Chapter 1: A Heartfelt Announcement

This is an unfiltered message straight from my heart. I want you to see me for who I truly am.

The last few days have been nothing short of chaotic. I have spent numerous hours grappling with anxiety and fear regarding my future. It feels surreal, almost as if I am waiting for a hidden camera crew to jump out and exclaim, "You've been punked!"

Now, I can hear no one asking, "What has happened?" Allow me to share.

I’ve dedicated a significant portion of my life to writing, yet for far too long, I felt like a complete failure. Recently, however, after extensive therapy and deep self-examination, alongside the ups and downs of life, I have truly awakened. At thirty-five, I feel like my life is just beginning anew.

Growing up, I always dabbled in writing, taking creative writing courses whenever I could. I have contributed to game developers, magazines, and various websites, but I never took it seriously. Consequently, I spent most of my life in various jobs, primarily in the culinary field.

The main takeaway is that I stopped writing for nearly two decades. Until recently, I lived in a sort of mental haze—not fully present, yet somehow still alive. My perspective shifted when my wife encouraged me to make some changes in my life. Ultimately, I realized I wanted to spend my days with her and our family while earning a living.

This pursuit led me to explore different avenues, eventually landing me in a manga school that offers a comprehensive course on creating one-shot manga for competitions in Japan. One of my instructors is the creator of "Wedding Peach," a series I hold dear.

During this time, I have been actively writing and sharing articles online, particularly on Medium.com. To my surprise, one of my articles gained significant traction and was shared widely.

This was shocking, especially since my previous most successful pieces were simple character studies, one on Eren Yeager from "Attack on Titan" and another on Ellie Williams from "The Last of Us." They were just small reflections on topics I care about.

Then everything changed with a seemingly innocuous article that spiraled me into a state of panic and emotional turmoil. To my astonishment, within hours of publication, my article gained unexpected attention, resulting in an overwhelming number of notifications and inquiries.

Initially, fear gripped me. Had someone from my past resurfaced? Was I about to relive a cycle of harassment? I had no idea what was happening until I received an email that revealed my article had gone viral.

Not in the traditional sense, but enough for Penguin Publishing and others to express interest in my work. I was both intrigued and confused.

In the back of my mind, a thought lingered: Could I become a recognized writer? Would my life finally stabilize, allowing me to provide a good life for my family? I quickly dismissed the thought; after all, I felt like a nobody—an afterthought to society due to my past mistakes.

Yet, I sensed a shift was imminent in my life, one I never anticipated.

I spoke with a young woman who was an assistant to a literary agent, and she made a statement that resonated deeply. Despite my troubled past, she believed that my life story could inspire others, offering comfort and guidance through my experiences.

While I questioned her intentions, suspecting it might be a sales pitch, her words struck a chord. Like everyone else, I have known both pain and joy, and I am not unique in that regard. What makes us special is our very existence in this world.

Occasionally, truly remarkable individuals cross our paths—my wife, my children, and figures like Matthew Perry and Paul Gray, who have impacted my life profoundly, albeit unknowingly.

I am not like them; I am just a regular person from a humble background. Yet, within me lies a flicker of creativity that drives me to write, teach, share, and uplift others.

This spark, while sometimes feeling foolish, compels me to dream big and aspire for more.

Chapter 2: Discovering the Way of Gladness

In this next chapter, we explore how embracing joy can transform our lives.