Don Ake

A memoir and life-help book by author and blogger, Don Ake.

Deep Heavy Stuff - Thoughts and essays for enriching your life is a memoir and life-help book by author and blogger, Don Ake. Ake took a departure from his usual humor writing to embark on a book of essays about the serious issues of life. Written during the Covid19 pandemic, Ake reflects on the stress, pain, and fear he experienced during this time, but also how his faith got him through some of the darkest moments of his life. The book is divided into two parts: Part 1: Remembering What’s Important in Life; and Part 2: Dealing With Hardship and Other Life Challenges. Each part contains six essays, where Ake discuses a range of diverse topics, from the joy of giving and the importance of purposeful acts of kindness; the art of making good friends and the importance of accepting people as they are; how to win at the ‘Game of Life’ and the personal traits required for a fuller and richer life.  All of Ake’s essays and life-lessons are centered around family, friends, and faith. He talks openly and honestly about his personal life, the birth of his daughter, losing his job, and the deaths of loved ones. He discusses the trauma of the pandemic, and how we must all let go of the sorrows and struggles of the past to fully embrace the future. Sharing learnings from his own personal experiences, Ake offers practical advice to readers who might be going through similar struggles.

Deep Heavy Stuff - Thoughts and essays for enriching your life by author Don Ake is a powerful, poignant, and thought-provoking collection of essays. Ake shares his experiences and wisdom to help guide and support others through the challenges that life inevitably brings. The book offers light and hope to anyone experiencing or recovering from trauma. While the book does deal with some ‘deep heavy’ issues, Ake writes with sensitivity, honesty and also much humor.

The essays can be read in any order, and the book can be picked up by readers at any time they need a little extra guidance or motivation. I expect readers will revisit the essays time and time again, through the ebbs and flows of life.

Star rating: 5 Stars

Summary: A powerful, poignant, and thought-provoking collection of essays, and a valuable resource for anyone seeking to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and others.