A VALUABLE LESSON: SELF-RELIANCE

IF YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN TURN WHAT SEEMS BLEAK INTO POSSIBILITIES, THEN
YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH TO A GREAT FUTURE.

WHEN YOU SEE THERE IS BEAUTY EVEN IN BEING REJECTED, UNSEEN AND MISUNDERSTOOD BY PEOPLE, EVEN UNSUPPORTED BY THOSE WHO ARE CLOSE TO YOU; YOU LEARN A VALUABLE LESSON:
THAT YOU ALWAYS RELY ON YOURSELF FOR EVERYTHING.

THE FUTURE IS JUST A MOMENT AWAY.

~  ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller

THE FIRST ACTION TOWARDS REALITY

WHAT YOUR MIND CONCEIVES CAN BECOME A REALITY.
YOU JUST HAVE TO IMAGINE THAT IT IS ALREADY THERE. THEN WORK TOWARDS ITS REALIZATION.

MAKING IT A REALITY CALLS FOR ACTION.
TRY DOING ONE THING TODAY THAT YOU HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT DOING FOREVER. FOR EXAMPLE, TAKING THE FIRST ACTION TOWARDS IT.

IN THIS PROCESS, NEVER STOP LEARNING.

~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller

STARTS WITH A DECISION

FUNNY THING IS THAT WHEN YOU CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE, YOU WILL FIND THAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND YOU OFTEN CHANGE.

BE COURAGEOUS. BE WHO YOU ARE MEANT TO BE.

COURAGE DOESN’T MEAN YOU DON’T GET AFRAID. COURAGE MEANS THAT YOU DON’T LET FEAR STOP YOU FROM FULFILLING YOUR GOALS, YOUR DREAMS, YOUR ASPIRATIONS.

~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller

WRITERS – THE WEIRD PEOPLE

There has always been a belief that when I write, I offer people the perspective of my thoughts, views and how I see things.

There are writers who are journalists in the true sense of the word where they record events as they unfold or have already unfolded.

Then, there are the investigative journalist types, more commonly known as reporters. Clark Kent and Lois Lang of “Superman” come to mind. – They investigate for big scoops in news. They investigate “teaspoon” size scoops, too. It depends on the experience, the tip off contacts they have, and how desperate they are for what they may deem as newsworthy.

There are many other types of writers. The question you might ask is, “Where do you (meaning me) fit in to all this?”

I have not figured that out yet. I take keyboard typing and thumping as to computer screen, pen to paper, an artist paint brush to canvas, a figure skater to skating rink…. you get the drift.

I believe that each time I start writing a piece, I have a blank canvas where a few things come to play:
My dreamer mind – This is where everything flows, randomly – words, pictures, scenes of the past and that has yet to happen (the future).
My thinking hat – I try to rationalize things and facts and put them into perspective.
What should I write today? -There are times where I just have everything thought up in almost an instant and have an essay up in no time. Or, I am inspired to write up a quote. My writings are based on what I would like to share with people. Just like the artists as they splash paint on canvas and picture a painting. The same goes with music composers. They come up with something they want to share with the world, and the world adopts it. Take Trio’s “Da Da Da”. It hit the Top 40s.
What people want me to write – Wow! I am indeed, honoured. The confidence the readers and followers (bless their hearts) of Leatherpotato.com have, have offered and suggested topics that I should write about. The spectrum is so wide and far-reaching, that I don’t know where to start. Many of these are excellent suggestions. I have taken note of them. Interesting. I need to get into the groove of a subject. Yes, I have to get into that subject and feel its vibes. It has to stimulate the senses. Then, work on its potential.

One of these readers is my close friend and La Salle school, Klang (1) classmate, Mohan Singh. He gave me an idea of what my next book should be about. The angle he thought I should work from is very interesting. Food for thought.

I love to write. I still remember the time in 1967, when I was in my Standard Three (Year 3) B classroom, situated on the floor above then tuck shop (canteen) of La Salle School, P. J. (2) My table was by the window. Standard 3 was the afternoon session. I used to often look (more like stare) out the window and dream. While watching the current primary school being built. Most of the time, I would dream of what I would like to be when I grew up. Being a writer was not one of them.😏

My writing is as simplified as possible so that it can be easily understood. Then, when you look at one of Picasso’s paintings, you began to question the meaning of the word “simplicity”.🤔

Dreaming should be a subject major. I highly recommend it. It’s fun.

NOTES:
1. Klang is a city in the west of the state of Selangor, Malaysia.
2. Petaling Jaya or P.J. as it is more commonly known as, is more a suburb city in the state of Selangor, Malaysia.

YOU AND YOUR DREAM

THE ONLY THING STANDING
BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DREAM IS
THE WILL TO TRY FOR FEAR OF FAILURE.
MAYBE IT’S TIME TO REALIZE HOW POWERFUL YOU ARE.
YOU CAN OVERCOME ANY OBSTACLE THAT YOU FACE BECAUSE YOU ARE STRONG.

~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller

THE COMPASS AND THE MAP

I WILL SUPPORT MY DREAMS UNTIL MY DREAMS SUPPORT ME.

GOALS.
GOALS ARE LIKE A COMPASS, PROVIDING YOU DIRECTION TOWARDS YOUR DREAMS.

HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT THE DIRECTION YOU ARE FOLLOWING IS THE RIGHT ONE?

PLAN
YOU NEED A PLAN. A PLAN IS A MAP SHOWING YOU THE PATHWAY TOWARDS YOUR DREAMS.

THE COMPASS (YOUR GOALS) HELPS YOU STICK TO THE MAP (YOUR PLAN).

SURE, ALONG THE WAY, YOU MAY FACE ROADBLOCKS OR LOSE DIRECTION; THAT IS NORMAL.

CONSTANT USE OF THE COMPASS AND THE MAP WILL HELP YOU STAY THE COURSE.

~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller