Best Selling Author
Now he is committed to sharing the freedom he knows with others: a freedom he discovered behind bars, and now he is able to keep others from going through his same experience.
It’s all about choices.
I spent a lifetime saying I would change, only to fall back into the same destructive situations– drugs, stealing from family, drinking, sex and homelessness.
A series of bad choices led me into a life of crime. Should I blame it on bad parenting, bad luck, my circle of friends, people, places or things?NO.
We are all exposed to a wide variety of people and situations, but we are responsible for the choices we make. After spending 25 years in and out of prison, I was finally challenged to write my book, titled “Choices”. Every choice has a consequence – good or bad.Whether you decide to make good choices or bad choices, your life will be the result of those choices and consequences.
While I was in prison I exaggerated my own story to make myself sound better, seem tougher and look “badder” than the other inmates. I jockeyed for position behind those prison walls, in my cell, the yard and mess hall. The truth was that I was scared out of my mind. I was ashamed of my drug use, of the weeks at a time before I was in prison when I did not eat, sleep or bathe because of my addictions and running on the streets. This is not the sort of thing you discuss over lunch with people you just met.
I survived those years by humbling myself and reaching out to people and organizations willing to help me make positive choices. Had it not been for the outreach programs, mentoring, family, friends and men’s ministry, I would not be writing this story today.
One program in particular opened the door for inmates to receive books from other institutions and libraries throughout the state. Inmates could sign out a book from outside the facility and borrow the book for two weeks – just like a library. When I finally decided to let my old self die and set my sights higher than just myself, I started to read about seminars, public speaking, and helping others. I wanted to be a better person.
I checked out a book titled, “How to Run Seminars and Workshops”, by Rob Jolles. This book had a major impact on my life. The words were like the drugs I was used to on the streets – I couldn’t get enough of them! I needed my daily fix of Rob Jolles. When I finished reading that book, I was inspired to think of what my life could be if I did something similar to what Rob was doing. I wrote him a letter to tell him how his words impacted me. It was the beginning of dozens of letters back and forth from prison, the beginning of a friendship that continues to this day. Rob has been by my side, mentoring and encouraging me. My book would not have been written if it were not for Rob Jolles telling me, “Planning to write is not writing, thinking about writing is not writing. Talking about writing is not writing. Researching and outlining to write is not writing. None of that is writing. Writing is writing.”
When I finished writing, my book was more than 1,800 pages. I then began the daunting task of reducing it to one-quarter of the original length. The process of re-reading everything made me come to terms with who I had been. I saw how I had mistreated people, lied, stolen, and destroyed everything good in my life. I did not want to be that person any longer. The more I read, the more I realized that I needed to make a conscious choice to live like the person I was created to be.
Ronald James knows about choices, both good and bad. Unfortunately, he also knows all too well about the personal cost and tragic results that bad choices bring. After spending more than twenty-five years of his life incarcerated in a nine-by-nine cell with nothing but an uncomfortable bed, a steel toilet and sink, and a roommate, James learned one important lesson: choices determine destiny.
With a determination to help others make better choices, James chronicles his emotional, heartfelt, amusing, and thought-provoking journey through his personal battles, decisions, and the consequences that led him to pay the ultimate price with his life and time. As he details his experiences from an early age, James provides insight into how he developed a survival mode of thinking that evolved into a powerful tool of manipulation. He began to believe in his own lies and became deceitful in order to remove himself from tight situations.
While reflecting on his own path through life and the chain of events that eventually led to his downward spiral, James encourages and empowers others to learn from his mistakes, consider their choices, and trust in God to experience a life greater than ever imagined.
Choices is a compelling, inspirational autobiography that shares life-changing wisdom for anyone who wants to begin making better choices today.
Have you ever faced a situation or a problem that was monumental in your life? Instead of running away or giving up you make the choice to meet that challenge head-on and after countless hours and hard work, you find yourself victorious! That’s what “Living in Your Next Choice” in all about. It’s the resolve of what life is all about after you’ve made a wise choice. Now, what will you do with your next Choice?
The goal of this book is to allow you to see yourself as I see myself, which is AMAZING, so you may pursue your dreams of becoming Successful (capital S). The rules are simple:Week 1, days 1-7Allow me to speak into your imagination so that I can help you See it! (See your thoughts)Week 2, days 8-14Discover each of your dreams and follow them when you Say it! (Say the words that bring life into your being) Week 3, days 15-21Discover each of your dreams and follow them when you Speak it! (Speak life into your being)Week 4, days 22-the end of the monthBecome yourself when you Be It! (Walk your life out as you see it)As you reach your goals and grow into your new self, spend time with the new you. Be there for you and your family (If that means less or no time for TV, entertainment, and unfruitful vices, then so be it!)See It — Say It — Speak It — Be ItThis is your time. Your year. A Year of Choice, A Year of Change. Are you ready for your Success?
Ronald James knows about choices, both good and bad. Unfortunately, he also knows all too well about the personal cost and tragic results that bad choices bring. After spending more than twenty-five years of his life incarcerated in a nine-by-nine cell with nothing but an uncomfortable bed, a steel toilet and sink, and a roommate, James learned one important lesson: choices determine destiny. With a determination to help others make better choices, James chronicles his emotional, heartfelt, amusing, and thought-provoking journey through his personal battles, decisions, and the consequences that led him to pay the ultimate price with his life and time. As he details his experiences from an early age, James provides insight into how he developed a survival mode of thinking that evolved into a powerful tool of manipulation. He began to believe in his own lies and became deceitful in order to remove himself from tight situations. While reflecting on his own path through life and the chain of events that eventually led to his downward spiral, James encourages and empowers others to learn from his mistakes, consider their choices, and trust in God to experience a life greater than ever imagined.
Whether for personal application or for use within a group or classroom study, this workbook helps reinforce key concepts to guide decision making! Excellent for taking a deeper dive!
Whether for personal application or for use within a group Bible study, this workbook helps reinforce key concepts to guide decision making! Excellent for taking a deeper dive!