You will be what you will to be;
Let failure find its false content
In that poor world, “Environment,”
But spirit scorns it and is free
It masters time, it conquers space;
It cows that boastful trickster, chance,
And bids the tyrant circumstance
Uncrown, and fill a servants place
The human will, that force unseen
The offspring of a deathless soul
Can hew a way to any goal
Though walls of granite intervene
Be not patient in delay
But wait as one who understands;
When spirit rises and commands,
The gods are ready to obey
~ James Allen, (taken from his book ‘As a Man Thinketh.’)
The main concept of this poem and his book is that it is ultimately our thoughts and our will that determine our future. It is never the environment, although it may be a difficult concept to take on at first, It is a far more empowering belief to have than to believe we are subject to the environment.
By filling our minds with positivity and determination to succeed, that is then what we create and experience more of in our world. James Allen saw this over 100 years ago and left us an inspirational legacy in teaching through his writing and poetry. Thank you James Allen.
Journeys in Writing 