As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Theocracy Helen (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The author in the book “As the Man Thinketh” empathized that humans are the masters of their thoughts and these thoughts in turn, significantly moulds their character and shapes their conditions, environment and destiny. I was made to understand that the man in a weak and abandoned state becomes foolish masters who misgovern their household. However, when a man begins to reflect on his conditions and like the gardener; he sows useful seeds (thoughts) in the garden of his mind, such a man becomes the master gardener and therefore cultivates positive and purposeful thoughts which leads to a happy and successful life.
We are therefore encouraged to be mindful of our thoughts as this affects our lives positively or negatively for man’s inner world significantly reflects in his outer reality.
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. Mind is the Master
This suggests that our mind is the master of our destiny, and we have the power to control and direct it. Our mind has the power to shape our character, circumstances, and destiny.
For instance, I was once faced with a difficult quiz it almost felt like it will be impossible to pass it, then I read in the bible that nothing is impossible to achieve, I therefore held this firmly in my mind and through determination and resilience I was able to prepare adequately for the quiz and came out victorious.
ii. Positive Thinking
This idea underscores that thoughts are the foundation of our actions and the starting point for all achievements. Positive thoughts lead to positive outcomes. As in the example above, if I hadn’t cultivate a winning thought about my ability to succeed in the quiz, it would have greatly affected my winning chances.
iii. Circumstances do not Make a Man
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This idea posit that circumstances grow out of thought, man is therefore only challenged by circumstances when he believes he has little or no control over it. But when a man believes he is the creator of circumstances, he them becomes the master.
For example, I grew up in a poor environment; parents could barely feed their households not to talk of to send their children to school. This however, encouraged my parents to work even harder at sending us to school so as to secure a brighter future for us. Meanwhile, other parents used it as an excuse to not send their children to school.
iv. Serenity
This idea holds that, we live in a troubled world and a man who is not conscious of his thoughts, will be swept away by the many troubles of the world. However, he whose thoughts are controlled and purified, makes the winds and the storms of the soul obey him. For example, I have had the privilege of discussing with someone who had just come back from rehabilitation, I asked why he went into drugs, and he said he felt alone and was really depressed at the time. If this person had realised that true peace can only be found in the quality of his mind and the thoughts he cultivated; then he won’t have seek solace in drugs.
v. Visions and Ideas.
This idea suggests that we fall and rise by our thoughts, Visions and ideas. Great visionaries come up with great ideas we saw the likes of Budda, Copernicus and Columbus. As in my third example, the vision to succeed gave me the idea of using the street light to study if I had not cultivated this success idea in my mind; i won’t have come up with such an idea.
vi. Character Building
This idea holds that thoughts are the building blocks of character and that by cultivating positive thoughts, we can build a strong and virtuous character.
As seen in my example about the drug addict, if he had nursed good thoughts and found happiness from within, consistently practiced honesty and integrity in their thoughts and actions, he must likely would have built trust and strong relationships with others he could talk to about his predicament, and would have led to a fulfilling and successful life.
vii. Cause and Effect
This idea holds that the quality of our thoughts determines the quality of our life experiences. For example, If someone habitually thinks negatively and expects failure, they may inadvertently sabotage their own efforts and indeed face unfavorable outcomes.
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 presented in the book as mentioned above can help in creating a better world in the following ways:
Promoting Personal Responsibility: These ideas emphasize that individuals have control over their thoughts and actions, which, in turn, influence their circumstances. Therefore, I have learnt that individuals who wish to succeed most take responsibility for their thoughts and actions. This I believe will lead me to be more accountable and foster ethical behavior with others.
Fostering Positivism and Optimism: The emphasis on positive thinking can help people approach challenges with optimism. As an individual, I will first of all look at the brighter side of an issue and seek possible solutions to it instead of giving in to fear all the time. I would thus be more likely to find constructive solutions to problems rather than succumbing to negativity.
Reducing Blame: The book laid so much emphasis on the mind as the major determinant of our life. I have learned this and it has broaden my mindset. I believe also that individuals who understand that circumstances are influenced by thoughts, may be less inclined to blame external factors for their problems. This will help me take a shift away from a victim mentality and toward proactive problem-solving.
Building Stronger Character: The idea that thoughts shape character encourages people to cultivate virtues like honesty, integrity, and compassion. Where individuals hold this idea, these virtues would be more prevalent, leading to more ethical interactions and relationships. This empowers me to believe that I can shape the world and make me work towards positive social change.
Increased Empathy and Understanding: For me, recognizing that thoughts shape character and destiny, can lead to greater empathy and understanding of others. When people appreciate the power of thoughts in shaping individual experiences, they may be more inclined to support those facing challenges and work towards social justice. The idea of aiming for righteousness encourages me and possibly other individuals to pursue goals that benefit not only oneself but also society at large. This can lead to more altruistic actions and a greater focus on collective well-being.
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.
“Keep your hand firmly upon the helm of thought. In the bark of your soul reclines the commanding Master; He does but sleep: wake Him. Self-control is strength; Right Thought is mastery; Calmness is power. Say unto your heart, Peace, be still!”
This quote serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of self-awareness, self-control, and the mastery of one’s thoughts and emotions. It reminds us that by taking control of our thoughts, practicing self-control, and maintaining calmness, we can harness our inner power and navigate life with mastery and serenity.
“You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.”
This quote suggests that our current circumstances and situations are a result of our past thoughts and choices. Moreover, it emphasizes that our future will be shaped by the thoughts we cultivate today. In essence, it encourages us to be mindful of our thoughts and intentions because they ultimately determine our path and destination in life.
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”
This quote emphasizes the profound influence of one’s thoughts on their character and life.
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, I find the book quite comprehensive.
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 did not contain any exercise for the reader to complete. However, it very much encouraged me to carefully examine myself and work on improving the quality of my thoughts as it in turns, reflects in my actions. This helped me realize that I am capable of any and everything if I could just think of it and believe it.
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 believe the questions have done justice to all that I have read from the book.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from one to ten. Ten is good and is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 6
B. How helpful were the contents? 8
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? 8
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Theocracy Helen (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea of Richard Bach’s book “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” is that officials must learn to embrace their uniqueness, break from the chains of mediocrity and pursue excellence even if others are against this feat. This the author was able to convey using the metaphor of a seagull’s journey named Jonathan Livingston who dares to break away from the ordinary life of his flock and pursue his passion for flying.
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.
Answer: There were really was no necessarily seven specific ideas presented in the book. However, I can highlight some of the key themes and concepts from the book:
i. Self-Discovery
From the life of Johnathan Livingston Seagull, I learned that the discovery of oneself is of utmost importance as it gives one an understanding of one’s own potential.
For example, before going to the university, I had always had a passion for justice and fairness, this self awareness helped me in making informed decision about the course and career path to choose that aligns with my strength and weaknesses.
ii. Nonconformity
Jonathan Livingston Seagull gives us the perfect idea of individuality and non-conformity. Even though his flock were used to a certain way o of behavior and expectation, he doesn’t conform to these expectations but rather chooses to pursue flying, even when it means him becoming an outcast. From the life of most of my peers who let peer and societal pursue lead them to doing illegal things, I have strongly come to believe that to achieve greatness one must dare to be different and not let the expectations of others get to them.
iii. Breaking Barriers
From the life of Jonathan, it is evident that one must break through the barriers of tradition and societal norms, and should be willing to challenge the status quo if indeed they wish to achieve their goals. For example, I grew up in a society that could be hostile to change, they want what has always been to continue to be. This has made development in my community slow but for communities; those that welcomed these changes with open arms; the standard of life there has improved tremendously. “What has been, need not always be.”
iv. Pursue Excellence
Jonathan Livingston Seagull in the book was relentless in his pursuit of excellence in flying; He kept seeking to be better and better even after he became the best. This serves as an example of the importance of dedicating oneself to a passion and striving for greatness. For example, my sister is a fashion designer and even though I feel she is very good, she continually seek to improve her skills and I’ve never seen any of her customers complain of her services and she is always proud of that. This shows that the pursue of excellence in any endeavor, can lead to improved skills and better outcomes. It can boost career prospects and personal satisfaction.
v. Freedom and Limitless Potential
“Maynard Gull, you have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way. It is the Law of the Great Gull, the Law that Is.” Jonathan Livingston Seagull. This statement by Jonathan shows that freedom and limitless potential exist beyond the constraints of our everyday normal life. Like Maynard Gull, we only have to transcends physical limitations to reach new heights.
For example, I have a brother who through the news discovered that there are better opportunities outside of our community, he them decided to seek these greener pastures and today; He is doing well for himself. The realization that we have freedom and limitless opportunities can lead us to explore new horizons, take calculated risks, and achieve more than we once thought possible.
vi. Be Teachable and Willing to Teach Others
Jonathan was willing to learn on his own and from those superior to him like Chiang, he created room for self development and did not stop there but went back to the place where he was rejected to further impact this knowledge and wisdom to other seagulls who want to learn to fly better. For example, I have come to realize that each time I discuss with my course mates about a particular topic we find challenging, it helps me learn better and I hardly forget it also helps my course mates in the same vein. Therefore, being teachable and willing to teach creates a sense of fulfillment in the teacher and also helps others to grow.
vii. Balance and Control
From the story of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, I learnt that to achieve greatness, one needs to also seek equilibrium. Knowing when to pause and just let the wind do the work for you and when to flip your wings accordingly are very vital skills in flying.
For example, As a student who strive for a holistic formation, I was involved extracurricular activities but I did not let the time of my study get affected by these activities and this greatly helped in my success story while in school.
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 found in the book as mentioned above can help in creating a better world in the following ways:
Self Discovery: Understating my strengths and weaknesses, will help me to strive for personal growth and development in areas that align with my strength and weakness. In a societal context, it will help me lift individuals who know their strength and weaknesses so that we could collectively contribute more effectively to our community.
Self Acceptance: In recognizing the value of being true to myself and not conforming to societal or peer pressures, I could develop a healthy self esteem which could lead to personal happiness. In a societal context, self-acceptance can lead to more diverse perspectives and ideas, which is crucial for innovation and problem-solving.
Collective Learning: Knowledge and experiences that is shared with others, would not only help me to deepen my own understanding, but it also eliminate social ignorance and leads to societal growth.
Pursuit of Excellence: The desire to be excellent I have come to understand through this book and personal knowledge, leads to an enhanced productivity and personal satisfaction. In a broader context, it can lead to greater inter-personal relationships and advancements in various fields, benefiting society as a whole.
Freedom and Limitless Potential: People most often get to reach their full potential when they realize they are not being held back by anyone or conditions, encouraging people to explore their full potential, encourages them to question limitations and explore new possibilities, potentially leading to groundbreaking achievements. On a personal level, it can lead to a sense of purpose.
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.
I found the following quotes important:
“You have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way.”
This quote serves as a powerful reminder to embrace my uniqueness and that the only obstacles to my greatness is actually me and no one else.
“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.”
This quote underscores that most individuals are satisfied with the barest minium. To them mediocrity is perfect, as long as they breath and exist. But there’s more to existence than survival. This quote therefore encourages people to explore limitless opportunities.
“To fly as fast as thought, to anywhere that is, you must begin by knowing that you have already arrived.”
This quote encourages self-belief and visualization. We are capable of any and everything if only we could just open our inner eyes and truly believe that what we see deep inside, we can achieve in the physical world.
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 found the book quite comprehensive. It’s brevity and simplicity makes it very easy to understand. No, I do not find any idea which I disagree with.
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 did not contain any exercise for the reader to complete. However, it very much encouraged me to carefully examine myself, look beyond societal norms and embrace my unique qualities and dreams. This helped me even more to know myself better.
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 believe the questions asked, have done justice to all that I have read from the book.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from one to ten. Ten is good and is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 9
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? 10