Mbasa Rugigana – Assessments

As A Man Thinketh
Assessment by Mbasa Rugigana (Rwanda)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The author tries to tell the readers how human brains are rich. He elaborates on how one can tune and use his brains to achieve and reach more heights in life and how he can control his environment. The author also explains how the human brains are open to both good and bad and how it depends on an individual filtering the good and putting them to good use or accepts the bad ideas and end up in a wrong direction. He also shows how purpose and thoughts are interlinked.

The authors explains the idea of how most people do not control their patterns of thinking and how they are controlled by endless assaults of fruitless thoughts and also how they are left wandering and wishing for more. Discovering that secrets from different sources and wander why Human wants to know more. Processing of information when the information finally reaches our hearts, how it gets burned into our flesh and becomes a knowing.

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. The first idea I liked is he aphorism “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he,” not only embraces the whole of mankind’s being, but is so comprehensive as to reach out to every condition and circumstance of his or her life. A person is literally what she thinks, her character being the complete sum of all her thoughts.

This is a true idea and it has opened by eyes to see how I handle myself is actually what I do. For example, I decided to be time conscious and meeting deadlines, I find myself always the first in meeting rooms.

ii. The second idea I liked is that man’s mind is rich and elastic. A person can get what he or she wants by using his minds and can think without a limit. The statement below explores more into the human mind.

Only by much searching and mining, are gold and diamonds obtained, and man can find every truth connected with his being, if he will dig deep into the mine of his soul; and that he is the maker of his character, the moulder of his life, and the builder of his destiny, he may unerringly prove, if he will watch, control, and alter his thoughts, tracing their effects upon himself, upon others, and upon his life and circumstances, linking cause and effect by patient practice and investigation, and utilizing his every experience, even to the most trivial, everyday occurrence, as a means of obtaining that knowledge of himself which is Understanding, Wisdom, Power

iii. It is true the man’s mind is like a garden. If one chooses to do things that destroy his soul and mind he does so. I have seen people, brothers whom alcohol has dragged their health and behavior, smoking has taken toll on them and prostitution has led to the destruction of their good families.
Therefore this statement is true that “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.

iv. The body responds to the mid and how it thinks. I agree with is statement that the body is the servant of the mind. It obeys the operations of the mind, whether they be deliberately chosen or automatically expressed. At the bidding of unlawful thoughts the body sinks rapidly into disease and decay; at the command of glad and beautiful thoughts

v. It is true that until thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment. With the majority the bark of thought is allowed to “drift” upon the ocean of life. Aimlessness is a vice, and such drifting must not continue for him who would steer clear of catastrophe and destruction. It becomes clothed with youthfulness and beauty.

vi. The statement that he who cherishes a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart, will one day realize it. It is very true and if one does not dream and visualize what he wants its not easy to attain it.

vi. I mostly liked this stamen that the calm man, having learned how to govern himself, knows how to adapt himself to others; and they, in turn, reverence his spiritual strength, and feel that they can learn of him and rely upon him.

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?

The above statements have enriched and educated me on how I should start thinking, dreaming and visualizing the surrounding environment. They have taught me to start thinking with the purpose and how because when its not linked well having thoughts is not enough it becomes fruitful when its liked with intelligent.

I am going to start visualizing and behaving the way I want to be. This will help me to attain what I want. Behaving like you have something tailor one towards that direction. Columbus cherished a vision of another world and he discovered it, me too I have to change the way I see things.

These ideas will help me to know how to deal and behave while I am dealing with other people. Learning how to behave in the society, while leading others and actually public speaking.

I will also make sure that minds remain positive in thinking. Remaining upright will make my body respond and grow as such. This will change how I handle and dream thus learning better ways of living.

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.

The first quote that I liked most “You may be keeping accounts, and presently you shall walk out of the door that for so long has seemed to you the barrier of your ideals, and shall find yourself before an audience – the pen still behind your ear, the ink stains on your fingers and then and there shall pour out the torrent of your inspiration. You may be driving sheep, and you shall wander to the city-bucolic and open-mouthed; shall wander under the intrepid guidance of the spirit into the studio of the master, and after a time he shall say, ‘I have nothing more to teach you.’ And now you have become the master, who did so recently dream of great things while driving sheep. You shall lay down the saw and the plane to take upon yourself the regeneration of the world.”

This quotation of Stanton Kirkham Davis has given me hope that I can get out of the door where I am, I can change the office and go to higher heights. I have to think big.

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 agree with this idea that “The human is a growth by law, and not a creation by artifice, and cause and effect is as absolute and undeviating in the hidden realm of thought as in the world of visible and material things. A noble and Godlike character is not a thing of favour or chance, but is the natural result of continued effort in right thinking, the effect of long-cherished association with Godlike thoughts. An ignoble and bestial character, by the same process, is the result of the continued harbouring of groveling thoughts”.

I believe that God is the supreme creator and giver of live nothing else.

I also don’t agree with this statement that “ I know a woman of ninety-six who has the bright, innocent face of a girl” any woman of this age always has wrinkles on the face. Using such statements one wonders whether all the materials written in this book is researched or just a fabrication.

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, the questions asked helped me to remain active and on track for example this question “what, then, is the meaning of “fighting against circumstances?” such questions helped me to understand passages and what actually the topic is all about.
Other exercises were not clear in this book so I did not finish all of 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.

The chapter about serenity is not well elaborated on the writer never explored on what causes calmness and how one can practice it in detail. It explored advantages of calmness, tempers tossed souls, tempers, and successes of tranquility and how one governs himself.

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? 7
B. How helpful were the contents? 5
C. How easy was it to understand? 5
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 7

 

 

Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Mbasa Rugigana (Rwanda)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The author’s message in the book explaining about to never give up because of discouragements from friends, family members and the society, Jonathan Livingston Seagull never gave up despite being despised by the fellow seagulls, his father and mother. He set his goals and clear objectives to achieve in life. The book is teaching us that each person should have an aim and goals to achieve. Never to be derailed by people’s perception and not thinking out of the box. Jonathan was thinking beyond his father’s idea of searching for food only. He was thinking beyond his stomach. As an aspiring young seagull he has always trying new things.

The book is also telling us that ones thinking should not be limited by set records. Jonathan was never satisfied with what he achieved as an individual. He aimed at setting new records. When he could fly at seventy miles per hour he could try two hundred miles and he even tried flying using different styles. Any project comes with its own challenges. He was rejected by society, could go empty stomachs but continued trying flying, when he was in lonely places still he continued flying he never gave up.

It teaches us that other people also have ideas. Jonathan was astonished to find other seagulls in heaven flying even better than him. Ignorance of people may lead them to make bad decisions but when they are educated and explained very well, they accept new things.

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.

A. The first idea is that Jonathan could try flying alone beyond boats and shore. This is a good idea because what normally stop or limit people from developing ideas and talents is that, they want to do as others or wait for other ideas. One should be in position to think differently despite harsh environment and disproval from others.

B. The second idea was not ashamed of what he was doing. He was in a society that disapproved his ideas but continued soldering on, unashamed, stretching further his wings. This is a good idea because to enables one not to be discouraged.

C. The third idea I like is the statement he made” I don’t mind being bone and 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.” This stamen is very strong because in most cases we mind about he we eat and sleep, that what matters, parents also discourage us from trying new things.

D. The fourth idea is that he was not discouraged by failures even when strange hollow voices came to him discouraging him. He continued his goal of flying.

E. The idea of flying at night was something that was an heard off. He tried undoable in the society, this later helped him in life.

F. When he was ex-communicated from the society he continued his flying techniques, he never went hungry because he knew how to hunt from far and near even underground water.

G. The seventh idea is when he started teaching other seagulls when he returned from heaven despite the resistance he faced. In most cases we fail to return to those who had different ideas to sale to them new and good things. He was not selfish.

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?

Being discouraged is one thing that I have learnt to avoid. Whenever an Idea will come to me I will try it even if I face resistance from my colleagues and friends provided its to increase my understanding and knowledge. I have been failing to hear the calling voice after failure to try again. However, I have learnt that in trying new things one should expect failures. The only failure is when one fails to learn from the failure made.

In new things one gets better and richer. One can reach even far where others cannot reach. This will save the rest of the world especially when applied and shared with others. Sharing is something which I should try doing because it saves life when things don’t work in future.
Accepting to learn is what I have gained from the book. Jonathan accepted to learn while in heaven, this helped him to know more techniques than before. He used the new learning’s to further and improve his skills. He trained some other few seagulls that helped him trained others. I learn to share and train my fellow work mates the skills I have gained. They will help me to train others which will improve the organization performance.

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.

The first quote that got my interest is: I don’t mind being bone and 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.” This showed me how great Jonathan was determined to succeed despite of the surrounding circumstances. If one is to be successful has to endure all the difficulties that come along.

“Home I have none. Flock I have none. I am Outcast. And we fly now at the peak of the Great Mountain Wind. Beyond a few hundred feet, I can lift this old body no higher.” This is important to me because it shows how one can be discouraged and just give up. Age, outcast does not limit one’s ability to try new things.

“I don’t care what they think. I’ll show them what flying is! I’ll be pure Outlaw, if that’s the way they want it. And I’ll make them so sorry…” this is boldness to telling the truth to people whether they are willing to listen or not. At times laws limit us but they are put there to guide and protect people and their rights. Laws can also be used to limit peoples thinking if they are not well applied.

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?

The illustration of heaven in this book is not real, Jonathan moved beyond the clouds but continued flying over the waters. Statements like this “The clouds broke apart, his escorts called, “Happy landings, Jonathan,” and vanished into thin air.

He was flying over a sea, toward a jagged shoreline. A very few seagulls were working the updrafts on the cliffs. Away off to the north, at the horizon it flew a few others.” This clearly shows that heaven and earth is more alike.

Another statement that shows heaven and earth are alike “He turned to land on the beach, beating his wings to stop an inch in the air, then dropping lightly to the sand, The other gulls landed too, but not one of them so much as flapped a feather. They swung into the wind, bright wings outstretched, then somehow they changed the curve of their feathers until they had stopped in the same instant their feet touched the ground.”

Using heaven and earth metaphase yes does help for one to understand what the writer wanted to bring forward, this however, causes confusion among the believers, who think that its not fair. Heaven is treated as a sacred place and no one goes there and comes back.

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?

The book contained exercises but so me are not clear however, I found some which I tried to complete. I did not complete all as I mentioned some were not clear. Questions in the book are very helpful, they helped me to follow the passages and to re-read the book several times to enable me complete the exercises.

I felt that it was not a must to make sure all questions were answered as it consumed most of my time and energy. However, I believe that putting questions in the book was a good idea as it made me understand some metaphase like “ what is heaven……” such questions made me understand exactly what they meant when author used the word heaven.

Using questions helped me updated of the whole passages, questions like “ what are we trying practicing every day?” keeps the reader on the subject matter. Such questions keep the minds awake. I therefore found all the exercises very helpful and surely they enabled me capture and understand the message that the author wanted to put across.

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 issue of gulls leadership was not well discussed in the book. How the elders were selected and their powers, whether they was an appeal or not and how the laws were set. The laws of setting out casts were not well explained otherwise Jonathan could have followed them. I also found that flying was not among the outlawed activities because he got used to it and practiced for so long without punishment. The laws also never stipulated how the seagulls could praise some one who was creative or not.

After Jonathan’s return on the earth the author end the book without explaining what was the end of him. His old age and also about the change of the laws as may seagulls joined. The writer does not explain whether the gulls that tried flying also went to heaven.

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? 6
B. How helpful were the contents? 5
C. How easy was it to understand? 5
D. Would you recommend it to others? 7
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 6