Calendar Books by Allen James - Daily Reading - Update

Friends:

As I stated in one of my December posts, the past 3 months have been a whirlwind of issues and I appreciate the patience as my posting had been less than up-to-date.

As a reminder, September 15 I was placed on administrative leave from my job as a school counselor.  The very same day I was informed from the president of the Missouri Association of Career Services I had been named Career Services Counselor of the Year by my peers.  I didn't even get the opportunity to feel good about my milestone.  After 10 years of doing a job I loved and one in which I clearly was appreciated for what our students received in the way of counseling, my place of employment had new administration who for some reason, never made clear to me, didn't want me to continue working there. 

Those who wish to believe it is impossible or even difficult to "get rid" of an educator who is on tenure, I hate to burst your bubble.  It would be the case if educators possessed an unending line of cash from which to pay a lawyer; certainly not the case for me.  For the first two weeks I did exactly what most any human would do who finds themselves in shock; nothing.  I allowed depression to do what depression does, overwhelm me.  I lost 20 pounds and ended up dehydrated.  Before I realized it 10 days had passed and I'd not even realized it.  Finally, with the grace of God and the support of some mighty good friends, and I do mean mighty good friends, I realized I couldn't exist continuing in my loathing self-pity.  One leg at a time slowly eked from bed to floor (That's the most difficult part, finally making yourself give up the self-pity).  From that day forward I spent every day on-line filling out applications and sending resumes out.  At nearly 54 years of age and 40 years without never having employment, some days still are difficult; but four months have passed and God had let me to Bethel, Alaska.....new challenges and adventures than I could have ever imagined.  It's always best to listen to the words of wisdom from those who had gone before us.  When people say, "It'll get better.  Next year at this time you'll be in a better place", we should believe them.  I don't know what lies around each corner and curve in my journey's road, but I do know it'll be a better place than where I was a month ago.  I thank my Creator more and more each day; even the low times in this existence have much meaning for us, more than we can understand.

In addition, of course, I ended my 30 years teaching college classes and have put my "new" house up for sale.  I was fortunate to spend the last two weeks visiting before flying out to the Alaskan tundra with my sister and her family over Christmas; it was truly a time of holiday cheer for me.  I needed the distraction, and the love only a sister can provide benefited me in a big way.  Thus, as it should be, we continue with our purpose, living life in a way which builds others up and breeds personal success in the lives of those who we touch.

A full  two years of posting Calendar Books by Allen James' daily readings and how each has impacted me personally via Facebook is complete; from here on I will only be posting through this medium, so there should be no issue with keeping you up to date with the Allen James' mission.

Please make sure to visit www.jamesharryman2002.wix.com/allenjamesbooks often as well as www.lulu.com/spotlight/allenjames1961 to learn more about my publications.  Crystal the Condor Makes Friends, my children's book encouraging self-esteem, anti-bullying, and the importance of positive relationships in the lives of children was released in September as well.  I'm very excited about this and the potential it has in reaching individuals at a very early age to prepare them for what is to come throughout life in a way which supports personal success and a positive experience.

I trust you're well this season of LOVE and HOPE.  Keep looking up.  AJ : )

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

Today, January 16th, we read from A Teacher's Daily Guide to Success,

"Spend time with the beginning teacher" (James, 2012).

Although this reading is found in A Teacher's Daily Guide to Success, it, like readings from each of Allen James' Guide to Success calendar books, is applicable to each of us, be we teachers, carpenters, sales clerks; you name it, it applies.  It's called mentoring.

A colleague of mine, said the following about spending time with the new teacher:

"After spending 22 years in education, I have earned the distinction of 'experienced teacher.'  The assumption is that I am 'wiser' and it is certainly poor manners to refer to me as 'older.'  Each year in August we bring in our new teachers and they look at me with admiration and hang on every word of wisdom I can impart upon them in three days of orientation.  I'm really proud of the warnings I give of things to avoid and the tips I can freely share to ostensibly make life easier and the classroom more efficient. Gosh, I am so smart.

"The reality of this ritual is that the advice I give to the new teachers is not the most important product of these exercises, but the eternal hope for the future of education I see in their eyes.  I am reminded of the feeling that I can and will change the world one student at a time.  Gone is the frustration with ever-changing learning standards, gone is the exhaustion of working way too many hours and gone is the sadness from the burdens some of my students had to carry that were much too heavy for their young minds and bodies.  My hope for these new teachers is that they will find the same excitement many years down the road in the eyes of new teachers that have yet to be born and the perpetuation of the dream of making our world better one child at a time remains in tact" (Dr. Linda Buerck, Director of Curriculum, Perry County #32 School District).

Spend time with the newbie....no matter your field....and always,  keep looking up.  :)   AJ

Calendar Books by Allen James - Daily Reading

For January 20th from The Journey: A Calendar Book we read, "Those who know do. Those who understand teach" (Aristotle).

        Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle was born circa 384 B.C. in Stagira, a small town on the northern coast of Greece that was once a seaport. Aristotle’s father, Nicomachus, was court physician to the Macedonian king Amyntas II. Although Nicomachus died when Aristotle was just a young boy, Aristotle remained closely affiliated with and influenced by the Macedonian court for the rest of his life. Little is known about his mother, Phaestis; she is also believed to have died when Aristotle was young. After Aristotle’s father died, Proxenus of Atarneus, who was married to Aristotle’s older sister, Arimneste, became Aristotle’s guardian until he came of age. When Aristotle turned 17, Proxenus sent him to Athens to pursue a higher education. At the time, Athens was considered the academic center of the universe. In Athens, Aristotle enrolled in Plato’s Academy, Greek’s premier learning institution, and proved an exemplary scholar. Aristotle maintained a relationship with Greek philosopher Plato, himself a student of Socrates, and his academy for two decades. Plato died in 347 B.C. Because Aristotle had disagreed with some of Plato’s philosophical treatises, Aristotle did not inherit the position of director of the academy, as many imagined he would (biography.com).

I am learning much in my already brief time within the fringes of the Yupik people. My first lesson learned is "listen".  This may sound strange initially coming from a therapist, one who was educated to be a good listener, to reflect, then to listen more; but to the Yupik listening means far more.  It means listening to the point of invisibility.  Teaching comes from the marvelous, sometimes sad, oftentimes unbelievable stories which comprise their lives.  

        Teachers in today's world are well aware of the idiom, "Those who can't, teach".  It's such a shame in a world where more and more is placed in the hands of teachers to be responsible for when it comes to our children there continue to be those who wish to discredit the very individuals we entrust so much to.  I often wonder where Aristotle's words first began being construed and why the individual who did so felt such a disdain for educators.

        Fortunately we can rely on those with common sense to look past those with such small minds and look at each separately and not judge all due to the actions of a few.

"Those who know, do.  Those who understand, teach" (Aristotle).

Become a listener, become invisible; then you'll learn.  Keep looking up.  : )  AJ

Calendar Books by Allen James - Daily Reading

Greetings from Bethel, Alaska, my new "home" where I'm providing psychotherapy to the Yupik peoples of the Yukon Delta. Our thought for January 14th comes from, The Journey: A Calendar Book and reads, "Volunteer".

According to the "American Heritage Desk Dictionary", a volunteer is "someone who performs or gives services of his own free will" (1981).  From the time I was a little boy volunteering was a large part of my weekly activities, without my knowing it.  I was very active in church growing up and as such found myself standing alongside childhood friends in the junior choir every Wednesday after school from 3:00 - 4:00.  Our choir leader was a young woman who was known to all, and continues to be known to all, as Ms. Barbara.

Ms. Barbara taught by example to be sure.  Weekly we would haul in Ms. Juanita's 1965 white and black Mustang convertible as well as Ms. Barbara's 1965 burgundy convertible Ford Galaxy and traipse down to the "old folks home" as it was called then, and sing for the residents, volunteering our time and talents to brighten the day of the elderly.

Ms. Barbara was as well the church secretary, a job which she continues to this day. As time went on I and my best friend who lived only a block, began showing up at the church office and volunteering for any odd jobs Ms. Barbara saw needed to be completed;  sharpening the pencils kept in the pews for offering envelops, stripping the fellowship hall floors and re-waxing them, organizing can goods in the food pantry.

These "random acts of kindness" followed me throughout adolescence into adulthood.  How much positivity comes my way each year when I spend Christmas Day traveling to St. Louis and volunteering at the Salvation Army's soup kitchen.  What I gain in "awareness" is worth more than any monetary payment I could possibly be given.

Again, the readings in my "Daily Guide to Success" calendar books are not intended to tout me, but are tangible activities, events, thoughts and realities which I have found to bring positivity and peace in my life and have had a major impact on bringing about personal success in my life.  If you don't think you volunteer, look back at your weekly activities.  You may be surprised.  If you know you don't volunteer, find something you can work the time in your busy schedule to help with in your community.  Volunteer.  It's worth your time and energy.

Keep looking up.  :)  AJ

​

Calendar Books by Allen James - Daily Reading

 
The posting from our Daily Guide to Success series for January 12th takes me back many years...."Fly a kite in the springtime" (James, 2012).

When I was a child every year for my birthday from my "Mamaw" Williams I could count on getting a kite. My birthday is March 15th and the windy month of March was perfect for kite flying.

Whether Mamaw knew or not her gift was much more to me than a boy's "fun time", I know not, but the freedom I realized while flying my "warriors of the sky" was liberating.

Still today I often purchase a kite in the spring and find time to attempt to set it free. Our lives are analogous to this very act. How difficult it can be to get off the ground when we fall. How often do we find ourselves losing the strength we need to stay afloat when we are flying high. But with a positive attitude and persistence we can reach our goal of personal success.

Try flying a kite this spring. Set yourself free....and...

 keep looking up. :) AJ

Calendar Books by Allen James - Daily Reading -

January 8th's daily reading supports yesterday's reading, 'Read Tuesdays with Morrie," directly....

"Apply the principles of Tuesdays with Morrie to your life" (James, 2012).

 

Tuesdays with Morrie, in my eyes, is an outstanding book about youth and wisdom, life and death, having and giving, holding on and letting go (www.bonnernetwork.pbworks.com).  The initial response I usually get from students when I present them with the question, "What is the main theme of Tuesdays with Morrie?", is "Death".  They then embark on a lengthy philosophical discussion about death and dying.  Not inappropriate for college freshmen and sophomores who expect the instructor is hoping to get their take on the topic of death and dying.

 

However;  I maintain the main theme to be found in Tuesdays with Morrie is just the opposite, LIFE and LIVING! 

 

Anyone who reads Tuesdays with Morrie is going to immediately identify a multitude of insights throughout the book.  Morrie’s story and the wonderful friendship the two men in the book developed is endearing.  Morrie speaks clearly, even as his body withers.  He gives voice to the viewpoint of a person who grapples with a confining, terminal condition. 

 

However; I have also found myself feeling guilty about how I have handled LIFE and LIVING/DEATH and DYING throughout my adult life after observing the way it is approached in this book.  When I was around 12 years old, I was helping my mother clean out the "root cellar", or in this case an old larger closet in the back of the house where she kept the jars of tomatoes, beets, green beans, and jellies canned during the summer for us to enjoy during the winter.  As we sat there in the floor of the "root cellar", I looked over at my mother, with whom I had a relationship of admiration, mutual respect, and true compassion, and said to her, "Mom, when I grow up don't worry about anything.  I'll be here to take care of you at the end of your life", or words to that effect anyway.  She just looked at me and smiled, straightening the flock of brown hair which always fell heavy upon my forehead due to my left part and the style which my military father always found suitable to me.  I truly always thought I would be there to take care of my parents, if and when the time came. 

 

Yet at the end of her life, as she lay at 62 years of age in a hospital bed weakened by and dying of lung cancer, I was starkly reminded of my LIFE and LIVING choices and how they directly affect our DEATH and DYING reality.  Now, 18 years later, here was Mom, unable to care for herself in the most basic sense of the word.  And because of my blindness, I had not able to help her as much as I wanted.  People told me many times my loving her was sufficient, it must have helped in some way. 

 

I visited my mother during my spring break from teaching that March, which also fell during my birthday.  I spent the entire time at her bedside taking care of her daily needs, allowing my guilt to be turned into some other emotion, anything but guilt.  One afternoon when it was just she and I in the room, I was overcome with the feeling of finality;  it finally hit me my mother would be leaving this dimension long before I or anyone else could have expected.  Out of my selfishness my mother opened her unconditional loving arms out to me, as if she was reading my mind.  I crawled up in the hospital bed next to her, sobbing as she held me tight, giving ME support and giving ME understanding when it should have been I supporting and giving to her.  But it was due to this moment I felt totally at peace with this finality.  I was given the chance to do what most do not get to do;  share with my mother what her LIFE and LIVING had meant to me and how much her LIFE and LIVING had determined who I was then and who I would become in the future.  I got to say my "goodbye" to my mother, thus quelling the expectation I had had for years of how I would NOT be able to handle my mother's death when it finally arrived.  Still her reminder came;  HER sharing with me just how much my LIFE and LIVING was etched into her own person, as she said, "You always said you were going to be here to take care of me when I got to the end of my life".  

 

Many tell me it was inadequate to just say I love you and hug her, but Morrie made me think differently.  He cherished all the love he received from the constant stream of family and friends who visited him throughout his ordeal. 

 

Maybe, just maybe, I did all I could. Beyond this, Morrie voices many wonderful ideas about living and Mitch’s responses are great as well.  The main message Morrie gives Mitch about LIFE is open up to love, give to your community, and find purpose in life.

 

Apply the principles of Tuesdays with Morrie to your life, and keep looking up.  :)   AJ 

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

 

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

 

www.lulu.com/spotlight/allenjames1961 or

www.jamesharryman2002.wix.com/allenjamesbooks

 

From A Graduate's Daily Guide to Success, the thought for January 7th, by Allen James reads;

 

"Read Tuesdays with Morrie" (James, 2012).

 

Mitch Albom's book, Tuesdays with Morrie is a wonderful example of how powerful the written words of others are in building our personal success and positivity, while at the same time provides us with nutrition spiritually and intellectually to do the same.  I loved the book when I first read it and think any who read it as well will.

There are very few books I've read in my life which really leave a lasting impression on me, and I've read many, many books; however; when I find one which leaves a positive imprint on me and builds, not destructs, my psyche. I return to it for much needed support when time allows.  Tuesday's with Morrie is one such book.

"Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher, or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, helped you see the world as a more profound place, gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it" (Albom, 1997).

For Mitch Albom, this individual was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly twenty years prior.

Maybe, like Mitch, such a mentor has been lost for the reader of this post; the insights faded, and the world has seemed colder. Would not anyone like to see or touch base with this individual who possessed an influence in such a large way again, ask the bigger questions which may still haunt, receive wisdom for a busy life today the way they once did when contact was continuous when younger, while providing affirmation to him/her as to how their influence touched life at the time?

Mitch Albom had this second chance. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man's life. Knowing he was dying, Morrie visited with Mitch in his study every Tuesday, just as they had back in college. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final “class”: lessons in how to live.

 

Read Tuesdays with Morrie, and as always, keep looking up.  : )  AJ