Before the publication of his book in 2021, I loved the phrase. It served some good in my everyday living, leading up to the publication. The history of the word, from who the trend started, and how I came about it, I cannot remember. What I recall is that whenever I am moaning at a wrong choice or a mistake, which has the tendency to keep me fixed, a thought of the phrase exerts an effect. I tend to just lighten up and we move!
Joseph Sunday, author of We Move, has been my friend on Facebook before the publication of his book. We met for the first time at an event in the same year his book was published. The time we had together was too short for a quality conversation. However, that laid a foundation for subsequent interactions.
Sometime in January, 2022, we met at the Jarding Reading Garden. JRG is not only an outdoor library but also a haven of serenity and inspiration; it has afforded me ample opportunities to meet with like-minded and interesting individuals. Such opportunities don’t slip by. I make the most of them. Each leaves me with wonder at how amazing the human mind is, in spite of the inherent selfishness and greed the entirety of mankind need saving from.
For quite some time we (Mr Sunday and I) met consecutively over the course of three weeks; at least twice in each week. Every meeting leaves me more inspired to press on towards betterment in my craft. His advice and insights, based on his experience, are rare gems. He charges a fee to have such knowledge shared. Thankfully, I received such at no cost.
We Move was marked as one of my book purchases for 2021. I did not purchase it then. I was overshadowed by so many other affairs. It had to just lay at the bottom of my list until the appointed time.
On this fateful day, we met at the garden. Mr Sunday came around for his business. A conversation ensued which led us back to the discuss around his book. If I heard correctly, he plans to write a follow-up piece for the book. That was sometimes in February, 2022. It dawned on me immediately that I had not fulfilled my personal commitment to purchase my copy. How will I be reading the backstory of a book I had not read? I wanted an experience with the product before learning about the process. It is always pleasant to measure your assumptions and perception about the process of production of a piece with the creator’s own testament about it. Most often, you find out how wrong your speculations were, especially with artistic works. I wanted the thrill and intrigue. . . .
There and then I requested for a copy. Mr Sunday offered to give me for free. He said it wasn’t necessary to pay for it. I wondered why. Probably a gesture telling about how the moment we shared together serves some good. There was this strong resistance, however. I could not but pay for a copy. The value in the book and all I had benefited from the moments we interacted together has served me in many ways I can’t mention. Purchasing a copy against his will was an opportunity to express my sincere gratitude. It could be better. However, one should not wait until he can purchase a car to tell how thankful he is having, received unquantifiable favour.
Postscript: Electronic books, like printed ones, are products of a man’s intellectual sojourn. Against the norm, in which electronic copies are synonymous to free copies, it is worthwhile to pay for an electronic copy of a book as you’d a printed copy. It is honouring the effort which has gone into the production.
Do you want to own gift a copy of We Move? Follow this link to make an order: Order We Move.
Eno Peters, a tech educator and strategist, just published an e-book titled 100 Side Hustles. I am privileged to have worked with her in the production as a proofreader. The material is rich and resourceful. It contains a story of how she came about working from home, from a somewhat hopeless educational stride. There are also additional resources like a list of companies currently hiring remote workers; all carefully selected. Follow this link to get a copy: 100 Side Hustles. (I will earn a token after you make a purchase).