As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Ibe Christogonus Chidiebere (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea behind this book is the unlimited powers of the human mind and how it is responsible for the controls of the entire man. The author defined a man as simply as the reflection of all his thoughts. He explains that in different ways in the book, showing how we control our circumstances, economic situations, bad or good times, and even our health by the thoughts of our mind.
He explains the effects of good thought and bad thoughts. He connected these powerful and all-thoughts of the human mind to purpose without which, leads to numerous challenges. He went ahead to talk on steps and methods to achievement by narrating the need for planning to achieve his mentioned purpose in life. He further explains visions and ideals as reflections of human thought and how positive visions and ideals have benefited the world and the reason, we must appreciate our vision and ideas every day.
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. To cherish and admire our vision
The author went ahead to encourage us to appreciate every good vision and the vision promoter should be determined towards the realization of such vision. I have a great vision of becoming a school proprietor of a school and football club with the hope of producing great leaders and football stars.
ii. Calmness
The author sees this as great value which also reflects wisdom. This tells us that a man is only a product of his thought, and that he is capable through the available resources of his mind to change his fate. This book has also thought me that worrying about a situation provides no solution, rather you remain positive and look for solution.
iii. Thought
For anyone to make things work in his or her life, that person must start thinking in the right perspective and avoid the idea of shifting blames and leading people requires a positive mindset that targets to changing the mindset of people from sustained and perpetual blames.
iv. The concepts of blessedness and wretchedness reflects the measure of right thought beyond materialism.
A man can get rich and amass wealth by dubious means; there is no blessedness in this. These days people get rich anyways with consequences but a man can actually get rich in the right manner. We must also know that richness is not the true test of sound or positive thought.
v. Fighting against circumstance
When a man constantly preaches or campaign against an something while he also pretentiously enjoying and preserving the reason the effect occurred.
vi. The effect of thought on circumstance
The author said the human mind should be like a garden that should be cared for to enable it bring forth the best flowers without which, it will be eaten my plagues and produce bad from. I learn to always feed my minds with positive.
vii. The principles of riches and poverty: the author encouraged hard work because great things are achieved only through hard work and sacrifices.
Dreams come through hard work and efforts. This taught me to always put in effort towards achieving my dreams.
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 ideas discussed above have helped me in two practical ways; firstly, in my personal life and then in helping me create a better world. In my personal life, the idea of calmness teaches me to face every situation with calm as it is the only right attitude in facing challenges. The idea of cherishing my vision encourages me to hold on my visions even in the face of discouraging happenings. Not many people may understand my dream, they may criticize it, they may tell me it is not attainable. But I have to cherish the vision of my mind and believe in the enormous power I have to influence everything around me.
In helping me create a better world, the idea of making things work encourages me to be the best of me for my world to work and function well. All that is needed to fix the world is to fix a man. The ideas of blessedness and wretchedness and riches and poverty teach me to be honest in all I do as wealth gathered in an ill-manner cannot guarantee a peaceful life. I have learnt to through proper acquisition of riches and wealth and the wise usage of it affect the lives of those around me positively.
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 the plant springs from, and could not be without, the seed, so every act of human springs from the hidden seeds of thought, and could not have appeared without them.”
My thoughts are viable seeds; whether they are good or bad thoughts. The mind is also a fertile land for growing any kind of thought-seed.
“Humankind is always the master, even in their weaker and most abandoned state; but in their weakness and degradation they are the foolish masters who misgovern their household.”
I am simply the master of my fate. This teaches me not to blame anyone or anything for the things I am not able to achieve. I learn to be control of my affairs and leave nothing at all to chance.
“As a progressive and evolving being, man is where he is that he may learn that he may grow.”
The will always be room for improvements and growths. At every stage in life, there will be things to do differently and better. The position I am now may not be the desired height in life, but I have learned to grow at every stage.
“Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are.”
This teaches me that my surrounding circumstances are largely because of who I am truly inside. If circumstances around me are not desired, I need to consult with the thoughts of my mind and my dreams once again.
“He who has conquered doubt and fear has conquered failure.”
Doubt and fear could be very strong. Doubt may make one doubt his vision and dream and fear could keep one for daring to actualize the dreams his believes in. I learnt to believe and dare.
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?
“A mistaken idea in whatever direction always results in suffering. It is a sign that the person is not in harmony with the Law of his own being, or with himself. Suffering serves only one purpose, and that is to purify and destroy everything dirty and worthless.”
Some people don’t suffer as a result of their own bad decisions or actions. People frequently fall prey to the vices, tyranny, and greed of others.
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, there were no exercises for the reader to complete.
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? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Ibe Christogonus Chidiebere (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The author portrays the idea of accomplishment via tenacity and being unique in the face of obstacles and criticism. The theme of the entire narrative is perseverance, as exemplified by Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Jonathan is shown in the first scene of the film practicing flying indefinitely. Despite the shame and dishonor it brought, he persisted despite his stumbles, stalls, and falls. Jonathan Seagull’s first pupil after his return from banishment, Fletcher Seagull, exemplifies this admirable quality of perseverance as well.
The main character, Jonathan, had to overcome many obstacles in order to receive his intended outcome. First, there was the difficulty of going beyond what was thought to be his character. Seagulls were restricted in their ability to fly, but Jonathan persevered and overcame this restriction. Being shunned by the flock and receiving criticism and grievances was another major obstacle. Even his mother voiced her displeasure, asking, “Jon, why? Why, Jon, is it so difficult to follow in the footsteps of the flock? Why, alhatross, can’t you leave low flying to the pelicans? How come you don’t eat? You’re just bone and feathers, son!
Even though he was eventually shunned by the seagulls, this gave him more time to hone his desired abilities and introduced him to other seagulls who shared his desire, which further improved them. The sole outcome of any consistent effort is success.”
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 entire narrative serves as a prime illustration of the need of persistence.
The act of persevering through something that doesn’t seem to be working at the present is called persistence. It has been said, rather properly, that if you try something nine times and succeed the tenth time, you will have discovered nine ways it does not work in addition to the ways it does work. This is really significant to me as I’ve attempted a lot of things in the past and failed at them, but it hasn’t stopped me from attempting new things.
ii. A large flock of seagulls (except from Jonathan) that were content with only flying to and from the sea and squabbling among themselves for food.
Many are content but not necessarily fulfilled. They lived their entire lives doing this; they never considered or tried anything more. This is significant to me since I witness many individuals every day who live happy lives filled with mediocrity before passing away quietly. One must be unsatisfied with the status quo and strive for greater things in order to be exceptional in life.
iii. Sometimes discouragement might creep in
Continuing to try something while not seeing results right away can be discouraging. Throughout the novel, our main character experienced discouragement at times. It was well after dark when he awoke, and he was floating on the ocean’s surface under the light of the moon. He carried an even greater burden of failure on his back despite having jagged bars of lead for wings. He fervently hoped that the weight would be sufficient to slowly drag him to the bottom and put an end to it. My internal struggle to stand out and succeed was the only thing that gave me comfort when I was feeling down.
iv. When someone accepts a limitation, the world imposes another one on them.
Similarly, if someone gives up and accepts his limitations because he believes he cannot overcome them, new limitations will always be placed. Eventually, if he keeps accepting these limitations, he will reach a point where he is powerless to do anything at all. Jonathan made the decision to give up everything and take a nighttime flight home after failing in his attempts amid a lot of criticism and complaints in the article. But right away, another restriction was added: “Seagulls never fly in the dark!” I have pondered several limitations that I thought wouldn’t be too detrimental to my dream, only to quickly realize that one limitation merely creates another.
v. Sometimes the voice of discouragement we hear holds the key to unlocking our challenges
Jonathan heard the voice of limitation telling him that, as a seagull, he is not able to fly at night. The voice intoned, “Get down! Never fly in the dark, seagulls! If your purpose was to soar over the night, you would possess owl-like eyes! You’d have brain charts! You’d have the small wings of a falcon! This was clear why Jonathan had failed at this particular flight exercise. That’s the solution, he declared! How foolish I was! All I have to do is fold up the most of my wings and use the tips to fly; that’s all! tiny wings.”
vi. The ability to think and imagine
The human mind is incredibly strong. A person really becomes what they think they are all the time. Sometimes Jonathan would say, “Your whole body, from wingtip to wingtip, is nothing more than your thought itself, in a form you can see.” You can also break the chains that bind your body when you break the chains of your thoughts. My drive to be extraordinary is what keeps me daring. Like Jonathan, I’ve always believed that I was meant for the sky, and I work on reaching it frequently. The mind cannot exist in a vacuum because vacuums are hated by nature.
vii. Achievement is gratifying as the benefits it brings are always greater than the costs.
When success is achieved, all of the hard work and sacrifices become history, to be forgotten forever. “With the same inner control, he flew through heavy sea-fogs and climbed above them into dazzling clear skies… in the very times when every other gull stood on the ground, knowing nothing but mist and rain,” illustrates how satisfying the accomplishment Jonathan obtained was. He acquired the skill of riding strong breezes further inland and ate delicate insects there. He achieved for himself alone what he had before desired for the Flock; he learnt to fly and was not sorry for the cost he had to bear. Being here feels fantastic.
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 wonderful ideas in this book will help me both in my personal life and in my attempt at creating a better world in the following ways:
Success is satisfying because the advantages it provides are almost always greater than the disadvantages. All of the effort and sacrifices made along the way become history when success is attained and are never again remembered. The statement, “With the same inner control, he flew through heavy sea-fogs and climbed above them into dazzling clear skies… in the very times when every other gull stood on the ground, knowing nothing but mist and rain,” demonstrates how fulfilling the achievement Jonathan made. He learned to ride powerful breezes even farther inland, where he found food for little insects. He accomplished what he had previously wanted for the Flock—learning to fly—and was not regretful for the price he had to pay. It feels great to be here.
Because I am only human and most of the time, we anticipate our efforts to pay off immediately, discouragement may occasionally set in. But this book has taught me to persevere even when I’m feeling discouraged. I might be able to see the end of the tunnel during my discouragement periods.
Because accepting one restriction could open the door to additional being placed, the book has strengthened my resistance to any limitations I may face. In my endeavor to better myself and position myself to make the world a better place, I would prefer to focus on the scope of my desire rather than my limits.
I now have the ability to view myself outside my own expectations and restrictions. A man gradually becomes the person he believes he is, as the mind is a strong tool. I’ll just consider my options. A great deal of what we take pleasure in today was once thought to be impossible. Men who refuse to accept impossibilities are what the world needs.
I’ve also learned to search for solutions to any problems I may encounter at the very moment those problems arise. Jonathan, for example, was able to overcome his flying failure by listening to his own discouragement. The world is a busy place, but behind all the noise, people have found amazing inspiration that has helped bring many global ideas to life. I’ll be on the lookout for motivation despite obstacles.
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.
“We have the ability to rise above ignorance and discover that we are exceptional, intelligent, and skilled beings.” We’re able to be liberated! We are capable of learning to fly!”
It reveals the reality that we are incredibly strong. More than birds, I am a creature of greatness, thus I am encouraged to try anything. I’m able to surpass my constraints and accomplish the unusual. Anything I put my mind to, I can accomplish.
“Life is the unknown and the unknowable, with the exception that we were created in order to eat and survive for as long as we can.”
This captures the essence of mediocrity, which is why I find it significant. The mediocre believe that nothing can be changed by effort and that the world is infinitely complex. Living is undoubtedly more than just surviving on food.
“No, Jonathan, that place doesn’t exist. Heaven is not a location or a period of time. Heaven is operating flawlessly. How potent these words are! Many people wait impassively for a flawless heaven to arrive because they are reluctant to try to improve anything in this world because they believe it cannot get much better.”
Whether we believe in a flawless paradise or not, we can do a lot together. We should strive for the perfection that makes our planet a better place in the meantime.
“Continue to work on love.”
These were Chiang’s final remarks to Jonathan. Love has a great power to transform. Love has limitless powers; by loving ourselves, we can repair our world and improve its habitability for all living things. Love teaches us to put past hurts behind us and go back to mend damaged connections, like Jonathan’s. We have the power to restore our damaged relationships and guard the globe from bigotry and hatred.
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, there were no exercises for the reader to complete.
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? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9