I’m pretty much an open book, and if you pay attention, you can follow me as I work my way through life. I don’t pick random flaws and challenges for my characters to experience. I choose those in which I’m dealing with myself. So if you want to know me, all the good and bad, then just read my books. Or anything I write. Or don’t write…

You haven’t heard from me in a while, which says something too. Yes, I have been working on a new book, and I’m quite sure it’s the best I’ve ever written, but there’s more to it than that. I’ve had my head down because the shit hit the fan for me. I’ll abuse another worn-out cliche: when it rains, it pours.

In the last few months, obstacles have come at me from every direction, and they’ve come at me hard. Outside of losing people I love and the years surrounding my diagnosis of focal dystonia, which stripped me of my music career, I can’t remember facing so much fear and pain and sadness.

Thankfully, I can always find solace in writing. I can put my head down and fall into this place where words pass through me. When I’m there, I’m safe and joyful and plugged into something far bigger than me—assuring me I’m doing something right.

I don’t need to get into the details of my own strife, but I’m sure you can imagine them, as I know you have hard times too. That’s why I’m reaching out today. Not to dump upon you my troubles but to connect, because you know what I’m talking about. If you’re not going through stuff at this exact moment, you probably have in the past.

I’m ahead of schedule on my book, so it’s allowing me some time to take a breather and recharge. I’m doing a lot of walking with my dogs, spending time with family, reading, meditating, and drinking tea (I have a budding tea problem)—all while sitting with and accepting and facing the challenges that have presented themselves. What I’m trying to do is embrace the storm as opposed to running or hiding from it, and I’m finding so many answers in the quiet spaces.

The truth is that I’ve been hiding and escaping. I’ve been overworking and overdoing a lot of other things too. I’ve been so focused on establishing and finding my inner safety—reconciling the imbalance in my nervous system and my tendency toward fight, flight, or freeze—that I’ve forgotten to lift up my head and open my heart. I’d forgotten that loving those around me and loving strangers and giving everyone in my life kindness and compassion is as important as focusing on my inward development. In fact, I can’t fully develop inwardly without sharing the peace and love that I have within.

As I come up for air, I am reminded of why I started writing. Not only because I had something to say, but because I wanted to help people, like books have helped me. I wanted to share the struggles that I face in hopes that maybe I can give a little hope to some of you who are going through similar things. Perhaps we can climb out of our difficulties together. I write because it is my strongest tool in doing my little part to make the world a brighter place.

Someone wrote me just yesterday and said The Singing Trees inspired them to start painting again, and that she is now passionately searching for her voice as an artist. Not too long ago, someone told me they had lost a tremendous amount of weight after being inspired by Margot in the Red Mountain stories. I get these emails quite often. This is why I write and I remember that today. No, I’m not a neurosurgeon. I’m just a halfway bright and lucky guy from Spartanburg, South Carolina who has had some great leaders in my life and who was fortunate enough to find what I’m meant to do. I can’t change the world, but maybe I can do a little something.

I’ve been trying to brainstorm my next few stories, to prepare to pitch to my publisher at some point this year, and the ideas have been a little hard to find. I think that’s because I lost my compass. I forgot that it’s in my heart, not my brain.

I’m talking more to myself than you now… It’s so important to work on the inner Boo. But it’s equally, if not more important, to open your heart to those around you. Not just your immediate family or even your extended family. Not only your friends. It’s important that you open your heart to your readers and the guy who cuts your hair and everyone at the chiropractor’s office and the sweet woman who served you and your son breakfast yesterday. Yes, you are having a tough go at it, but so many people have it much worse. Be grateful for what you have and put your eyes on them. Share your love with them.

What about the Ukrainians who slept in trees last night because of the flooding caused by the destroyed dam? What about the homeless people camped out in downtown Portland, Maine? What about the people who don’t have easy access to clean drinking water? What about my friend whose wife crushed him a few weeks ago when she told him an unbearable truth? Or the person in my life who lost their partner last week?

Boo, what you’re going through, it’s not that it doesn’t matter. It’s big to you. But take a step back and know that you’re not alone. Take a page from your forthcoming book and look up at the sky, listen to what the stars have to say, and wipe the smudges off the lenses through which you sometimes see life.

We’re all, even the worst of us, striving for happiness. We’re all in this together. Only by sharing in this human experience can we fully realize the potential.

I write to you today with an open heart.

I haven’t met all of you, but I’m so grateful to be a part of your life, and I extend to you my love. I hope that your struggles will not hold you back and that you will find a way through them. I hope that together we can lift our heads and open our hearts today, even if it’s for only a few minutes. May we think outside of ourselves and slip into the skin of those around us with open minds.

When I wake tomorrow and the days after, may I make plenty of room to consider the rest of you out there fighting it out with me. May I pluck my head out of my own arse long enough to remember that we’re in it together. May I live a life that not only fulfills me but will impact you as well.

Even if it’s just offering a smile, or drawing out a laugh. Seeing someone who hasn’t been seen in a while. Picking up something that someone dropped, opening a door for someone with their hands full. Paying the toll for someone behind you. Giving a gift for no reason at all.

Most importantly, may I put aside my own issues and biases and thoughts and daydreams to listen—to really listen—to someone when they talk to me.

This life I’m living is not about me. It’s about what I can do for the rest. It’s about connecting.

Here’s to open hearts, my friends.

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