Perseverance, Journey to Alaska shares your journey of setting off on a new adventure in life, drastically different from anything you had done before, and biking through the wilderness of Alaska. Why was this an important book for you to write?

I started writing Perseverance, Journey to Alaska as a travel guide for e-bike touring enthusiasts. When I started my Journey, I had no idea I was embarking on a life-changing adventure. By the time I reached the halfway point of my journey, I knew I was not returning. The emotional aspect of that decision was overwhelming. I lived in California for 40 years, leaving that life for something unknown, shrouded in pitfalls, but the promise of something better inspired me to write a different story.

Writing this book is important to share a bit of soul-searching humanity with my fellow human beings. To lead by example, and share a story that inspires, encourages, and proves it can be done at any age given the determination and perseverance to change one’s life. It takes a lot of courage to leave everything you own behind. The material aspect is nothing compared to the emotional and psychological impact. Humans are creatures of habit; we crave the known, creating lifestyle patterns that lead to an easy life. I rode my bicycle into an unknown abyss, starting a new career with zero overlapping skills. Writing Perseverance, Journey to Alaska was a calling because a good writer writes stories that inspire.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

The most important idea in this book is change. Change is inevitable in our society. I embraced change with an open mind and proved that with determination, anyone can change. Many humans get stuck in the status quo, afraid to embark on a journey of change. I wanted to document my journey to inspire others.

We live in a changing world. The speed of change and the decimation of information in the modern world is dizzying. The ideas behind my book were documenting a human being’s ability to adapt and change to a new environment, economics, sociology, psychology, philosophy, and culture.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who reads your story and decides to take a leap of faith and strike out on their own adventure?

The answer to this question is to paraphrase the last paragraph in my book. There is no better answer:
The most important thing you need before any adventure is a good attitude. Unexpected things will happen. That is part of life. You can plan everything, but it will inevitably go wrong. When this happens, stop, take a deep breath, and say, “Oh well, that did not work.” Focus on solutions; do not waste your time and energy on the problem. You will find a way to fix the problem if you are human. Mistakes are part of life, so roll with the punches; do not sweat the small things. If you get a flat tire or break a spoke, fix it. You can do anything you put your mind to. Don’t worry about what “might happen.” If I worried about all the “what ifs,” I would never have left San Francisco. Plan your trip with a margin of error and budget your money with wiggle room. Add a few days to your timeline. If you decide to turn left, you might find something beautiful, so just do it. If you plan your trip precisely, you won’t have time to stop and smell the roses. Slow down and enjoy your journey; that is the journey of life.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?

Inspiration and hope for a better future. I left everything I knew for a better future. It was a leap in faith. I wrote this book to inspire others who are contemplating a better future.

Author links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/04/02/embraced-change/