New Dela Cruz novel tells of the importance of the human mind

Retired CNMI chief justice Jose S. Dela Cruz’s new novel Lorenzo’s Mind has just been published by Archway Publishing and is now available at the publisher and at major bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and retail outlets such as Amazon.

The book addresses the themes of mental illness, depression, work burnout, and other psychological stresses that many of people suffer from.

Dela Cruz’s book tells the story of a brilliant trial lawyer who, one day, feared that he was losing his mind, i.e. that he was having a mental breakdown or was suffering from some psychological disorder. He was afraid that, if his mind stops working, he would no longer be able to think and be conscious. If that happens, life would no longer have any meaning for him. He would be unable to recognize the people around him. And he would not be able to work and to enjoy life. In other words, he would be just like other living species that have no consciousness.

Dela Cruz wants his readers to take note of the critical importance of the mind to man. Many of us take our mind for granted. And about the only time we worry about our mind is when we experience something that adversely affects our brain. The fear that our mind might break down or cease to work is what usually jolts us. Only after we realize that our mind is not working properly do we become aware of the critical role it plays in our life.

The book is the story of Lorenzo, who thought he was experiencing a mental breakdown. He was afraid that he has some kind of mental problem and this terrified him. It also made him aware of another reality we take for granted: that human life on earth is very short. Soon after the scary nightmares he experienced over two weeks, he decided to change the way he lived. He realized that his life, up to that point, had revolved completely around his work, and his family and social obligations. He had never approached life as something to enjoy.

All his life, Lorenzo had focused mostly on his career and on acquiring material wealth. His approach to life had very little to do with being happy. His nightmare became his wake-up call. It made him realize that the true purpose of man on earth is to enjoy life and to be happy. It is our “state of mind,” not how much material wealth we have, that makes us happy or sad.

The subject of mental health and depression has assumed a very significant importance over the past several decades. This has been the case because of the dramatic increase in mental health problems and issues by a large segment of mankind. Our understanding and treatment of mental health issues and problems has assumed more and more importance as human knowledge and consciousness continue to expand. The demand on our ability to think has expanded by leaps and bounds as the call for more technological and technical discoveries, inventions and innovations increases. (PR)