Seven years ago, Richard Singer made a life-altering decision.
He vowed to get clean and sober.
Homeless, addicted to drugs and alcohol and in desperate pain, Singer realized if he didn’t change, he was going to die.
It was the turning point that took him off the streets and onto the path toward a better life.
Today, at 29, Singer, a psychotherapist, says he’s living the life of his dreams in the Cayman Islands.
A newcomer to the islands, the US national said the move stirred him to reach a long-time goal – writing a book. Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds of the Past and Present is a guide to personal and spiritual growth.
‘I’ve always dreamed of writing a book,’ Singer said. ‘The island really inspired me. It seems to be a real spiritual place. I’d go to the beach every day and write. I just couldn’t stop.’
Published by BookSurge Publishing, the 410-page paperback is filled with inspirational quotes from such great thinkers as Gandhi, Einstein and Buddha and includes guided readings, visualization exercises and space for journaling.
It took six months to write the book but Singer spent years researching it – immersing himself in all kinds of reading materials while in and out of rehab and psychiatric facilities.
‘Once I got into recovery, I just started reading a ton of books.’
He said the techniques in the book changed his life, and he still practises them on a daily basis.
Singer’s philosophy is simple: ‘We’re all connected, we’re all equal and we all have this burning desire to follow a certain path in our life, which we can choose or not choose to follow.’
Society, he says, has a tendency to blur those inner messages.
‘People get lost in that.’
And, often, that can lead people down the wrong path and away from their true purpose in life.
Singer says his personal story is similar to that of James Frey, author of the bestselling addiction memoir A Million Little Pieces. While the book sparked controversy after the author admitted elements of it were fabricated or embellished, Singer says it is still inspirational.
‘I loved the book. A lot of people would say it’s far-fetched but when you’re living in addiction, your life is far-fetched. It’s not real.’
Singer said his life today and his life as an addict is the difference between night and day.
‘I always thought addiction was adventurous but my life in recovery is way more adventurous. It’s great. I can do anything.’
Committed to helping others, Singer says writing the book has been an immensely satisfying experience both personally and professionally. He hopes the guide will inspire others to live a life they love.
‘That’s what I hope this book will do – give people a way out.’
Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds of the Past and Present is available online at www.amazon.com. For excerpts and more information about the book, visit www.yourdailywalk.org. The book will soon be available locally at Hobbies and Books, the Book Nook and Body Works.
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