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Some books manage to pass the test of time and then some; “As a Man Thinketh” is certainly one of them. Originally published in 1903, the book delves into the reasons why your thoughts might actually have more control over your destiny than you think. So, by changing your thoughts, can you change your destiny? James Allen certainly thinks so!
Author of “From Passion to Peace”, Allen has helped millions of people around the world to achieve their greatest desires, all by changing the way they think and focusing on positivity and purity. Based on “as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he” from the Bible, Proverbs, Chapter 23, Verse 7, this is a book which shows you that you really can build your own destiny and the building blocks are in your mind.
Key points
1
Your future is in your hands
You might think that outside influences shape your destiny, or that everything is almost pre-designed, but if you think that way you’re missing out on something pretty huge. “As a Man Thinketh” teaches us that your destiny isn’t written in the stars, as romantic as it sounds, but instead it is in your own hands. You get to shape it, you get to write it, you get to create it.
They themselves are makers of themselves. ~ James Allen
Everything that you are, everything you hold dear to you, comes from what you think. This includes the things which are planned and the things which happen spontaneously. Allen tells us that if you make the right choices in life and you put forth the effort, you will go to heaven. If you don’t, and if you abuse life and place effort in the wrong places, you will go to hell.
You are in control of your own destiny with your thoughts and actions. Wake up and realize it before it’s too late!
That basically means that the keys to your destiny, both in life and beyond it, are in your hands and you get to decide what you’re going to do with them. Even when things aren’t going so well, your attitude and decisions shape your future.
Did you know? The true meaning of the Bible passage “as a man thinketh, so is he” relates to a person’s true nature and that what you see isn’t always what you get. It’s about what they are on the inside.
Did you know? The true meaning of the Bible passage “as a man thinketh, so is he” relates to a person’s true nature and that what you see isn’t always what you get. It’s about what they are on the inside.
2
Negative thoughts will poison your mind
Your circumstances certainly affect your mind, but you can choose your actions. Allen compares this situation to a garden. You can either choose to look after the garden, tend to it, weed it, water it regularly, or you can leave it to grow into a state of disarray. If you choose the former, the garden will bloom with flowers and look fantastic. However, if you leave it to fall into ruin, the garden will become overrun with weeds and become unruly. Your mind is the same.
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3
Bad health = bad thoughts, good health = good thoughts
4
Everyone needs a purpose in life, what is yours?
5
If at first, you don’t succeed, it’s your own fault!
6
If you achieve serenity, you know you’ve made it
7
