As A Man Thinketh
Assessment by June Schmieder (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea from the book which the author is trying to convey emanates from the Bible. The Book of Proverbs, chapter 23 verse 7, “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he.” In the first paragraph of the work, Allen is clear on the intent of the essay. He feels that a person is literally what he thinks and that his “being” is the sum of his thoughts. Even spontaneous actions have thought as a prelude to action. At the same time, evil action is the result of negative and evil thinking according to the author. This connection between thought and action is carried throughout the piece. A person’s mind can be compared to a “garden” which can be cultivated to have a purpose or to be allowed to “run wild.”
Each page gives a pithy statement of how thoughts influence character. The first section indicates that man is the center of power, intelligence and love and holds power in every situation. A person is always a master of his soul. Thoughts of fear, doubt and indecision must be banished from one’s mind if one is to be a success.
Furthermore, man is the molder of his own life. Thought and character are as one. They are molded together. Circumstances may change but one night of bad circumstances does not a life make.
Furthermore, the soul of a person attracts those thoughts which one thinks. Outside circumstances do not make a person. But these circumstances can affect a person’s fate.
Many individuals want to improve their circumstances but they do not want to take the time and work that is necessary to make a better living. There has to be great personal sacrifices to acquire wealth. It is necessary to take this time and sometimes one’s family time might suffer. One must choose to have a balanced life or spend time at work or only with family. Most try to have a balanced life nut few achieve this goal.
Another idea of interest is that those who are well off financially may have a propensity for gluttony. One must stay away from rich and unnatural foods. It is clear that the individual causes most of what befalls him. Honesty does not alone determine if one acquires wealth or not. One can be dishonest or honest and acquire wealth. Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad result. A person may be blessed rich or poor. One must not whine about one’s condition in life because that condition might be the result simply of chance.
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 on as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
Idea #1: The first idea is that as a person thinks, his actions will follow. This idea is important to me because I do think that thoughts do influence actions. I do think that your actions do not need to follow your thoughts totally. I think it is an important idea because I teach students and I make sure that they understand the importance of having a strong ethical framework. With this strong ethical framework, one’s actions will follow and will also have a strong ethical framework. So ensuring that students have a strong ethical framework is important to me.
Idea #2: The second idea is if a person thinks evil thoughts, then their actions will follow. I think that this is an important idea. However, I am not sure about the background the author has in psychoanalysis. The importance of childhood experiences enter into this idea since our thoughts are formed by our experiences in childhood. The author believes that “an ignoble and bestial character is brought about by harboring “groveling” thoughts which is a fairly simplistic analysis yet common at this time in history. I think that this idea is important to me since I have met individuals who have had unhappy childhoods and were not encouraged to be all they could be. Therefore as adults they have esteem problems which are difficult to erase. I can see this in my students. Many times they can outgrow their childhood thoughts and substitute more pleasant thoughts according to the experiences they have in their 20’s and 30’s.
Idea #3: In order to accomplish great wealth it is necessary to sacrifice. One must take the time to learn one area or skill that may result in an income producing enterprise. Allen cites a man who wants to become wealthy but who shirks his work. I have found in my personal life . I have found that any type of income needs to take time. I decided at a young age that I needed several degrees to become a teacher. So I took classes in California that would enable me to teach in that state. So I agree with Allen that one cannot shirk their work if they are to move forward in their job.
Idea #4 Another idea I find important is that a person becomes strong when they do not whine or bemoan their fate. I agree that one cannot blame others for his or her fate. Allen states that it is important to find one’s own justice. I find that those individuals who complain about their fate usually are students who do not finish their work.
Idea #5: Self control is important. It can determine if one succeeds or not. Allen notes that with the wise man, thoughts can control him if he is not careful. Allen states that “right thought” is mastery. Calmness has a powerful affect on a person. It is important to be calm. As the calm person is “loved and revered.”
Idea #6: Another idea that I like is the thought that a person’s mind is like a garden. The garden may be cultivated or it might be let to grow fallow. The mind must be ready to receive seeds of knowledge. One should not let useless thoughts rule one’s mind. Useless thoughts are compared to weeds which grow in the mind. I have thought about this idea in my own life. That is why I have always treasured education. It is the reason why I had read every book in my elementary school library by the eighth grade. I think that if one teaches classes of children they see that the mind is like a garden and is awaiting seeds of knowledge.
Idea #7: Another idea is that one becomes bestial because of bestial thoughts. This is a popular thought especially in the 1900s. It is brought forth in every paragraph that if one thinks bad thoughts ten one will become a bad person.
3. How will these ideas help me in a practical way both in my daily life and helping me to create a better world?
I have been in a position to select candidates for education programs. I listen to the words they use when they apply to be in programs. If and select that person. The reason is I think that these negative thoughts will influence the candidate as well as those around them. If they see the glass “half full” then they will have a hard time finishing their programs.
4. Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? I f so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.
I liked the statement “If one endure in purity of thought, Joy follows s his own shadow-sure.
I think that this statement synthesizes the entire paper. I think that this indicates that if there is joy in one’s heart then one will spread joy to others.
5. Is there anything in the piece that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with an, if so, why?
I did not see any part of this piece that I did not understand. I think that this piece of writing is very clear and self-explanatory.
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 included with this book.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions?
Nothing I can think of.
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? 5
B. How helpful were the contents? 5
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 3
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 5
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by June Schmieder (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The author is trying to convey that one must set their own direction in life no matter what others may say or do. The story is composed of several metaphors which utilize Jonathan as the main protagonist in the story. The author begins the book by setting up a context for his main idea. He shows Jonathan as a seagull who eschews the seagull flock and practices flight on his own. He finds that the rest of the flock treats him as an outsider. Jonathan also failed several times in his quest illustrating another main idea—being that one should not be afraid to fail several times. At some point in the story he attracts several other gulls which feel the same way as 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 shy it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
Idea #1: The first idea that was most important was the passion that JLS (Jonathan Livingston Seagull) felt when he flew beyond what was normally accepted speeds for a seagull. He began to experiment and was able to increase his flight be spending time on his passion. In other research, it has been found that it takes 10,000 hours to achieve an expertise in a field. It may take up to ten years to achieve any kind of recognition as an expert. This is an important part of this idea. It is important for one to find a passion because the number of hours to achieve a professional level of expertise is to spend time with the passion. JLS was never bored with his passion for flying. He felt that there was “so much to learn.” So an idea which is corollary to having a strong passion is to make sure that your passion will never become boring to you. An example from my own life is reading. I have a passion for reading. This passion has been the base for my later success in life. I am passionate about learning all I can about global leadership. I feel that all leaders must be interculturally sensitive. The world is so interconnected that every business is global. Furthermore, the top three skills of a leader are interpersonal, conceptual and technical. It is important to have these skills but it is also important in this era of job competitiveness to find a niche where you can be productive and where you can utilize your passion.
JLS persevered in his passion even though his parents disapproved of his passion. One must expect contrary thinkers in your pursuit of your passion.
Idea #2: The second idea I liked is persistence. “Seagulls never falter, never stall.” This is including financial setbacks, personal setbacks etc, one must persevere. This is true for me. Years ago I was accepted to a well-known graduate school. I did not have the financial means to support myself in graduate school nor did I have any support from my relatives. I decided to take out my 401K and use the monies for my degree. It is a decision that I will never regret. It enabled me to pursue professional opportunities that required this degree JLS was persistent even though his family and the other gulls were negative.
Idea #3: The third idea that I liked is “tried adaptation.” JLS saw that the other gulls were negative toward his actions so he tried to adapt. He “tried to behave like the other gulls.”
But he was unable to change his passion. But he did try to adapt. I think that the ability to adapt your behavior is one of the best skills you can have. At work I find that it is best to adapt my behavior so that I listen to others. However ridiculous the idea is, I believe that it is best to hear someone out. This is a personal challenge for me. I tend to make snap judgments about the worth of an idea too soon.
Idea #4: I liked the idea that JLS listened to criticism carefully yet followed his own passion. His parents spoke to him very seriously. He listened very respectfully yet he followed his own path. The key here is listening with respect. I find that this is a key skill in my own life. I need to first listen with respect before advancing my own opinion.
Idea #5: I liked the idea that Jonathan listened to his internal voice which was negative at times yet he did not follow it. He had a strong enough will to weigh whether to follow this internal voice. For example the internal voice cautioned him that “seagulls never fly in the dark.” Yet he was able to fly successfully when there was little light for his journey. I can use an experience of the “internal voice” from my own life. During my first year of college I was petrified whenever I was called upon to make a presentation. Rather than continually listen to my internal fearful voice, I joined “Toastmasters.” After I joined this group I stayed for three years and became more proficient in speaking before large audiences.
Idea #6: JLS recognized that boredom, fear and anger may impact the longevity of a gull’s life. I recognize in my daily existence that those who experience these feelings are prime targets of stress and heart-related ailments.
Idea #7: JLS learned the importance of learning new ideas. If you feel that there are no limits to your life, then you can accomplish much in life. I like the idea that JLS was always
learning new things regarding speed, how to fly higher, how to fly longer and other skills. Learning has always been a keystone of my life and I feel that this is something that no one can take away from you and is much more valuable than material items.
3. How will these ideas or lessons help me in a practical way, both in my daily life and in helping me to create a better world. How?
The main ideas in this piece will be helpful in my daily life and in helping others. I have learned to be more tenacious, persistent and I follow my own passion to a greater extent.
I utilize the precepts of passion, persistence and “tried adaptation” every day.
4. Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them.
I liked the quote from JLS as follows:
“ Irresponsibility? My brothers!” he cried. “Who is more responsible than a gull that finds and follows a meaning, a higher purpose for life? For a thousand years we have scrabbled after fish heads, but now we have a reason to live—to learn, to discover, to be free! Give me one chance, let me show you what I’ve found…..”
This was important to me because JLS mentions that a reason to live is a very important part of life. I have met many individuals who appear to have everything to live for. They may have a family and great children. Then you read in the newspaper that something unexpected happened to them. Recently a college president whom know had his son threaten he and his wife. This was totally unexpected and I felt very sympathetic to his plight. Recently in this area a man jumped off a bridge. He committed suicide when it appeared that again there was no reason for this. He was committed to his family and had no health problems. Therefore, the thesis of this piece, that of following your passion is “life-enhancing,” In the past two days, six homeless people have talked to me and I discovered that they were forced to follow jobs according to their family’s wishes. When they suddenly lost the interest for their job they were unable to start again because their education had been in the “wrong job.!”
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 did not see anything in this story that I disagree with. Nor was there anything I did not understand.
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?
I did not see any exercises.
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, I think that these questions covered what was in the piece very well.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was the book to read? 8
B. How helpful were its 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? 8