Ojijo Ogilo Mark Pascal – Assessments

As A Man Thinketh

Assessment by Ojijo Ogilo Mark Pascal (Uganda)

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

That everything I want, in my personal or public life, career or hobbies, physical health or mental status, I can achieve by thinking positively about it. That I can change the way I think, and I will change the way I live. That if I want, I first need to think like I have it, like I need it, like I deserve it, like it is there for me to take. That all our actions, and their results, are first a product of our thoughts. In summary, what we think, we become.

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.

This book has changed my life, completely. I have read, and shared it already with a few friends. I am glad I read this text, and thankful that it was sent to me. I have picked countless ideas, but for the purpose of learning, and sharing, these are the seven that have most moved me:

i. First idea is the relationship between thought and physical health.

Effectively, my thoughts affect my mental status, nervous condition, and ultimately, affects my mental health. On the other side, my thoughts determine what I eat, and what exercises I engage in, which effectively, affect my physical health. Thoughts and health are completely related. For a long time I have always not wanted stressful thoughts, or mental pictures. But now, I need to start watching my diet. Two months ago, I started taking vitamin and mineral supplements for my conditions, as a result of a change in my thinking. I have been thinking of purchasing a running gear, for exercise, as well as an exercise tool for the house. Now I see how thoughts have brought me to where I am, and will take me to where I want to go.

ii. The need for peace and serenity.

I am forever grateful at the explanation of the role of thoughts, and peace in my life. I want peace. I want to be still, and let life pass by. Serenity. Standing, sitting still.

iii. The relationship between thought and monetary wealth, or the lack of dependency, beggary, and feeling of want.

That thoughts of being lazy, lead directly to inaction, lack of focus, indiscipline, lack of courage, in action, and ultimately, to poverty and want. I now see where I am in terms of physical, monetary wealth; I know exactly how I have come to this place. Lazyness, and thoughts of laid back nature.

iv. The relationship between my thoughts and my purpose in life.

That if my purpose is clear, then the thoughts are more easier to self direct, subconsciously, towards achieving my purpose. I have been having clearer purpose in life in the last one year, or rather, the last six months, and at 31, I now see that my way of thinking has been led by my goals. The clear the purpose, the stronger the thoughts.

v. The need to have a clear purpose.

The need for a straight line goal. Not crooked. The need for some thing, monetary, spiritual, or otherwise. My goals are in several, and in my projects, including promoting the Luo culture through Luopedia.com, promoting access to medical information through ajuoga.com, running an entertainment events company, achibela.com, running a legal consultancy company, Lawpronto.com, and running a personal development company that trains, networks, and markets public speakers and consultants, allpublicspeakers.com. These, in addition to the need for expertise in business strategy, playing piano, performance poetry, and giving back to the community through conducting free public speaking classes, and mentoring the youth, are very clear goals.

vi. The fact that I will not get what I want, but rather, what I become.

My thoughts make be behave in a given way, and hence, make me look in a given way, and hence, I become in a given way. I will only attract what I become. I am glad I read this. From today, I will dress like what I want, talk like what I want, and behave like what I want, because then I will become what I want. I have been wanting things, and yet, not becoming things. This changes now, with my health, attitude, finances, family relationships, happiness, career, volunteerism, time management, peacefulness, and adventure.

vii. If I do not think positively, I am in essence, thinking negatively.

That my mind is like garden, freshly ploughed, and I will either put in there seeds, and watch them grow, or the winds will blow in seeds, which will grow wildly. I want to watch my garden. I want to plant seeds of peace, peace, and peace.

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?

On minding my thoughts, I want to start only planting positive thoughts, through and through. The things I want to have, the things I want to experience, the health I want to have, the relationships I want to enjoy, the career expertise I want to have, the adventures I want to enjoy.

But more importantly, I want to start enjoying the adventures starting today, I want to start living healthy, I want to start becoming better, reading more, learning more, like the youth who decides to become better, and later, inspires people.

Related to the above is the need to have an even clearer purpose, so that my thoughts will be focused on the purpose, and effectively, become productive, as to realize the purpose. I want to think purpose, through and through. Always. A big purpose of my companies, my volunteer works, my career expertise, my relationships. These are very important.

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.

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”

This quote is the master piece in the whole work, and will make me always, form now hence, think positively, healthier, like an expert, richer.

“A man is made, or unmade by himself.”

This quote makes me look into my life, at my failings, and success, and I can now see clearly that I am the one who made me weak, or strong; better or worse. I hold the key to every situation in my life.

“The mind, like a garden, whether cultivated or let to run wild, will grow, and bring forth.”

I cannot stand and let things happen. If I am not in control, other people will be in control, in their own interest. There will always be circumstances; I must cause my own circumstances.

“Circumstances are the means by which the soul receives its own.”

That my experiences, whether high, and honorable, or low, and bestial, are the result of my thoughts, are what my thoughts attracted. That I must take care of my thoughts, myself, with no doubt.

“Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are.”

That if I want something, I must become it. If I want health, I must first be healthy. If I want education, I must first be educated. If I want love, I must first be loving. I will get that which I am, not that which I want. No wonder the rich grow richer, and the poor grow poorer. If I want to improve my circumstances, I must improve myself.

“A man begins to be a man only when he ceases to whine and revile, and commences to search for the hidden justice which regulates his life.”

This is powerful. I need not complain that I have no clients or no cash flow in my business, or bad health, or lack of happiness in my relationship. I need to know why, I need to right myself. I need to alter my thoughts. My thoughts crystallize into my habits.

“Clean thoughts make clean habits.”

Very powerful quote, I reference to health, and career development, and even in reference to money saving and investing habits. The cleaner my thoughts, the cleaner my habits.

“A man should conceive a legitimate purpose in his life.”

That with clear purpose, thoughts become clear too, and achievement and accomplishment are guaranteed, and like, law, are certain. I should steadily focus all my thought forces on the goal I have set before me, not wondering into fancies, longings, and imaginings.

“A mans weakness and strength are his own.”

I cannot be helped, unless I help myself, I must, by my own efforts, develop strength, knowledge, or perseverance, I need.

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.

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 book requires me to start thinking positively. To start planting a seed. It also requires me to register for more e-books, and to share this book with others.

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? 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 Ojijo Ogilo Mark Pascal (Uganda)

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

The main idea the author is conveying is doing what makes us happy, no matter what. The message is to focus on our dreams, to persist, to persevere, and to be determined, no matter the contradictions around us. Jonathan Seagull was happiest, and most contented, when learning about flying, about speed, and about grace in the air. All he wanted was to know more about flying than was known to all his family of seagulls. To this end, he missed lunch, breakfast, and even dinner. Indeed, he paid the ultimate price, or being banished from his community, because he was focused on his main purpose, the one activity that made him really happy.

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 is the need to identify what makes me happy.

In the case of Jonathan Seagull, it was flying. In my case, it is creating something new, which benefits the community, and I have done this through writing books in unique areas such as my language, retirement planning, as well as unique areas of law, such as legal rhetoric.

ii. The second idea is the need to give back, as Jonathan Seagull gave back by training other seagulls.

I have also initiated unique program for giving back to community, called Inua Kijana, where youth get mentors, as well as unique programs of teaching public speaking to women, called The Speaking Woman, in partnership with national theatres in East Africa Cities. I have also initiated new kind of clubs; where students meet at teach each other public speaking, comedy, and foreign languages.

iii. The third idea is to never give up, despite the pain and suffering, to persevere, and keep on keeping on.

Jonathan Seagull was having pain in the lessons in the high flying altitude, but he kept on. I need to learn to also keep up keeping up. When I started my three companies, achibela.com, allpublcispeakers.com, and Lawpronto.com, I have kept on, despite the challenges. However, I am not as persevering, and I suffer from procrastination and postponement of assignments till last minute.

iv. The fourth idea is the need not to do things because people want us to do them, or because they are the norm.

In Jonathan Seagull’s time, they normal thing was to fight for food whole day, but he insisted on learning to fly, breaking from the norm. I decided, in my life, to write as many books, and to start a company specializing in training, networking, and marketing company for public speakers and consultants, in a very green market, where even public speaking was not very well paying.

v. The fifth idea is willingness to learn.

Jonathan Seagull was willing to listen to the masters, and learn new tricks. I have also learnt to be with mentors, listen, and learn new ways of my trade, and hence, I managed to install an open source e-learning software module on my Lawpronto.com, to help in reaching more clients. I was also willing to drop other projects, and take on new ones, to become more productive.

vi. The sixth idea is focus.

Jonathan Seagull was a very focused bird, only working on flying. This is an area where I have challenges. I am not as focused as I should be, and I am now planning to focus more on one company, allpublcispeakers.com, and then, when it is big, to expand to other companies.

vii. Finally, I learn the idea of the need to trust other people with responsibility.

Jonathan Seagull was able to let his new students to start new things, and to be in charge of their own fate. I am learning to pass on more and more responsibility to others, so that I can also focus on growing, becoming better, and helping other people.

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 lessons on giving back will help to inspire me further to give more, and do my part in making my community a better place. The lesson on perseverance will motivate me to become a stickler, build my staying power, and never give up on my goals. This is an area where I need growth. The lesson on focus is a huge lesson given my current clutter of activities, and I hope, and know that when I focus, I will get more from my concentrated effort, than I am now currently getting from my diversified efforts.

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.

“There’s so much to learn!”

This quote is important to me because inspires me to look ahead to tomorrow as a day to become better, and achieve more with the new knowledge I will acquire.

“We can lift ourselves out of ignorance, we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence and intelligence and skill. We can be free! We can learn to fly!”

This quote makes me know that I can decide, right now, to become better, to achieve my dreams, to learn to fly, by obtaining knowledge.

“The most important thing in living was to reach out and touch perfection in that which they most loved to do.”

I am inspired by this quote, to focus on the things I most love doing, poetry, public speaking, law, mentoring, so that I can reach perfection in these areas.

“There is more to life than eating, or fighting, or power.”

This is both funny, and true, there is more to life than the basic things. Life really is about other greater, bigger things.

“Heaven is not a place, and it is not a time. Heaven is being perfect.”

This quote reminds me that my purpose is not to live in expectation of a better tomorrow, but to live knowing that today, when I do the things I do perfectly, I am in heaven.

“To fly as fast as thought, you must begin by knowing that you have already arrived.”

That to reach to my destination, I need to know I have already arrived. I seek perfection in public speaking, in a legal consultancy organization, in volunteering and helping, and in growing a finance franchise. The idea is to know I have already arrived. I am inspired.

“Forget about faith. You didn’t need faith to fly, you needed to understand flying.”

Indeed, I do not need faith to do anything in life, I just need to understand the knowledge about how it works. I love this saying.

“It always works, when you know what you’re doing.”

Nothing much wiser, clearer, and more real than this quote. My company will work, and become profitable, and rewarding, when I know what I am doing.

“The gull sees farthest who flies highest.”

If I want to have perception in sight, and strategy, I need to know more, learn more, meet more people. Then I will be able to offer better advice. Better strategy.

“Break the chains of your thought, and you break the chains of your body.”

The things which I am fear I cannot do, are all fears in my mind, not fears in real time. I need to stop fearing to act.

“You know nothing till you prove it!”

Totally true, from today, I want to continuously do things I want to know, so that I can truly know them.

“You have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way.”

I must, today, learn to be myself, my authentic self. The poet. The public speaker. The business strategist. The advisor. The consultant. I can be these. And more.

“The only true law is that which leads to freedom.”

This is in rhyme with my book, Open Religion, where I write that the only true religion is that which makes me happy. I agree, the only law I should adhere to is that which makes me better, and more of myself.

“The hardest thing in the world is to convince a bird that he is free, and that he can prove it for himself if he’d just spend a little time practicing.”

This applies to human beings, even to me. To convince myself that I was born for abundance. And that anytime, even know, I can start experiencing the abundant life. This is truly hard, because of our friends.

“You don’t love hatred and evil, of course. You have to practice and see the real gull, the good in every one of them, and to help them see it in themselves.”

Very important lesson for me, and for the tribal regions in the world where people hate each other just because of religion or tribe.

“A seagull is an unlimited idea of freedom.”

I read is as this, a human being is an unlimited idea of freedom. I am an unlimited idea of freedom.

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, the book had no exercises for the reader.

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.

Nothing.

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