The road not taken led us here
🌍︎ 17 U.S. states and 21 countries
A Philosopher & Poet's Path from Wall Street & Big Tech
I remember sitting around a camp fire, the crisp air smelling of s’mores and anticipation, reading a poem to everyone as camp came to an end. I remember reading Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speeches like they were poetry. I remember memorising Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, Robert Frost, Rumi, and Thoreau, like they were the words of old friends. I remember discovering Maya Angelou and crying because I realised poets and philosophers could look like me. . .
I remember working 48 hours straight on a liquid refining model for one of the biggest refining companies. Most of my body shut down, but my mind kept going and my hands kept typing. By the time I told my Managing Director I would leave and sleep, my body would not shut down. Maybe it thought I was in serious danger. Maybe, subjectively, I was.
I remember boarding 24 hour flights leaving family and friends to head back to Singapore. My chest and mind were heavy with doubt, yet my heart was still open. I remember Singapore had the first Covid case outside of China. I never felt so far from home in my life. I remember the start of lockdown, the constant surveillance, and the next-level tracking. I remember the heavy feeling of confusion, fear, and perhaps loneliness.
I remember my first resignation from Google, only 3 years in, and my quiet disappointment in something I believed in. I remember the new offer just 2 weeks before my last day. I remember it being an offer I could not reject, so I took it, and stayed for 8 years in total.
I remember. Yes, I remember.
A great mentor, and the owner of Eritage, once said to me, “Memory is all we have. . .” In the moment, I doubted it, but I believe he is right.
Momentum & Ordering the Book
Poetry in Eden is ultimately a book about belonging. It offers healing through a unique form of alchemy, and today, it is a cross-product platform, here on Substack, Spotify, Apple, and as books.
In the past 6 months alone across platforms, I have generated a 467% increase in readership, a 101% increase in followers, 100% 5 star ratings (please do not forget to rate Poetry in Eden on all platforms), a reach of 17 U.S. states and 21 countries!
It feels surreal, but I also feel proud. Poetry in Eden is available as an ebook/paperback from your favourite retailer including Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, Walmart, Foyles, Waterstones, and more. The audiobook, with my voice, will be available across 38 platforms once the book is officially live on Nov 30th.
The first-7-day and 30-day sales, starting from Nov 30th, are the most important for a debut author like me. Escalating pre-orders and orders, gifting copies to friends and family, and/or encouraging others to purchase Poetry in Eden goes a longggg way. I am on a mission to heal with you, and this is another first big step, together 🪬
Here’s to The Road Not Taken (by Robert Frost) and here’s to the path that led me right here.