Day 589

This is the face I made while walking back home with Alfred after securing a location for my book launch.

If I had been told a year ago that I would write a book, I don't know what I would have done or said...Maybe I would have laughed in their face. I did, though. I wrote a book on a subject that I have spent so much time trying to make accessible, cohesive, and practical: spirituality.

My journey with spirituality has taken many turns, and I expect it to take many more turns. In fact, I'm excited for it. Part of my spirituality is understanding how to love myself and others. For myself, it includes being dedicated to change every year of my life. I just turned 43, and by 44, I don't want to be the same person I was when I turned 43. Spirituality also reveals your creativity and how to express it. For many years, I never thought of myself as a creative, but creativity comes in all shapes and sizes. I recently discovered that my definition of creativity was too narrow, and the essence of creativity prompted me to expand my understanding.

I enjoy writing, but only if I'm passionate about the topic. Writing as a profession was never an ambition, but this book flowed out of me. The energy that fueled this flow was incredibly invigorating, but also came with a responsibility-your creativity doesn't allow for you to take advantage of it.

We are in a perplexing time where the events are starting to resemble a scripted reality show more than reality. What's more perplexing is that we are trying to use the same tools to resist oppressive people and systems. This is why I wrote the book: A.U.R.A.: The Algorithm of Peace. It was meant to challenge you to make choices that pull you out of using used or recycled decisions that will not help you going forward. The only way out of what is happening right now is togetherness in your families and communities.

At the end of the day:

Love does not separate or divide

Love does not make you question who you are

Love goes beyond religion and spirituality

Love supercedes your ego

Love does not lead to genocide

Love does not displace

Love does not see skin color, but it also does not deny the experiences of those whose skin color has led to hate

Love shows up when you ask for it

Love requires Accepting, Understanding, Reflecting, and Acting

On day 589 of being outside of the United States, I'm not the same person I was when I arrived. It shows in what I write. We are in a place where people are going to have to rely more on their creativity and their communities to make significant changes. I tried to look at the book from several points of view and some great friends across backgrounds, spirituality (or lack of), and nationalities to see if it made sense to them, and their feedback was invaluable.

I've gone through a wide range of emotions in putting this book out, but most of all, I'm learning to stop and celebrate it, thanks to Alfred. I think it was much easier to sing to a crowd of people compared to writing a book. Much of my concern comes from what people may potentially think about the book; however, at this point, what people's opinions don't matter. What is important to me is forming a special connection to my creativity. Connecting with creativity is not something that is taught, but it is now needed more than ever.

The book will be available starting on 12 September 2025 to commemorate my mom's birthday. When it is time for the pre-order stage, I will let you know.

In Peace,

Oliver