Revive My Book Project — Essays To My Children

Three years ago, I started to write a book for my children.

I wanted to leave behind my notes... my observations — of what it means to be human.

Being Observed

It will contain my answers to all the questions I have — about this life, this existence in which we are... who we are, where we really come from, and where we are headed.? And that’s why the title of the book will be — Being Observed. ? (‘Being’ also refers to ‘human being’.)

But I didn’t get beyond the introduction and first essay… even though I enjoy writing.

I’ve since identified the two reasons:

1. I had not developed the habit of writing consistently.? I’ve read articles about how authors would commit to a daily writing routine (and that it isn’t easy).? But I had not — until early this year, when this very newsletter catalyzed the formation of this habit.
2. While I enjoy writing, this book project never got important enough for me.? And I did not want to set aside time outside work and other daily activities to do so.? But on February 9 this year, when I thought about the day I leave behind my wife and children, I got present to the importance of this project.

And so — today, I revived my book project by drafting a second article.?

It is about Life’s ‘Highs’ and ‘Lows’, and I will publish it after some editing this weekend. ?

The main thing is — I got started!

If you're curious about the book project, you'll find it here: https://www.melvinyuan.com/beingobserved