“Self-control is Strength. Right action is Mastery. Calmness is Power. Say unto your heart: Peace, Be Still!”

James Allen was a pioneer of the self-help movement. He published this great philosophical book, As a Man Thinketh, in 1902.

1. Thought and Character

As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the sum of all his thoughts.

That humans are the masters of thought, the molders of character, and the makers of conditions, environments, and destiny.

As a being of power and intelligence, and the lord of their own thoughts, humans hold the key to every situation, and contain within themselves a transforming and regenerative agency by which they make themselves what they create by will.

Your thoughts shape your actions, by changing your thoughts, you change your actions and your character. When you take control of your mind, you take control of your life.

2. Effects of Thought on Circumstances

Thought 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.

The soul attracts that which is secretly harbors, that which it loves, and also that which it fears. It reaches the heights of its cherished aspirations; and it falls to the level of its lowest desires. It is circumstances that are the means by which the soul receives its own.

Our thoughts and desires direct our attention. And the direction of our attention shape the world we create around us.

It’s not that external forces don’t have influence, but that on balance we are each the master of our own destiny.

3. Effects of Thoughts on Body and Health

The body is the servant of the mind, our body obeys the operations of our mind, whether deliberately chosen or automatically expressed.

Strong, pure, and happy thoughts build up the body in vigor and grace.

The habit of thought will produce their own effect, good or bad. Out of a clean heart comes a clean life and a clean body; likewise, out of a defiled mind comes a defiled life and corrupt body.

There is no physician like cheerful thoughts for dissipating the ills of the body. There is no comforter to compare with goodwill for dispersing the shadows of grief and sorrow.

4. Thought and Purpose

Until thoughts are linked with purpose, there is no intelligent accomplishment. Every man should conceive of a legitimate purpose in their life and make it the central point of his thoughts.

Thoughts of doubt and fear never accomplish anything, and never can. They always lead to failure. Purpose, energy, power to do, and all strong thoughts cease when doubt and fear creep in.

When you conquer doubt and fear, you will have conquered failure. Difficulties will be bravely met and wisely overcome.

People without purpose are just drifting in the ocean of life. They fall victim to worries, fears, and troubles.

5. The Thought-factor in Achievement

Whether you think you can or you think you cant, you are right.

All that man achieves and all that man fails to achieve are the results of his own thoughts.

A man’s weakness and strength, purity, and impurity, are his own, and not another man’s; they are brought about by himself, and not by another; they can only be altered by himself, never by another.

Before a man can achieve anything, even in worldly things, he must lift his thoughts above slavish animal indulgence. He may not, in order to succeed, give up all animality, by any means; but a portion of it must, at least, be sacrificed.

6. Visions and Ideals

He who cherish a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart, will one day realize it.

Cherish your visions, cherish your ideals, cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts, for out of them will grow all delightful conditions, all, heavenly environment; all of these, if you remain true to them, your world will at last be build.

Gifts, powers, material, intellectual, and spiritual possessions are the fruits of inspired effort; they are the thoughts completed, objects accomplished, visions realized.

You will become as small as your controlling desire or as great as your dominant aspiration.

7. Serenity

The beautiful and most extraordinary poise of character is serenity, and serenity is the last lesson of culture.

Calmness of mind is a jewel of wisdom. It is the result of long and patient effort in self-control. Its presents is an indication of ripened experience, and of a more than ordinary knowledge of the laws, operations, and effects of thought.

The calm man, having learned how to govern himself, knows how to adapt himself to others; and they, in turn, reverence his spiritual strength, and feel that they can learn of him and rely on him.

“Self-control is strength. Right thought is mastery. Calmness is power. Say unto your heart: Peace, Be Still!”

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