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Thoughts in Traffic: 243 Quick-fire Notes to Aid Your Outlook on Self, Life & The Afterlife
WHY THOUGHTS IN TRAFFIC?
Consider this for a moment:
Have you at any point in time thought about writing a book documenting all your most private and profound thoughts as one indivisible unit? I bet you have, if subconsciously.
Well, that's exactly what you have here. Only that this was not planned to be a book, just some random Whatsapp Status. One thought-note on a typical evening led to another, and another, then another, until, voila, 243 of the most heartfelt notes bound the book together!
Thoughts in Traffic is a book of thoughts, expanded from quotes to philosophical notes, essays, Shakespearean poems, noetic, and intellectual discourses.
You also get to read the Author's: Letter to the World-beater; Letter to the Nigerian Citizenry, Letter to Top CEOs on LinkedIn, Letter to Elon Musk, and even a LETTER TO GOD!
Two things are certain for the reader once done reading:
You will love or loathe the Author,
You will wonder who on earth is Aramide Salako.
Ultimately, the goal of the TiT is to convey, using the medium of language, honest thoughts and feelings to the reader in a felt manner. And I do hope that you find the reading experience a worthwhile and absorbing contact of minds, to the last syllable.
Consider this for a moment:
Have you at any point in time thought about writing a book documenting all your most private and profound thoughts as one indivisible unit? I bet you have, if subconsciously.
Well, that's exactly what you have here. Only that this was not planned to be a book, just some random Whatsapp Status. One thought-note on a typical evening led to another, and another, then another, until, voila, 243 of the most heartfelt notes bound the book together!
Thoughts in Traffic is a book of thoughts, expanded from quotes to philosophical notes, essays, Shakespearean poems, noetic, and intellectual discourses.
You also get to read the Author's: Letter to the World-beater; Letter to the Nigerian Citizenry, Letter to Top CEOs on LinkedIn, Letter to Elon Musk, and even a LETTER TO GOD!
Two things are certain for the reader once done reading:
You will love or loathe the Author,
You will wonder who on earth is Aramide Salako.
Ultimately, the goal of the TiT is to convey, using the medium of language, honest thoughts and feelings to the reader in a felt manner. And I do hope that you find the reading experience a worthwhile and absorbing contact of minds, to the last syllable.
- GenresNonfiction
806 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 6, 2021
1 person is currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 27, 2021
We have the Lagos traffic to thank for this book. The author conceived the idea on his journeys to and from work, invariably stuck in traffic. We’ve gained as a result. He shares many of these thoughts with us. He mentions some incredible statistic he has read for the number of random thoughts which on average pass through our heads in the course of a day.
The book is a kind of thought for the day, 243 rather than 365. Reflecting, meditating, praying, a manual for self help and growth. So much wisdom here. Hard to believe it is from the pen of one so young. I found large parts of it both helpful, moving and interesting. It could have benefited from some editing though, to keep the reader fully engaged. His writing would have punched home even more effectively than it has done already. I admire his courage and commitment in writing this and for sharing his faith and belief with his readership.
The book is a kind of thought for the day, 243 rather than 365. Reflecting, meditating, praying, a manual for self help and growth. So much wisdom here. Hard to believe it is from the pen of one so young. I found large parts of it both helpful, moving and interesting. It could have benefited from some editing though, to keep the reader fully engaged. His writing would have punched home even more effectively than it has done already. I admire his courage and commitment in writing this and for sharing his faith and belief with his readership.
May 6, 2021
Thoughts In Traffic
243 Quickfire Notes to Aid Your Outlook on Self, Life, and The Afterlife
Aramide Salako
Throughout History men and women have written about their spiritual journeys through life. Sometimes we have a collection of meditations, perhaps an autobiography, or possibly a continuing narrative of life-experience. The last is closest to what we have in this book by Aramide Salako. He gives us a diary or journal of his particular spiritual journey on a daily basis.
The clever title gives us the approach of the work. Traffic implies a journey—usually with a purpose in mind. It also implies a shared activity. Many others are going about their own business simultaneously. This book uses the term as a metaphor for the human activity of searching for a spiritual meaning in one’s daily existence. It is an activity which may result in finding a particular solution to a specific problem. The traveller may also encounter a “traffic jam”—a particularly knotty or difficult ethical situation. It is an interesting way of dramatizing the development of an individual’s value system.
There is a Foreword and Introduction. The body of the book of the book is tripartite. Part 1 is “Into The Shallows”. It covers Days 1 to 79. These entries tend to be short religious and meditative sequences about a page long with an accompanying Biblical reference. They generally focus on a single topic such as “Order Is the Universe” (day 50), “Find the One Idea" (day 57),“the Breath of Life” (day 63} or “The Paradox of Growth” (day 72). The topics are not argued out or developed—they simply focus the reader’s mind on a concept and let the reader react to it personally.
Part 2 “Deep Calleth Unto Deep” Days 80-158
Days 80-83 are autobiographical and deal with Aramide”s decision to end his job and devote more time to his spiritual calling. The entries now become significantly longer. Rather than a briefly written idea we have personal essays that do approach a specific topic more deeply and with considerably more personal involvement. Areas such as identity, purpose, destiny, sex, racism, truth, the Nature of God, and human nature are a few examples.
While the personal essay is the dominant literary form Aramide does include some free verse poetry, a dialogue with a friend, and even a little parable. As usual there are relevant Biblical references in the essays.
Part 3 “Into the Abyss” Days 159-243
Days 159 and 160 are autobiographical again in the form of letters. Day 161 begins the third section with a poem.
The final sequence of days is the most ambitious section of the book. Aramide probes more deeply into topics than he has yet done. Sometimes there are interesting examinations of linked questions such as “Is God the Universe?” or “Is the Universe God?’ (day 215}. He discusses Atheism (day 236} and muses on the after life. (day 216)There is an essay “Zeitgeist: Spirit of the Age” (day 220).” There is a genuine attempt to wrestle with the meaning of suffering in his approach to the case of Joseph Merrick who appears in the book “The Elephant Man and other reminiscences “ by Sir Frederick Treves. (day 240}
Where the third section succeeds it is quite impressive.
There are, however, a few parts of it that don’t work quite as well.
At one point he provides a series of “ Wise Sayings From Past Masters” (day 237}.
They are fine in themselves but why quote them all at length? I think that some of the autobiographical material could simply be dropped. Too much time is spent on the day Aramide’s phone was stolen. (day 168) I also feel that perhaps this very long work could be broken into three or possibly two separate volumes. On the other hand, one can see a growth of vision by comparing the different stages.
However, these quite minor issues are far outweighed by the vigour and honesty with which the young author pursues his vision. That vision is Christian and a rather conservative Christianity too. That fact and the deeply held Biblical belief system enhance the book and in no way prevent him from facing the practical problems of everyday life with common sense. Aramide deals with the same practical problems we face every day in a world we can all recognise and where our obsession with technology can make us forget the deeper elements and values that measure our humanity.
I think the book is certainly worth reading and makes an excellent source for general browsing. It is available free on Kindle Unlimited.
243 Quickfire Notes to Aid Your Outlook on Self, Life, and The Afterlife
Aramide Salako
Throughout History men and women have written about their spiritual journeys through life. Sometimes we have a collection of meditations, perhaps an autobiography, or possibly a continuing narrative of life-experience. The last is closest to what we have in this book by Aramide Salako. He gives us a diary or journal of his particular spiritual journey on a daily basis.
The clever title gives us the approach of the work. Traffic implies a journey—usually with a purpose in mind. It also implies a shared activity. Many others are going about their own business simultaneously. This book uses the term as a metaphor for the human activity of searching for a spiritual meaning in one’s daily existence. It is an activity which may result in finding a particular solution to a specific problem. The traveller may also encounter a “traffic jam”—a particularly knotty or difficult ethical situation. It is an interesting way of dramatizing the development of an individual’s value system.
There is a Foreword and Introduction. The body of the book of the book is tripartite. Part 1 is “Into The Shallows”. It covers Days 1 to 79. These entries tend to be short religious and meditative sequences about a page long with an accompanying Biblical reference. They generally focus on a single topic such as “Order Is the Universe” (day 50), “Find the One Idea" (day 57),“the Breath of Life” (day 63} or “The Paradox of Growth” (day 72). The topics are not argued out or developed—they simply focus the reader’s mind on a concept and let the reader react to it personally.
Part 2 “Deep Calleth Unto Deep” Days 80-158
Days 80-83 are autobiographical and deal with Aramide”s decision to end his job and devote more time to his spiritual calling. The entries now become significantly longer. Rather than a briefly written idea we have personal essays that do approach a specific topic more deeply and with considerably more personal involvement. Areas such as identity, purpose, destiny, sex, racism, truth, the Nature of God, and human nature are a few examples.
While the personal essay is the dominant literary form Aramide does include some free verse poetry, a dialogue with a friend, and even a little parable. As usual there are relevant Biblical references in the essays.
Part 3 “Into the Abyss” Days 159-243
Days 159 and 160 are autobiographical again in the form of letters. Day 161 begins the third section with a poem.
The final sequence of days is the most ambitious section of the book. Aramide probes more deeply into topics than he has yet done. Sometimes there are interesting examinations of linked questions such as “Is God the Universe?” or “Is the Universe God?’ (day 215}. He discusses Atheism (day 236} and muses on the after life. (day 216)There is an essay “Zeitgeist: Spirit of the Age” (day 220).” There is a genuine attempt to wrestle with the meaning of suffering in his approach to the case of Joseph Merrick who appears in the book “The Elephant Man and other reminiscences “ by Sir Frederick Treves. (day 240}
Where the third section succeeds it is quite impressive.
There are, however, a few parts of it that don’t work quite as well.
At one point he provides a series of “ Wise Sayings From Past Masters” (day 237}.
They are fine in themselves but why quote them all at length? I think that some of the autobiographical material could simply be dropped. Too much time is spent on the day Aramide’s phone was stolen. (day 168) I also feel that perhaps this very long work could be broken into three or possibly two separate volumes. On the other hand, one can see a growth of vision by comparing the different stages.
However, these quite minor issues are far outweighed by the vigour and honesty with which the young author pursues his vision. That vision is Christian and a rather conservative Christianity too. That fact and the deeply held Biblical belief system enhance the book and in no way prevent him from facing the practical problems of everyday life with common sense. Aramide deals with the same practical problems we face every day in a world we can all recognise and where our obsession with technology can make us forget the deeper elements and values that measure our humanity.
I think the book is certainly worth reading and makes an excellent source for general browsing. It is available free on Kindle Unlimited.
April 30, 2021
I do not often review philosophy, especially a behemoth like this book, but I have to say I actually enjoyed the concept of this book. It is a series of essays on life, faith, intellect, and all things in between. It began as a series of observations from a social media app. I don’t always agree with the author, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the author’s discourse of his points. I believe taken on a day-by-day basis (243 of them), the book is easily digestible and a wonderful jumping point for those like myself that enjoy the occasional “what if, what about?” type of intellectual discussion.
June 6, 2021
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Aramide.
His thoughts, ideas, reflections, prayers, and life experiences are put together in a way that I very much liked. There is much contained in this work that you would typically expect to come from the pen of someone much older.
Nicely done, Aramide.
His thoughts, ideas, reflections, prayers, and life experiences are put together in a way that I very much liked. There is much contained in this work that you would typically expect to come from the pen of someone much older.
Nicely done, Aramide.
May 20, 2021
Thoughts in Traffic: 243 Quick-fire Notes to Aid Your Outlook on Self, Life, and The Afterlife by Aramide Salako is a collection of thoughts accumulated by the author while sitting in traffic over the last year. I love the creativity of compiling thoughts together like this. I wish I could link together the thoughts I have during my runs.
Each entry in Thoughts in Traffic are full of insight and wisdom. I love the thoughtfulness of each of them, full of a good mix of inspiration, social commentary, and faith. The connection to a Bible at the beginning and end are a nice added touch for further reading.
Because Thoughts in Traffic is a compilation of thoughts over time, it’s a short read, but it is very choppy. I think it would be a better read in one sitting if the entries were organized by theme. That being said, I think the book is excellent for reading as a sort of daily devotional of wisdom.
Sometimes the jargon was a bit much and took away from the reading for me. I wish some of the language was more common, and that would fit more with funtionailty being more like a daily devotional.
All in all, this was a very inspiring read. Some of the entries came right on time for me, providing me with inspiration for things I’m going through my life that I didn’t know I needed. I would recommend!
Each entry in Thoughts in Traffic are full of insight and wisdom. I love the thoughtfulness of each of them, full of a good mix of inspiration, social commentary, and faith. The connection to a Bible at the beginning and end are a nice added touch for further reading.
Because Thoughts in Traffic is a compilation of thoughts over time, it’s a short read, but it is very choppy. I think it would be a better read in one sitting if the entries were organized by theme. That being said, I think the book is excellent for reading as a sort of daily devotional of wisdom.
Sometimes the jargon was a bit much and took away from the reading for me. I wish some of the language was more common, and that would fit more with funtionailty being more like a daily devotional.
All in all, this was a very inspiring read. Some of the entries came right on time for me, providing me with inspiration for things I’m going through my life that I didn’t know I needed. I would recommend!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews