A “Powerful” Chance Encounter with William George Jordan

The Power of Truth was written by William George Jordan and first published in 1902. My father encouraged me to read it for years and when I finally did I wondered why I had not read it earlier.  It affirms what most of us believe but don’t articulate. It offers insights into human nature that provides comfort and can inspire us to become the kind of people God would have us be. It is on my must read list.  This is one of the few books that you can turn to any page, put your finger anywhere on the page and find a quotable quote in the paragraph that your finger is on.

The Power of Truth was Jordan’s third book. The Kingship of Self-Control (1898) and The Majesty of Calmness(1900) preceded it.  In typical Jordan style the name of the book is also the title of the first chapter.

Are We Wired To Succeed in Isolation?

I recently finished a short book by Steven Smith & David Marcum entitled Catalyst (no longer available), which I highly recommend to everyone. In it, they reference a study done by New York University Professor Evan Polman and Kyle Emich of Cornell where the following question was posed to 137 undergraduates:

“A prisoner was attempting to escape from a tower. He found a rope in his cell that was half as long enough to permit him to reach the ground safely. He divided the rope in half, tied the two parts together, and escaped. How could he have done this?”

Half the students were asked to imagine themselves as the prisoner locked inside the tower (“prisoner group”). The other half were asked to imagine someone else trapped in the prison (“imaginary group”). Forty-eight percent of those who imagined themselves trapped in the tower escaped, while sixty-eight percent of those who imagined someone else solved the dilemma (the prisoner unwound the rope and tied the strands together). Three more related experiments in the same study found that participants were more creative or had better solutions when thinking of someone else. The only variable was the switch from me to we. [p. 40-41]

In the specific experiment, students who pictured someone else being in the tower were 42% more likely to solve the problem than those who imagined themselves in the tower.

Here’s another interesting reference from Catalyst [p.46] regarding me-centric v. we-centric behavior:

Tribal Leadership coauthor Dave Logan discovered that 76 percent of company cultures are me-centered. The more me-centered the culture, the worse the company’s financial performance.

I found it comforting to know that we are wired to be more successful in solving problems when we are serving others. Could it be that Christ’s commandment to love our neighbor and serve others comes with the hidden blessing of being more creative? It makes me wonder what other hidden blessings are waiting to be “proved” with respect to these or other commandments.

Links:

• Catalyst: How Confidence Reacts With Our Strengths To Shape What We Can Achieve And Who We Become (no longer available), Steven Smith & David Marcum, 2014
• Decisions for Others Are More Creative Than Decisions for the Self, Evan Polman & Kyle Emich, 2011
• How thinking for others can boost your creativity, Christian Jarrett, Research Digest, March 2011
• Tribal Leadership: Leveraging Natural Groups to Build a Thriving Organization, Dave Logan, John King, and Halee Fischer-Wright,
• Mark 12-30-31
• Matthew 25:44-45

Bright Spots

In Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard, authors Chip and Dan Heath share the story of Jerry Sternin (1938-2008) who in 1990, while working for Save the Children, was asked to open an office in Vietnam and fight malnutrition. He was told by the Vietnamese government that he had six months to make a difference. Note, in 1990 about 65 percent of all Vietnamese children under the age of five suffered from malnutrition.

Jerry had researched malnutrition in Vietnam. The conventional wisdom was that the causes were poor sanitation, lack of access to clean water, and ignorance of the rural villagers. From Jerry's point of view this information was “True But Useless”, as there was little he could do in six months to remedy those issues, especially with almost no budget.

A “Positive” Observation about Christ by Norman Vincent Peale

I recently started re-reading The Power of Positive Thinking (Audio – YouTube) which should be on everyone’s must read. In the foreword of the 2008 edition Pastor Robert Schuller shares a story from 1957 when he introduced its author, Norman Vincent Peale, a guest speaker to his congregation.

Dr. Schuller relates the following story:

James Allen – Inspired Author, Gentle Soul

James Allen (1864-1912) was a gifted writer and philosopher who lived the type of life he wrote about (a complete list of his works and links to them are listed at the end of this post). His wife said he was “a good man who lived every word he wrote” (preface to Book of Meditations) and that “he never wrote theories, or for the sake of writing, or to add another to his many books; but he wrote when he had a message, and it became a message only when he had lived it out in his own life, and knew that it was good. Thus he wrote facts, which he had proven by practice.”—preface to Foundation Stones to Happiness and Success.

James was born in Leicester, England on November 28, 1864. His father went to America in 1879 to improve the family’s financial circumstances. Shortly after his arrival in New York and before he could send for his family he was robbed and murdered. Thus at the age of 15 James had to leave school to work and help support the family.

He married Lily Louisa Oram in 1895 at the age of 29 and they had their only child Nohra in 1896. There are various descriptions regarding what inspired him to write but all agree that he “retired” from regular work to devote his time to writing in 1902. He published his own magazine The Light of Reason which was later renamed The Epoch.

Like my other favorite author, William George Jordan (who was born the same year as James), James Allen’s works are replete with profound thoughts such as, “Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound.” He often used analogies from gardening, a favorite pastime.

He died January 24th, 1912  at the relative young age of 47 having written material that would be published in 20 books. Today, nearly 100 years following his death, his words are still cherished by many and have a positive impact on mankind. I believe he is still accomplishing the mission he set for himself as described in the foreword of his first book From Poverty to Power; or, the Realization of Prosperity and Peace.

I looked around upon the world, and saw that it was shadowed by sorrow and scorched by the fierce fires of suffering. And I looked for the cause. I looked around, but could not find it; I looked in books, but could not find it; I looked within, and found there both the cause and the self-made nature of that cause. I looked again, and deeper, and found the remedy.

I found one Law, the Law of Love; one Life, the Life of adjustment to that Law; one Truth, the truth of a conquered mind and a quiet and obedient heart. And I dreamed of writing a book which should help men and women, whether rich or poor, learned or unlearned, worldly or unworldly, to find within themselves the source of all success, all happiness, all accomplishment, all truth. And the dream remained with me, and at last became substantial; and now I send it forth into the world on its mission of healing and blessedness, knowing that it cannot fail to reach the homes and hearts of those who are waiting and ready to receive it.

His books are both inspiring and challenging to read. You’ll more than likely find that reading Allen causes some personal discomfort as you identify areas in your life that can be improved and begin to realize that only you stand in the way of a positive change. However, when you take that first step you’ll find a loving God who will support you on your journey.

The following are some of my favorite quotes from As a Man Thinketh (HTML, PDF), his most well known book.

A noble and Godlike character is not a thing of favor or chance, but is the natural result of continued effort in right thinking, the effect of long-cherished association with Godlike thoughts.

Man is made or unmade by himself; in the armory of thought he forges the weapons by which he destroys himself; he also fashions the tools with which he builds for himself heavenly mansions of joy and strength and peace.

Every thought-seed sown or allowed to fall into the mind, and to take root there, produces its own, blossoming sooner or later into act, and bearing its own fruitage or opportunity and circumstance.

Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself.

Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are.

Not what he wishes and prays for does a man get, but what he justly earns. His wishes and prayers are only gratified and answered when they harmonize with his thoughts and actions.

… what, then, is the meaning of “fighting against circumstances?” It means that a man is continually revolting against an effect without, while all the time he is nourishing and preserving its cause in his heart.

Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound.

… man has but to right himself to find that the universe is right; and during the process of putting himself right he will find that as he alters his thoughts towards things and other people, things and other people will alter towards him.

… there is no comforter to compare with goodwill for dispersing the shadows of grief and sorrow.

Thoughts of doubt doubt and fear never accomplished anything, and never can. Purpose, energy, power to do, and all strong thoughts cease when doubt and fear creep in.

A strong man cannot help a weaker unless that weaker is willing to be helped, and even then the weak man must become strong of himself; he must, by his own efforts, develop the strength which he admires in another.

Dreams are the seedlings of realities.

… you … will realize the Vision (not the idle wish) of your heart, be it base or beautiful, or a mixture of both, for you will always gravitate toward that which you secretly, most love.

Below are are list of his works with links to online versions, some of which were published after his death by his wife. Note, with the exception of As a Man Thinketh, for which I’ve created PDF and HTML versions, all HTML links are from The James Allen Free Library.

Books

• From Poverty to Power; or, the Realization of Prosperity and Peace, 1901 (Google, HTML)
  Contemporary reviews: Harmony, Municipal Journal and Engineer, Practical Ideals. Note, this was published later as two separate books The Path to Prosperity and The Way of Peace.
• As a Man Thinketh,1902 (HTML, PDF)
  Contemporary reviews: The Advance, Buddhism: An Illustrated Review, Camera Craft, Electric Traction Weekly, The Four-Track News, Unity.
• All These Things Added, 1903 (HTML)
  Contemporary reviews: Association Men, The Metaphysical Magazine, Now, The Phrenological Journal and Science of Health, The Theosophical Review. Note, this was later published as two separate books, Entering the Kingdom and The Heavenly Life.
• Through the Gates of Good; or, Christ and Conduct, 1903 (HTML)
  Contemporary reviews: Camera Craft
• Byways of Blessedness, 1904 (HTML)
  Contemporary reviews: Buddhism: An Illustrated Review
• Out from the Heart, 1904 (Google, HTML)
  Contemporary reviews: Common Sense, Tomorrow Magazine, Unity. 
• Poems of Peace, including the Lyrical-dramatic Poem Eolaus, 1907 (Google, HTML)
• The Life Triumphant: Mastering the Heart and Mind, 1908 (HTML)
  Contemporary reviews: Association Men, Unity
• Morning and Evening Thoughts, 1909 (Google, HTML)
• The Mastery of Destiny, 1909 (Google, HTML)
  Contemporary reviews: Book Review Digest
• Above Life’s Turmoil, 1910 (HTML)
  Contemporary reviews: Book Review Digest, New-York Observer
• From Passion to Peace or The Pathway of the Pure, 1910 (Google, HTML)
  Contemporary reviews: The Humanitarian Review, New-York Observer, St. Andrew’s Cross, Unity, The Word.
• Eight Pillars of Prosperity, 1911 (HTML)
  Contemporary reviews: The Bookseller, The Humanitarian Review, The Independent, The Living Age, Unity
• Man: King of Mind, Body and Circumstance, 1911 (HTML)
  Contemporary reviews: The Advance, The Humanitarian Review, The New York Observer, Unity.
• Light on Life’s Difficulties, 1912 (HTML)
  Contemporary reviews: The American Review of Reviews, Journal of Genetic Psychology, The Living Age, Unity
• James Allen’s Book of Meditations for Every Day in the Year or Meditations, A Year Book, a compilation of earlier text, compiled by his wife, Lilly L. Allen, after his death, 1913 (HTML)
  Contemporary reviews: The Bookseller, The Business Philosopher, The Christian Register, The Living Age
• Foundation Stones to Happiness and Success, 1913 (Google, HTML)
  Contemporary reviews: The Book News Monthly, The Bookseller, The Business Philosopher, The Christian Register
• Men and Systems, 1914 (HTML)
• The Shining Gateway, 1915 (HTML)
• The Divine Companion, 1919 (HTML)

Biographical Highlights

• 1864: Born in Leicester, England on November 24th.
• 1879: his father died in America.
• 1895: Married Lily Louisa Oram.
• 1896: Birth of his daughter Nohra.
• 1902: “Retired” to Ilfracombe,England (southwest coast) to be a full-time writer.
• 1902: Founded and edited “Light of Reason” which was later renamed “The Epoch”.
• 1912: Died on January 24th.

Other Resources:

• A Tribute to James Allen, Ancient Wisdom Publications
• Google Books
• James Allen – Unrewarded Genius
• Project Gutenberg
• Sunbooks
• The James Allen Free Library (my favorite )
• The James Allen Library 
• Who was James Allen?
• Wikipedia

Ron Mann's "Freedom" Reading List

Below are a list of great books, recommended by my father (Ron Mann), and me that will help you discover your American heritage and how to protect it. They are organized by category.

Some of these books can be downloaded or viewed online. I've added links to connect you to the appropriate sites. For most books I've linked the title to its entry in books.google.com which has links to where the book can be purchased and often has a description and reviews.  While working for President Reagan Ron helped formulate the legislation to create a The Commission on the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution and was later named Deputy Director of the Commission. In his Challenge to the readers of The 5,000 Year Leap he says:

Books by William George Jordan

The following is a list of the books and pamphlets (some were also published as articles or series of articles in magazines) authored by William George Jordan. It is complete as far as I can determine. If an online version is available I’ve linked the title to it. For ones that I’ve created shareable versions I’ve put links to them after the title indicating the format of the content (e.g. PDF).

William George Jordan is one of my favorite authors and one that I’ve done considerable research on. All of his books are on my must read list (I think everyone should read at least one). You can read about him in my post entitled William George Jordan – Author Extraordinaire as well as by looking at my other posts on the author and his books:

Books by Thornton W. Burgess

The following is a partial list of books written by Thornton W. Burgess (He wrote a total of 172), one of my favorite children’s book authors. Please refer to my other posts under the label/category Thornton W Burgess for information about the author and his stories.

 

Note, I’ve included links to where these books can be found online. In cases where I’ve created booklet versions I’ve put a link to the Word files as well. The booklet versions are designed to be printed on both sides of 8 1/2 x 11 paper then folded in half and stapled in the middle  or cut in half and spiral bound as shown in the adjacent picture.

 

 

 

Bedtime Story-Books

A Timely Lesson from Mr. Squirrel

The downturn in the economy, government debt, conflicts abroad and natural disasters are forcing many Americans relearn many of the lessons taught to their grandparents and great-grandparents during the great depression and subsequent war.

Perhaps it is not too late to learn from Old Mr. Squirrel’s experience “when the world was young” as told by my favorite author of children’s books. The parallels to today are surprising in the following  tale from Thornton W. Burgess’s book, Mother West Wind “How” Stories.

William George Jordan – Author Extraordinaire

William George Jordan (1864-1928) grew up in New York City the son of Irish immigrants. I’m frequently asked what religion was William George Jordan. What I can say is that according to extended family members he and his family were Episcopalian. Another indicator is that he was married in the Grace Episcopal Church of New York City in 1922. His parents also referred to their heritage as Scotch-Irish. Indicating that they were not Catholic.

His father was a printer and perhaps that contributed to his vocation as a publisher and writer. He graduated from City College of New York in 1884 and immediately joined Book Chat, a monthly magazine which published reviews of current books and news in the publishing world. In 1888 he was hired as the managing editor of Current Literature, a magazine “devoted exclusively to the literature and topics of the day.”

On July 26th of 1891 The Inter-Ocean paper of Chicago published an interview with WGJ where he discussed his thoughts about education and “Mental Training”. After the article was published he received so many requests for information that he scheduled a trip back in October to lecture on the subject. The Inter-Ocean in a September 24th article reported that:

“Hurry is the Counterfeit of Haste”

I spent much of the break between Christmas and New Year’s Day reading and researching one of my favorite authors, William George Jordan (1864-1928). He wrote several of motivational / self-improvement books (or rather booklets) in the early 1900s. One of his books, The Majesty of Calmness, has a chapter entitled, Hurry, the Scourge of America. He makes this interesting statement which I think is certainly applicable in our day-to-day activities, such as setting New Years goals.

Hurry is a counterfeit of haste. Haste has an ideal, a distinct aim to be realized by the quickest, direct methods. Haste has a single compass upon which it relies for direction and in harmony with which its course is determined. Hurry says: “I must move faster. I will get three compasses; I will have them different; I will be guided by all of them. One of them will probably be right.” Hurry never realizes that slow careful foundational work is the quickest in the end.

Striped Chipmunk Provides a Great Family Lesson

Thornton W. Burgess’s books have delighted children for over one hundred years. His stories bring nature to life and help readers discover the value of adhering to the timeless principles of honesty, hard-work, and kindness and the cost of laziness, lying and stealing.

In this tale of Striped Chipmunk’s great, great, ever so great grandfather, the Merry Little Breezes learn how old Mr. Chipmunk earned his striped coat by his selfless act of courage.

Peter Rabbit, Johnny Chuck, Grandfather Frog and other Animals Teach Important Values

Thornton W. Burgess’s books (see Books by Thornton W. Burgess), whose cast of characters are the forest and meadow creatures, delighted children in the early to mid nineteen hundreds. The author paints wonderful word pictures that both entertain and educate. His first book Old Mother West Wind begins as follows: