As You Journey Through Life

It is said that the average human being only uses about 10% of their brain power. Just 10%! Can you imagine if we are able to harness possibly 25% how brilliant we would be in all facets of our lives? Just think about science and research, skill and artistry. The world would truly have an unstoppable force to reckon with. It is this potential to manage our brain power that has galvanised St. Jakes Valentine to pen his own book that seeks to unleash our cranial capabilities and maximise the components of our medulla oblongata. In short, Valentine strives to show us how to better ourselves and rise above being ordinary. An instructional manual to his children on ways to be successful in life, As You Journey Through Life is a book that seeks to spark flames of self efficacy and self sufficiency. Shared in the format of lessons such as ‘be in control’ and ‘invent yourself’, all the headings of lessons combined spell the word ‘Brain’. To demonstrates the power of words that can inspire, he added quotes from such historic figures as Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Covey, Winston Churchill and then threw in a couple of his own since Valentine himself is not too shabby a philosopher.
Jamaicans are naturally expressive with nods, grunts, fist pump, hands akimbo, kiss teeth and screw face and our body language is usually accompanied by words that cement what we intended to transmit. As valentine stated, he sought to examine the potency of words we use (or misuse) every day and their effect on us as we communicate through this age old method of uttering sound vibrations to a particular pronunciation. These utterances referred to as words, cast a whole meaning in their conveyance from one individual to another.
In the book he asks and answers questions posed and the conversational tone makes it engaging as readers can comprehend with ease where the journey is taking them and the purpose of each lesson that enhances their own ability to critical think.
In As You Journey Through Life, he tackles topics such as acceptance, destiny, facing fears and how there is much more to love than the usual physical manifestation that takes place behind closed doors (hopefully!).
As You Journey through Life is interesting reading that would make a good gift idea, especially for teenagers to scaffold their self image and self esteem. There are so many self-help and inspirational books done by ‘foreign’ authors with big names and even bigger bank accounts so I am delighted that we have a local alternative that is just as effective and more importantly portrays the culture and nuances of the people within whom he seeks to ignite a passion for positive change.