Calendar Books by Allen James - Daily Reading - "The Journey: A Calendar Book"

​Today's reading from The Journey: A Daily Calendar Book.... 

 

"Cultivate a best friend" (James, 2012).

The operative word here is "cultivate". Friends come and go throughout our lives...however those relationships we "cultivate"...as in keep the weeds clear of....water as needed...make sure the foundation is kept free of choking vines....those are friends regardless of the years which pass. Those are the relationships which pick up just where they left off...strong and sure...making personal success much easier to reach. 

 

Keep looking up. :) AJ

Calendar Books by Allen James - Daily Reading - "A Teacher's Daily Guide to Success"

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Calendar Books by Allen James' reading for January 5th from A Teacher's Daily Guide to Success is a statement made by Phil Collins, whom most of us "Shadow Boomers" and "Generations X"ers recall as the English musician, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actor, and writer; best known both as drummer and vocalist for the English rock group Genesis and as a solo artist.  He once stated;

"In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn" (Collins, 1999).

What a profound reality from which personal success sprouts.  Once we embrace the fact the world doesn't revolve around us and begin giving back to it instead of constantly taking from it and expecting to be given to constantly, we begin to appreciate and understand the old adage which my mother often used, "Nothing is free".

In 1984 I began my career as an English teacher in Murray, Kentucky.  I was directly out of college and, as most youth, was ready to take on the world.  Over these past 30 years I have learned far more from those whom I have "instructed" than they ever learned from me I'm positive.  Most teachers would say the same about their careers.

Now, at 54 I embark upon an entirely new adventure in my life; a luxury not many can take on.  A dream only few can visualize of ever coming to fruition.  I have no real roots anywhere.  At one time I felt this to be a sad commentary for a man who had planned to have a family and to forever remain within close proximity to his extended family.  However; having remained single for the past 25 years my options at 54 are limitless.  I can go anywhere and have a myriad of skills to share with those with whom I will come into contact.  I'm fortunate I can use what I've learned from those many over the past 30 years to better define who I am.

I know nothing about the Yupik Eskimo culture but what I've read from Wikipedia, which I know barely touches to shell of who they truly are.  Yet I will learn from them as much as I am willing to open up and accept, as well as give to them what they are willing to accept from me.

The Good Book says, "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9: 6-7, English Standard Version).


Personal success is only an extended hand away. Caimi'i, and keep looking up.  : ) AJ 

Calendar Books by Allen James - Retail Link Addresses

Calendar Books by Allen James' supporters: 

I hope you'll take the time to get to know more about me and my mission of writing for success.  My personal webpage explains more about who I am and where I come from as well as provides additional information about my hopes those who purchase my publications gain from my words. 

There is as well a comment page for you to contact me via email; I look at all comments personally, and a page which describes each of my books with links my author page through my publisher.

www.lulu.com/spotlight/allenjames1961 and/or
www.jamesharryman2002.wix.com/allenjamesbooks

I am grateful to those of you who regularly read my blog which details from where each daily reading was drawn in my life and how it has impacted me as I strive toward personal success and as well grateful to those of you who keep up with my Facebook page as well, http://www.facebook.com/calendarbooksbyallenjames

You'll find where you can browse/preview/purchase any of my Calendar Books by Allen James, my book of poetry, and my newly released children's book, Crystal the Condor Makes Friends.

May 2015 bring you closer to personal success and may your choices bring about a positive lifestyle which encourages you and brings positivity to those within your circle.

Keep looking up.  : )   Allen James

Calendar Books by Allen James - Daily Reading - "The Journey: A Calendar Book"

Browse/preview/purchase the Allen James publication which fits your personal or gifting needs best by going to either of these links (ALL Allen James' publications are 25% off for Calendar Books by Allen James' fans):

www.lulu.com/spotlight/allenjames1961 or
www.jamesharryman2002.wix.com/allenjamesbooks

The thought placed on the page of ALL calendar books for January 4th may appear at first glance to be mundane or not pertinent to personal success or positivity in any way, however; when the reader does as is intended with Allen James' Calendar Books (which is give each reading thought....to process it in your own mind and search for its pertinence making application to your own life) its necessity is clear, 

"Wash your hands before you eat" (James, 2012).

Of course there's the obvious fact washing our hands before we eat prevents the spread of bacteria and assists in keeping us healthy so we have the opportunity to even strive for personal success...as well, the statement, "Wash your hands before you eat" reinforces what seems to be a theme in many of the "Daily Guide to Success" series' readings, this being the application of life lessons.

Although it can be attributed to "old age" and it would appear we complete the cycle of life by becoming what we as youth detested, how many times do we hear adults talk about the fact young people have no manners? Then we blame the parents for not instilling manners into their children as they did "back in the day" and place the responsibility on teachers to do so.

Recalling the African saying, translated of course, "It takes a village" (despite popular belief it was not former First Lady and one time U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton who coined the phrase), we all must to our part to teach children to be respectful of others as well as themselves; the very foundation of how personal success is begun.

Keep looking up. : ) AJ  

Calendar Books by Allen James - Daily Reading - "The Journey: A Calendar Book"

Browse/preview/purchase the Allen James' Calendar Book which fits your personal or gifting needs, as well as James' children's book, Crystal the Condor Makes Friends and/or From the Heart: prose and poetry from the depths of life by clicking on either of the links below:

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Caim'i from Bethel, Alaska.  Allen James' reading for January 3rd from, The Journey: A Calendar Book exemplifies what becomes our world view;

"Watch your family interact" (James, 2012).



My new adventure of relocating to Southwest Alaska is teaching me so much about the things which I have been teaching for the past 10 years teaching a class entitled, Ethnicity and Cultural Differences in America for Mineral Area College in Missouri.  Personal success clearly has a very different meaning for this culture. "Families dominated Yupik Eskimo society. They worked together for food, clothing, and shelter. Yet in their permanent winter villages, husbands and wives lived in separate places. The men collectively taught the boys in the community house. Women taught their daughters at the family home. Parents arranged marriages. What a pivotal role those with whom we live, work, play, and interact plays in our acquiring personal success.  Research shows the average American spends 1/3 of their lifetimes at work; 1/3 of their lifetimes sleeping and the remaining 1/3 "living".  Realizing this and taking on a new awareness that those with whom we spend 2/3 of our lifetime are co-workers and family, certainly being more "in-tune" with family and co-workers in a positive way can only benefit your personal success" (www.akhistorycourse.org).


As a child growing up our house was always full of activity, but surprisingly not always full of noise.  By nature I was an observer early in life. Although I cannot recall childhood events prior to around the age of 6, those observations I recall from 6 to present day aided in melding me into the individual I am today.  Learning from my older brothers and sisters and how they interacted with one another as well as with my parents; and how my parents interacted with one another, vastly matters to the person I became as an adult.  But only due to the fact I was observant.  Sure, learning by coincidence plays a role as well, but having a heightened awareness by being observant multiplies this learning exponentially.  Then there were those with who I worked.

Throughout my working lifetime I have been fortunate enough to have only encountered two individuals who's personalities did not "jive" with my own; one was a female who (using my analytical prowess as a psychotherapist; which isn't always the smart thing to do) had "issues" with men throughout her life.  The other was a male who had an inferiority complex.  In both cases I was miserable working with them and had to work at seeing where they were coming from and adjust accordingly or negativity would be the ruler in lieu of positivity.

Be aware of those with whom you live and work.  Realize it's your problem when you can't get along or have "issues" with a family member or co-worker.  Own "your" problem and overcome it.  You'll be one step closer to personal success.

Again, Caimi-i from Alaska, and keep looking up. : )  AJ

Calendar Books by Allen James - Daily Reading - "The Journey: A Calendar Book"

Calendar Books by Allen James' reading for January 2nd:

"Respect your siblings" (James, 2012).

Today's reading follows an earlier reading, "Respect your parents". Typically the response I get from people when they read this day's thought is, "Why should I respect my siblings?" In this question lies the answer. Having an attitude of superiority or constant competition with siblings is in no way healthy to personal success. Again, having been reared with 6 siblings with me being the youngest, learning to "respect" or "esteem" them I learned quickly created less friction for me and I'm sure made what already seemed like a long, long childhood somewhat less troublesome.  Respect of self and others is essential for personal success.  Having relocated to Bethel, Alaska only day's ago, I'm encouraged by the respect I see in not only the young, but the elders as well in relationship to one another.  One Yupik elder said,


"One thing I think is mentioned is the great respect our people especially have for old villages, old cemetery sites, and what people are able to do and not do. Because that's one of our greatest laws as a people--respect for not only ourselves, but everything around us.  And especially in old places, like the time we went to Nanvaruk, and we saw that old, old house [eroding from the bank], and there were artifacts in there. I was greatly awed by that. And I was glad that we didn't take anything from there because that's one thing we're told not to do. And so, along with place names, our customs and traditions, showing respect is one thing that will come about and hopefully will continue" (eloka-artic.org).

My father always told people as his children were growing up that he had a basketball team; 5 boys as the players and 2 girls as the cheerleaders. Looking back on those words, and I'm sure he never thought of it this way, I see how we were exactly that, a team of family members working together for the same end; steering clear of conflict together. Not one of us ever wanted to see another in the cross hairs of our father's discipline (it was the 60s and 70s don't forget, when discipline meant discipline, not abuse).

And even as adults I continue to hold my siblings in high esteem, respecting their lifestyles, decisions and personalities regardless of whether I agree with them or not. After all, they are on their own journey's through this world. This I respect.



Keep looking up. Caimi'i   : ) AJ

Calendar Books by Allen James - Daily Reading - "The Graduate's Daily Guide to Success"

 

Browse/preview/purchase the Allen James' publication which fits your gifting or personal needs best by clicking on either of the links below:

www.jamesharryman2002.wix.com/allenjamesbooks or
www.lulu.com/spotlight/allenjames1961

Happy New Year 2015.  I'm beginning my new year extending personal success and positivity in a new land with a wonderfully diverse culture and the opportunity to learn much from new peoples, customs, and traditions;  extreme western Alaska, Bethel to be exact.  I'm excited about this new adventure not only in living life, but learning life as well from the Yupik Eskimos.  May each reading this blog have just as an adventurous 2015....change enhances personal success.  Our reading for January 1st comes from A Graduate's Daily Guide to Success;

​"Recall what you learned from you grandmother" (James, 2012).




"I had a vision the ancestors told us to heal the world. When we heal ourselves, we also heal our ancestors, our grandmothers, our grandfathers, and our children. When we heal ourselves, we also heal mother earth.”
–Grandmother Rita Pitka Blumenstein

As in most cultures, our elders play a  major role in extending the wisdom gained from a lifetime to younger generations.  This is seen no where more prevalent than with the Yupik Eskimos, where extended family is vital to personal success.  Almost everyone can think of a time when they've heard another adult say, "My grandmother used to say", or "As my grandfather always said", followed by some tidbit of wisdom aimed at making life more fair or stating an important life lesson.  My grandmother lived to be 92 years old and throughout the years I was blessed to be part of those years with her I learned much.  Looking back at those "life lessons" often not only brings comfort and wisdom to my own life, but as well aids in my quest for personal success as I gain insight into a world which much of the time seems out of control.  Think about those adults in your life who have had a major impact on you, then learn from their words even after they are no longer her to enjoy. 

 

One thing my maternal grandmother, Mary Delphene LaForce Williams taught me was out of events which we see as regrets can come joy, goodness and positivity.  What were the words from her mouth which taught me this, one may ask.  I was visiting with her when she was around 90 years old.  Most of our visits consisted of just spending time sitting and "being".  At 90 she still had a strong mind; physically she was hampered by the fact she had slipped and broken her hip when she was 72 and was tethered to a walker the remainder of her life.  Out of nowhere she said, "Jimmy, I married the wrong man".  Mind you my grandfather I never knew as he had died when I was about 2, which had been 30 years prior.  Thirty years hence she was sitting and thinking about the regrets she had of marrying a drinker and gambler.  My response came quick.  "Well Mamaw, if you hadn't married grandpa I would be here today".  Her response, "Well I guess 1 good thing came out of it". 

Recall what you learned from your grandmother.  You'll be glad you spent the time thinking about her. Caimi'i.   Keep looking up.  : )  AJ