Letters from Emery

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 sayIs 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”),-EmeryP.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 givenTo 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

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

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

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 EMERYMy 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 SOONMy 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 UPDATEWe’ve planted 270 mangrove trees in KenyaIn 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 →We’ve planted 14 new corals in PolynesiaIn 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 →We’ve Removed 1,800 plastic bottles in French Polynesia (21kg of ocean plastic)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 →We’ve reduced 2.1t of carbon emissions from deforestation in CambodiaIn 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 →Click here to see our full community impact board →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,-EmeryIf 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

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-inI’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,-EmeryThanks 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

November 11th, 2022. I wandered into one of my favorite cigar lounges today—Cesar’s on 5th Street in Downtown San Diego.Walked in just after 5:30 with the sun setting behind me in the crisps of Autumn.Peeled open the smooth-swinging door to the humidor to try and find myself a fine Padron (which they normally never have).To my genuine surprise, they’d stocked just one, the ‘64 anniversary Maduro, and my fellow patrons had left 3 for me to comb over.I grab one up, the darkest and neatest of the three remaining, and order myself a cold tequila soda at the bar to wash it down.It’s been a long, successful week after all. The tender (Alexis I think) lights me up and I wander out to the patio with my loot, grab a corner seat with a table, and sink into it with a sigh. Eyes closed in perfect ecstasy I take a long, smooth pull of that flawless ’64 Padron, and follow it with a cool wash of tequila, soda, and ice. Good God, what a moment…Sun casting in for the night, thick Maduro smoke on the air, tequila slowly warming my belly, I look around at the jolly, Friday night bustle of 5th street.Fine-looking gentlemen, tall in their boots and hats, their ladies arm-in-arm, clicking along in their heels & skirts. Kiddos chasing each other with a laugh, on the hunt for nothing more than something sweet, or fun, or wondrous. The street band on the corner, jazzing for coin, or for not a damn thing at all, should they be so lucky. It’s all here, in the golden dims of 5th St. I take in another slow drag and cool sip, and after a few more scans over the nightlife, I notice this young fella standing feet-planted outside the fence of the lounge, eyes glued to the Celtics vs Knicks game on the TV inside. Clearly, a Celtics fan, cheering in a “sorry to bother you” kind-of silence.From outside the fence…All he had on him, this fella, was a grocery bag full of clothes (neatly folded I noticed), a blank, tattered hoodie, some ripped jeans (3 sizes too large), and some old Jordan Dunk sneakers (also nicely kept I noticed, his pride and joy no doubt). He was clearly homeless and younger than me, which really broke my heart. Me, sunk into a comfortable chair on the patio of this fine cigar lounge, chewing the most perfect Padron you never saw, smoke rolling off suede, fingers full of rings, belly full of ice cold tequila… Him, planted there outside the fence, cheering in a hushed kind-of silence with a choked-off smile—one I could tell was robbed of its joy too many times to let be. I let our moments be their own for a small while-about. I just sat there, non-obviously observing him from time to time. After a while of hearing him cheer under his breath from outside that forlorn fence, I got tired and sad of the whole thing and wandered back inside the den. “Alexis, do you have a moment?”“Sure hunny, what can I getcha?” (In her cool, sweet, bartender charm). “Listen, there’s this young fella planted outside the fence here on this side cheering for the Celtics game in here. I can tell he hasn’t seen a room in a while, he looks harmless… Would you mind if I invited him in to watch the game?” “I don’t see a problem with it, but he’ll have to buy something love.” “Sure, I’ll take care of that, let me go talk to him. Thank you.” I wander back out onto 5th street, hopeful in my boots, and stroll up to him (still in a trance over his game). “’Scuse me partner, but I noticed you watching the game from out here, why don’t you come inside and enjoy it properly?”“Oh, uh…” (Clearly nervous and unsure), “You must be the owner!” He says, in a warm, genuine kinda way. “Haha! Me?? No sir, just here for a smoke & a soda and noticed you out here. You want to come in for a drink or something? It’s on me.”“Oh, well… No, they won’t let me in there” (he scans his outfit and grocery bag), “and I don’t really smoke or drink…”  “Ah, no worries, come on in and let me get you a water then, you should enjoy the game.” “Well… alright man. Thank you.”So back in I go, with him behind me—shy and unsure about all this still. I get him a cold water from Alexis and hand it to him in the main room, “make yourself at home brother, looks like the game’s all yours.” And the look he gave me in return, I’ll just never forget…Eyes big as pool balls (but clearly trying not to be), hands both cradling his grocery bag and cold water (like it’s the only one he’s ever had), shoulders curved in so as not to take up too much space in this unfamiliar room… Grateful. Confounded. Uneasy, yet overjoyed. Pleasantly confused. Erupting in excitement, but not as to let anyone know…“Thank you.”It was truly the most perfect “Thank You” I’d ever heard. With a smile, I patted him on the arm, like guys do, and left him with, “enjoy the game, my friend.” And turned away.I tipped my cap to Alexis and walked back out to my seat on the patio…With a sigh of contentment, I sunk back into my chair with my cigar and took another look around 5th street.I poured back the rest of my tequila in a gentle rush of… satisfaction, I guess. And from the depths of what felt like nowhere and everywhere, I nearly burst into tears. From outside, I could see him through a small crack in the doorframe and the window—sitting at the edge of his seat, watching his game with eyes & a smile like he stood in front of Jesus himself. I must’ve looked insane, spying on him through the glass. I tried my best to keep it held together and be nothing but grateful and cheery. But one tear I just could not detain… rolling down in smoke over suede. One tear, for everyone unfamiliar with something so simple as a warm room and a chair. One tear, for a world growing, perhaps, too estranged from random human kindness. One tear, my profound thanks for being lucky enough to experience a moment like this. One tear, for all the miracles I’ve received that I know all too many may never see. One tear… that today, I got the chance to be one. “You deserve it”, I whispered with a whimper. And off into the night I wentNever to see that young fella again…The fella outside the fence. If there’s one wish I could have for you today, it’s to spend today (at least one day) not worried or waiting for a miracle to happen to you…But to at least try to go be one for somebody else. Lord knows there are plenty that could use one and, who knows… Maybe a hundred more will come back your way. With a warm & grateful heart, your neighborhood lighthouse keeper,-EmeryThanks 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

There’s perhaps nothing more heartbreaking (for me at least) to hear someone say“It’s too late for me.”Now of course that statement wears a million masks, so I’ll catalog a few for perspective:* “Ah, that ship sailed long ago”* “I’m too ___ (old, far gone, tied up with X)”* “I can’t afford the ___ (risk, time, energy, money)…Even the ever-soul-crushing “I wish I ___” all lay claim to the same underlying truth (or non-truth)…Whatever it is we would like to have, be, or do, is too far away (or too far gone) to actually attain or experience.My questions to anyone who might find themselves making such claims (no matter the mask) are…What do you mean by far? Do you mean difficult? Painful? Currently unrealistic? How far do you mean exactly? Far as in impossibly far? Far as in a little too far? (For it to be worth it, let’s say) Far in relation to what? Far in relation to what time/energy you currently have? Or just flat-out “too far” from where you currently are? Why it’s crucial for us to answer those questions is this:A belief itself cannot be changed (or even dealt with) until you can deconstruct what it was built upon. Let me put it this way…A belief is just a sparknote of a much deeper story we tell ourselves. And without unraveling the full story, you can never expect to unravel (let alone change) the belief.(Keep in mind, too, that our beliefs, the stories we tell ourselves, are the one and only thing that prevent us from pursuing what we deem meaningful. So it’s really our inner beliefs that need dealt with, more so at least than our external circumstances.) NOW…Can I blame anyone for having developed an inner story that makes them feel as though their ambitions are too far to attain? Most certainly not. Life is a rough business, there’s no doubt about it. And our minds were built, and have evolved over millions of years, to keep us safe from “rough business”. And if you ask me, you should be afraid of pursuing something meaningful. But you should be more afraid of hiding from it…Allow me to put this into context…* You should be afraid of (or at least daunted by) the pursuit of losing 30 pounds and getting into shape. But you should be more afraid of the long-term health risks that come with being overweight… You should be more afraid of not being able to enjoy simple activities 20-30 years down the line… You should be more afraid of being 20-30 years older and wishing you had just gone for it. * You should be afraid of starting a new business. But you should be more afraid of remaining miserable. You should be more afraid of resenting yourself (and perhaps others) for having never gone for it. You should be more afraid of missing out on what could be the adventure of your life. * You should be afraid of putting yourself out there to try and spark a new relationship. But you should be more afraid of being alone and feeling empty… More afraid of missing out on one of life’s greatest gifts: human connection. All this is to say: it’s not too late, there will never be a better time than now, and you should be far more afraid of having never gone for whatever sets your heart on fire than you should be of going for it. There’s time…More time than you could possibly need to get even one step closer to whatever you think is too far gone… You could lose 15 pounds in a few months.You could start your dream business, at least on the side, and at least have something to show for it in a few months. You could meet someone new, you could start that book, you could pick up that craft you’ve been curious about…There’s time. It’s not too late. But if you let that bullsh*t belief stand between you and whatever magic may lie behind the curtain of at least trying… All you’ll ever have is the haunting of what would’ve been. It’s not too f*cking late…Start today. Your neighborhood lighthouse keeper,-EmeryIt’s not the mystery behind the veil that will haunt us. What will haunt us most will be to have never pulled it back to find out. - EmeryThanks 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

Goood morning and welcome to Letters from Emery! EXCITING NEW UPDATEI’m officially introducing: Emery Hour, a regular open forum and direct chat where we can all convene, connect, get to know each other, discuss letter topics (and the like), and generally speaking, get real and raw. Setup takes less than 1 minute and after you’re set up, you’ll be able to interact with, and participate in our community chat thread whenever you like! HOW-TO To participate in the chat, you will need to:* Download the Substack app HERE * Note: the app is available on iOS & Android, but the chat feature is only available on iOS (Android coming soon)* Be subscribed to Letters from Emery on the Substack app.Once I start a thread, you can participate by tapping on the Chat icon on the Substack app (bottom-middle). Substacks you subscribe to will appear showing the most recent threads.Tap on a thread to start interacting with the writer and other readers. You can reply to any thread with text and/or an image as well as react to other readers' replies.You can also tap on another reader's message to react or to leave a reply.How am I notified about Chat?You can select which Chat push notifications to receive. To turn off or turn on Chat notifications, follow these steps:1. On the Substack iOS app, tap the Profile icon and then the Settings icon in the top-right corner.2. Tap "Notifications" and on this screen, toggle on or off what push notifications you'd like to start or stop receiving.* New threads: When a writer you're subscribed to starts a new Chat thread.* Replies: When other readers leave a reply in a Chat thread.* Reactions: When readers emoji-react to your reply.Who can see my replies?Any subscriber of the publication will be able to see your reply in a Thread. If they react to your message, you'll see a notification in your Activity section (click on the bell in the top right corner of the app).Again, setup should only take 1-2 minutes to get setup and you can get started HERE. I’m so looking forward to connecting with you, the Emery Tribe, on a more direct, real, and raw basis. Thanks so much for taking the time, and I’ll see YOU in the chat. Sincerely,-EmeryThanks 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

For many of us (I’ll speak for myself at least) The idea of somehow arriving at a magnificently better life seems daunting.(Ok, maybe more like almost impossible)…We’d like to have the body of our dreams, do what we love for work, work from wherever we want, whenever we want (or perhaps not at all), travel the world, live in a mansion on the hill, have heaven-like relationships, and ultimately—”live the dream”, whatever that means to each of us.And when you look at it like that, of course it seems daunting, or even almost impossible to attain... But what many of us (myself often-times included) fail to realize is that our “dream life”, though it seems oh-so-different from our current reality, is ultimately made up of the same stuff.Just like we as humans are made up, not just of arms, legs, a torso, and a head, but of the atoms and raw energy that make them physical…So too are our lives made up, not just of our body, job, possessions, or relationships, but of the seconds, minutes, hours, and days that make them a reality…In other words, what determines the quality of our lives is not just the quality of the pillars we’ve built it on in our minds.The quality of our lives lives no where else but in the same “stuff” our dream life would (can) live in—time.So, when we find ourselves thinking about living that far-off, distant “dream life” of ours, it’s so important to consider that, whereas it seems far off to “achieve” it, it’s still made up of the same stuff you have now. (Notice, I put “achieve” in parenthesis. That, friends, is because even our dreamiest life is never really achieved but actively lived. And, unless you can see it as such, no matter how good life gets, your “dream life” will forever seem far away if you never actually live in it.) Alas, rather than think about it (the life you’d like to live) as a distant dream, we must think of it as something we (you) can live in now…Now, am I saying that you can have your ultimate dream life today?Not exactly…What I am saying is that it’s all made up of the same stuff.So rather than get carried away with how far off it seems, why not choose to start living in your dream life today? This, my friends, is where “living your tiny dream” comes into play… The premise?Spend time (the place where life happens) truly living in your dream—no matter how brief. Do at least one small thing in each pillar of your dream life today.The pillars are up to you of course—every experience after all is unique, and so are our ideals of what we’d like ours to be. For example’s sake:Let’s say you want to “have” (live in) your dream body, become a world-renowned basket-weaver, travel the world, and have a more passionate relationship with your spouse/partner.Tiny Dream:Take your next free weekend (or even today) to…* Do some exercise that will bring that dream bod of yours just one step closer. * Pick your favorite place to weave baskets, pickup your favorite weaving materials, and make a 2-hour space to weave untily our fingers cramp. * Pick a new city, or even a new part of town you haven’t been to yet, and take a mini trip there for the afternoon. Who knows, maybe you can choose to weave there if your dream is to travel and weave. * Invite your spouse/partner out on a new & refreshing date with you, and spend some time getting intentional. Check-in with them, ask them what their tiny dream might look like, maybe even invite them on your tiny dream with you (and give them space to live theirs). You may not wake up in your dream life tomorrow, but you can live a tiny version of it today. And, for the first while-about, you could make it a semi-regular occurence. Maybe it’s on the weekends, maybe it’s a veeery tiny version everyday, maybe you even take a week off of work to live a slightly bigger version of your tiny dream. However you choose to live your tiny dream, the best part of it is:If you live a tiny version of your dream life enough times, there is literally no other outcome than for your dream life to become your reality.I’ll say that one more time…If you live in a tiny version of your dream life enough times, there is literally no other outcome than for your dream life to become your reality. I hope you take the chance (or better yet, make the chance) to live in your tiny dream, whatever yours looks like.I bet my boots that if you do that enough times, you’ll wake up one day and say to yourself…“Damn, Emery might just be on to something”…Wishing you all the best day, week, month ever.Live them well,-EmeryThanks for tuning in to 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

If you’re wondering what Letters from Emery is all about…Who Emery isHow it startedWhere we’re at Where we’re headed This is it. I poured my heart and soul into this, and this is (for now) everything you should know about the project…Thank you all for listening, it means more than you could ever know. Wishing you all the best the world could ever offer, -Emery 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

Gooood morning and welcome to Letters from Emery—a regular shot of perspective written to wake up a more fulfilled and empowered you.Thought of the day:Most of us tend to run on a to-do list…We have one for the day, one for the week, maybe one for the month. It’s useful of course, mainly for keeping track of what needs to be done, but…Let’s face some facts here: * A to-do list almost never gets fully completed anyway, which usually leaves us with more anxiety over what’s left than sense of accomplishment for what was done.* It’s a decent boss, but a poor inspiration. By that I mean, it’s a helpful tool to keep you on top of your tasks, but it absolutely sucks at inspiring you anywhere beyond doing the bare minimum. * It’s generally only for what needs to be done, not for what’s actually important. For example, you normally won’t find on your to-do list: breathe, embrace the moment, pray, give yourself some frickin’ credit, etc. Alas, here’s where the to-not-do list comes in…And before you write it off as silly, or trite (or just another damn list), the key thing to remember here is this:Your to-not-do list is NOT a replacement for your to-do list.It’s actually your to-do list’s ultimate superpower…Why?Because, done tastefully, it:* Illiminates negative distractions, patterns, and behaviors that are ultimately holding you back from achieving a higher version of self * Sets clear guide rails for what you want to avoid on a day-to-day basis, which is equally if not more important than what you want to point yourself towards * Puts your values, morals, and that which you find generally fundamental to your ideal of “the good life” in a simple, daily exercise that you can actually put to work for youAll that’s to say…Your to-not-do list will help you focus on the bigger picture, while you to-do list will help you conquer the little one. Here’s an example to-not-do list I’ve been sticking to that’s helped me lead a more meaningful, and purpose-driven day-to-day:Emery’s To-Not-Do ListDon’t…* Overthink it* Beat yourself up* Forget to pray * Forget to smell the roses * Compare yourself to others * Judge others too harshly* Complain… you have it so good!Hope you found this wee exercise & shot of perspective helpful, give a shot whydontcha and let me know how it goes…Cheering for you always, -Emery 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

Gooood morning and welcome to Letters from Emery—a regular shot of perspective written to wake up a more fulfilled and empowered you. Thought of the day:There are 89 days left in the year, friends…Rather than coax you into embarking on a new pursuit with mere words of hopium, I thought I’d offer some real-life (actual things-that-happened) victories that could be accomplished in the next 89 days.Some of these, I accomplished myself in the last ~90 days, some by friends of mine, and some by people I admire very highly. Nonetheless, they’re all real accomplishments that really happened in the span of just ~90 days… In 89 days you could…* Lose 17 pounds * Train for (and finish) a marathon * Land the biggest deal of your career* Increase your income by 20% * Start a new business (and even see your first profit) * Pick up a new craft and actually become decent at it * Travel to 3, hell, even 7 countries * Find the love of your life (or bring your current love to unforseen heights) * Write 3 chapters of a book * Achieve (almost) complete zen and peace * Add a new certification to your resume…I could go on. THE POINT IS: 89 days can provide more space for transformation than most of us could possibly imagine.Question is… what will you actually do with it? Sending you all the power, strength, will, and belief you could ever need to make these last 89 days of the year count. Who knows… They could even end up being the best 89 days of your life. The time is now…. Live it well.-EmerySomething for your pocket: What could I commit myself to over the next 89 days that “future me” would thank me for for the rest of my life? New here? 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

Goood morning and welcome to Letters from Emery—a daily shot of perspective written to wake up a more fulfilled and empowered you. Shot of the day: On average we will spend 1/3 of our entire lives working. Yep, that’s around 33 years full of actual working hours (give or take of course).First of all, I’m not saying that’s bad. Second of all, I’m not defining “work” as strictly paid labor. But for sake of brevity, let’s assume “work” is something like: time spent fulfilling a role. Right, so we need to work, and for a plethora of reasons:To provide for ourselves & others, to fulfill our basic needs, to fund our way of life, to be of use & service to the world, to experience a sense of purpose while we’re here…(Not to mention we’d all lose our minds without something productive to do, it’s absolutely vital for putting pleasure in check, and it’s the very thing that essentially all value is built upon)So, there’s no getting rid of work.Why it’s important to put time spent working into perspective however is this:If we’re going to spend 1/3 of our lives doing something, we should at least aim to enjoy, if not at least find some level of satisfaction (and maybe even fulfillment) in the time spent doing it.Yeah, that may be easier said than done. You more-than-likely won’t spend every second of it—heart ablaze, tears rolling down your cheeks in pride & joy, exploding in extacy, etc.But you’re going to have to spend it somehow…Meaning, you could either:Spend the vast majority of it in a soul-sucking state of distain, anxiety, malace, and resentment—leading of course to a very high probability of low self-esteem, low-quality opportunities, low-quality relationships, and an inevitably endless serving of low-quality days… Or: You could spend (or try to spend) at least a healthy portion in a state of gratitude for what you have (and can afford), excitement for the challenge ahead, and pride for what you bring to the table. Which will undoubtedly lead to… well, a hell of a lot better story than the one that starts with “soul-sucking”.AND wanna know the beauty of it all?Even though it’s 33 years across a lifetime, it’s alllll still made up of the same seconds, minutes, and hours that make up a day. So if you can find a way (what way is up to you) to make just one day at a time a day you can be truly proud of…Then, congrats—you’ve also found your way to living a damn good 33 years of life, of which you can also be truly proud of. I’ll leave you with this…How you spend a moment is how you’ll spend a day.How you spend a day is how you’ll spend a week.How you spend a week is how you’ll spend a month.How you spend a month is how you’ll spend a year. How you spend a year is how you’ll spend a life.Wishing you all, sincerely, the best day ever (and a lifetime more to come),-EmeryP.S. A question for your pocket: What could I do today to make it a great one? And if I had a week full of those? A month? A year? New here? 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

Goood morning and welcome to Letters from Emery—a daily shot of perspective written to wake up a more fulfilled and empowered you.Thought of the Day:Make it fun…I think a lot of people think that pursuing something meaningful (Aka something worth pursuing)Has to be painful, difficult, and full of suffering…And indeed, in some ways, it will be.And… it should be. (That’s what makes the end result taste so damn good)But it can also be fun and exhilerating…For example: My buddies and I have a fitness challenge flaring up for the last 90 days of the year. Challenge: who can burn the most overall calories before year-end. Winner gets something like an all-expense-paid trip to Mexico. And… wanna know what’s better than the trip?Win-or-lose, we all get to show off our hard work—Enjoying margaritas, swimming in the ocean, eating lobster, etc. Point is: progress doesn’t have to be strictly painful…You can make it fun.Who knows, maybe the process can be even better than the destination…My challenge to you, then:Set up a growth-related challenge with a friend, partner, or even colleague for the last 90 days of the year, and make the prize something fun! Who knows what good it could bring….Have fun getting better, friends. Sincerely, -Emery New here? 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

Goood morning and welcome back to Letters from Emery! Wanted to give the community an update on the incredible work we’ve been able to accomplish so far in our mutual effort to make the world a little better on our journey…Here’s what we’ve accomplished together so far:Planted 110 mangrove trees in KenyaIn 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 →Planted 8 new corals in PolynesiaIn 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 →Removed 1,200 plastic bottles in French Polynesia (12kg of ocean plastic)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 →Reduced 1t of carbon 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 →Click here to see our full community impact board →Just wanted to say that this project (Letters from Emery) has been such an honor for me thus far. Writing every letter has not only brought me so much joy, but it’s also all made me (at least I would hope) a far better person…To all my loyal readers, I just want to say thank you—from the bottom of my heart—for reading, supporting, and sending love. Beyond making the world a little bit better along the way, I hope even one of these letters strikes a chord with you, and who knows… Maybe even makes your life a little better (or at least enlightens your perspective on things). Wishing you all the best week ever, and thanks again so much for reading. Your friendly neighborhood writer,-EmeryNew here? Why not signup? It’s free and we’ll do a whole lot more ‘o’ this together ^^^ 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

Goood morning and welcome to Coffee Thoughts—a daily shot of perspective written to wake up a more fulfilled & empowered You.Coffee Thought of the DayI checked the 2022 calendar today.Know how many days there are left in the year? 106 as of today. I’m not sure about you, but for me that was really exciting. Mainly because… well, I know how much can change in 106 days. You could learn a brand new skill in 106 days. You could pick up a new craft in 106 days. You could get a promotion/pay raise in 106 days.Hell, you could even switch careers and get a brand new job in 106 days. You could lose 10, 20, 30, even 40 pounds in 106 days. You could finally start that podcast, or start a book in 106 days…(Talking to myself here)Point is: you could do a lot with 106 days. So the question isn’t really: what could you do…The right question is: what will you do? The weekend’s right around the corner ya know…Why not chisel out some time to think it over:“What would I love to ___ (accomplish, change, try, start, even stop) in the next 106 days?” Sending you all the power, belief, and confidence you could ever need to make a big change in your life before the ball drops…(In 106 days in case you missed it!)Big love & Happy Friday,-EmeryNew here? Why not give it a go… It’s free to subscribe, puts a tree in the earth, and will hopefully leave you feeling nothing but… better. 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

Goood morning and welcome to Coffee Thoughts—a daily dose of perspective written to wake up a happier, more fulfilled, and empowered You.Coffee Thought of the DayFortune favors the bold grateful.And I don’t mean (just) material fortune… Gratitude is the irrifutable cure to almost all suffering that happens between the ears—and what a priceless gift that is.It is the one path in millions that will always lead to something better, rather than worse.It is the mother, not the child, of all good-and-golden states of being one could possibly experience.Joy, happiness, bliss, excitement, peace, even love…These are all born of gratefulness, not achieved in striving to experience them as they are.Gratitude is the gateway to all the “fortune” one could hope to have in life. To be grateful for someone is the gateway to a deeper love with them. To be grateful for opportunity is to invite only more of it in. To be grateful for time is to unlock the beauty in it. Gratitude is the key to living a truly rich, meaningful, lovely, and fortunate life—the kind that makes solely making a fortune quiver in its wake. And… want to know the best part about it?The not-so-secret secret of it all? Gratitude is always there.You don’t have to pay for it.You don’t have to ask someone’s permission for it.You don’t need to make reservations for it. You don’t have to go looking for it in anyone-or-thing outside the self. It’s always there. And no matter how dark, painful, difficult, or filled-with-doom one’s life may seem—gratitude can always, always be found. Just imagine what the world would look like if we all chose to live in it…Wishing you the most fortunate life you could ever hope to live, my friends.Perhaps it’s closer than you think…With gratitude,-EmeryP.S. Something for your pocket:Be more concerned with living a fortunate life Then you are with making a fortune.Do that, and fortune will find you in more ways than you can possibly imagine. New here? 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

Goood morning and happy Thursday!Welcome to Coffee Thoughts—a daily dose of perspective written to wake up a happier, more fulfilled, and empowered You.Coffee Thought of the DayYou can achieve just about any considerable milestone in 3 months. You could lose 10-15 lbs in about 3 months.You could start a business and hit your first $1,000 (or more) in sales in about 3 months. You could write the first 3 chapters of a book in about 3 months. You could increase your income 10-15% (or more) in about 3 months. You could start a podcast and launch some 30 episodes in about 3 months…Point is: you can do a lot with 3 months. And 3 months is roughly 0.3% of the average lifespan (~73 years is the global average)… Question is: are you willing to devote just 0.3% (or less, most likely), to hitting your next big milestone? I’ll let you sit on it…Wishing you the best day ever,-EmeryNew here? Sign up for free for daily perspective, motivation, and wisdom delivered right to your inbox. 1 tree planted for every subscriber. 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

For a long time, I struggled with my relationship with God—mainly with what to call “Him”. In fact, I still struggle. But there’s a beautiful truth I learned some years ago that’s assured me that it’s okay to struggle with God. (In fact… More than “okay”, I think it’s necessary. Because perhaps our most important relationship is that which we have with creation itself. And how can you have a meaningful relationship at all without struggle?)I digress…The beautiful truth I learned is this: the name “Israel” in Hebrew actually translates to: “He who wrestles with God”. Somewhat paradoxically, the name of the great city of Jerusalem in Israel translates to: “the city of peace”. Which, to me, creates the magnificently complete idea that: “to know peace with God, we must first wrestle with him”. Well, I know perhaps all of us struggle with “God” in our own ways. (Even if you don’t “believe” at all, you still had to struggle with the concept of God in order to arrive where you have.)And regardless of your affiliations with God, (notice I ommitted“religious” ), I think it’s so important to wrestle in the very least with this idea: You’ve arrived here somehow. By what means, by what “name”, by what “grand random occurrence” is almost irrelevant. The truth is, you are here. And the only way out is, at least in some way similar, if not equally the same to the way you came in. So, however you’d care to wrestle with God is none of my business. But what I hope for you is this:That you do wrestle with “God”. And if you’re going to, you might as well treat “Him” like a worthy opponent. By that I mean, someone you respect. Someone to thank for the battle. Perhaps, even, like someone who loved you enough to create you, and someone—even more—who still does. Alas, your beloved “homework”:I hope you take even 10 minutes today to wrestle with God. Not with whether or not “He” exists. Not with what to call him. But with the very idea that maybe, just maybe…God is out there. After all, what you have to lose by doing so surely pales in comparison with all you have to gain by…Well, by wrestling—in whatever way you choose. May we all find peace and friendship in our very creation & existence, -EmeryA prayer for your pocket: Dear Lord, Thank You for this day. Thank You for a roof over my head, and a warm bed to rest it.For the opportunities before me, and another day to seize them. For all those who love me, and the chance to love them back.For the strength to pull my weight, and for weight I’m proud to bear. For every miracle you’ve sent me, and another chance to be one. Thank You, Dear Lord, for providing me everything I need to execute your will—this day especially. May everything I do today bring me closer to The Kingdom. For thine is the power, the glory…Forever & ever. Amen. 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

A Letter I Wrote to Myself || June 27, 2017Promise me this, my brother.No matter how your truth and understanding of self may evolve.No matter where your work and life will take you.No matter how committed you will find yourself to your passions or how occupied you'll become.No matter how time may pass or how your focus may narrow.No matter how love and your relationships may blind you or change you or become the foundation of your comfort…That you will still, without hesitation, permit your childish self to shine through.That you will do your best to go for magical experiences and find magical people that will make your life rich with the new and old.That you will stay curious, creative, and strange in your own ways.That you will travel the world and not be afraid to shy from routine or comfort.That you will never lose your renaissance self or your authentic, small-town heart.That you will enrich yourself with music. With creativity. With art. With culture. With literature. With philosophy, spirituality, and science.That you will surround yourself with good people, and at that, people who make you uncomfortably comfortable with who you are and who you can become.That you will give out of the open goodness of your heart, and not out of desire for return.That you will take risks and concern yourself not with what others think of you or how you live your time here.That you will make mistakes and above that, be willing and open to learn from them.That you will stress not for the achievement of fame or fortune, but rather, for the achievement of a good life. A happy life. One of impact and love and deep human connection.That you will never be afraid to dance and sing like a fool or soak in the rain.That you will capture moments, but live them better.That you will appreciate each day as its own gift and stay grateful for the life you have, and not one you envy.That you will remain playful.That you will never be too high to cry. Or too low to laugh.That you will write with blood and speak with heart.That you will live this life best you can. And on your own terms.That you will not fear death. But embrace it as a life set free. And as one well-lived.Promise me this, my brother.And life will be more beautiful than you could ever imagine. For you and for the ones you touch. Stay kind. Stay humble. Stay foolish. Yours forever, -Emery 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