Is this the worst sales email ever?

Hi Reader,

A reminder: my vision for the future is “a world no longer divided by religion.” This is the context for everything I’m writing now.

This is a simple email. But I’ve squirmed a lot while writing it. So much, in fact, that I wrote an entire second email to avoid writing this one. I seriously thought about sending that email instead.

But, here I am, asking for your support. What changed?

In part I realized that this particular discomfort is the kind that’s telling me this is exactly what I should do. You know, the idea that…

Apparently the treasure I seek is seven bucks.

I kid, of course. Really what I’m seeking is just the ability to ask for support. Which is all I’m doing here.

The other part that made me send this email is that I realized it doesn’t actually matter at all. I’m asking for your support. If you want to give it, that’s great. If you don’t, then I have more work to do. Maybe I’ll never be able to do enough to earn your support, and that’s ok. What matters is that the work matters to me. I hope it matters to you. But if it doesn’t matter, well… it doesn’t matter that it doesn’t matter. (Grade-A writing right there, Michael.)

So, enough about my insecurities. Let’s get to the point.

I’m trying to contribute to a world no longer divided by religion. I have only a couple hours a week to dedicate to that. Right now, I’m spending that time reading, writing these emails, and having conversations with you.

It’s not enough time.

The stack of books on my desk is thirteen high right now. I just ordered a fourteenth. And there are books I’m consuming digitally, from the library. I have several conversations to schedule. And I’ve committed to continuing to write these emails to share progress and ideas, and to try to inspire and help you as well.

A younger me would have been overwhelmed by all that. I’m not overwhelmed. I actually feel really positive. I’m making better progress than ever, and I know I’ll continue to do so, because this matters a lot to me.

Still, more time would be really great. Really, really great.

Buying myself more time means I need to start making money on this project. So that’s where I’m asking for your support.

Please consider supporting this project at the ground level. Click this button to do so.

Wait, OneFire? What’s that?

It’s what I’m calling this effort toward a world no longer divided by religion. I’ll tell you more about it next time.

AND!

If you’re really into what I’m doing here, and you want to give extra support, I have a subscription for you, too:

GOLD subscribers also get super-secret content in every newsletter. So you might also go for this option if you like super-secret stuff.

AND OR!!

If you aren’t into the send-money-every-month thing, I get it. Here’s an option for you:

FINAL AND!!!

Of course, there’s also my book, The Forest is the Tree. (You’ve heard of it, right?) The book was a nascent version of what I’m doing with OneFire, and all proceeds from sales of that book are going toward this project.

Maybe you’re not ready to support the project. As I said, that’s fine. I appreciate you being here one way or the other, and I’ll keep working to earn your support.

Actually, if you’re still reading, there’s one way to support the project without spending any money at all. It’s to commit to practicing what I touched on in my last two emails: cultivating a heart at peace.

You see, when we are angry, afraid, or ashamed and haven’t looked closely at that emotion to understand what’s beneath it and to take full responsibility for it, it is inevitable that we’re suffering. And when we suffer in this way we also cause those around us to suffer—especially those we love.

I am still learning about this, and I’m not 100% convinced it’s true. But it seems to hold up so far, so I will continue to look into it and discuss it in these newsletters.

It’s the basis for my commitment to cultivating within myself a heart at peace. Because as long as suffering remains in the world, it seems inevitable that religion will continue to divide us. Whereas when religion is a source of joy and connection and not a source of suffering, then the path will be paved to a world no longer divided by religion.

So, cultivating within yourself a heart at peace: that’s one more way to support the project.

And that’s all for today.

There, that wasn’t so bad. Cave explored.

So, what’s the verdict? Worst sales email ever?

I hope you have a wonderful day, and I will see you back in your inbox in two weeks (if I don’t see you in the real world before then).