July 16th - 17th Daily Reading - Allen James' Daily Guide to Success series

Calendar Books by Allen James' reading for July 17th..."Applaud others when they deserve it".

Just as we ourselves enjoy getting applauded for the good things we do, it only stands to reason others do as well. Personal success is attained through our diligent work and appropriate actions; applauding others when they deserve it is a very appropriate action.

When we applaud others we are not only giving the individual whom we are applauding reason to choose to feel good about themselves, we are as well filling our glass with optimistic energy.
How you may ask?

Applauding others shows much about us. It shows:

We are happy to share our opinions, therefore also giving others an opportunity to share their opinions with us
We’re a good communicator
We are positive – and who doesn’t want positive energy around?
We’re a good employee who wants what’s best for the organization, even if it means shining a positive light on someone else rather than ourself
We have a certain amount of trust in the person we're sharing this information with, and we care about them enough to share useful information

And, we’re networking as well. If we applaud others in the appropriate place at the appropriate time, we could be doing some pretty big favors; which is what networking is all about, connecting people who need each other.

Applauding others from time to time displays our positivity. We may be less likely to complain about others and prefer to see the good before seeing the bad; which means when we do see something bad, we’ve already given opportunities for improvement, and we may even offer a more balanced and objective view.

In applauding others when they deserve it, they in turn will be more likely to praise you. But be cautious. When applauding others make sure you mean it. Be real! If you just go around saying nice things about everybody all the time, it’s probably not genuine, and you will soon be ignored. The individual you’re applauding has to deserve the praise for this to work in your favor.

If you are genuinely someone who looks for the good in others and offers praise where praise is due, people will want to be around you. They’ll want to benefit from your optimism.

Applaud others when they deserve it. Add to not only their life, but yours as well.

Keep looking up. AJ

(Chatfield, 2012)






Our reading for July 16th co-insides with July 11ths, "Be computer literate"; today's reading is, "Learn how to type".

These days, it has turned a necessity for us people to spend a lot of time in front of the computer. With this, typing has become less of an uncommon hobby, and more of a necessary skill. Although very few people utilize the old fashioned typewriter, the skills acquired "back in the day" in learning to type on one are the same for the keyboards of today. It's never too early nor too late to learn how to type. And this is because typing has turned into much less of a repetitive routine. Typing games have been created to develop your speed in writing. But learning to type can somehow be difficult.

If children tend to fumble with their ABCs, so can adults fumble with their keyboards, thus making typing software indispensable.

In choosing the typing software to purchase, you should consider the student's age and orientation. There are several typing games as there keys on the QWERTY keyboard. For young children, there are games that feature cartoon characters and superheroes. For older teens, there are more advanced games.

When your kids are using one of these typing games, guide them correctly - simply pounding on the keyboard is not the way to develop your typing skills. (When your kids get used to this type of typing, then you'd be wasting your money for the long term.) You will want your kids to learn the correct way of typing, which he or she can learn through a typing game.

Adults with zero typing skills can jump-start their interest in typing with typing games - these are specifically designed to entertain and to educate at the same time. There are programs that integrate games and drills. There is no denying that typing is basically a rote skill. The only way to enhance one's skills in typing and master it is through constant repetition. Gratefully, the typing programs available can be suited to your skill level. It is easy to master your current level and move on to the next level when you're already comfortable.


In this day and age when the fingers are the ones doing the talking, it's become imperative for anyone to have some amount of typing skills. Whatever profession you want to pursue, typing skills are necessary. With current crop of typing software available, everyone (from grandson to grandpa) will want to learn typing. They will forget that actually they are trying to acquire, otherwise, this is rote and boring skill.

There are different typing skills levels - there are the beginners and there are the speed typists. It doesn't matter what typing level you are in, typing software programs can really help you.

Are these typing softwares unfavorable when used at home or in the classroom? Answer: it's not what you've got, but how you use it. Don't pound the keys or just simply strike them. It's simple to study typing if you practice the software properly.

In today's world, there is much advantage for knowing how to type. Whatever career path you choose, knowing how to type is considered an asset (White, 2008).

Learn how to type....the hunt-and-peck method won't get you far.

Keep looking up. : ) AJ

July 9th - 15th Daily Readings - Allen James' Daily Guide to Success series - "The Journey: A Calendar Book"

The Journey: A Calendar Book by Allen James....book trailer via YouTube

July 15th

Calendar Books by Allen James' reading for July 15th is taken from "The Journey: A Calendar Book"..."Be accepting".

There are some things in this world for which we can express "tolerance", but there are far more of which we should be "accepting".

One of the college courses I teach is "Ethnicity and Cultural Diversity in America". There isn't one of the 16 weeks the course runs I don't mention the importance of our being accepting in lieu of tolerant.

Tolerance lends itself to sounding as if, although we give the appearance of being accepting, we do so with our guard up. We will tolerate an action or individual, but we do not embrace the action or individual.

There’s something about the word, tolerance, which makes me think “putting up with” or “dealing with.” Saying, “I’m tolerant of ....,” is like saying, “I put up with .....” I know this is probably not what most people mean when they say they’re tolerant of certain things/people, but this is what it sounds like to me. We tolerate the heat here in Missouri. We tolerate our neighbors who like to fight in the street every weekend. We tolerate things which are irksome, but we must suffer through each because we live on this planet.

Acceptance, while a bit more favorable, is still a fine line. I don’t agree with so and so, but I accept them as human beings and I realize they have a valid opinion. I don’t accept when certain people try to force their beliefs on me or force their arcane laws into government, but I understand why they want to live their own lives the way they do. I do accept them as people, and there are many whom I love. We may teach our children certain individuals have a set of beliefs by which they live their lives, and ours are different, but we make sure my kids know loving people is the most important thing they can do in this world to show acceptance.

Webster’s online also defines acceptance as: “to regard as proper, normal, or inevitable [...]” This is the definition I like.

There are things in this world which are inevitable. Not everyone believes as you do, and thinking everyone eventually will is silly.

What are your thoughts on tolerance vs. acceptance? Are they different? Be accepting, in doing so you are showing compassion.

Keep looking up. AJ


July 12th


Allen James' posting for July 12th ... "Give thanks"

Although today's post isn't taken from one of my Daily Guides to Success.... I felt it was appropriate for my last few day's experience.

Acknowledgment of blessings in our lives creates positive energy within. Even when things don't work out perfect, we need to learn to appreciate what went well.

As I write this I'm sitting in my brother's hospital room waiting for him to be discharged. He's been in the hospital for a week after having found out he has a bacterial infection on his spinal cord. Thankfully he is much better and is being treated with antibiotics and will be for the next 6 weeks....
Prepared to head home, they were just told their insurance won't pay for the medication at home for home treatment; they'd rather pay for him to stay in the hospital or skilled nursing home for the 6 week duration. Needless to say there is much frustration on my sister-in-law.

The doctor says it will be worked out....it just takes time to convince the insurance company of the medical necessity of the medication.

How quick we are ti ignore the reality my brother is alive. How quick we are to forget the positive. Is it only human? I think not. It is a societal evolution.

Embrace the good which comes our way. Minimize the negative. Good ALWAYS trumps bad.

Keep looking up. AJ



July 10th

Our Calendar Books by Allen James' posting for July 10th is a quote from Winston Churchill, prime minister of the United Kingdom from 1940-1945 and again from 1951-1955 and whose personal successes included aiding in the defeat of the Nazi's to end World War II.

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."

How interesting many of our "greats" made statements which upon first glace appear "oxymoronish"...."success" and "failure" certainly are polars...yet Churchill's statement, when looked at in context, makes complete sense.

Winston Churchill can say this with some authority. After all he was a washed up ex-British Prime Minister after the Second World War.
Although he led Britain, and in some ways the world, through an extremely turbulent time, he eventually lost his position as Prime Minister. But did he fade away? No. Despite the fact that he failed to retain his position, and everyone thought his career was clearly in it’s dying days, he managed to make a comeback and regain his position. He must have found it difficult. He must have felt humiliated after his defeat. Part of him must have wanted to just give up and move on. But another part of him wanted to have another shot at it. And that was the part that he listened to.

When you face a challenge, which voice do you listen to, the one telling you to give up because it’s too difficult and you’ll never make it, or the one telling you to carry on because you just might succeed?

Churchill failed, and yet he came back. He didn’t fade away. He didn’t give up.

"...let us run with determination the race that lies before us" (Hebrews 12: 1-2, KJV).

Keep looking up. AJ



July 9th

Calendar Books by Allen James' reading for July 9th from our featured calendar book for 2013, "The Journey: A Calendar Book",

"Keep a journey for a year at least once in your life, then reread it every now and then".

“The more light you allow within you, the brighter the world you live in will be.” ~Shakti Gawain

I found rather late in my life how the process of journaling can add many positive benefits to our lives; it assists greatly with our personal growth and development. In the consistent writing down of our thoughts we gain insight into our actions and emotions.

In addition, writing in a journal is an effective tool for use in the healing process. This was when I realized its benefits.

My journaling began following a fatal car accident in 2002. As a psychotherapist I had encouraged patients to maintain a journal following traumatic events in their lives, but I had never kept one myself. I decided it was time to "practice what I preached".

As I was driving home during rush hour traffic one evening another car took the turn into traffic in front of me (traffic was steadily rushing along at 60 miles an hour). For a split second the other driver and I made eye contact. There was no stopping my vehicle. I slammed on the brakes but this would not matter. My SUV flipped three times and landed upside down headed the opposite direction of traffic in the middle of the highway. The other vehicle rested some 50 feet away, its driver flung over the front seat.

The "slow motion phenomenon" had kicked it 100%, and as I hung there in my safety belt I realized "smoke" was rising around me. My immediate thought was I had made it through the impact unharmed only to end up being burned alive in a blazing SUV as I feared the vehicle was going to explode. I quickly struggled to get out of the safety belt, but it was jammed with my weight as I hung tightly against it. Somehow, through my frantic actions, I managed to get it loose and crawl out of the broken left window (The smoke had been from the air bag deploying). I walked away from the accident without a scratch.

Later I learned the young woman in the other car had intended for her destiny to be realized. She and her boyfriend had had a disagreement earlier in the day and she had made a statement to friends she was going to pull out in traffic. I happened to be the innocent bystander at the other end of her choice. She died on the way to the hospital.

I was devastated for her, her children (who fortunately were not in the vehicle; however there were two car seats in the back seat), her parents, her husband, even her boyfriend. I began journaling and continued for an entire year; reading over what I had written to attempt to come to terms with an event which, although I had no control over, effected me in major ways. It was my refuge in my darkest times of feeling somehow I could have kept this from having happened, but as well it was the catalyst to understanding there are no coincidences in this life; sometimes bad things happen to good people just as good things come to those who aren't so good. Although it seemed I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, in many respects I was in the right place at the right time; growth and a renewed appreciation for life resulted.

There is an abundance of power in the placing of words to paper; especially in times of crisis. By expunging our minds of the plethora of thoughts which make no sense whatsoever as garbled paragraphs in our brains, onto paper where we can reread and clarify can be an emotional triumph.

Reading after journaling helps us to reflect on where we "were" and where we am "now". It’s a method of allowing the light of understanding and compassion to shine on what's past.

If you want to improve your perspective on life and clarify issues, start writing in a journal. We can only know where we are and where we're going if we know where we've been.

We all have dark days, black moods, and anxious feelings. Use writing in a journal to explore the darkness. Keep a journal at least once in your life, then reread it every now and then. You will find your inner light when you do.

Keep looking up. AJ

Daily Readings for July 4th - July 8th , Allen James' Daily Guide to Success series - "The Journey: A Calendar Book"

Calendar Books by Allen James' posting for July 8th holds a special meaning for me personally; "When voted 'Most changed since high school' at your 20th class reunion, bask in the glory".

There are few increments of time throughout our lifetimes which we don't feel are meaningless. At any given moment the "present" garners all our time and energy and the "here and now" demands we realize its vitality to who we are and where we're headed. However; our adolescence plays such a pivotal role in forming our psyche and catapulting us toward our destiny.

I was never an overachiever by any means growing up. Being the youngest of 7 older siblings far out-shined me and took care of all of my needs growing up. By the time I got to high school I felt much like the character of Jan in The Brady Bunch during the now legendary episode where her lines, "Marsha, Marsha, Marsha" echo through time; there had been 6 other Harrymans before me to whom I was expected to measure up. I wasn't a musician, I didn't play sports, I wasn't the class clown, I wasn't an honor roll student; where did I fit in the puzzle of our patchwork quilted family?

Seeming to hide in the shadows of those 6 siblings, I surprisingly was voted "Most Dependable" by my classmates our senior year. "Most Dependable". Looking back on it now I can't think of a better honor than to be thought of as dependable by those with whom I grew up.

Following high school I broke out of the mold and was talked in to attending college, not something any of my siblings had taken upon themselves. From the very moment I received my high school diploma my life changed, dramatically. For the next 20 years I lived life; married, worked, more college, mortgage, work, divorce. All the "normal" trappings of "living" passed not me by.

At the Dawson Springs High School class of 1979 reunion in 1999 and 2004 I was voted "Most Changed Since High School". For me it was another honor; it said to me those with whom I grew up who were now adults who perceived me as one of them; still dependable, but "changed" as well.

Change is good. Applaud yourself when you see changes in your life which are positive. Bask in the glory of your ability to take control of the only thing you can control, yourself, your life, your today...your future.

Keep looking up. AJ






Another beautiful day beginning. My hopes are, regardless what part of the world you're in or what time of the day it is at the moment this post is read, your day is or has been the same.

Our reading for July 7th is "Remember who your teachers were, send one a note years later".

Morrow, Monroe, Lynch, Siebert, Lowrey, Luther, Thorpe, Kiebler, Hazelwood, Bondurant, Hayes, Buzzard,Walker, Adams, Johnston, Lecke.... on and on I could go with the listing of my teachers while going through my formal education. These individuals were significant in my life during one of, if not the, most important times of my life; not only teaching me "school" lessons, but as well much about life lessons revolving relationships and social interaction.

Having become a school teacher myself and found the joy and feeling of satisfaction which one receives when past students express the appreciation for the role you played in their lives years prior, I can only encourage you to do the same when the opportunity arises.

Four years ago some of my childhood "classmates" and I visited our forth grade teacher, Mrs. Lowrey, in the nursing home where she lived, now 91 years of age. She was so touched by our visit. I'll never forget it. Although it's doubtful she recalled much from those 30 years ago...when I said to her, "Mrs. Lowrey, I remember you had us write an essay about what we thought life would be like in the year 2001" (It was 1971). It was so sweet the way she looked at me and retorted, "Jimmy, did you turn yours in?" (Maybe she didn't recall, but unknowingly she still had my number).

The people who walk through the revolving door of our lives are numerous; while some have little effect on our worlds as they share the same time and place, others have such an impact on us in positive ways it is a travesty we never acknowledge them personally. Certainly it's not expected from those who were our teachers, which is even more of a reason to do so.

Remember who your teachers were, send one a note years later...or take the time to visit with them... I bet you'll receive more from it than they.

Keep looking up. AJ







Our July 6th posting comes from our featured Calendar Book for 2013, "The Journey: A Calendar Book" (view book trailer via YouTube under same name)....

"Practice moderation in all things".

What a difficult principle for most to grasp. I know personally it has taken me many years to get to the point of not "over indulging" in select areas of my life. The majority of us "want what we want and we want it right now and we want lots of it".

When we condition ourselves to practice moderation, no matter what it may be we are doing (eating, drinking, enjoying entertainment, shopping, exercising), if we're conditioned to moderation we no longer desire to "over-endulge". We're able to be satisfied with "just enough".

I'm certainly not here to judge or berate...the road to personal success differs for each of us; however, for me, actually implementing the readings from "The Journey" has helped me get to "that" place in my life where "going forward" is something which excites and envigorates me...no regrets over past mistakes and no looking back at the miles already traveled. Taking control of the only thing we have control over...US...liberates us to make "our world" exactly what we wish it to be.

Practice moderation in ALL things...wanting LESS opens us up to so much MORE.

Keep looking up. AJ






Calendar Books by Allen James daily reading for July 5th, taken from our featured calendar book for 2013, "The Journey: A Calendar Book", "Plant a garden and see it through harvest as least once in your life".

A garden, you say? Some in today's world know not what a garden is...what a garden was to those over 45 who lived in small towns or rural America.

When I was in college and would visit my parents, each time I was preparing to leave my mother would take me back to the storage closet and have me pick out from among the many jars of canned vegetables from the year prior's harvest. I never failed to grab jars of home grown tomatoes (love em right out of the jar), fresh picked canned green beans, fresh grape jelly made from the Concord grapevine in the back yard, Bread and Butter pickles as well as Kosher Dill pickles.

As a child I recall doing little in the way of "working" the garden, but we 7 children, and any others from around the neighborhood who might be around, spend many a day shucking corn, snapping green beans and peas, picking grapes, washing tomatoes off at the outside hydrant.

When I got old enough, I planted my own strawberry patch in a bit of ground saved for me at the front of the garden plot. Learning to cultivate; water, hoe, keep straw around, pluck bad berries, overall care for my soon to be tasty fruit was something which I will never forget. I learned much about caring for all living things through having cared for and seen to completion the life cycle of a garden.

Plant a garden and see it through harvest at least once in your life. What you gain from all the time, effort, and finished produce is worth its weight in gold.

Keep looking up. AJ







Each of the 6 editions of Allen James' "Daily Guide to Success" Calendar Book series include the same reading for July 4th,

"Respect patriotism".

Notice, I didn't publish "Be patriotic", or "Show your patriotism", or even "Embrace patriotism". Very intentionally I made the day's post to read, "Respect patriotism". There's quite a difference between "respecting" in contrast to showing, embracing, or being. When we "respect" patriotism we admire and treat well the ieals on which our country of origin was founded and rests, thrives.

People of all ethnicities and nationalities should be just as respectful of patriotism in their homands. Citizens of the United States of America have no monopoly on patriotism (sometimes it seems we think we invented any and all things democratic in principle, we didn't. A large percentage of our society are too ethnocentric to believe otherwise).

Respecting patriotism means being accepting of those who wish to fly the national flag on their country's day to commemorate its freedom. Respecting patriotism means sitting aside and not interfering with others' expression of their own display of the love of their homeland.

Personal success is founded on this very action, "respect"; and there's little chance of attaining our ultimate goals without possessing a high degree of respect in every walk of life.

So on this July 4th, if you aren't one to show, be, or embrace patriotism; at the least be respectful of those who are and do.

Calendar Books by Allen James fans are all working toward the same end; attaining personal success while living the most positive lives we can.

Keep looking up. AJ

Allen James' Daily Guide to Success series - "The Journey: A Calendar Book"

Calendar Books by Allen James' posting for July 3rd from "The Journey: A Calendar Book" reads,

"Use daily affirmations".

Sadly much of the time, whether it be in our work or personal lives, we have to be our own cheerleaders. If we don't pat ourselves on the back we won't be patted on the back. When we accomplish a goal, come up with a workable idea, clean up a mess; no matter how big or how small the accomplishment, it feels good to be appreciated for it.

Daily affirmations, much like Allen James' daily readings, are intended as declarations of something which is true. Affirmations are positive, specific statements to help us to overcome self-sabotaging, negative thoughts. They help us visualize and believe in what we're affirming to ourselves, helping us make positive changes to our lives and careers.

Affirmations are positive statements to help us challenge and overcome negative thinking and self-sabotaging behaviors. They're usually short, positive statements targeting a specific area, behavior, or belief we may be struggling with.
Start by thinking of the areas of your life you'd like to change. For instance, do you wish you had more patience? Or a deeper relationships with your friends or colleagues? Or do you want a more productive workday?

Write down several areas or behaviors you'd like to work on. Then, for each of these, come up with a positive, present-tense statement you can repeat to yourself several times a day.
It's also important that your affirmation is credible, believable, and based on a realistic assessment of fact. For instance, imagine you feel bad about the level of pay you're currently receiving. So you begin to use affirmations to raise your confidence about asking for an increase. However, it probably wouldn't be wise to affirm to yourself you're going to double your salary: for most people, and most organizations, doubling what you're earning in one go just isn't feasible. Keep it realistic!

NOTE: Believe it and receive it. If we don't believe the affirmations we're repeating to ourselves, it's highly unlikely they'll have any impact on our lives.

YouTube is a great place to find affirmations in a presentation which is relaxing and pleasing to the eyes. Just search for "affirmations".

Have a great day...and as always...keep looking up. AJ

"The Journey: A Calendar Book"

Daily Reading - Allen James' Daily Guide to Success series - "The Journey: A Calendar Book"

Calendar Books by Allen James' posting for July 1st from "The Journey: A Calendar Book"..."NEVER accept violence as an option".

Domestic violence, gender violence, work violence; on and on I could go naming the various places where violence takes center stage at some point or another. In today's world it seems the "Golden Rule" has become, "Do unto others BEFORE they do unto you". How sad.

I've never been a fighter. Oh, sure; there were the "King of the mountain" fights between my next oldest brother and me when we were kids, but other than those I can't recall a time where violence ever seems like an appropriate option. When I was married my wife would become livid when I couldn't fight back with her when she became upset over something; then the brushes and pots and pans would fly. It frustrates others when we don't respond in the matter similar to how they are responding.

My oldest brother told me a story I'd never heard about how he and my next to the oldest brother got in a fight one day when they were small (pre-teens, circa 1956). Dad would regularly give them boxing gloves to head out to the front yard and "duke it out". My oldest brother got sucker punched in the nose and ended up with a nose bleed. He finally went in to have mom take care of it. When he returned, my father gave him one of his own punches for having "run to mommy" with the nose bleed.

As a young boy I recall my siblings fighting all the time (the two brothers a year and two years older than I). What upset me the most was when they would get physical: hitting, kicking, pinching, pushing and hair pulling; I would usually end up hollering at them. I allowed their actions to control my emotional responses.

Children are not born knowing how to negotiate or compromise. When they are frustrated, angry or annoyed they will sometimes strike out physically. If they aren't taught the skills they need to control their emotions and if they aren't given direction about how to negotiate and compromise, they may continue to resort to physical actions to get their way. It's our job as adults to teach them how to work through their disagreements in a socially acceptable way.

Here are a few options to assist children in realizing violence is better left along. Have the two who are fighting sit on the sofa at opposite ends, or on two adjacent chairs. Tell them they may get up when they have resolved the issue. At first you may have to mediate and guide the resolution. Over time they will learn how to negotiate and compromise on their own.

When two children are physically fighting, immediately separate them into different rooms for a cooling off period. When they have both calmed down, sit them at the table together and arbitrate a discussion between them until the issue is resolved.

Tell them they may not play together for one hour. Banish them to separate rooms. (Do not allow either child to watch TV or play video games.) Their first response is likely to be, "Great! I didn't want to play with him anyway." But after a boring hour playing alone, they will likely be better company for each other.

Have the aggressor do a chore for the injured sibling, such as make the bed or take out the trash. An alternate idea is to fine the aggressor a pre-determined amount of money, such as 25 cents. The injured sibling gets to keep the payment. (Impose a penalty only if YOU see the aggressive action.) Contract for better behavior: With your help, have the children create a contract agreement between them. Spell out what actions are unacceptable and what the consequences will be imposed for failure to meet the contract terms. Have each child sign the agreement and post it conspicuously. Follow through with the agreed consequences when necessary.

We mustn't always assume the child who is doing the hitting is the only one at fault. Sometimes the "victim" has taunted, teased, insulted and tormented the sibling to the point of wild frustration. While it is never appropriate for one child to hit another, it would behoove you to be aware of any behind the scenes torture which may be testing your child's patience to its limit. If you discover this is happening, begin to hold both children accountable for their behavior.

Catch them being good. Reward them for getting along with positive attention. When your children are playing together without fighting, make a comment of appreciation, such as, "I'm happy that you guys enjoy playing together." Giving attention when things are going well will encourage them to continue the positive behavior.

If your children have frequent intense battles, it is a symptom of a much bigger problem. It would be wise to seek the advice of a family counselor or therapist. You may be able to find an appropriate specialist through your church, school, physician or local hospital. This is a difficult issue to resolve on your own. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Asking for help is a sign that you really care about your children and their relationship with each other
(sheknows.com).

With 7 kids at her feet constantly bickering and badgering each other, momma got really good at just yelling, "Take it outside. No fighting in the house", and she could always use the, "Just wait until your father gets home".

NEVER accept violence as an option....and...keep looking up.


It's a beautiful morning in Central Illinois where I'm visiting my sister, Sandra Talbot, and her family; Ron, Matthew, Crystal, Lydia, Brittany, Clara, Naomi, Alisha and Justin. We've had a great weekend.

Calendar Books by Allen James' thought for the day is: "To be positive we must THINK positive".

Since we've been talking about our lives and futures, inevitably and ultimately we have to make certain decisions. Decisions are about making the appropriate choices (Nobody wants to make the wrong choices anyway). No matter how pressed we are, we have to know we have choices. We just have to decide which course to take. Whichever course we choose, there will be consequences waiting for us, be it good or be it bad. The choices we make today will color the spectrum of our life in the future. We may dream of "flying to the moon and play with the stars" but before we could do that, we need to do certain things first. We certainly could not wait for the moon to fall on our lap. We need to set our dreams, choose the vehicle to achieve our dreams, transform our dreams into tangible goals and last but not least, we need to act fast as if our life depends on it.

Do I consider myself idealistic? Hmmm ... I do not know. First of all, I personally do not think there is anything wrong with being an idealist. As a therapist those who came to me with their problems. I would advise them and provide them with something to hold on to. My hopes are they leave feeling good about themselves. This always made me feel good about myself. Now, when come to me telling me how difficult it is to do one thing or another, after talking to them and letting them see things with their heart, they leave with renewed spirit and recharged energy. Our words of encouragement help others feel good and this is what makes us feel good about ourselves. If this is being idealistic, then I have to succumb to your definition of the very word. I know things are not perfect and rosy all the time. Things we want will not fall into our lap without putting up a fight. Winners do not quit, only losers do! One thing which differentiates winners and losers is, winners do not give up.

When the chips are down, I do not to spend too much time finding out why they were down. But I need to know which chips are still standing and make the best of what I have. Learn from the mistakes and claw my way back. Falling down flat on my face is beginning to be a common thing. But picking things up and put the pieces back together, forging forward is a brave thing to do. These are the trademarks of a true champion. And I think this is true in everything we do; be it business, working for someone or even relationships!

I appreciate the strength I have gained over the years being trained at the "HardKnocks University". I agree with "survival of the fittest". I can't be living life being a "fire fighter" all the time. I need to see things from a structural standpoint and to be able to understand what went wrong and what didn't. Since I am not going to live forever, I must be able to share with those who will come after how to do things correct the first time; isn't this what learning is all about?

Those are not the words of a therapist and educator, but it comes from what I sincerely believe in. Is this being idealistic? I am just being a realist! I say no more.

Keep looking up. AJ



Calendar Books by Allen James' posting for June 29th reiterates the Allen James formula for personal success, "I LIVE".

If you recall, a few weeks ago I introduced the acronym for my formula leading to personal success, I LIVE. Here I explain again as it's worth being reminded of.

I = Identify the goals you hope to achieve.

L = Liberate yourself from your old way of thinking.

I = Invest time and energy in doing what you need to do to attain your goals.

V = Validate yourself regularly, assuring yourself you have what it takes to accomplish your goals.

E - Embrace your success after attaining what you set out to attain. Enjoy and celebrate the victory.

Each and every one of us holds the potential to do great things, but we MUST draw from within and realize it is only through our own doing.

As always...keep looking up. AJ