Throughout the years of my life, the seed of inspiration had been sown by the voices of countless individuals who, over time, had urged me to pen my own story in the form of a book. At first, their words fell upon skeptical ears as I questioned the purpose of such an endeavor.

“Why write a book? My story isn’t that big of a deal.”

As the years went by and my life was being transformed, I came to understand why I was being urged by others to write an autobiography. But I still didn’t want to put pen to paper. I came up with great excuses, “I don’t have time to write a book, I don’t want everyone to know EVERYTHING about me, and I don’t want to hurt my family.”

My life is a tale of adversity and growing up in the shadows of a life fraught with hardship and despair. But more so, it is, at its core, a story of transformation, overcoming, perseverance, unfailing love, Faith, and resilience, transcending the darkest circumstances to emerge victorious. To be happy, joyous, and free.

A few years ago, I started to feel the nudge from God. I would hear him in my moments of meditation, “Write the book.” So, I started “thinking” about writing a book as I worked on developing the courage to take action.

Then, a pivotal moment arrived on the cusp of a daring ascent up Mount Rainier in 2023. It was the eve of my grand adventure as I embarked on a quest to find a ghostwriter to help birth my book. The process unfolded, replete with choices and information to sift through. But, in truth, I still hadn’t mustered the courage to take action.

Two nights before my ascent, a dream unfolded, one I can only describe as profound. In this ethereal realm, I entered a colossal auditorium akin to a large football field, teeming with people. They stood shoulder to shoulder and nearly indistinguishable from one another. God’s voice beckoned down to me. He stated two among the multitude were not of the same ilk. I was told one needed salvation, and the other posed a threat to the rest and needed to be removed.

I approached the one destined for expulsion, fortified by the protection of God. I removed him from the auditorium, a necessary step to protect others. I then approached the second figure, designated by God, as the one I needed to save.

Lastly, in a commanding tone, God said, “Write it down.” I looked up and said, “Okay, okay.” He said again, “Write it down!”.

It was a clarion call, almost impatient in its urgency. As I awoke, I realized the message was clear: I had procrastinated on writing the book I was meant to create. God wasn’t angry with me, just impatient. I needed to make a decision and start writing the book.

 All that said, the purpose and my hope in completely opening myself up and exposing all to know all of me is that it may help you find hope that you, too, can emerge victorious, happy, joyous, and free. And that you too, can start to see life adversities and circumstances as Blessings, inspired by this narrative of triumph over tribulation.

My hope, you can recognize the power within yourself to shape your destiny, break free from the constraints of the past, and embrace a new way of thinking.

I can’t help but notice a peculiar irony— in today’s society that is telling us to embrace the “do want you want to make you happy” that more people seem to grapple with unhappiness. In an era where we can redefine our identities, change our physical attributes, and engage in any manner of behavior without judgment, our collective happiness is diminishing. The disturbing rise in suicide rates and a growing despair weighed heavily on my heart.

Could secularism and pursuing personal gratification, above all else, perhaps, not be the key to lasting happiness? Is a complete disregard for moral implications and the notion of doing whatever one pleases a shallow temporary band-aid to happiness that ultimately leads to more unhappiness and depression?

I am just a small voice in the grand chorus of humanity. But as I embark on this literary journey, I sincerely hope my story, experiences, and insights will resonate with you and provide hope and inspiration so you can achieve long-lasting happiness.

Living with me twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week has been an unrelenting journey, a ceaseless companionship that knows no respite. It’s an intimate relationship, a relentless conversation with the innermost corners of my being. And amidst this ceaseless dialogue, I’ve come to terms with one truth: the persistence of that gut feeling, that inner voice; it never wavers, regardless of the world’s ever-shifting perspectives.

We all have our vices, our chosen elixirs, to drown the relentless chatter of life momentarily. Whether it’s alcohol, drugs, or the fleeting allure of physical pleasure, the siren call of escape is ever-present. Yet, deep within, that indomitable presence, that inner compass, labels it as wrong. It’s a verdict that echoes even when the world clamors for conformity. The world, it seems, is inching away from the beliefs that once anchored us, straying us closer to secularism. Think about it; is that really working?

This book is about my walk from a horrible childhood, living a life filled with temporary band-aids of temporary happiness and a complete transformation, to becoming happy, joyous, and free.

I now believe in God’s boundless love. It’s a love that flows to every corner of existence, regardless of whether we reciprocate it or even acknowledge its existence. It’s a love that persists, unwavering, even when we, as flawed beings, fall short of perfection. God’s love, I am certain, is the unshakeable foundation upon which our lives are built.

Yet, my faith doesn’t rest solely on this love; it extends to the notion that God actively works in our lives, irrespective of our beliefs. This divine presence, like a hidden hand guiding the uncharted journey of our souls, is a force beyond comprehension. It is the essence of providence that weaves its tapestry, even when we are blind to its existence.

My beliefs aren’t tethered to rigid doctrines or the expectation of perfect behavior. No, they are rooted in the conviction that God desires something deeper from us—a childlike faith. I recall a story from the Bible where Jesus, amid his teachings, was approached by children. His disciples, perhaps blinded by the adult world’s complexity, sought to remove them. Yet, Jesus called the children to him and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

But what does it mean to be like a child in the eyes of God? It is not about sinlessness, for even children have moments of anger and deceit. Rather, it is about possessing absolute, unwavering faith and trust. In their innocence, children believe wholeheartedly, and it is this pure, unadulterated trust that Jesus was alluding to. It is the kind of faith that knows no doubts and finds solace in surrender.

So, what does this faith entail? It is not blind obedience born out of fear or a plea for personal gain. There is a profound inner freedom that comes from aligning our actions with God’s will.

Ultimately, my autobiography is marked by the enduring belief that God’s love transcends our imperfections, that His presence shapes our destinies, and that unwavering faith is the key to spiritual fulfillment. This faith is not mere words or rituals; it is a living force that propels us to do right, to trust in the unseen, and to find our ultimate freedom in God’s embrace.