The Jewel of Serenity: A Legacy of Wisdom

In 1903, James Allen published As a Man Thinketh, a short book on Thought and its effect on life that has transformed millions of lives for over a century.

I used to listen to the last chapter, Serenity, recited by my mentor Bob Proctor, every single day.

Then, on a call with Bob, he challenged me to write down Serenity for 90 days in a row.

At first, I was perplexed. Why spend all that time (it takes around 20 minutes) writing it when I could listen to it in 3 minutes? It's only 7 paragraphs long.

Bob's answer was profound:

"Because writing activates all parts of you - your body, thoughts, emotions and spirit."

That truth struck me, and I said, "Yes, I will do it."

He asked me to let him know how it changed my life after I completed the task.

By day 45, I had the passage memorized as I wrote it. From then on, every morning I recited it aloud as I wrote it. I then asked my executive team to do the same. We had lots of internal issues. Some grasped it. Others did not. My older brother said he could not possibly memorize it in a million years. I then asked him to recite it 100 times a day. First, I told him to just recite the first sentence 100 times, record it, and send it to me daily until he had memorized the first sentence. 

"Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom." Imagine him reciting that 100 times a day. Then moving on to the second sentence, "It is the result of long and patient effort in self-control," and doing this until he completed the chapter--even if it were to take him a million years. The recording was eventually so large he couldn't text it to me. He knew Serenity very well by the end of this exercise. I had another person on our team who also said the same, saying he had dyslexia. I gave him the same task. He was also able to memorize it.

On that call with Bob, he had actually quoted the second sentence of Serenity but I didn't recognize it. I realized then that memorizing or listening was not akin to understanding and seeing and so I tried to connect every sentence and word in Serenity to my life and the world.

My other great mentor Mr. Yoo said it's not that we can't memorize, it's the belief that we can't and the lack of attempting to do so. He said if someone swore at you, you would not forget. Leave the same impression on the things you wish to memorize.

At strategy meetings, I'd ask a random person to recite the first sentence, and then we recite it as we go around the room. This became our creed, especially when the storms of business hit, and instead of panic, we met them with calmness.

Treasures from Serenity

“The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good.”

“Keep your hand firmly upon the helm of thought. In the bark of your soul reclines the commanding master; He does but sleep. Wake him.”

“Self-control is strength. Right thought is mastery. Calmness is power.”

As A Man Thinketh in His Heart So He Is

The Serenity chapter is the crown jewel of the book, but the whole book As a Man Thinketh is a gem. James Allen took a proverb from the wisest king in history, King Solomon, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is" (Proverbs 23:7) and wrote an entire book based on this proverb.

I urge you to read, reread and perhaps even memorize and live it. It will be life-changing. I guarantee you, just as Bob knew it for me. Here are a few key lessons and big points from each chapter, along with an unforgettable quote you can memorize.

1. Thought and Character

• You are what you think — character is Thought made visible.

• Noble thoughts build strength; base thoughts weaken.

• Thoughts cannot be hidden; they shape destiny.

"A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts."

2. Effect of Thought on Circumstances

• Circumstances don't create the person; they reveal him.

• The outer world mirrors the inner world.

• Change your thoughts, and you change your life.

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

3. Effect of Thought on Health and the Body

• The body obeys the mind.

• Disease and health both have roots in Thought.

• Cheerful, pure thinking preserves vitality.

"The body is the servant of the mind. It obeys the operations of the mind, whether they be deliberately chosen or automatically expressed."

4. Thought and Purpose

• Thought without purpose leads nowhere.

• Purpose provides direction, focus, and discipline.

• To succeed, you must sacrifice drifting.

"Until thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment."

5. The Thought-Factor in Achievement

• Achievement is born in Thought.

• Victories are mental before they are visible.

• Dreamers are the builders of progress.

"Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become."

6. Visions and Ideals

• Cherished ideals shape destiny.

• Vision lifts or drags us depending on its height.

• Ideals fuel progress and reform.

"The dreamers are the saviors of the world."

7. Serenity

• Calmness is the crown of self-mastery.

• Serenity earns trust and respect.

• The serene person steadies others in life's storms.

"Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom."

Epilogue

Earl Nightingale — often called the father of personal growth — always listed As a Man Thinketh among the top three books he recommended. 

In 1956, he recorded The Strangest Secret, which went on to sell over a million copies and became the first spoken-word recording to earn a Gold Record. It ignited the modern personal development movement.

Earl mentored Bob Proctor.

And Bob mentored me.

On February 1, I completed my 90th day of writing Serenity. I thought about calling Bob, or sending him a note of thanks. Instead, I told myself: why not go for 100 days?

But on February 3, 2022, I received the news: Bob Proctor had passed away in his late 80s.

I was crushed. I never got to thank him.

So I'll say it here:

Thank you, Bob. And thank you, Earl. May you both rest in heaven.

Reflection

The true legacy of wisdom isn't just in the words written on a page — it's in the lives they transform. What began with James Allen's pen in 1903 was carried by Earl Nightingale's voice in 1956, passed through Bob Proctor's mentorship until 2022, and now lives on in the practices we choose each day.

Wisdom multiplies when we don't just consume it — but embody it.

If self-control, anger, and emotional volatility reside in you, will you write out Serenity every day for 90 days in a row? Will you commit it to memory and practice it as you live in this turbulent, tempest-tossed world?

Read on for two life-changing questions (only one-minute more). They helped me in my life and I hope they help you in yours.