As A Man Thinketh

by James Allen, 1902

This book was written by James Allen in 1902. He is one of the pioneers who started the self-help movement of books. Man’s mind is like a garden which can be cultivated or allowed to run wild; regardless which one happens, it must, and will, bring forth fruit. Just as a gardener cultivates and weeds his garden, the flowers and fruits which he requires, so may a man tend the garden of his mind, weeding out the bad things, useless, and impure thoughts, and cultivates toward perfection the flowers and fruits with useful and pure thoughts. By pursing this process, a man will reveal within himself the laws of thought, and understands, how the thought-forces and mind elements operate in the shaping of his character, circumstances, and destiny. Circumstances does not make the man; it reveals him to himself. Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves. Thus, the man who does not shrink from self-crucifixion can never fail to accomplish the object upon which his heart is set. This is as true of earthly as of heavenly things. 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. What kind of thoughts do you have? Are they earthly thoughts you are having keeping you from living a life for God? We must think more heavenly to make our circumstances improve during our earthly journey. I thank God for making all things new in my life and resetting my thought pattern.