So I Started Writing a Book...

Whoa! Much to the surprise of my overly analytical mind—which enjoys scholarly research for thrills—there's more to writing this book than simply putting words on a page.

Some days, which start off with the ceremonial yet ambitious morning cup of the boldest coffee I can get for my money at de Albert Heijn—three "stuks" of the best espresso in a sleeve—meld into a hazy afternoon, leaving me mystified by how fast the time evaporated.

The process of revisiting a lifetime of outlook-shaping experiences often leaves me emotionally drained, catching my breath from fighting back tears, and feeling like I need a cigarette and a double scotch whiskey (ice optional). I don't smoke, and I gave up drinking. So, there's that.

I never imagined that writing about what I once thought was a whimsical idea—a clever analogy about the impact of personal perspective—would become a body of work that sparks a boundary-challenging internal evolution, pushing me to my limits, the results of which could put the best therapist's kid through college.

The moments that change how you see the world are often the hardest to revisit.