James E., (Mr. James) is a Southern Gentleman whom I met walking up the Mountain one day last Summer. For the most part, he is most unassuming and walks alone, everyday. On the day when we met, I asked Mr. James the same question that I asked everyone else; 'Why do you Hike St. Mountain'?After some initial introductory comments, He went on to tell me a lot more than I ever imagined that I would learn from this unassuming Southern Gentleman.
First of all, the lesson I got from Mr. James was that of 'The Power of Giving'. That power, to accomplish virtually anything that one wants in life, is available through the simple 'Act' and 'Power' of Giving.
As he shared, he has been 'Hiking' at St. Mountain for many, many years,almost 65 years! He actually moved from the downtown area of Atlanta ,about 23 years ago, so that he could 'be closer to the mountain'! That move facilitated his need to hike the mountain daily. You see, he has had a life long love affair with the mountain and has been coming here to hike since he was a 'young man'.
Before he moved out here, near the Mountain, he lived a life of a typical successful Atlanta (Southern) businessman. He had a comfortable income, a membership in one of the city's elite country clubs (Cherokee County Club), a wonderful family, (wife and grown children), money in the bank and a relatively good life.
On day, his wife abruptly informed him that , after 25 plus years of marriage, she wanted a divorce. His immediate reaction was one of 'shock and awe', followed quickly by anger. As is the case with most people, men in particular, this perceived 'loss of control' threatened his entire way of life.
It was at this pivotal time in his life that he made a decision that would change his life henceforth. He decided to practice the well-known and oft-stated bibical principal 'Give and It Shall Be Given Unto You'; references to which can be found in many places in the New Testament, including 'The Book of James'.
http://scripturetext.com/luke/6-38.htm
Well, instead of contesting the divorce and paying the otherwise high legal costs and creating the anomosity which was sure to follow, Mr. James did an extra-ordinary thing. He gave his then wife, and now ex-wife, everything that he owned! Everything!
His thinking was that there was no better time than the present to practice what he had heard preached so many times in the past and he was ready for something transformational to happen in his life. ( His wife and her lawyer thought Mr. James had taken leave of his senses, but they eventually accepted the terms and signed the agreement.)
Mr. James then decided that he would go to India and live a Monastic life by taking up studies and living in an Ashram. It was during this time in India that he really committed himself to living the life that he felt that he was sent here to live.........................
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashram
Upon his return to the U.S., after a couple of years studying in India, he decided that he and some associates would go into the Health Food business. They began what was a food co-op, which quickly grew and needed to be expanded. When they began looking for space for an actual store, he was astounded by an offer from a merchant he encountered; the merchant offered to give him his store! When he eventually overcame the shock and surprise of the merchant's offer, he realized that his Principal was at work again!
Give and It Shall be Given Unto You!
Over a period of several years, he and his partners eventually built a chain of Health Food Stores all over the U.S.; from the West Coast to the East Coast and including a distribution center. Many of the stores were actually (literally) given to them! Mr. James eventually bought out his partners and he now owns and operates the last of the stores. That store is here in the Atlanta area, near Emory University.
Mr. James attributes his success in the Health Food Business and in Life to the practice of the principal; Give and It Shall be Given Unto You...............................
These are the people that I meet on the Mountain.
