Francis Xavier Baltazar
2013
My dream car was quite reserved and wasn’t at the level of a Ferrari or Lamborghini, but it was the car I’d wanted since high school. I finally bought it in 2013 feeling like I’d hit the jackpot. I never imagined I’d be able to purchase the car especially that I grew up in a third-world country where resources are at a minimum. Two months after purchasing around Christmas time a car accident left my dream car totaled. Though my time with my car was so brief, I am always thankful that I walked away without a scratch.
Days later, I was found unconscious on the bathroom floor. The diagnosis was epilepsy, and it shook me to my core. My future felt uncertain and I kept asking myself: What does this mean for my future? The reality that this thing can wipe me off the face of the Earth at any second, and make my son navigate life without me was pretty terrifying.
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At the time, I was stuck in a job that had very little potential for growth, and I had no real sense of accomplishment. I hadn’t achieved the success I’d hoped for or made my parents proud in the way I wanted. I knew I needed to do something, not just for me, but more importantly for my son. I wanted to leave him something solid—a foundation to build a better future. In facing my own mortality, the phrase "One Day at a Time" became my guiding principle, which eventually gave birth to the book. A book that I hope will serve as a beacon of light for my son, and hopefully for others, when the road ahead feels uncertain.
One Day at a Time
Trauma is something a lot of us are familiar with. To many, trauma doesn’t just linger in the background. It shapes every aspect of our lives, often steering us without us even realizing it. The book isn't the work of a high-profile individual that has a well-cushioned life with plenty of resources. This isn't some feel-good story of someone famous. It is about the hard truths of every day life for a whole lot of people.
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The book is a journey through the unseen and unwelcome forces that have the potential to quietly dominate our lives.
What if the life you thought you were living was actually being driven by past pain? Hidden, cunning, but always in control.
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One Day at a Time shares how one person navigated the unthinkable and found that survival wasn’t about grand gestures. It was in the smallest moments of clarity, in the mindful decisions that led to real change. Are you in control? or does trauma have the wheel and you just didn't notice?
Just you, a pen, and what's true.
Far too often, we’re conditioned to believe that real writing, writing that matters, is reserved for the so-called “elite” of society: celebrities, Ivy League grads, the PhDs, and the like. Systems of education continue to unconsciously instill in us to think that unless we hold such titles, there's no point for us to write anything other than what is asked from school. Fundamentally, we grow up learning that if you're an average Joe, don't bother writing because no one will benefit from it.
I'd like to share this message with you: everyone can and should give writing a try for the simple fact that it has a lot of potential to help achieve self development. In fact, numerous studies show that writing, in the form of journaling, is one of the most effective tools in therapy.
You don’t need a degree to share your thoughts, your experiences, your truths. Writing is not the exclusive domain of the highly educated or the "credentialed." At its core, writing is an act of expression, a powerful tool for exploring emotions and gaining new perspectives.
It’s a mirror, and a way to connect with yourself and with others.
Grab a pen and a pad, or fire up that laptop, and just start. It’s time to stop letting the norm dictate who is “qualified” to write. Write for yourself. Write for catharsis. Write to see the world from a new angle.
About the author
Francis is a deeply compassionate family man and a dedicated nonprofit leader with over 20 years of experience working to create meaningful social change. As Chief of Staff for one of San Francisco's esteemed nonprofits, he leads initiatives that provide essential housing and mental health services to individuals struggling with homelessness and complex behavioral health challenges. His work is a true reflection of his commitment to improving lives, using his skills to address some of society’s most pressing issues. With a career that spans business intelligence, organizational development, research, and global communications, Francis draws on his background to lead transformative projects that make a real difference. His ability to bridge expertise from both the private and nonprofit sectors allows him to innovate and reshape complex organizational landscapes, delivering solutions that directly impact communities in need.
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Outside of work, Francis values time spent with his family and indulges in a variety of activities for emotional expression. Whether playing the drums, traveling, experimenting in the kitchen, graphic design, or immersing himself in thought-provoking documentaries, he finds healthy and creative channels that fuel his passion for both personal and professional growth.