Writing a Book is Messy (So is Life)

Perfection Is the Greatest Lie

For most of my life, I believed I had to be perfect to make a difference. If I didn’t have it all figured out, I thought I should keep quiet, play small, and move through life unnoticed.

But as my mentor reminded me over and over again—it’s not about being perfect. It’s about being real, authentic, and relatable.

The truth is, life is messy. And so is writing a book.

The Fear of Being Seen

In my upbringing, we didn’t do messy. We pretended everything was fine, even when it wasn’t. At our dinner table, the conversation rarely went deeper than a hollow “I’m fine,” while I was dying inside.

Vulnerability was an unspoken no. As I’ve come to realize, that’s the reality for many men—and many families.

But transformation begins the moment we stop pretending. When we allow ourselves to be seen—mess and all—we begin to heal.

Letting the Book Be Messy

When I began writing Presence Golf: A Sacred Path to Self-Mastery, I made a choice to let it be messy.

This book is about golf—and not about golf at all. It’s about using the game as a mirror to heal our inner wounds, evolve our soul, and realize our true Self.

I dive into the mess, not as a victim, but as someone doing the inner work. Someone committed to helping others awaken to their divine nature through the practice of Presence.

Gratitude for the Pain

Today, I can honestly say I’m grateful for all the pain I’ve endured—because without it, I wouldn’t be living in Presence.

The shattered knee at nineteen that ended my dream of playing professional football. The divorce that broke me open and set me on my spiritual path.

But even that path evolved as my eyes were opened to something deeper. One of the greatest challenges I’ve faced has been overcoming religious conditioning.

From Religion to Presence

Here’s an excerpt from Presence Golf that speaks to that journey:

“I grew up in the church. My dad was a Lutheran pastor. Church was a non-negotiable in our family. From a young age, I heard the name Jesus, but it meant nothing to me. The teachings never resonated. Religion didn’t make sense—but being outside playing sports did. The game, the movement, the competition—that’s where I felt most alive. For years, any mention of spirituality fell on deaf ears until I began to study the mystical teachings of Jesus from a more Eastern perspective. That was a turning point in my soul evolution. It helped me see that the teachings of Jesus—especially those in the Sermon on the Mount—aren’t about religion, rules, or dogma. They’re about awakening to our true nature and living with compassion, humility, and Presence.”

The Gradual Falling Away of the False Self

This book—and this life—is about healing, overcoming, and transcending suffering. It’s about living in Presence, knowing there’s something within me greater than anything in the world.

The ego will fight to hold on for dear life, but this path is a gradual falling away of the false self. It’s not always glamorous. Often it’s slow, uncomfortable, and uncertain.

But I’ve made a choice—to enjoy the ride into the unknown.

From Preaching to Living

One of my favorite scriptures has always been Jeremiah 29:11:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,plans to give you hope and a future.”

The old Troy would have preached that verse.The new Troy is here to live it—and to invite you to join me on the journey.

Join Me on the Journey

If this message resonates with you, I invite you to get your copy of Presence Golf: A Sacred Path to Self-Mastery. It’s available now in paperback, and the eBook will be available soon.

And if it speaks to your heart, I’d be deeply grateful if you left a kind review—it helps this message reach more souls who are ready to awaken to their inner power.

With you on the journey,

Troy Ismir