Since I wrote to you last week, life does what life does and rolls on in jarring, unnerving, exhausting, and confusing ways.

There was the sudden death of a dear family member, a 25-hour car ride, a viewing, a funeral, a death certificate, a service dog named Mac, a lonely box of old pictures, gray stories with wrinkled margins, crying, hugging, steely stares, and hard lessons about apathy and meanness, true love and the brief beautiful ride of human life.

It might be selfish, however the spirals of the week further twisted my personal confusion. As I wrote in last week’s letter, I just achieved a goal and now, with morality mixed in, I’m in a deep state of self-examination.

Do I have the strength and courage to begin [another book] again? Do I have the patience? The resolve? The toughness? The stick-with-it-ness that I had before when I was younger? Do I trust myself to begin again?

Maybe it’s a case of–once a teacher, always a teacher–but what helps me navigate this uneven stretch of life is forming and asking good, thoughtful questions. Before any answers can be given or lessons learned, questions must be formed.

Think about it. When you were in school and didn’t know something, you were supposed to raise your hand and ask questions. To learn, to grow, to understand you must be willing to simply brave up and ask questions.

Questions that drive past your pumping heart, past that greasy interstate sandwich you ate last week, and into the potholes of the soul.

Questions that fuel self-discovery.

Questions that examine your decency. Your empathy. Your legacy.

Questions that make you happy and grateful and inspired to be alive.

Questions that somehow–by going unanswered–arrive with clarity, focus, and direction.

What area of my life is in need of immediate attention?

What do I need to walk away from today?

What healthy risk do I need to take right now?

What conversations do I need to have with myself? With others?

How do I learn to love the thing I wish never happened?

Who can I help with the skills I have learned and practiced?

What important relationship am I taking for granted?

What relationship do I need to distance myself from?

What do I want for myself that is difficult to obtain but will stoke my simmering pride?

What directions am I providing the living, so when I die, the living do not need to stop and ask for directions?

If love is life’s currency, do I have enough courage to leave an abundant inheritance behind? Do I have enough courage to die a rich man?

Be well,

Jay

Big Announcement…Dramatic drum roll…

On 12/1/23 Ordinary Hero is going worldwide. Yes, OH will be available for global distribution, which means you can grab a copy at your local bookstore or library even if your local bookstore or library is in Peru.

And also 12/1/23...(dramatic drum roll again) Ordinary Hero will be available in hardback (see above)…just in time for the holidays. So you can be a holiday hero and gift everyone on your list a hardback copy of Ordinary Hero.

6 Reasons Why You Should Buy Ordinary Hero Right Now:

1. It’s about everyday life and the wisdom waiting for you in the pearls of your routine.

2.Charles Swchab would probably agree that in today’s market, Ordinary Hero is a sound investment. 

3.If you enjoy my first book, Bedtime Stories for the Living, you’ll love this book. 

4. The book will make you laugh, cry, appreciate life, offer comfort, and help you overcome challenges.

5. The book includes stories about my dog Maggie May. I recently read a New York Times article that explains why books about dogs are wildly popular. People love to read about dogs and their joy, comfort, and curiosity.

6. You should pre-order Ordinary Hero for just $.99 now and on 11/1 you should probably buy a few paperbacks, and when the books arrive, go to the local dog park and hand them out to dog owners and tell them there are stories in there about dogs. If you do that, you’ll be the coolest cat at the dog park.

Greetings to everyone who found me on the University of Pennsylvania’s Ataxia Clinic’s website! Thanks for stopping by. I have ataxia and though I’m not a doctor, I hope my words comfort, encourage, empower, and serve as good company on your journey.

On Sale Now Exclusively at Amazon!

November Book Promos for You:

Are looking for inspiration? Are you searching for a better version of yourself?

This month I joined literary forces with some best-selling authors in two awesome book promotions. Click the link below:

Thankful Memoirs, Biographies, and Self-Help Books

Buy Here Exclusively at Amazon!

Recent letters you may enjoy:

Celebrating My Worst Day; Year 10

Celebrate the Little Steps

Life is Change

Adversity Also Builds This

~~

Jay Armstrong is a speaker and an award-winning author. Despite being diagnosed with a rare neurological disease, that impairs his movement, balance, eyesight, and speech–Jay presses on. The leader of the Philadelphia Ataxia Support Group, he hopes to help you find joy, peace, and meaning in life.

For Jay, a good day consists of 5 things:

1. Reading
2. Writing 
3. Exercising
4. Hearing his three children laugh
5. Hugging his wife
(Bonus points for a dinner with his parents or a drink with his friends)

Jay hasn’t had a bad day in quite a long time. 

You can also visit Jay at jayarmstrongwrites.com