Local author Aruna Gurumurthy was pursuing a medical career, but eventually found her true calling with a pen in her hand, prompting her to write the inspiring self-help book, "DIYA: A Megawatt Approach to Change," which was released Sept. 25.
Taken from her own transitional experience from adolescence to adulthood, Gurumurthy's first publication focuses on the power of change that all individuals have the opportunity to evoke everyday. As a constant witness to the injustice and discrimination in the world, Gurumurthy's book emphasizes the importance of learning not only from life, but also from other people.
Gurumurthy said self-improvement can be difficult.
“People talk about changing themselves for good and treating people well, but when it comes to the execution part, it falls short and people don’t achieve what they wanted to," she said.
Gurumurthy also said small actions can have larger-scale consequences.
“Sometimes what people say confuse you, and bad things in the world happen to you, and to your friends and to your community," she said. "In my experience from how people spoke to me, I noticed the lack of respect that transfers to the larger realm of community, countries and the world."
Written in the span of four months and deriving from 300 or more Facebook posts Gurumurthy wrote, her book transcends the past, present and future, reminding readers they are uniquely different and have the profound possibility to make a difference.
Gurumurthy will be giving a talk at Bull's Head Bookshop on Nov. 11.
“I’m excited to have it, and the author’s excitement is contagious," said Stacie Smith, manager of Bull's Head Bookshop.
