As A Man Thinketh
Assessment by Nwachukwu Chinedu (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea as seen from book is to portray the relevance or the connection of our thought in manifesting or accomplishing anything we can lay our heart to. This directly supports what is written in the Bible “As a man thinketh in his heart so he is.” Hence, we are to take conscious of all that goes on in our heart. Meaning, we if must win in life, we must win in our heart first and if we loose in our thought we surely will loose physically. Which is also supported by the Bible in Proverb 4: 23, that we should guard our heart with all diligence for out of it flows the issues of life.
That is to say, if the thought of my heart has the ability to make me, then I should not allow fearful thoughts, it means I should filter out of my heart anything that is not in line with my dream, it also means that if some things are not working out too well for me on the outside, one of the first action will be to re-examine the thought that had been happening in my heart. In summary, one can say, if you get your thought right, you will get your life right.
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. Personal examination
This is important because, if my thought eventually defines me, then I should carry out constant examination particularly of all the thought that goes on in my heart. That means to me that I no to constantly weed off all the unwanted thoughts in my heart. This also requires of me to be mindful of what I watch and listen to because they will all serve as inputs to my heart and the thought that goes therein. I have learned the need to feed my heart with God’s word, inspirational massages, good books and things that will only feed my heart with positive thoughts.
ii. Sacrifice
This is because it is clear that the amount of what we can accomplish in any area of life is subject to the amount of sacrifice we are ready to make. Success achieved is a direct relationship of the sacrifice we are able to make in pursuit of the success. Possibly I have not accomplished my desires yet because I have not made the required sacrifices. This means it is very important to understand the sacrifice required to actualize my dreams and be ready to make a commensurate of it.
iii. Character is a reflection of inner thoughts
Before now, my though has been that the character of a person influences the character but I have just learnt that character is a refection of inner thought. The meaning is that our thought find expression through our physical environment. So, a good character is a reflection of good and peaceful inner thought while bad character is also a reflection of bad thoughts. The learning for me is that I can influence my character through my thought rather than blaming my thought as being influence my environment.
iv. My thought can influence my Health
As was expressed in the book, the body is the servant of the mind. Hence, what I think in my heart finds direct expression in my body. If I have healthy thought, I enjoy good heart whereas if my thoughts are diseases, pains and sickness, they have a way of finding expression in my body. No wander people seem to contact sickness they dread so much. The thought of sickness and disease reduces our immunity and exposes us more to sickness. My key lesson is that I can as well determine my state of health by directing and being mindful of my thoughts
v. Fear never accomplishes anything
The book has also made it clear that fear and doubt never accomplishes anything. No wander Jonathan seagull was able to accomplish its dream. He explored opportunity in what other dreaded and feared. While fear and doubts stood as limitations for other seagulls, Jonathan took advantage of the same situation and circumstances to stand out. There had been few instances that could not pursue my vision because I feared to fail but I must no longer allow the thought of fears to rule my heart because it can bring limitations to start or accomplishing any dream
vi. I am the master of my life
From the book, it is entire truth that as a man thinks so he is. So I have not reason to blame anyone for the failure and success in my life. So if I fail, I should blame myself because success and failure lies in the power of our inner thoughts. With that understanding, I create my future through my thought. So none other is to be blamed beside me.
vii. “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.
This tells me the importance of being deliberate with our thoughts. Its either we intentionally allow good and right thinking to occupy our hearts or the unwanted and bad thought will do.
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 will help me to break loose of every limitation to become who I desire to be by:
I will constantly guild my thought. I will regularly examine the thought of my heart, say no to fears, doubt or any form of negativity.
I will write my visions down and allow concentrated thoughts to align with them. I will longer allow my thought to work contrary to my visions.
I will Develop health thoughts: Since I am now aware that positive or healthy thoughts influences the state of my health and of course I want to live free from sickness. So no more thought of fear of sickness and diseases.
Redefine my character: Going forward , I will purge myself of bad thoughts that find their manifestation in my environment through bad or negative character.
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 beings of Power, Intelligence, and Love, and the lord of his own thoughts, humans hold the key to every situation, and contains within themselves that transforming and regenerative agency by which they may make themselves what they will.”
This simply summaries that fact that we are responsible for what happened to us or who we will end up becoming
“The outer conditions of a person’s life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state.”
This is important to me because I have understood that character is a reflection of the inner thoughts. So I must think right to attract the right environment that blend with the right character.
“The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors; that which it loves, and also that which it fears; it reaches the height of its cherished aspirations”
I need not to be afraid of anything particularly when it comes to executing my vision and aspiration because I will likely fail when I am afraid or thinking of failure.
“Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are”
The simple lesson here for me is that I need to be what I want to attract.
“Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results.”
Another great lesson for me that having good thought is not enough but it must be back by good actions.
“Let a man radically alter his thoughts, and he will be astonished at the rapid transformation it will effect in the material conditions of his life”
I have learned that the change begins in the mind. So to begin to experience a change from negative to positive, the old mind set must to completely changed
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?3
Well, the understanding is clear but still wandering how what happens in the thought of a man can directly influence almost every other thing about the man. It simply sound un imaginable
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?
None.
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? 7
B. How helpful were the contents? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 7
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Nwachukwu Chinedu (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea as demonstrated by the main character Jonathan Livingston Seagull is centered on personal discovery. Unlike the routine and what could be seen as the nature of the seagull community, Jonathan discovered something more than just being busy with daily search for food by the sea shore. Rather, Jonathan discovered something that was unusual in flying. He didn’t just stop by seeing flying as another reason for existence, but gave all the best to it.
It didn’t matter if it was hated by its own parents, banished and suffered shame from their own community but it was never deterred from exploring the new life that it found in flying. It, pursued perfection until it was achieved and I like the aspect that it didn’t return evil for evil but rather showed love and was willing to train other seagull that were willing to break free from their slavery and custom to become like Jonathan
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. Personal discovery
This is important to me because I can learn that opportunities exist beyond the tradition. Meaning there is always an opportunity waiting to be explored. So, using the instance of my career as a Facility Manager, it tells me there is more to areas to explore. It means I should detest the traditions that had limited me. It means I don’t have limit to the extend I can reach. Simply saying I need to reinvent myself to be able to overcome every slavery or custom that may be currently confronting or stopping me from actualizing my dreams and vision.
ii. Determination
Jonathan Seagull, was determined to fly and everything that was done to stop it could not be successful. It was so determined that even when other birds were busy scrambling for food he was busy practicing how to fly. No distraction or discouragement could stop it either. I have personally found that some things I could not actualize in the past were because I gave in to discouragement and fear of failures but I have learnt to remain focus until personal vision becomes reality.
iii. Perfection is Possible
In the book, Jonathan was always setting new targets. it didn’t get to a particular height or speed and felt comfortable. He was always aiming for higher heights at high speed until it became the best and a reference point. This is just telling me that irrespective of how far I have achieved in any aspect of my endeavors, there could still be a better me. There could still be extra touch of perfection, it means I can still become the best and eventually stand out.
iv. Traditions can actually be a limitation
The seagulls before then and for many years felt comfortable with the tradition on how to get food from the shore. To them, flying was not for them but all that mattered was eating. As we could see from the book, that mentally was a limitation and slavery which hindered many of the seagulls from flying before. It took Jonathan and other seagulls to break from the law and tradition before it could begin a life of flying. So to me, every custom that places any form of limitation on me has become slavery and I should take steps to break from them
v. Learning is continuous
One thing that Jonathan never stopped doing was learning. Hence, everything will remain same without learning new skills or new abilities. No matter what we know already, we need to learn more to become better. Not learning new things will definitely mean remaining at the same level. This has also challenged me that no level of current knowledge or training is enough to break into our desired destination. Hence, I am committed to consistent learning so I can constantly become my better version.
vi. Love
Irrespective of the bad treatment that Jonathan received from the follow seagull, he still had love for them. He would have somehow thought of revenge for the ill treatment and dishonor that he received from his kinsmen. Instead, they were still in his mind, he was still always finding ways to liberate them from their slavery and limitation. He was still open to teaching those that were interested how to fly. I have learnt to operate with open mind and never to resort to paying evil for evil. I should always show love no matter what.
vii. Breaking free from limitations
The book also taught me on the need to identify and breaking free from all limitation. Jonathan discovered that custom or tradition of seagull was a limitation. He identified that waking up every morning to seek only for food was limitation. So, it identified them and immediately took step to breaking free from those limitation. We can’t actually break free from limitations unless we are aware of/them. My focus is to identify every limitation that has hindered me and find ways to break from them
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 will help me to break loose of every limitation to become who I desire to be by:
We should constantly say no to fears and doubt. Meaning that for any new idea or vision, its likely that fears of failure will arise but I wont allow them to stop me. Rather, I will but only press for the vision with full understanding that fears and doubt can only be a limitation to actualization my dreams
I will always look for ways to improve in whatever I do. The question I should always ask myself going forward is how can I be better, what new skills can I learn to improve current state. I need to keep challenging myself towards perfection in any area.
I have also understood that commitment is required to be successful. The Bible says that every man that is diligent in his business will stand with ordinary men. Like Jonathan, passion and commitment/dedication is surely a key to success
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.
“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.”
It is more fulfilling and gainful to think and act outside the box and never to be satisfied with the ordinary
“As he sank low in the water, a strange hollow voice sounded within him. There’s no way around it. I am a seagull. I am limited by my nature. If I were meant to learn so much about flying, I’d have charts for brains. If I were meant to fly at speed, I’d have a falcon’s short wings, and live on mice instead of fish.”
We must not allow out nature and immediate circumstances to serve as limitations from breaking new ground.
“Instead of our drab slogging forth and back to the fishing boats,
there’s a reason to life!”
There is always more we can do or become, we simply need to discover it
“But you can, Jonathan. For you have learned. One school is finished, and the time has come for another to begin.”
Learning is continuous, where one learning stops, another begins. We must keep learning
“Why so few gulls? There is less % at the point of perfection-heaven.”
There are less percentage that have achieved perfection/extra ordinary than the crowd that are still at the level of ordinary.
“Learn nothing, and the next world is the same as this one, all the same limitations and lead weights to overcome.”
Everything will remains the same except we decide to learn something new
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?
Well, in my opinion I think there was no need for Jonathan seagull to return to its community since he was excommunicate. He would have simply remained in Heaven where he has met perfection and continued with an easier life instead of risking himself back to a place that he was not wanted
On the other hand, I didn’t see Jonathan seeking reconciliation or taking steps to sort his issues with the community. Possibly since he became extra ordinary, it would have been easy to call him back to the center in a place of honor and no more dishonor.
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 questions look complete, nothing addition is coming to mind now.
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? 8
B. How helpful were the contents? 8
C. How easy was it to understand? 7
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9