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by Jim Stovall For over a dozen years, I have been writing these weekly columns that are read by countless people in newspapers, magazines, and online publications around the world. I am privileged to have each of you as regular readers of this weekly offering.
Most of you became aware of me and my work through a little book I wrote entitled The Ultimate Gift. The book has sold millions of copies and became a major motion picture from 20th Century Fox starring James Garner, Abigail Breslin, and Brian Dennehy. The movie continues to be among the top-selling family movie titles everywhere. The Ultimate Gift is a story about a billionaire, Red Stevens, who is nearing the end of his life and, instead of making his heir Jason Stevens an instant millionaire, he sends him on a 12-month odyssey to experience the gifts of money, friends, work, family, love, and other gifts with the provision that if Jason can succeed at each of these tasks, he will inherit the Ultimate Gift. The Ultimate Gift book and movie are now part of grade school, middle school, and high school curriculums, and the lessons are studied in many universities and post-graduate courses. I have received calls, letters, and emails from countless business leaders, clergy, prisoners, politicians, and people from all walks of life in every part of the world who have embraced the message of The Ultimate Gift. When I finished writing The Ultimate Gift, I knew I was through with the story, but not done with the characters and message. Subsequently, I wrote The Ultimate Life which continues the saga of Red and Jason Stevens. The Ultimate Life is currently being made into a major motion picture as well. Here is a preview. Recently, my publisher David C. Cook has released the third book in this series entitled The Ultimate Journey. http://www.jimstovall.com/journeyFinal[4].html It may well be my favorite novel thus far as it deals with the past, present, and future of the journey we are all taking through this life. I hope those of you who have enjoyed The Ultimate Gift and The Ultimate Life will take the opportunity to get reacquainted with some old friends in The Ultimate Journey. And if you've never met Red and Jason Stevens, I hope you will join us all as we travel through The Ultimate Journey. Life is about the journey, not the destination. The greatest mountain climbers in the world spend months and years, along with many thousands of dollars, to undertake a great odyssey so that, maybe, they can spend 10 or 15 minutes on the top of the world. Some of them reach the top, and many never do; but if they have enjoyed the journey and traveled well, they have all succeeded. As you go through your day today, remember that life takes many twists and turns, and you can't always succeed at first; but you can live your life as the Ultimate Journey.
Jim Stovall is the president of Narrative Television Network, as well as a published author of many books including The Ultimate Gift. He is also a columnist and motivational speaker. He may be reached at 5840 South Memorial Drive, Suite 312, Tulsa, OK 74145-9082; by e-mail at <mailto:Jim@JimStovall.com> Jim@JimStovall.com; or on Facebook at <http://www.facebook.com/jimstovallauthor> www.facebook.com/jimstovallauthor. This article may be copied or reprinted by Ultimate Productivity Members, courtesy of www.ultimateproductivity.com.
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