YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK


‘As A Man Thinketh’, by James Allen

The maxim, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he” embraces the whole of a man’s being, both his condition and circumstances in life.  A man is literally what he thinks, and his character is the sum total of all his thoughts.

Man is made or unmade by himself.  In the armory of thought, he either forges the weapons by which he destroys himself or fashions the tools with which he builds for himself heavenly mansions of joy, strength and peace.  Of all the beautiful truths pertaining to the soul which have been restored and brought to light in this age, none is more gladdening or fruitful of divine promise and confidence than this – that man is the master of thought, the molder of character, and the maker and shaper of condition, environment, and destiny.  Man is the maker of his character, the molder of his life, and the builder of his destiny; he may unerringly prove, if he will watch, control, and alter his thoughts, tracing their effects upon himself, upon others and upon his life and circumstances, linking cause and effect by patience, practice and investigation.

A man’s mind may be likened to a garden, and just as a gardener cultivates his plot, keeping it free from weeds and growing the flowers and fruits which he requires, so may a man tend the garden of his mind, weeding out all the wrong, useless and impure thoughts, and cultivating toward perfection, the flowers and fruits of right, useful and pure thoughts.

Thoughts and character are one, and as character can only manifest and discover itself through environment and circumstance, the outer conditions of a person’s life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state.

A man only begins to be a man when he ceases to whine and revile, and commences to search for the hidden justice which regulates his life.  As he adapts his mind to that regulating factor, he ceases to accuse others as the cause of his condition, and builds himself up in strong and noble thoughts, ceases to kick against circumstances, but begins to use them as aids to his more rapid progress, and as a means of discovering the hidden powers and possibilities within himself.

Let a man radically alter his thoughts, and he will be astonished at the rapid transformation it will effect in the material conditions of his life.  Men imagine that thoughts can be kept secret, but it cannot.  It rapidly crystallizes into habits and habits solidify into circumstances.

Thoughts of fear, doubts and indecision crystallize into weak, unmanly, and irresolute habits, which solidify into circumstances of failure, indigence, and slavish dependence.  Lazy thoughts crystallize into weak habits of uncleanliness and dishonesty, which solidify into circumstances of foulness and beggary. On the other hand, beautiful thoughts of all kinds crystallize into habits of grace and kindliness, which solidify into genial and sunny circumstances.  Thoughts of courage, self-reliance, and decision crystallize into manly habits, which solidify into circumstances of success, plenty, and freedom.  Let a man cease from his sinful thoughts, and all the world will soften towards him and be ready to help him. 

The body is the servant of the mind, so thought has effect on the body and health.  Disease and health, like circumstances, are rooted in thought.  Sickly thoughts will express themselves through a sickly body.  Thoughts of fear have been known to kill a man as speedily as a bullet.  The people who live in fear of disease are the people who get it.  Anxiety quickly demoralizes the whole body, and lays it open to the entrance of disease, while impure thoughts, even if not physically indulged, will sooner shatter the nervous system.

If you would perfect your body, guard your mind.  If you would renew your body, beautify your mind.  Thoughts of malice, envy, disappointment and despondency, rob the body of its health and grace.

There will also be no intelligent accomplishment if thought is not linked with purpose.  Aimlessness is a vice, and such drifting must not continue for him who would steer clear of catastrophe and destruction.  They who have no central purpose in their life fall an easy prey to petty worries, fears, troubles, and self-pitying, all of which are indications of weakness, which lead to failure, unhappiness, and loss.
 
Culled from:  ‘As A Man Thinketh’, by James Allen



 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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