Reminder: Tea with Future You

Make today count

I think I can speak for all of us (Enough of us at least) To say… At the end of this thing called life We’d like to say it counted for something. I would never try to define what that “something” is for you. I would never try to say that you’re not already making your “something” count. And I would never say that doing what you need to is outside of your “something”. But what I will say Is this… If you want your life to count for something (Something beyond just paying your taxes and enjoying your favorite Netflix show, let’s say) * (If you haven’t already) I hope you genuinely make some time to figure out what the hell your “something” really is * I’m no God, but if I could live a second in his shoes, I’d say your “something” might be something like… Your unique gift(s) applied in the service of others/the world at large. * Multiply that over a lifetime and maybe that “something” is something like: Someone who found their unique gift(s) and tried their best to make the world better through them. * Once you’ve found your “something”, I hope you make the time every day to act on it * Yes, we all have things to do. Yes, life gets in the way sometimes. But if every day of your life, life got in the way of you pursuing your “something”… Well, the world wouldn’t be what it could be if you didn’t let it get in the way. * (Even 20 minutes a day would do… and we all have 20 minutes) As the days have rolled on, regardless of me doing my “something” about them or not I’ve become ever more painfully aware That if I want my life to count for something Then I better make every day I get count for something So… How will you make this fine day in this life of yours count for something? (Beyond a paycheck and your favorite Netflix show, let’s say) Something to chew on this fine Monday morning at least… Wishing you a day that counts And if you haven’t found it yet (like me) All the strength and clarity you need to find it (Your “something”), -Emery P.S. I’m no God Almighty, but I can say that I’ve fought with my “something” a lot (and still do every day). If you need a starting point for that bottomless question, this was mine: “If I were God (my creator)—looking down on me in my final moments— What would I wish he (my creation) had done with the life he was given To make me (God) say: ‘Well done, my child. That was a life well-lived.’ ? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromemery.substack.com [https://lettersfromemery.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

"Do I risk it?" 3 questions to help you find out...

Sometimes, your life’s biggest moments disguise themselves in just a few seconds. Deciding to pursue a new business. Asking that guy/gal on a date.  Popping “the question.” Quitting a soul-sucking job.  Choosing to move states, or countries, or cut someone toxic out of your life… Some of life’s greatest moments will disguise themselves in seconds.  If you’re on the fence about making a big jump, here are a few questions to ask yourself before you do (or don’t)...  1. Does it both terrify AND excite you? Making a jump to something new should terrify you.  That’s how you know it’s probably worth doing...  However, if it’s JUST terrifying, you either have some re-thinking to do, or you need a stronger foundation to jump from (ie. a better plan).   If it’s both terrifying AND exciting...  Now that’s where the magic happens.  2. Will it force you to grow in a direction future you would be proud of?  This one’s pretty simple...  If you’re not growing where you are, you really must, at the very least, find SOMETHING that will force you to grow.  (Stagnation is a deadly disease) If you are blessed with the opportunity to grow in a direction future you would be proud of, it is your OBLIGATION to go that route- no matter how terrifying.  3. Would you at 85 regret NOT doing it? This just seals the deal for me... If the first two are a yes, AND you would regret having NOT done it at 85, then congrats. You have yourself a full f*ck yes.  Time to jump… If no one else does, I believe in you,  -Emery  Was this helpful? Share it with someone who might feel the same. New here? Subscribe for more soul food & tactical advice for living your best life. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromemery.substack.com [https://lettersfromemery.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Don't let your resolutions be wishes...

Goals without a plan (and the no-bullshit commitment to see them through) are just wishes.  Believe me, I’m speaking from experience…  I can’t tell you how many goals I’ve set that I let float past me, all because I lacked the following: 1. A defined plan to achieve them  2. The commitment to see the plan through  3. A support network to keep me on track  4. The discipline to eliminate the things that don’t align with my goals  If you can get these four things in place, there’s simply no stopping you. Don’t let 2023 swallow yet another journal full of dreams… Wishing you the best 2023 ever, -Emery  New here? Subscribe for regular soul food & tactical advice for living your best life. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromemery.substack.com [https://lettersfromemery.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Lots of exciting news...

Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Goood morning Friends of Emery! Hope you’re all off to an amazing week and are taking every chance to smell the roses. Without dragging on at all, I have a few very exciting updates for you today that I just cannot contain any longer… #1: NEWS FOR LETTERS FROM EMERY My first big “talk” is coming out next week. In fact, more than just a “talk," I’m launching a whole new chapter of Letters from Emery next week. I won’t say too much now, but let’s just say… You’re going to want to: #2: NEW PROJECT LAUNCHING SOON My dear friend (and #1 reader) Jordan Veiga is setting out to break, not one, not two, but three (maybe even four…) WORLD RECORDS in 2023. (Trust me, I’m not talking about eating pies or balancing eggs here) After a monumental 90 days of progress together (and a heartfelt meeting this past Sunday) I’ve decided to embark on this journey with him as a kind of project manager, advisor, community builder, and of course—dear friend. We’ll be launching that project together on January 1st, 2023. More to come then (Jordan is in our LFE chat by the way). #3 IMPACT UPDATE We’ve planted 270 mangrove trees in Kenya [https://only.one/read/restoring-mangrove-forests-in-kenya] In collaboration with Only One, we are helping to fund the planting of one million mangrove trees in Port Reitz creek. The project is revitalizing the environment, lifting local communities out of extreme poverty, and combating climate change. The El Niño ocean warming event of 1997 to 1998 led to widespread loss of mangrove forest in Port Reitz, so restoration is more important than ever. Across Kenya, our mangrove planting partner Eden Reforestation Projects is transforming the lives of over 670 employees! Cick here to learn more about the project → [https://only.one/read/restoring-mangrove-forests-in-kenya] We’ve planted 14 new corals in Polynesia [https://only.one/read/rebuilding-the-reef-in-french-polynesia] In collaboration with Only One, we are helping to fund the planting of 10,000 corals in the crystal waters of Mo'orea, a volcanic island in the Pacific 11 miles northwest of Tahiti. The project is rebuilding the reef with corals more able to withstand climate change, protecting ocean wildlife, and benefiting local people. Mo'orea is surrounded by 13 marine protected areas. Marine reserves like these are vital for securing a positive future for the ocean. Our coral planting partner Coral Gardeners is the brainchild of Titouan Bernicot, an ocean kid who loved his island’s magnificent reef ecosystem and dreamed big! Cick here to learn more about the project → [https://only.one/read/rebuilding-the-reef-in-french-polynesia] We’ve Removed 1,800 plastic bottles in French Polynesia (21kg of ocean plastic) [https://only.one/read/fighting-ocean-bound-plastic-in-india] In collaboration with Only One, we are helping to fund the removal of 25,000 kilograms of plastic from the Indian Ocean coastal belt. The project is stopping the flow of plastic into the ocean, helping conserve marine life, and contributing directly to informal waste workers’ incomes. Our plastics removal partner Plastics For Change is the largest and most trusted source of Fair Trade recycled plastic in the world! Cick here to learn more about the project → [https://only.one/read/fighting-ocean-bound-plastic-in-india] We’ve reduced 2.1t of carbon emissions from deforestation in Cambodia [https://only.one/read/stopping-emissions-from-deforestation-in-cambodia] In collaboration with Only One, we are helping to fund the reduction of 2,000 tonnes of carbon by helping preserve a 445,339-hectare watershed in Southern Cardamom. The project is tackling climate change, saving species on land and in the water, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities. The terrestrial, freshwater, and coastal habitats are part of the Cardamom Mountains rainforest ecoregion, one of the world’s top 200 biodiversity locations! Through our carbon reduction partner Stand For Trees, the project is certified by the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and has achieved CCB Gold Level status for providing exceptional climate, community, and biodiversity benefits. Cick here to learn more about the project → [https://only.one/read/stopping-emissions-from-deforestation-in-cambodia] Click here to see our full community impact board → [https://only.one/keatongaibler90] That’s all from me today, friends. Lots of exciting things in the works and I’m so thrilled and honored to share in them with you. Wishing you all the best week ever, and thanks again so much for being what makes Letters from Emery the #1 home for soulful living on Substack. Your neighborhood lighthouse keeper, -Emery If Letters from Emery has made any impact on you at all, please share it. Who knows who it could help, or how much. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromemery.substack.com [https://lettersfromemery.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Reminder: Tea with Future You

There are 32 days left in 2022. Crazy right? Yeah, that hit me like a ton of bricks this morning… As a French-appetizer-sized sampler of the 1.7 million thoughts that plundered my mind this morning, a few of them were: “Did I do what I set out to do this year? Did I give it my best? What could I have done better? What would I change… if anything? At 85 looking back, would I be proud of me this year?” After taking an hour or so to have tea with myself and reflect on 2022, I thought: Why not write a letter to 2023 me? That way, I can… * Get clear on what’s important to me * Have something to come home to throughout the year (that will keep me heart-aligned & on-track for a damn good year) * Have something to look back on over the years (and maybe even have a laugh over) * Have a home base for next year’s check-in I’ll be sharing mine here with you all soon, but for now, I wanted to share my writing guide for Tea with Future You, so you can have a go yourselves before the ball drops. Who knows, maybe it’ll be the most impactful (and useful) thing you do to gear up for a brand new year. (Trust me, it’s way more potent than scribbling out resolutions.) Writing Guide: Tea with Future You * What would a beautiful 2023 look like? * Where would you go? * What would you do? * What wouldn’t you do? * Who would you meet? * Who would you become? * What were your favorite parts of 2022? * Memories, successes, places you went, things you did * Your least favorite? * Any “failures” (lessons), marks missed, regrets (opportunities in disguise) * Of your favorite moments in 2022, what would you love to have more of in 2023? * More ___ (laughs, trips, concerts, time with friends, talks with God) * Of your least favorite moments in 2022, what would you like to change in 2023? * Less ___ (beating yourself up, wasting time, saying Yes when you really mean No, binge eating) * At 85, what (if anything) would you look back and wish you did in 2023? * At 85, I would wish I did more ___ * What advice would You at the end of 2023 give to You now? * Hey ___, stay the course, be kind to yourself, smell the roses, you’re doing great! * What would You now say to You this time last year? * We made it, what a year! Wishing you all a fantastic day, week, and rest of 2022. I truly hope it’s full of all the best life could ever offer. Your neighborhood lighthouse keeper, -Emery Thanks for reading Letters from Emery! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettersfromemery.substack.com [https://lettersfromemery.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]