03/30/15 FRIENDS

March 30, 2015 Wm. AllenLeave a comment

RESULTS OF LAST WEEK’S POLL ON THE DIVERSITY IN YOUR LIFE

I seems like most of us (56%) would like to increase the diversity in our lives a little, which I think is good. And 31% of you are satisfied with the diversity in your life. I’ll stay positive and assume that they are satisfied with the diversity in their lives because they have a diverse group of people in their life. I am really impressed by the 13% of you that think the diversity in your life should be increased a lot. One can’t cure anything, if one refuses to recognize the need for a cure or change.

THIS WEEK’S THEME: FRIENDS

Last Friday, I was in Grand Rapids for the Michigan APF (American Powerlifting Federation) meet and I took first place in two categories as well as set state records in those categories pending approval of my “record” request. I was the oldest lifter that day, so I was in categories by myself. Notice that I said I was the oldest lifter of the day, I was not the oldest lifter in the 2-day contest. My friend Nora, who is 72 lifted the following day.

So often when I mention exercise to people, I immediate hear about some sort of aliment that prevents them from exercising. Well, if Nora can power lift, you can exercise. And it you don’t exercise, visualize what you will be like at 72. It is never too late to start some type of exercise.

Although I was the only one in my category, that did not diminish my pride in returning to competition–it felt absolutely fantastic and I am anxious to do better next contest. Now, you may be wondering what does my powerlifting experience have to do with this week’s theme–Friends.

I would never have got into powerlifting, had I not started training with my childhood friend, Tony Mangino.

I lost one of the best friends a person could ever hope to have when Tony died.

I had another good friend who was my coach and training partner, who got me to enter my first powerlifting contest. He was Walter Crescentini, the fellow on the left as you look at the photo below.

In 2013, Walter died and I miss him. I work out alone today at the gym, but I still sense Tony and Walter’s encouragement.

I had quit competition back in 2003 due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. I never thought I would be in competition again, until Art Little, a most extraordinary trainer as well as all around great person, convinced me that I still had a little something left in me. I would never had been at that contest last week, if it were not for Art; nor would I have been permitted to lift had Art not rushed up and saved the day.

So what does powerlifting have to do with friends. Well, friends are never jealous of your success, in fact, they encourage you to be successful and occasionally insist upon it.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

Sorry for reusing a joke from my book, but I just really like this joke and wanted to share it with all the readers of this blog.

Friendship Between Women:

A woman didn’t come home one night.

The next day she told her husband that she had slept over at a friend’s house.

The man called his wife’s 10 best friends.

None of them knew about it.

Friendship Between Men:

A man didn’t come home one night.

The next day he told his wife that he had slept over at a friend’s house.

The woman called her husband’s 10 best friends.

Eight of them confirmed that he had slept over…

Two claimed that he was still there.

BRIEF COMMENTS RELATED TO THE WEEKLY CHAPTERS IN:

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

WEEK 27: FRIENDS – BE A FRIEND AND YOU WILL HAVE FRIENDS

As I mentioned, a true friend is one who is not jealous of your success and even encourages you to be successful. They will even risk their friendship with you to try to stop you from making a big mistake.

We may have a number of acquaintances and some we may even call friends and such people can add to our lives. But, they are not the same as true friends and one should not expect much from them unless it somehow serves their purposes and not yours. That is a fine and useful arrangement, just don’t mistake them for true friends.

A true friend is an extraordinary gift that you should treasure. And it you want true friends, you have to be one.

SELF-HELP BOOKS IN ADDITION TO MY OWN

I read Choosing Civility back in 2004 and have reviewed it a number of times since then. It contains a lot of advice on connecting with people, which will help you on your quest to surround yourself with true friends.

http://www.amazon.com/Choosing-Civility-Twenty-five-Considerate-Conduct/dp/0312302509/

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I got a kick out of watching Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion and believe you also enjoy this very funny film.

Two dense, inseparable friends hit the road for their 10-year high school reunion and concoct an elaborate lie about their lives in order to impress their classmates. (Source: IMDB)

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.

Source: Thomas Aquinas

THIS WEEK’S POLL

CONCLUSION

If you like what I am doing, I need you to show your support by passing this blog on your friends, and liking my Facebook page Harmony Books & Films, LLC. Currently, 32 of you have been kind enough to like my Facebook page.

Also, you can help me make this blog more valuable to others by posting your perspectives via Leave a Reply. My last post, I received one comment–it was from my wife Carol. Thank you Carol.

And for those of you who have read my book, please let others know what you thought of it on Amazon at:

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

So far, I have received one review. Thank you Judith.

DONATIONS

I continue being willing to donate to anyone putting on a charitable fundraiser two copies of my book to auction off or raffle as a door prize. If you know anyone that is holding a charitable fundraiser and could use a couple copies of my book, please tell them about me. I can be reached at:

harmonybooksfilmsllc@comcast.net

03/23/15 Diversity

March 23, 2015 Wm. Allen1 Comment

RESULTS OF LAST WEEK’S POLL ON TRAVEL TO OTHER COUNTRIES

I find it amazing that 13% of you have been to 11 or more countries and that another 52% of you have been to three or more countries. For those of you that haven’t traveled much, if you are physically able to do so, I urge you give it a try.

THIS WEEK’S THEME: DIVERSITY

As you know, I’ve been in Spain for a little while and didn’t return to the U.S.A. until Wednesday. Travel certainly has a impact on a person, for example below is a photo of me when I first arrived in Spain.

And the photo below was taken towards the end of my trip.

I don’t really know if you will experience the dramatic change I did, but travel changes you by bringing you into contact with folks different from yourself. I met fellow travelers from Australia, Israel and other places in addition to the Spanish people I came into contact with and of course our most extraordinary tour guide from Portugal, Rui

Rui managed to get us on another plane home, when the Lufthansa Airline pilots went on strike the morning of our scheduled departure.

So this week’s post is dedicated to “Diversity” in all the many forms that it may take.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

What’s the difference between a tornado and a redneck divorce?

Either way someone’s going to lose a trailer

BRIEF COMMENTS RELATED TO THE WEEKLY CHAPTERS IN:

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

The Nook version of my book can be found at:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V2E038W

WEEK 28: TRAVEL – GROW BY SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE DIFFERENT FROM YOURSELF

It has been said that we don’t see the world as it is, but as we are. So if you want to broaden your perspective, you need to enlarge your circle of friends to include people different in any number of ways from yourself. This will result in your growth, because every interaction leaves a trace on you.

When I was in Cordoba last week, I visited the “Mezquita de Cordoba”, which was once the largest masque in the world. During the 16th century, it was turned into a cathedral.

The site is believed to be originally a temple to the Roman god, Janus.

Those columns in the above photo are reclaimed Roman columns gathered from various places to build this mosque.

After the re-conquest of Cordoba, in the center of the mosque was built a beautiful cathedral.

As we were walking about this beautiful and inspiring structure, we came to an area where the floor was removed so that you see below to a place of worship that was created by the Visigoths who seized Corboba in 572, I believe from the Romans.

How I look at all this is that a diverse group of people, unwillingly of course, each contributed to something marvelous. Just imagine what people could create if they would put their differences aside.

SELF-HELP BOOKS IN ADDITION TO MY OWN

I’m really not much of a sports fan, but I read Charles Barkley’s book back in April 2006 and have reviewed it a number of times over the years. I found it to be an enjoyable book to read and contains many insights.

http://www.amazon.com/Afraid-Large-Black-Reprint-Paperback/dp/B00RWSMXXU/

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

I still think Crash is one of the best diversity films I have ever watched, but if you know of a film that represents diversity as well or better, please let all of us know about it by commenting.

http://www.amazon.com/Crash-Widescreen-Don-Cheadle/dp/B000A3XY5A/

Los Angeles citizens with vastly separated lives collide in interweaving stories of race, loss and redemption. (Description source: IMDB)

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

“A lot of different flowers make a bouquet.”

Source: Muslim Origin

THIS WEEK’S POLL

CONCLUSION

If you like what I am doing, I need you to show your support by passing this blog on your friends, and liking my Facebook page Harmony Books & Films, LLC.

Also, you can help me make this blog more valuable to others by posting your perspectives via Leave a Reply.

And for those of you who have read my book, please let others know what you thought of it on Amazon at:

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

DONATIONS

harmonybooksfilmsllc@comcast.net

03/16/15 SPAIN

March 16, 2015 Wm. AllenLeave a comment

RESULTS OF LAST WEEK’S POLL ON YOUR SITUATION AT THE AGE OF 65

Last week poll was about an analysis I came across early in life that said that out of 100 young people aged 25, at 65:

36% have died

1% are rich

4% are financially & physically independent

5% are working

54% are dependent

Once again, those who take these polls are an extraordinary group. The results were:

0% percent of you expected to be dead–of course if you died before taking this poll, you probably would not have participated in the poll.

5% of you are or expect to be rich–extraordinarily well done.

90% of you are or expect to be financially & physically independent–the goal.

5% of you are or expect to be working–excellent, so long as you find joy and meaning in your work.

0% of you are or expect to be dependent–which is why I believe those of you who take this poll are an extraordinary group.

THIS WEEK’S THEME: SPAIN

I am writing this blog as I travel through Spain, visiting Madrid, Toledo, Granada, Serville, Cordoba y Barcelona; so what better theme for this week’s posting than Spain. And if you are following along in my book, it is Week 48: Travel – see Your Country as Well as the Rest of the World..

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

An American touring Spain stopped at a local restaurant following a day of sightseeing. He noticed a sizzling, scrumptious looking platter being served at the next table.

He asked the waiter, “What is that you just served?”

The waiter replied, “Ah senor, you have excellent taste! Those are bulls balls from the bull fight this morning. A delicacy!”

The American said, “What the heck, I’m on vacation! Bring me an order!”

The waiter replied, “I am so sorry senor. There is only one serving per day, because there is only one bull fight each morning. If you come early tomorrow and place your order, we will be sure to save you this delicacy!”

The next morning, the American returned, placed his order, and then that evening he was served the one and only special delicacy of the day. After a few bites, and looking at his plate, he called to the waiter and said, “These are delicious, but they are much, much smaller than the ones I saw you serve yesterday!”

The waiter shrugged his shoulders and replied, “Señor, sometimes the bull wins.”

BRIEF COMMENTS RELATED TO THE WEEKLY CHAPTERS IN:

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

WEEK 48: TRAVEL – SEE YOUR COUNTRY AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE WORLD

When it comes to money, you can either spend it on things or spend it on experiences.

I suspect you will find that the more things you own, the more those things end up owning you; since they require your attention in so many different ways.

If you do decide to travel, you may want to occasionally visit some place you have never been to before. There is nothing like seeing a place for the first time to give you that childhood sense of amazement.

My book is again available on Amazon as work continues turning it into an ebook. I expect the eBook version will be available in about a week.

SELF-HELP BOOKS IN ADDITION TO MY OWN

As I listened to our tour guide, Rui Miguell, describe Cervantes’ book about Don Quixote, and how it is as relevant about the human condition today as it was when Cervantes wrote in the early 1600s; I realized I have once again encountered an extraordinary individual.

I have listened to the book years ago on cassette tapes, but after hearing Rui talk about the book as we were traveling across the land once roamed by Don Quixote, I feel I should actually read the book or at least listen to it again.

http://www.amazon.com/Don-Quixote/dp/B000054704/

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Since this week’s theme is Spain and I am ending my tour through Spain in Barcelona, what better movie to suggestion than the one that initially inspired me to visit Barcelona in 2013. Below is the IMDB description of that movie; Vicky Christina Barcelona.

Two girlfriends on a summer holiday in Spain become enamored with the same painter, unaware that his ex-wife, with whom he has a tempestuous relationship, is about to re-enter the picture.

Director: Woody Allen
Writer: Woody Allen
Stars: Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, …

(Source: IMDB)

http://www.amazon.com/Vicky-Cristina-Barcelona-Javier-Bardem/dp/B001DJ7PR8/

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

“Without new experiences, something inside of us sleeps.

The sleeper must awaken.”

Source: Frank Herbert

THIS WEEK’S POLL

CONCLUSION

I continue trying to make this blog better in hopes that you will like it enough to pass it on your friends.

You can help me make this blog more valuable to others by posting your perspectives via Leave a Reply.

Also, if you like this blog, please show you do by liking my Facebook page Harmony Books & Films, LLC.

And for those of you who have read my book, please comment about the book on Amazon at:

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

DONATIONS

harmonybooksfilmsllc@comcast.net

03/09/15 RETIREMENT

March 8, 2015 Wm. Allen2 Comments

RESULTS OF LAST WEEK’S POLL ON STAR TREK

What a surprise, it seems that 70% of you watched the show when it was originally aired. Also, I understand some of you got a kick out of my putting the book, Baby and Child Care as an option.

And again, if you are looking for a fun and easy to read self-help book, I strongly suggest Dave Marinaccio’s book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Watching Star Trek.

THIS WEEK’S THEME: RETIREMENT

I was reading an article in USA Today (3/4/15) and was shocked to read that one in four retired Americans have no source of income beyond Social Security. It is unlikely you are going to be extraordinary in your retirement years if all you have to live on is social security. In fact, you will be lucky to be ordinary.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

A young man asked an elderly rich man how he made his money.

The elderly man said, “Well, son, it was 1932, the depth of the Great Depression and I was down to my last nickel.”

“I invested that nickel in an apple and spent the entire day polishing the apple. At the end of the day, I sold that apple for ten cents.”

“The next morning, I invested those ten cents in two apples. I spent the entire day polishing them and sold for 20 cents.”

“I did this for a month and accumulated a $1.37.”

“Then my wife’s father died and left us two million dollars.”

BRIEF COMMENTS RELATED TO THE WEEKLY CHAPTERS IN:

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

WEEK 10: MONEY – SAVE 10% OF WHAT YOU EARN

I once tried to encourage a friend to stop smoking. He held up his package of cigarettes and said, “This is a poor man’s retirement package.”

There are two avenues to a comfortable, if not extraordinary retirement. One is to earn a lot of money, the second and most certain way is to save and live below your means.

There are many good reasons why you can’t save right now–SAVE REGARDLESS. There are also many noble reasons why you must tap into your savings–DON’T DO THAT.

As I mentioned in my book, I came across the following very early in life and it made such an impression on me, that I have retained it all these years. Hopefully, it will also make an impression on you.

Out of one hundred young people of 25 years of age, at 65:

36 have died

1 is rich

4 are independent

5 are working

54 are dependent

SELF-HELP BOOKS IN ADDITION TO MY OWN

My book is again available on Amazon as work continues turning it into an ebook. I expect the eBook version will be available in about two weeks.

The book I am recommending this week, I read a long time ago and have given it to a few people I wanted to help. It can be obtained from Amazon for practically nothing. Below is a Wikipedia description of the book.

The Richest Man in Babylon is a book by George Samuel Clason, which dispenses financial advice through a collection of parables set in ancient Babylon. Through their experiences in business and managing household finance, the characters in the parables learn simple lessons in financial wisdom. Originally, a series of separate informational pamphlets distributed by banks and insurance companies, the pamphlets were bound together and published in book form in 1926. (Source: Wikipedia)

http://www.amazon.com/Richest-Man-Babylon-George-Clason/dp/0451205367/

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

Since this week’s theme is retirement, I thought a movie about a recently retired guy would be appropriate.

A man upon retirement embarks on a journey to his estranged daughter’s wedding only to discover more about himself and life than he ever expected (Source: IMDB)

http://www.amazon.com/About-Schmidt-Jack-Nicholson/dp/B00005JLSK/

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

Retirement is a great opportunity to become the person you have always wanted to be—but have never been.

Source: Dave Erhard

THIS WEEK’S POLL

CONCLUSION

I continue trying to make this blog better in hopes that you will like it enough to pass it on your friends.

Any public or private feedback would be most welcomed.

Also, if you like this blog, please show you do by liking my Facebook page Harmony Books & Films, LLC.

And for those of you who have read my book, please comment about the book on Amazon at:

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

DONATIONS

harmonybooksfilmsllc@comcast.net

03/02/15 Live Long and Prosper

March 1, 2015 Wm. AllenLeave a comment

By now, you as well as every one else, in all the various universes have heard of the death of Spock (Here on Earth, sometimes referred to as Leonard Nimoy). Spock was without doubt one of the most extraordinary persons to have ever existed.

Rather than say anything about Spock myself, I will let another extraordinary individual sum up what Spock was about:

Star Trek actor George Takei (Better known as Mr. Sulu, Helmsman on the Starship Enterprise, who I was fortunate to meet back on May 20, 1965), said to CNN:

“Leonard was a very dear friend. One extraordinary thing about him I remember: When Star Trek was going to be done as an animated series, they cast Leonard, Bill Shatner, Majel Barrett and Jimmy Doohan only for the voice acting on that. And when he discovered that Nichelle Nichols and Walter Koenig and I were not cast because of budgetary considerations, he said, Star Trek is about diversity, and if the two people that represent diversity to most, Nichelle and George, then I’m not interested in doing it. … That was an extraordinary thing for an actor, to give up a gig on behalf of other actors. And because Leonard was so necessary to the project, they cast Nichelle and me and offered Walter an opportunity to write a script. He was really an amazing man.”

It has been 20 years since I first acquired I Am Spock by Leonard Nimoy on cassette tapes and I listened to it again in 2006 and finished listening to it again today. It is a 4-hour journey into the life of Leonard Nimoy and Spock. I thought listening to Leonard Nimoy read the book, I Am Spock was a great way to honor these two extraordinary individuals. If you read the book or listen to the tapes, you will know why I refer to them in the plural.

http://www.amazon.com/I-Am-Spock-Leonard-Nimoy/dp/0786861827/

RESULTS OF LAST WEEK’S POLL ON EXERCISING

I think it is wonderful that 75% of you engage in some type of exercise, but on the other hand I am worried to think that 25% of you don’t really exercise. I wish I knew how to convince you that just a small investment in your health would add years to your life and life to your years.

THIS WEEK’S JOKE

Question:

How many Vulcans does it take to screw in a light bulb?

Answer:

Approximately 1.00000000000000000000000000000000

THIS WEEK’S POLL

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

A life is like a garden.

Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved,

except in memory.

Source: Leonard Nimoy’s Final Tweet

BRIEF COMMENTS RELATED TO THE WEEKLY CHAPTERS IN:

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

WEEK 51: DEATH – CONSIDER DEATH EVERY DAY SO THAT YOU CAN MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY DAY

Start the day mindful that this could be your last day and act accordingly.

Also be mindful that today could be the last day of someone you come in contact with so again act accordingly.

SELF-HELP BOOKS IN ADDITION TO MY OWN

You will find for the moment, my book is listed as out of print on Amazon. That is because I am in the process of turning it into an ebook. I hope to have my book as well as the ebook available soon. I have copies of the book, if you would like to purchase one and don’t want to wait until it again becomes available on Amazon.

I was in the University of Chicago’s Book Store back in 1994, when the book below caught my eye. It is a 128 page easy read, but contains so many insights that I believe will be beneficial to you in your quest to become extraordinary. I have read and reviewed it so many times over the years. Those of you who know me, may wonder if the book is so good, why am I like I am. I think Oscar Wilde can explain, when he said, “I always pass on good advice. It is the only thing to do with it. It is never of any use to oneself.”

http://www.amazon.com/Marinaccio-Learned-Watching-Reprint-Paperback/dp/B00RWRKCE8/

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

There are many who think Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan was the best of the Star Trek movies. And if you are old enough to like fine “corinthian leather“, this movie stars Ricardo Montalban.

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Trek-II-Wrath-Khan/dp/B000I3SYEI/

CONCLUSION

Each week I keep trying to make this blog better in hopes that you will like it enough to pass it on your friends. Also, if you like this blog, please show you do by liking my Facebook page Harmony Books & Films, LLC. And for those of you who have read my book, it you would care to comment about the book on Amazon that would be most welcomed.

http://www.amazon.com/Tired-Being-Ordinary-Are-You/dp/0990388697

Also, I continue donating to anyone putting on a charitable fundraiser two copies of my book to auction off or raffle as a door prize. So if you know anyone that is holding a charitable fundraiser and could use a couple copies of my book please tell them about me. I can be reached at:

harmonybooksfilmsllc@comcast.net

Harmony Books & Films, LLC

Tired of being ordinary, then here are some tips for becoming extraordinary.

Month: March 2015

03/16/15 SPAIN

WEEK 48: TRAVEL – SEE YOUR COUNTRY AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE WORLD

03/02/15 Live Long and Prosper

WEEK 51: DEATH – CONSIDER DEATH EVERY DAY SO THAT YOU CAN MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY DAY