Sherman Edward Lester Jr-As A Man Thinketh

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Book Report

Author of Book:

James Allen

Date Read:

I am not sure exactly why I picked up As A man Thinketh. I know I had heard many people speak of it over the years. I am fairly certain it is a book I read previous to this incarceration’s, although I can’t be positive. But without any doubt it has been a pivotal asset to my rebirth and recovery towards freedom and a new love of humanity.

This, very short work by James Allen was written in 1902 but has stood the test of time and packs a powerful punch. It focuses on the power of thought. “A man,” writes James, “is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.” Throughout this book I am challenged to look around me, at my circumstances. The concrete walls, the razor wire, the staff employed 24 hours a day to ensure I remain. I am challenged to observe all these things and conclude that my thinking, and my thinking ALONE are what put me here. Or as Mr. Allen so poetically pens it…”Act is the blossom of thought and joy and suffering are its fruits; thus does a man garner in the sweet and bitter fruitage of his own husbandry.” I sewed fearful, distrustful criminal thinking, I now reap the same.

But this work admonishes one to examine life in the rearview only briefly. More importantly it affords us to look forward. To build a new reality going forward based on consistent positive thinking, followed by right action. “A particular train of thought persisted in, be it good or bad, cannot fail to produce its results on the character and circumstances. A man can not directly choose his circumstances, but he can choose his thoughts, and so indirectly, yet surely, shape his circumstances.”
My key take away (although I re-read the book on a weekly basis) can be found in the chapter Visions and Ideals. “Your circumstances may be uncongenial, but they shall not long remain so if you but perceive an ideal and strive to reach it. You cannot travel within and stand still without.”

What that means to me is that if I do the “inner” work of clearly establishing my purpose here on earth, write the vision down and move with consistent, persistent, unwavering faith towards it, I will achieve it. For me this means obtaining a Ph.D.. in Criminal Justice/Criminal Psychology, building Fit 4 Freedom and gaining the highest level of liberty at the soonest possible time. I highly recommend As A Man Thinketh, its an easy read full of poetic brilliance and universal truth.