Author's Note for A Step Back

Author's Note

A Step Back is comprised of 3 interlocking books

Book I: The search to discover the "significance" in the human existence
Book II: The search for "faith"
Book III: The search for one's "destiny"

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Aside from Brenda and myself, the names of the people encountered during the journey were changed to protect their identities and prevent invasion of their privacy. In addition, because of the lack of physical reproduction for each conversation, the dialogues throughout the book were drafted as close as possible to the actual account. However, the book was written in accordance with actual events and circumstances following the precise chronology of our journey around the world. In every sense of the word, therefore, the book is "nonfiction" and I have merely attempted to be creative with the facts. It is NOT a composite of fictional and nonfictional events and elements thrown arbitrarily together and masterfully thrown under the guise of "creative nonfiction."

Most importantly, no research or background information was acquired or used in the preparation of the contents, rather it was written completely from my "stream of consciousness" as it flowed directly from the heart. On a personal level, it was crucial to maintain the integrity of the journey, its highlights as well as the low, its inspirational moments as well as the depressing, and its moments of glory as well as the embarrassing. It was imperative that nothing be changed from the actual events to demonstrate the evolution of the inner being, the inner thoughts and emotions at a particular point in time and under a particular set of circumstances.

Finally, the thoughts, ideas, and beliefs exhibited within A Step Back are solely mine. It was also crucial to the overall goal of maintaining the integrity and purity of not only the words but the thoughts, by keeping the outside influences to a minimum. I intentionally avoided exposure to these influences, such as newspapers, magazines, television news shows, etc. while the book was being drafted. And in this regard, I have left the book unedited; that is, the book has not been reviewed or edited by a professional. In fact, not a sole has read the entire 27 chapters at the time of this publication.

For me personally, within its rough edges lies the underlying beauty. For just like life itself, its beauty often lies in the moments of spontaneity, moments of unexpected tears, or moments of uninhibited "love." It's not perfect, nor am I, nor are you; however, it is within this brandished imperfection that shines through a singular perfection only known to us as Human Beings. It is therefore from this perspective that I, and I alone, wrote the words you will read.

Herein rests my legacy of imperfection.