Thoughts in Traffic — Editor’s Note
Quickfire Notes to Aid Your Outlook on Self, Life, and the Afterlife
The world is trapped; trapped in an idea of heaven, an idea of God, a constant battle to defend his person or blame him for the individual battles we face.
Broken, many people have turned to something else — themselves, philosophy, or science — as a way to navigate the often overwhelming difficulties of day-to-day living.
It is amidst these that Aramide does a thorough analysis of the situation. He puts your views on trial, he challenges your existing thoughts, to help you see a clearer image of yourself and the place of God in it. This book lets you see yourself in the might of who you really are and will greatly improve your self-image.
And the beautiful part of the book is that you can be selective and free in your approach. You can hop forward or backward as you deem fit, and this will in no way affect the message you will get.
Aramide himself is imperfect as he constantly showed the reader through the book. So this is not a pretentious attempt from someone in an ivory tower telling you how to live your life or what to believe. Rather, he lets you into his space so that the reader can see himself in him.
Thoughts in Traffic was written exactly the way it sounds — in traffic, and in transit; a direct outpouring of thoughts based on the experience of an untamed mind. And what beautiful art! The closest idea of this book that I know of is The Diary of Anne Frank. Funny how discomfort can birth such great jewels of knowledge.
Worthy of note is the language which Aramide has employed to clarify his points. He does not talk down to the reader or treat him like a mediocre, he treats his audience like an intelligent being. He constantly elevates him to his status. So you will learn new words and ideas in this book, having done my best to preserve their essence.
This book is philosophical, and you may not get everything at once. To appreciate the beauty of the thoughts, you will need to read some parts twice. And as with all philosophies, it has its subjectivity. Don’t aim to absorb it all but rather choose those things that empower you.
Aramide is apt, strict, difficult when necessary, and does not shy away from expressing himself. He is an artist well-informed at his craft. His references are wide and varied as you will later find out and I learnt such things as the world odometer and the plight of the elephant man from him, using these as encouragement to live more boldly.
I also think Aramide, the author, knows some pain; some betrayal from an event that shaped him. But noble of mind and true of heart, he is bent on helping everyone live a fuller life. He has risen above all these towards a profound grasp of God, towards a sincere grasp of the truth, into a realm of thinking that can only be attained through silence, observation, curiosity, and living through your own boredom.
This is an adventure into the mind of a loving man who has formed a classical sense of the truth and perhaps a new brand of philosophy. My best part of the book is Not One Human is Better (Day 222). I hope you find the part that inspires you.
Theophilus Adeyinka B.
Founder and Chief Editor,
WriteRight Academy.
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