I recently downloaded a free eBook that made a difference in my life. The title is:

AS A MAN THINKETH, by James Allen, published in 1902

I was browsing the net and ended up at the site: www.asamanthinketh.net. They give away a couple of FREE things to get you to browse their site and maybe come back often. The main focus of their products is ‘self-help’ for leaders, business people, etc.

James Allen was a Christian who felt compelled to help people live a better life by putting life and its challenges in their proper perspective. His book title, no doubt, came from his knowledge of Scripture: Proverbs 23:7 says, “…for as he thinketh in his heart, so is he….”  

The famous business speaker, Earl Nightingale said that the World’s Greatest Secret is…”You will become what you think about.” He produced an entire speaking series based on that one subject. In it he said that your thinking will determine and develop your character.  

Albert Einstein is credited with saying, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”

The business Leadership Coach, John Maxwell has written many books on excellence, encouragement and all aspects of leadership. In his book, “THINKING FOR A CHANGE,” he talks about how difficult quality thinking is. It is no secret that we humans use only a fraction of the brain power that God gave us. Another detriment to thinking is the NOISY world in which we live, full of distractions that invade our thoughts. It seems we have become accustomed to our busy world that we feel uncomfortable with…silence. Maybe that’s why we do so little thinking…..significant thinking, anyway. (I just had to turn off the TV in my office…it was distracting me from this writing!)

So, when was the last time you got away from it all and had a good thinking session? If all of us who are “on the back nine of life” are going to leave a legacy of excellence (the kind we learned in OCS) for our families we had better get about the business of focusing and thinking of how best to do that. Rumor has it that there isn’t a lot of thinking going on in the cemetery!

I pray you will experience blessings on your ‘Back Nine!’

Max Holt, Class 02-67
Association Chaplain