On Reading: Reference to the Millionaire Mind, The Millionaire Next Door, and Stop Acting Rich..

Most people would agree that reading is fundamental. Nevertheless, it remains true that as we age, or when we are no longer actively enrolled in school, our tolerance for reading books decline. Understandably, while we are not reading books we are perhaps reading the newspapers in print or online, or we may be reading professional journals etc. For the most part, we may be reading just enough to get by. We read for work, for leisure, or as part of a community: church, or book club. If we agree reading is fundamental, then what are the actions that should necessarily follow?

Reading should not be taken for granted.  Besides the fact that historically, various minority groups were denied reading instruction, illiteracy continues to be a problem today. For example, in metro Detroit, Michigan, it is estimated that about forty percent of that population is functionally literate. It therefore means that the reality for that population has  limited access to information that is only available in writing. Let us read and share this gift where we can.

The true value of books is the positive realized change we experience as a result of our reading them. For example, many years ago one of my teachers told me about two books I must read,  ‘The Millionaire Next Door,’ and ‘The Millionaire Mind,’ both authored by Stanley, Phd. From those books I learned that I was deluded about my prospects for becoming a millionaire. First, I was not exercising financial stewardship. Instead of balancing my budget, I was raising my debt ceiling. Second, I did not have a realistic plan for accomplishing my financial goals. And even if I had discipline and a plan, after reading these I realized I had no idea who was a millionaire or how millionaires lived.

Most millionaires live well below their means, even when they appear to be splurging. Popular culture wants us to believe, however, that most millionaires live lavishly, that they are decked out with blings, live in pricy neighborhoods, drive luxury cars, and that they frequent the finest restaurants. According to Stanley, millionaires who lived extravagantly are in the minority. His research suggests that most millionaires live well below their means, even when they appear to be splurging.

When information is good, useful, and practical it activates our potential; we are empowered to act. It gives us an understanding, or a three-dimensional view of our goal, thereby effectively increasing our capacity to achieve our own goals. In other words, we receive a customized HOW for achieving the goal. Viktor Emil Frankl, father of Logos Therapy, believed that when we understand the WHY of a situation our tolerance for suffering increases and we are more likely to persevere. So, while reading ‘The Millionaire Mind,’ and the ‘Millionaire Next Door,’ did not result in me becoming a millionaire, the information empowered me to do a couple of cool things. As a result of reading these books, I have never owned a car newer than ten years. In fact the most expensive car I ever owned cost me about three thousand dollars cash. Prior to that car I had a $235 car that gave me about 25,000 miles. Also, not having car notes made it possible for me to contribute to the financial stability of my family, and to give regularly to the local church. I have summarized my impression of those books the the poem, ‘About Money.’

Reading is fundamental, but its empowerment aspect is only activated when we implement the principles presented. Let us get back to cherishing books and reading. If I were to re-title these books I would call them ‘Demystifying the Real Millionaires’ Part I, II, and III. I am currently reading ‘Stop Acting Rich and Start Living Like a Real Millionaire,’ also by Stanley and I am loving it. The practice of lifting principles from the text as we read and putting them into practice can be applied to any reading. Whenever I can, I like to read more one book by a particular author. It helps me to get in the style and intentions of the author. For these books, however, reading any one of the three will be illuminating, and empowering. Happy reading!

Our Kind of People

Our Kind of People: Inside America’s Black Upper Class, by Lawrence Otis Graham, explores, in depth, America’s ‘Black Upper Class.’

To understand what Graham is talking about, the reader must contemplate the meaning of the first two sentences of Chapter 1: “Bryant Gumble is, but Bill Cosby isn’t. Lena Horne is, but Whitney Houston isn’t.”

As only Graham can, the reader is shown this community in all of its grit and glory. To be sure, Grahams’ presentation is nuanced. The complexity of being black is explored beyond mere economics and other traditional modes of socio-psychological analysis. Graham interjection of his experience, as a member of the group about which he write, is informative.

Even for the student of history, this book will present a few surprises. Graham chronicles the experiences and activities of the Black elite in some of America’s largest cities including, Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York City, Memphis, Detroit, and Atlanta. About Detroit, for example, Graham delves deep into the politics of pre and post1967 riots. The reader is given a unique glimpse into the city that was, and could be.

All-in-all, Our Kind of People is a great read. It is informative, thoughtfully written, and will not disappoint.

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (December 22, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060984384
• ISBN-13: 978-0060984380

About Money

Neither fear nor greed will drive me;

Neither will enslave me.

I will put first-things first, not last;

I will learn from mistakes of the past.

I will focus, and attain mastery;

I will not be afraid of mystery.

I will not work harder, but smartly;

I will not work for money, it will work for me.

David M. Brotherson
Dec. 28, 2003

Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance

‘Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance,’ by Tony Dungy with Nathan Whitaker, is light reading with deep meaning. It is written in a style that is simple and uncomplicated. The book has thirty chapters written in into seven parts. Part I: Develop Your Core, is just that, the core of the book, along with Part VII. If pressed for time, after Part I and VII are read, the reader could easily skip to any of the remaining five parts without becoming confused.

Dungy, with the aid of writer, Whitaker, addresses the question: What does it take to live a life of significance? This question is not so much answered, as the reader is directed to primary and some secondary sources, from which answers could be gotten. ‘Uncommon’ interweaves principles of integrity and the personal experiences of Dungy foremost as a devout Christian. Dungy also draws from the life and stories of men who modeled integrity, including his father. The foundation of the message is rooted in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The inspiration for the title, however, comes from a quote by Coach Cal Stoll: “Success is uncommon, therefore not to be enjoyed by the common man. I’m looking for uncommon people.” Dungy looks directly into the eyes of the reader, particularly men, and tells the truth he knows.

The subtitle of this book could easily have been ‘Reclaiming the Significance of Manhood: A Christian perspective on manhood with practical tried-and-true illustrations and examples.’ Dungy’s reliance on sports, and particularly football anecdotes, does not limit the scope of the message. Football is only one tool used to illustrate some of the principles presented. The reader that could benefit from the challenge to live in an extraordinary manner, or knows someone that could, must read this book.

Sadly though, the significance of ‘Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance,’ could be missed because of the uncomplicated style in which it is written. The reader must, therefore, guard against unreflective reading, or mindlessly gathering of quotes and aphorisms. That said, my favorite quote from this book is, “Start now. Be uncommon.”

Ps. This is not a self-help book. The principle espoused between the covers of the book may require external forces, greater than the self, to put them into practice.

Uncommon: Finding Your Own Path to Significance (ISBN: 1414326815 / 1-4143-2681-5)
Dungy, Tony;Whitaker, Nathan

ISBN 10: 1414326815
ISBN 13: 9781414326818

On Falling or Failing

Open any major newspaper, turn on any news channel, and it is not long before you are confronted with the results of a fall. Usually, the fall involves power and its abuses. The more sensational, the merrier. A fall in its fullest sense, however, need not be dramatic, nor involve a moral failure. I, for example, recently experienced a fall of sorts. No, it was not a moral failing. I simply had high aims regarding a certain goal, and I fell short of success in my attempt to achieve it; I fell off-track. In the moment following my fall, or what may be euphemistically described as a setback, I pondered what it meant to fall. Falling is popularly understood to be accidental. One way Merriam Webster describes a fall; however, is “to drop oneself to a lower position.” Here, the act of falling is volitional: “Falling to his knees, [he asked for her hand in marriage].” From this definition it can be inferred that how we look at a situation could determine how it looks to us.

I think you will agree, if you have played basketball, you are a fan of the game, or you have seen it played, it is amazing how the high and how far the human body can travel given certain physiological type and training. In the mid 80s, during a slam-dunk competition, Spud Webb redefined the calculus of a body in motion. In that performance, Webb at 5 feet 7 inches, was outstanding. He jumped about 47 inches off the ground and slam-dunked to win the competition. If you can, watch any basketball clip in slow motion, and observe the player closely. Notice, a moment or two prior to the jump, the body goes down with deliberate intensity, kinetic energy builds up, and boom! it explodes into the air, and it's beautiful. Webb defied the odds because he was able to recognize an opportunity to win the slam-dunking competition. He was willing to drop himself to a lower position, if only for a moment, a necessary precursor to jumping, and ultimately making the winning move.

Falling is complex. Based on my working definition, it need not be accidental. It could be moral failure, or loss of physical control of one's body, or it could mean failure to meet some internally or externally imposed expectation. What Webb did is usually, and only, done by guys upwards of 6 feet. This suggests that Webb would have had to exercise particular control of his body so that it would perform in that extraordinary manner. Similarly, I suppose, if I exercise control, allowing this situation to build character, my capacity to succeed will increase.

Depending on the choices I make in the face of my setback, it can turn out to be less of a fall in the popular sense. As such, I am choosing to act with deliberate intention: controlling my movement downwards in the process building up the energy necessary for the propulsion to achieve the next goal. In other words, I am actively learning everything I can about what I contributed to the situation. For me, the experience is less about blame and more about personal responsibility. Similar to a ballplayer, who excels only by returning to the first principles of the game, I also must continually return to the first principle of my profession: praying, fasting, meditating daily on the things that are true etc. Equipped with this perspective, I can, I must, and I will redefine the calculus of a destiny unfolding.

Inspired

I am inspired ...

The power of inspiration, I believe, is akin to compassion in that it creates in us the potential to act. For instance, Jesus was moved with compassion to heal the sick and raise the dead. While compassion was not necessary for Him to perform miracles, it speaks of His humanity as a high priest, who can identify with us. Inspiration like compassion moves us at our core. It provides the fuel that is vital for over performance; with it we can become herculean, such that no situation is so dire as to justify loosing hope. When we are inspired, the process for whatever challenges we face become more bearable. It increases the likelihood we will continue or do again what needs to be done to overcome any obstacle. Inspiration propels us to a place where growth is revealed, and our lives, and lives of those around us are enriched.

The Writers' Workshop inspired me to write again with passion. I am still struggling as a writer, but I see breakthrough. I feel a momentum for writing that I have not felt for some time. Without a doubt, writing is a discipline. Sometimes, however, getting to the discipline requires encouragement and inspiration. I needed the experience of the Writers' Workshop. The demand of getting weekly assignments done distracted me from the painful aspect of the writing. Yet, it was more than the demand that propelled me. I felt was a strong sense that I was contributing to somebody’s break-through. I write for myself, but with the understanding that I am writing for others.

Although, Joy is a fruit to be eaten and shared, I would guess that for most people writing is personal. For example, we write emails, we text, and most of that communication is directed a specific other person or to a selected group. In light of the Writers' Workshop, I am rethinking the perspective that I write for myself. If I am a tree, then my words are the fruits that hang from my branches. If one person can eat and be satisfied then I have served my purpose. Moreover, since I have neither silver nor gold, what better gift to give than words that inspire, words that bring peace, word that restore hope. The words I write also satisfy me.

Moreover, writing is a wonderful act of self affirmation. It does not have to be self-congratulatory, or horn-tooting. Instead, by writing we can challenge ourselves to be more honest, first with ourselves and then then with others. As we persevere down this path of self evaluation and assign the proper value of our contribution in the lives of others, we will perhaps write more. We will find a new freedom of expression that could show itself as a galloping horse, wild, but rhythmic or as the purposeful harmonious moments of swans.

Finally, I will write because I can.

THE SENATOR AND THE SOCIALITE: The True Story of America's First Black Dynasty

THE SENATOR AND THE SOCIALITE is a biographical account of the Blanche Bruce, ex-slave and the first African American to serve a full term in the U.S. Senate. Blanche Bruce was elected to the Senate in 1874, where he honed and leveraged his skill as a power broker. The author, Lawrence Otis Graham, does a masterful job of interweaving the historical context necessary to bring the story alive. As such, the volume of names, dates, places and things, becomes part of the story rather than a list of things to remember.

The Senator marries Josephine Wilson, the daughter of a wealth Philadelphian Dentist, and together they built a dynasty. Deliberate social strategy appears to be the main reason for their success. Blanche Bruce also appears to be a master of his own destiny, that of his wife, Josephine, and son, Rosco, at every turn. Because of Senator Bruce's vast real estate holding, other business activities, and his connection to people of means and influence, the Bruce’s were could afford an extravagant lifestyle. This of course is during post-reconstruction, a perilous time for most African Americans.

Blanche Bruce’s story is about picking oneself up by one's bootstraps. It’s about working hard, as much as it is about being lucking. It’s about race as much as it is about social class.

Because of Graham’s thoroughness, and magnificent story telling, this book reads less like a historical biographical account, and more like a work of fiction. After reading this book I was reminded of the Covey Principle, “Begin with the end in mind.” The point of having the end in mind is similar to setting goals. Once a goal is set that is realistic, measurable, and timely, etc., the steps necessary to accomplish the goal can be decided.

Depending on your unique sociopolitical disposition, you might conclude that the Bruce's social strategies were successful, or that the net result was a flaming disaster. Whatever your conclusion, the author, Graham, lets the story tell itself by presenting the facts, and allowing you the reader to pull from it what you need.

On a 1 to 10 scale, I give the SENATOR AND THE SOCIALITE an 8.5. This book will inform, inspire, and perhaps, compel you to act. I highly recommend it.

Lawrence Otis Graham

Harper Perennial

Biography

ISBN-10: 0060985135

ISBN-13: 9780060985134

Inaugural Blog

Dear Darlene Dickson,

Thanks to you, and the supporting cast, for facilitating the Writer’s Workshop. I wasn’t able to attend the first session, however, I was present last Sunday, and it was like I hadn’t miss a thing. The neophyte’s guide to the blogosphere (hand-outs 1 & 2), were easy to follow. However, I must admit I may have spent too much time tinkering with the blog design, instead of getting the assignments done. So far, I’m having a blast.

My primary purpose for blogging is to improve the clarity of my writing. Second, I hope that the demand of this process: the disciplined expression of thoughts, will produce something quotable. There is something inherently powerful about the accurate written words. Things said are soon forgotten, however, a record of ideas makes for easy reference, and recitation. I suppose that a part of the process of writing is learning how to harness the power of words.

I look forward to the remaining weeks of the workshop, and how it might transform my writing. Again, thank you.

Best regards,

David