University of Hard Knocks
Have you ever pondered upon the profound questions of why you are here, where you fit in, what you are born to do, what gift you are born to give? In other words, have you figured out your contribution to the world, the grand tapestry of life, and the symphony of human civilization?
In moments of introspection during his retirement years, Rolland felt as if he had unwittingly ‘wandered in the desert’ for 40 years (1975-2015 or 1980-2020). Yet, in hindsight, his life’s purpose was, at some pivotal points in his career -unbeknownst to him- already staring him in the face. He just failed to appreciate and recognize, much earlier, his life’s true purpose. In essence, the author failed to ‘bloom’ where God had already planted him!
If you are a teen or young adult -but especially if you are an immigrant or a member of a minority group- on a quest for your life’s purpose, this book was written for you. It’s a self-help guide outlining practical steps you can use to find and crystallize your life’s true purpose … sooner, rather than 40 years later!
If you follow the guidance contained in this book, you would hopefully avoid the shame and ultimate embarrassment of a lifetime which befell the book’s author: ‘wandering in the desert for forty years’ without constancy to purpose, to the abject dismay of his humdrum biography.
This book is also a clarion call for all citizens, especially immigrants and minorities, to say GOODBYE to apathy and indifference and, instead, to say HELLO to active participation and involvement in an ailing American democracy.
In these extraordinary times, sitting on the sidelines is simply unacceptable. Do you have a definite purpose? What does it mean for you –with your distinct set of skills, knowledge, passions, and talents– to be here in America at this particular moment in time?
The answers lie within you, waiting for you to bring them to light. May you embrace your uniqueness and align your actions with your deepest strengths, values, and aspirations … so you can experience a deep sense of fulfillment of your life’s purpose.
Yes, You Matter asserts that self-reflection is essential for understanding oneself and living to one’s fullest potential. What inspired you to write this book?
My realization, upon retirement that I failed to ‘bloom where I was planted’ inspired me to write this book. You see, upon retirement, I felt a great sense of regret and guilt when I came face to face with the reality that –having been blessed by the Almighty with the great fortune of life in America, a safe haven and comfortable refuge from the clutches of a burgeoning dictatorship I fled decades ago– I did NOT live my life with a constancy to purpose. With no definiteness of purpose, I, therefore, failed to fulfill my life’s true purpose … I failed to make it in America despite an environment of unparalleled freedom and opportunity for immigrants in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave! In hindsight, my successes in the CPA profession and in local electoral politics did not measure up to my true potential.
My intent in writing this book is simple: To be of service, to pass on the key lessons I learned from the University of Hard Knocks so that readers don’t end up ‘wandering in the desert for 40 years’ without definiteness of purpose’ like I did, to the abject dismay of my humdrum biography.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
For me, out of the whole book, the hardest thing to write about was the discussion on Chapter 4, “Passion and Purpose: Are They the Same?” I had to discuss the twin topics of passion and purpose from the intellectual and practical vantage points to be helpful to the reader. With no formal training in psychology or philosophy, Chapter 4 really challenged me.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from Yes, You Matter?
The pursuit of purpose can be met with challenges and uncertainties. The expectations of others, the pressures of society, and the fear of failure can cloud your vision and divert you from your true path. In such moments, it becomes essential to quiet the outside noise and listen to your heart’s whispers. Allow your intuition and inner wisdom to guide you, for they are the compass that will lead you toward your purpose. Embrace your uniqueness, nurture your passions, and step forward with courage and conviction.
Can readers look forward to seeing more from you soon? What are you currently working on?
Yes, despite health issues, I’m working on a few more books on the twin topics of K-12 education and American democracy.
Author Website
This book was born out of a great sense of regret and guilt which the author felt after he had retired, when he came face to face with the reality that he –blessed by the Almighty with the great fortune of life in America, a safe and comfortable refuge from the clutches of a burgeoning dictatorship he fled decades ago– had failed to fulfill his life’s purpose, despite an environment of freedom and opportunity for immigrants in the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave! In moments of introspection during his retirement years, the author felt as if he had unwittingly ‘wandered in the desert’ for 40 years. Yet, In hindsight, his life’s purpose was, at some pivotal points in his career, already staring him in the face. He just failed to appreciate and recognize his life’s true purpose. The author failed to ‘bloom’ where God had already planted him!
If you are a teen or young adult, an immigrant, or a member of a minority group on a quest for your life’s purpose, this book was written for you. It’s a self-help guide outlining practical steps you can use to find and crystallize your life’s true purpose … sooner, rather than later.
Hopefully, this book can help the reader avoid the shame and ultimate embarrassment of a lifetime which befell the book’s author: ‘wandering in the desert for forty years’ without constancy to purpose, without definiteness of purpose, to the abject dismay of his humdrum biography.
This book is also a clarion call for all citizens, especially immigrants, and minorities, to say GOODBYE to apathy and indifference and, instead, to say HELLO to active participation and involvement in an ailing American democracy. Whatever suits you, in these extraordinary times, sitting on the sidelines is simply unacceptable. What does it mean for you –with your distinct set of skills, knowledge, passions, and talents– to be here in America at this particular moment in time?
The answers lie within you, waiting for you to bring them to light. May you embrace your uniqueness and align your actions with your deepest strengths, values, and aspirations … so you can experience a deep sense of fulfillment of your life’s purpose.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/05/07/university-of-hard-knocks/
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