Analog - here’s what my book is about.

Have I mentioned that I’m writing a book? Today, I’m excited to share what it's about with you.

I just finished the second draft of the manuscript. So, no, I don’t know when it's coming out, but I want to share more about it. I genuinely appreciate you reading this newsletter. I would love to hear your feedback in the comments. 

So, here goes!

Analog is a book about my pursuit of a life of agency, meaning, and joy. It’s about the parallel journey of living up to my father's legacy. These pillars are something I hope you might find helpful in navigating your life’s journey. 

An alternative title could be How to Be Happy. In writing this memoir, I’ve dug into my life story to create a framework for what drives me. Like many, I started with a simple wish: to be happy. 

I hope you read the book when it comes out, but whether you do or not, you can apply these three pillars to live a life of happiness and fulfillment. 

Agency

Creating agency in life is a deeply sought-after dream. Agency = freedom. Entrepreneurship is the greatest way I know to help someone create agency in their life. Agency is about waking up every morning and deciding what you want to do each day. As you achieve levels of agency, don't give it away lightly. Give it away to things you’re deeply committed to. Never do it out of obligation. Don't feel obligated to join, do, or show up for things you don't care about. Life is too short. 

Meaning

The next step is to find things that bring you meaning in your life. Meaning can be found in family, nature, and spirit. No commitment or practice is too small to have meaning. Here is a poem that illuminates a path to meaning for me.

Love

Feel joy

Be moved

Follow what moves you,

for it leads you to meaning

Meaning brings joy

Everything with love

A wonderful path to finding meaning is through service. Anything you can do to share your gifts through leadership, education, and funding things that help people is likely to be meaningful. I believe the way to truly feel the meaning is to be sure it aligns with what beckons in your soul.

Joy 

When your life has meaning, you feel joy. Live a life of integrity and in integrity. If something is not in alignment, it will reveal itself eventually. Nurture your mind, body, and spirit. Take the inner journey and know thyself. If there is an area of your life: family, relationships, physical health, mental health, or spiritual health that has been undernourished, invest time and energy into it. Do stuff you want to with people you want to spend time with. I've found that analog experiences and creative pursuits bring me joy. I love music and have immersed myself in it. Find what you love doing and do more of it. Stay close to your family and loved ones. Spend time with and shine a light on people who lift you, not bring you down. Notice how you feel and do something about it. Optimize your life for fun. Love deeply and spread love.

Thanks for checking this out today. It's been a long time coming for me. Today's missive started as an email to a dear friend with whom I was trying to share some wisdom and encouragement. 

If I struck a chord with you, I’d love to hear so in the comments. It’s been a journey writing this thing. The road ahead in publishing is new to me, but I’m excited to begin.

See you along the way.

In peace and love as always.

- Chris