Ntagisumbimana Theoneste – Assessments

As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Ntagisumbimana Theoneste (Rwanda)

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

According to my understanding, the main idea the author is trying to convey in the book is that: the man’s mind is his buffet and everything is there!

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. Direction determine destination: the author puts it in this way:

By the right choice and true application of thought, the human ascends to the Divine Perfection; by the abuse and wrong application of thought, he descends below the level of the beast. Between these two extremes are all the grades of character, and the human is their maker and master. Here is my personal example that explains why this idea is important to me; during the period of my university studies I used to go home immediately after doing the last exam of each semester. I repeated this routine for four years and in the last year I got a chance to read the book titled “you can win” written by shiv Khera. In this book he tried to demonstrate different steps that you may follow in the process of building a positive attitude, He wrote that step 2 is to make a habit of doing it now! As everyone can say we all join schools and Universities with different purposes but, the main one is to make us better persons than who we were before, in terms of living standards and self-esteem. After reading this book I decided to change my mind and begin to test my ability. From that moment I wrote more letters to my lecturers explaining to them how I was ready to do whatever it would take to change my life and help them to complete their life goals successfully as usual but this time with my support. As a result, one of them gave me a job in his small shop and I did it and learned different social skills from there! In addition, most of them are today my true friends and mentors.

ii. No pain no gain: the author puts it in this way

“His wishes and prayers are only gratified and answered when they harmonize with his thoughts and actions” according to my experience mentioned above it is clear and understandable that, It would not be possible for me to get these important persons, marvelous experience and some financial support without my initial burning desire and action and it was not easy isn’t it?

ii. What you think is what you get: the author puts it in this way

“The people who live in fear of disease are the people who get it” during my application process to join university I was afraid that I would be given the college of Education. Can you guess what I ended up having? Definitely I was given the college of Education, from here I learned that worrying will not serve any purpose of my life.
iii. The change begins within oneself: the author puts it in this way.

“Change of diet will not help a man who will not change his thoughts. When a man makes his thoughts pure, he no longer desires impure food” I can remember the way I used to think about schooling during my childhood I used to think that the main purpose of going to school is to get knowledge that in end will help its owner to get money but, now I have found another and big reason to learn different from that. This did not happen because I changed school or environment! This happened because the mindset I had had on that has changed.

iv. Focus acts as bridge to success: the author puts it in this way.

“He should make this purpose his supreme duty, and should devote himself to its attainment, not allowing his thoughts to wander away into ephemeral fancies, longings, and imaginings.” When I was looking for a job after my graduation I submitted my application in six different districts and I was rejected in five out of six districts. The bad news is, I was accepted in a rural area different from my wishes! And the good news is , the purpose of my application was fulfilled. Talking about this reminds me of a question that someone asked Mr. Andre Carnegie! Someone asked Mr. Andre Carnegie how he dealt with people? Andre Carnegie replied, “dealing with people is like digging Gold: When you go digging for an ounce of gold, you have to move tons of dirt to get an ounce of gold. But when you go digging, you don’t go looking for dirt, you go looking for Gold.” I think that Carnegie’s reply has a very important message. There is something positive in every person and every situation. Sometimes we have to dig deep to look for the positive because it may not be apparent.

v. You cannot do what you have never thought about: In the words of the author goes like this, “the body is the servant of the mind.”

After reading this line, I tried to make an introspective analysis regarding my fruitful behavior and action and I found out that nothing was done without having me to think about it.

vi. Every success story is also a story of great failure.

The author puts it in this way: “Even if he fails again and again to accomplish his purpose (as he necessarily must until weakness is overcome), the strength of character gained will be the measure of his true success, and this will form a new starting-point for future power and triumph.” From my own experience, I have failed many times in my life; I joined MPG (Mathematics, Physics and Geography) Classes with intention of becoming an airline pilot but it didn’t happen, I have made an application to be an intern at Global Health Corps but I failed, I have made different job applications but many of them did not work, and finally I am secondary school teacher and provisional student in International Institute For Global Leadership (IIGL). And from there I learned that setbacks are inevitable in life, and setbacks can act as a driving force and also can teach me humility.
vii. None is to blame for your failure and short-coming: the author puts it in this way:

“A man’s weakness and strength, purity and impurity, are his own, and not another man’s; they are brought about by himself, and not by another; and they can only be altered by himself, never by another. His condition is also his own, and not another man’s. His suffering and his happiness evolved from within. As he thinks, so he is; as he continues to think, so he remains.”

When problems seem insurmountable, quitting and blaming seem to be the easiest way. During my childhood I used to blame my elder brothers for everything unpleasant that happens to me while we are together and because I was young they used to accept my blame. In that case I would feel happier. But from now on, I have to stop blaming others and thinking they are the problem, because, if I think they are the problem in this case I will have to change them which are out of my control. If I realize that I am the problem, then I can change myself, learn something, and grow wiser.

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 following are the ways through which these lessons will help me in a practical way, both in my daily personal life and helping me to create a better World:
I will assume responsibility for my own actions.
I will demonstrate professional and appropriate communication skills.
I will present an appropriate professional appearance for the environment.
I will handle sensitive or difficult issues with grace and confidence.
I will provide consideration and mutual respect to other students, instructors, staff,
and colleagues.
I will approach others with a positive mindset.
I will exhibit respect in all settings including internship or clinical rotations.
I will demonstrate genuine interest in the thoughts, opinions, values, and needs of others.
I will practice academic and professional integrity.
I will follow the rules and policies of the environment.

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.

“A person is literally what she thinks, her character being the complete sum of all her thoughts.”

This puts me and my brain at work, It is like homework to me because it shows me that I am what I think and I will become what I will think of tomorrow.

“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.”
This removes my fear and put it away because from this comparison it is clear and understandable that the more I force myself to think positively the more I will become a more positive person.

“In the light of this truth, what, then, is the meaning of fighting against circumstances?” It means that a man is continually revolting against an effect without, while all the time he is nourishing and preserving its cause in his heart.”

This demonstrates how by default everyone resists change even if it is for good. In the same way this clarifies where we should begin while making change, to make a long story short, nothing will change unless we change!

“Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound.”

This demonstrates how by default everyone resist change even if it is for good. In the same way this clarifies where we should begin while making change, to make a long story short, nothing will change unless we change!

“Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results.”

This reminds me that the laws of nature will always show up in my everyday life and circumstances. In short, in order to succeed, we need to understand the law of cause and effect and the relationship between their actions and results.

“Until thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment.”

This explains the importance of goals in everyone’s life. From here it is clear that best thought will produce the best outcomes under one condition which is good goal and action.

“A strong man cannot help a weaker person unless that weaker is willing to be helped, and even then the weak man must become strong of himself; he must, by his own efforts, develop the strength which he admires in another. None but himself can alter his condition.”

What I can say about this is that the life we live today and the kind of life we lived in the past and even the life we will be living in the future is, was and will be according to our choices.it is clear that when we eat too much, we make a choice to be overweight. When we ill treat people, we make a choice to be ill-treated in return.

“Life can be compared to a pottery maker who shapes clay in any form he wants. There can be no progress, no achievement without sacrifice, and a man’s worldly success will be in the measure that he sacrifices his confused animal thoughts, and fixes his mind on the development of his plans, and the strengthening of his resolution and self-reliance.”
What I can say about this, is that for everything you want in your life there is a price that you have to pay. And you will get it, if you pay the full price or you will never get it, if you do not pay the full price.

“Life is like a cafeteria. You take your tray, select your food and pay at the other end. You can get anything you want as long as you are willing to pay the price. In a cafeteria, if you wait for people to serve you, you will wait forever. Life is like that too. You make choices and pay the price. You can win.”

“He who would accomplish little must sacrifice little; he who would achieve much must sacrifice much; he who would attain highly must sacrifice greatly.”

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?

1. Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself.
2. Men do not attract what they want, but that which they are.
3. All that a person achieves and all that person fails to achieve is the direct result of thinking.

Actually, I found myself lost to fully understand these 3 lines. because, I believe and I witnessed more people who have found themselves in the middle of nowhere without thinking about it. For instance, you can be born and raised in a region where the possibilities of getting what you want is limited compared to another region. Another example, we all know that there are many things that an individual has no choice for. For example, you cannot choose your parents, your motherland and so on. and whether you believe it or not these will have an impact on what you will get or not get.

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 was not any exercise.

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, there isn’t.

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? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 5
D. Would you recommend it to others? 8
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 7

 

 

Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Ntagisumbimana Theoneste (Rwanda)

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

According to my understanding, the main idea the author is trying to convey in the book is that: There is no limit to what a person can have, do, or become! The greatest limitation for a person is his /her belief upon her/himself.

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. How to change stumbling blocks into stepping stones?

The author puts it in this way: “That’s the answer! What a fool I’ve been! All I need is a tiny little wing, all I need is to fold most of my wings and fly on just the tips alone!” After reading this book I have realized that all we need in every day circumstance is to change our mentality toward them. Then after we will be able to use what we have in our hands instead of complaining about what we do not have. From my own experience, actually I do not come from a rich family. This has a profound impact on me in the way I carry myself, how I behave toward others and so on. Let me share a story. When I was in senior one, I had had an unforgettable experience that experience is this: one day ,I was wearing my old shoes and one from my classmates promised me a pair and this didn’t happen and then semester I did my best and I bought my new shoes from there, I have decided to be the first in class.

ii. To be prepared for critics: the author puts it in this way:

“For his reckless irresponsibility” the solemn voice intoned, “violating the dignity and tradition of the Gull Family,” from here, I have understood that there is no way out from being criticized whether you are brave or coward you will be criticized either way so, it is a wise thing to be ready for critics anytime, anywhere and with whomever. “The only way you will never be criticized is if you do nothing, say nothing or have nothing. You will end up being a big nothing.”

iii. Nothing will change unless you change

Sometimes to change the way you are accustomed to do things can be a scary experience. One of the hardest things I have ever had to do was to change the way I used to plan things According to the time I have. I was always keen on being a group leader. From my young age up to now this spirit has never left me. But in the beginning of the year (2019), I got a chance to be a group leader during my internship. As I usually do I decided to do whatever could be in my power to make my school attachment successful and professional. I did my best to get all necessary information regarding my school attachment, In these information they include:
1.Names and addresses of supervisors. 2. Submission date of our school attachment report, it was to be submitted not later than 25th August 2019. I informed my group members and tried to encourage them to do whatever it takes to have our work done before the submission date, obviously that was our goal.
From that day until 24th August 2019 none of us was ready to submit his/her school attachment report. On this date the supervisor sent me an e-mail reminding us that we had to submit. It was not easy for me to find what to say, because I had already disappointed myself. But as the group leader I had to say something, I replied to the supervisor’s e-mail and requested him to give us an additional three days. He agreed, but this did not satisfy me and him. Because what we did in those 3 added days was also possible to be done before.
From that day I learned that: The time to do things is now and where to be done is here. So I can make the best of now and utilize the present to the fullest. The message is not that I do not need to plan for the future. The message is that I do need to plan for the future. Because, if I utilize my present to its fullest. I am sowing the seeds for a better future automatically. This is the fruit of changing mindset.

iv. The good company to keep is the company that is in line with your goals and vision: the author puts it in this way.

“Well, we don’t have to obey the law if we’re not a part of the Flock, do we?” Fletcher said, rather self-consciously. “The only true law is that which leads to freedom,” Jonathan said. “There is no other.” When I started to search for the possible ways to change my life, I found myself forced to let go of some of my peers and groups that I was participating in. and then after I was engaged with other people who were in line with my purpose that time.

v. Help others to be their best. During my secondary and university studies I used to teach my peers.

And the experience I got from this practice is that I became more knowledgeable on the content I had explained to my peers than on what I did not. So it is clear and more advisable to help others to be their best.

vi. To take risk and have a goal: It was in 2007 when my primary six exam results were published. That time I was happy. Because, the best performer on the District level was me. I was also happy, because my dream of joining secondary school seemed to turn into reality. Actually on my side each and every thing was ok. But it was not the case for my parents. they were not well prepared to take me to the host school that I was given. In fact, as a child I could not realize that my parent’s problem was the effect of not planning for future life circumstances. Even though it was hard for them, they did their best to take me to school. Unfortunately, I was rejected because I was late. After a week I joined the private school near my home with the help of the head teacher of that school. After that, things and life keep changing and time keeps going until I reach university.
Here, I was aware that if I fail to plan then I plan to fail. So I sat down and set a goal. My goal was to have 300,000 FRW by 20th August 2019. I set this goal on 11th June 2018. I did this to prepare myself for the graduation ceremony which took place on 8th November 2019. For sure the bad memories of 2007 were still there in my mind.
After considering how I want to feel and how I want my life to look like I decided to take responsibility for my own destiny by doing the following: I wrote more than 30 letters and 100 e-mails to different people showing them how I want my life to turn out and how important it would be to work with me. I tried to answer to why, when, where and how I wanted that. And I also tried to answer to what I wanted and why I chose him or her to help me in that journey. At the end 4 of them invited me and discussed the issues. I ended up working with one of them as my employer from 11th June 2018 up to 6th September 2019. This job was not easy at all because sometimes it required me to pass a night without sleeping. Good news is that all of them are now my mentors and we are still in touch. And the most important news is, I celebrated my graduation as I planned.
Lastly but not the least, I learnt that just like a camera needs focus to take a good picture, we need goals to make a productive life.

vii. You can do and achieve more

According to my experience mentioned above it is clear and understandable that itt would not be possible for me to get these important persons, marvelous experience and some financial support without my initial burning desire and action and it was not easy isn’t it?

viii. The benefits of getting out of your comfort zone.

From my own experience I have seen that in order to succeed most of the time you have to get out of your comfort zone, and go searching for different opportunities that are outside from your comfort zone, in this case you will be to know what it takes to be successful and know whether you have it or not. What would happen if I did not try to get out of my comfort zone and try to search in different areas? The answer is nothing.

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 following are the ways through which these lessons will help me in a practical way, both in my daily personal life and helping me to create a better World:
1. I will exhibit the effort necessary to accomplish goals and objectives.
2. I will give proper credit to others for their work and contributions.
3. I will exhibit a customer‐focus and caring mindset in the workplace and clinical settings.
4. I will approach others with a positive attitude.
5. I will provide encouragement and support to fellow students and colleagues.
6. I will build relationships through honest communication and follow‐through.
7. I will actively contribute to the classroom and workplace environment.
8. I will participate in and support positive community events.
9. I will seek opportunities to perform above minimum expectations in the workplace
and the classroom.
10. I will maintain a continuous improvement mindset.

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.

“Who is more responsible than a gull who finds and follows a meaning, a higher purpose for life? For a thousand years we have scrambled 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 paragraph shows me that I have to stand my ground and have courage to stand even if I stand alone, as long as I know what I am fighting for, and I am committed to it.

“True, the same young Jonathan Seagull was there that had always lived behind his golden eyes, but the outer form had changed.”
.
This paragraph shows me that I am already a great/ hero, high achiever and the rest is to let myself accept it. The same rule holds for us now, of course: we choose our next world through what we learn in this one.

“Learn nothing, and the next world is the same as this one, all the same limitations and lead weights to overcome.”

This paragraph shows me that there is always work, goal and purpose to be achieved, so my work is to develop in me the attitude of liking what needs to be done and doing it.

“You can go to any place and to any time that you wish to go,” the Elder said. I’ve gone everywhere and everywhen I can think of.”

This paragraph shows me that I am already an unlimited creature so the remaining task is to believe in me and embrace this God given blessings.

“The trick, according to Chiang, was for Jonathan to stop seeing himself as trapped inside a limited body that had a forty-two-inch wingspan and performance that could be plotted on a chart. The trick was to know that his true nature lived, as perfect as an unwritten number, everywhere at once across space and time.”

This paragraph shows me that I am the key holder to the gate or entrance of the wisdom chamber that was designed to be acquired from the beginning of the world of wisdom.

“Your whole body, from wingtip to wingtip, Jonathan would say, other times, is nothing more than your thought itself, in a form you can see. Break the chains of your thoughts, and you break the chains of your body, too.”

This paragraph shows me that I am totally what I think to myself and the only way to change my reality is by changing my mentality.

“Don’t let them spread silly rumors about me, or make me a god. O.K., Fletch? I’m a seagull. I like to fly, maybe.”
This paragraph shows me that, for whatever I can get or accomplish I have to remain humble.

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?

He discovered the loop, the slow roll, the point roll, the inverted spin, the gull bunt, and the pinwheel. Actually, I found myself unable to fully understand this sentence.

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 not 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, there isn’t.

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? 6
D. Would you recommend it to others? 8
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8