. I will also do everything possible to inspire more leaders within my field of work rather than oppressing talent within my followers.
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 ideas will help me in daily activities by molding the way I think and handle situations around professional and personal issues. Looking at Jonathan’s character, I learnt that success takes a lot of determination and persistence despite challenges, obstacles and barriers we may face along the way. I will not back down because of criticism from the society and will dedicate more time to trial and error.
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.
“Everything that limits us we have to put aside. Break the chains of your thought, and break the chains of your body.”
Jonathan managed to put aside all the physical limitations and problems he faced and focused on what he wanted to achieve. This quote is important to me because it reminds me of how important it is to maintain focus on our targets rather than counting obstacles. Sometimes the chains that bind us are psychological and not physical, hence we continue stuck at the same level hoping some miracles we break us free.
“The only true law is that which leads to freedom.”
Indeed, if the law, the culture and norms of our society keep us oppressed then they are useless. Laws are made by people for the people; therefore they should not keep the man oppressed. I agree with this perspective because it reminds of some traditional beliefs and norms in my culture which violate human rights and people continue bound to them, even if they have space to change the situation.
“Jonathan Seagull discovered that boredom and fear and anger are the reasons that a gull’s life is so short.”
Identify myself with the expression because I have seen how unhappy people become if they are afraid of something or do not have something interesting to do. Oppressive societies and organizations groom poor performers incapable of who do not identify themselves with that they do. We have seen people suffering from diseases such as hypertension and depression leading to premature deaths. Such diseases can be prevented by leaving a happier and healthier life, thus avoiding situations that keep stressed.
“We can lift ourselves out of ignorance, we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence and intelligence.”
This phrase reminds of how much we need to recognize our own challenges and fight to pull ourselves out of such situations. Sometimes we identify problems, challenges, barriers, limitations and barriers but fail to come up with solutions in order to overcome them. We wait for others to pull us out and at times no one comes to our rescue. I take it as a personal challenge that in future, whenever I face difficulties, I will have to think more on possible solutions rather than waste time counting barriers. Some problems are there just because of our ignorance which makes it difficult for us to think out of the box, try new things or take up challenges as opportunities to improve. Freedom is never for free, we have to fight for it.
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?
None, I do agree with all ideas raised by the author.
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?
No.
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.
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? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 9
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9