INSIGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK
How The Book Was Conceived
You know I hadn't really considered writing or even being an author. When I was much younger I did have this thing for quotes and I had a masked a journal that had hundreds upon hundreds of different quotes that at one point considered publishing but it never came to fruition and those quotes still sit somewhere in my computer.
My professional journey of doing counseling really began in the early 2000s when I started working as a substance abuse counselor and eventually moving around different types of nonprofits that provided mental health.
I was probably about 10 years into my profession before it dawned on me but just how dissatisfied I was with the education that I had received and how it wasn't until you actually sat in the session how that really taught us how to provide counseling.
Simultaneously though, i had been still working through my spirituality dabbling with different practices and rituals and the idea of writing a book came to me. I thought, “maybe I should write a book about my experience as a therapist and my journey.”
This as I can remember that was right around 2012 maybe 2013. And over the next several years I kept thinking about writing a book I thought about what it could include what I would write about but it wasn't clear and it wasn't yet established what I'd say.
As bizarre as it sounds, what I would write in this book came to me while I was showering 1 morning ready to go to work. That was thinking about the day the future goals and projects that I had brainstormed about and then it came to me like a download chapter one chapter 2 chapter 3 and everything that was going to be contained in each of those chapters just came to me.
Overall I feel like I had downloaded about 14 chapters worth of material to write. And I immediately got out of the shower and I wrote them all down and I thought to myself this is what I'll write and this is what the book is going to be about.
Clearly everything that had come to me kind of came to me probably within 10 to 15 minutes. There was no doubt in my mind that God was working through me and speaking to me and giving me all the direction that I needed. I reread all the chapters, all the themes and topics that it would contain, and the title of the book became clear to me: Why We Are The Way We Are.
And that’s the way it happened…
REAL LIFE CHARACTERS IN MY BOOK
My Family
Fernando Childhood friend
My Siblings
This is my family. From Left to Right
Chloe my eldest, myself, my wife Patti and Ariel. My wife and I have been together since 1995, both born and raised in California. In 2015, we moved our family to Mckinney, Texas were continue to live.
My Siblings
Fernando Childhood friend
My Siblings
These are my siblings. From Left to Right.
My brother Edward, the youngest of the bunch. Myself, then David, Larry in the back and my only sister, Maria. Wonderrful memories from all of them. We were lucky guys. Great times!
Fernando Childhood friend
Fernando Childhood friend
Fernando Childhood friend
Fernando is one the first friends I ever met. We were in kindergarten and we've been friends since. He's got the funniest quarks like this hand shake where he's breaking your fingers, it's like he doesn't know the proper grip strength. He's a solid friend, glad I met him.
Sergio Childhood friend
Leticia (Spiritual Teacher)
Fernando Childhood friend
I met Sergio at 11 and we immediately clicked. What a great person, he's funny, witty and really sharp. We've been through so much, great stories for days. I always think he would have made a great therapist but sometimes life has other plans and that's perfectly okay.
Paul (Spiritual Teacher)
Leticia (Spiritual Teacher)
Leticia (Spiritual Teacher)
I met Paul through a Meetup he held at a cafe for folks wanting to learn to connect to the spirit realm. From them, we met up frequently for spiritual trainings and drum circles. He gifted me this drum, which I still have in my office. He taught me the fundamentals of Journeywork and moved away to India after getting married. Sadly, Paul passed away and I never had a chance to say Goodbye.
Leticia (Spiritual Teacher)
Leticia (Spiritual Teacher)
Leticia (Spiritual Teacher)
I met Leticia soon after I met Paul at one of the drum circles. Over the years, she helped to understand the mind and body connection. She helped me get my logical mind out of the Spiritual journey and trust my intuition. Years later, she helped me some attachments and with what I would consider Spiritual Warfare. We talk from tim to time.
Monique (Gifted Intuitive)
Monique (Gifted Intuitive)
Monique (Gifted Intuitive)
I met Monique one afternoon in 2012. After seeking answers and clarification about the direction of my life. There was a part of me that still felt guilty, inherently in debt to the world and questioning if I were good. I cried a lot that afternoon and a relationship was born. I became stronger and more connected to God, my Angles and my intuition and circled back yearly with her. We remain in touch till this day. I still have the rose quartz she gifted me.
Rahelio (Shaman)
Monique (Gifted Intuitive)
Monique (Gifted Intuitive)
in 2008, I experienced my first Sweatloadge in Sedona, AZ. I had heard about these ceremonies but had learned that these were very private and sacred ceremonies and for the most part, had to be invited to one. I found Rahelio and he agreed to perform a private ceremony and I must say, without a shadow of doubt, that reignited my relationship with God, my Angels and my Intuition. I've returned several times, even taking my niece in 2023. Ajo!
Mr. Slocum (Math Teacher)
Monique (Gifted Intuitive)
Mr. Slocum (Math Teacher)
Mr. Slocum was my Pre-Algebra teacher at Los Angeles Harbor College in Harbor City, California. By now, I'd failed all my math classes and on my last breath. I'd caught him in his old station wagon as he was reading the newspaper. I walked up and said, "Hi Mr. Slocum, I'm in your math class. I'm worried I won't pass your class and I've tried tutors and nothing seems to be working for me." His response was simple, "You'll be fine." And that was that...