So, I lived through an earthquake.

And it might have been the best mirror into my priorities and values.

Dear reader,

As I began writing this, the desk was shaking lightly due to a powerful air conditioning unit and I low-key thought for 15 seconds that another quake was happening. Inhale, exhale.

I’m okay. I’m okay even when I’m not okay. And I’ve learned just how resilient I truly am after a sharp reminder that I live on a floating geological mystery flying through space.

3 days ago on March 28th around 1:20 PM here in Bangkok, Thailand my brother and I experienced our very first earthquake. There’s nothing quite like a quick brush with death to remind you exactly what is important to you, and what is not.

Luckily, we were outside of the building at the time it struck but our friend who lives on the 35th floor called us in a panic alerting us that the walls were beginning to crack and that he didn’t know if he should take the elevator or the stairs. We yelled into phone, “TAKE THE STAIRS, NOW!” In a stupor, he complied and arrived in the lobby to report that people were still wrapped in their towels straight out of the shower.

It felt like the longest phone call of our lives as we awaited to hear what other residents were doing or whether it was even safe enough for them to return to their units. No one knew what to do and we were all understandably in shock (and dizzy). This was Bangkok’s very first significant earthquake in history - a tremor felt from Myanmar about 1000km away.

While our building in the end survived mild to moderate vertical cracks, a building beside ‘Chatuchak Market’ completely collapsed right next to where we had just gotten massages 4 days prior. Less than an hour later, I was already watching a video recorded by someone at the very street corner I had bought a coffee screaming and running away from the collapsed building’s debris. It was surreal to watch and didn’t feel anything like it does when I watch the news normally…it felt all too close to home.

I thought of all the vendors I had joyfully interacted with just days before losing their businesses, and possibly their lives, less than 100 hours since I had been there. For the next 2 hours, we answered phone calls from friends in town and family from afar to assure that we and everyone we knew were safe. With the most gratitude I have ever felt in my life, I can express with relief that every person we know was physically safe although definitely shaken up. A couple of them flew out of town immediately in fear of aftershock rumors.

As for my brother and I, we continued our drive south since we were fortunately already planning to head out of the city. We reflected together about how oddly aligned our timing was and how much more fear we would have likely absorbed if we didn’t leave right away.

We also consciously decided to not let it affect our inner states or our weekend trip. We trusted that whatever happened, we would be able to handle it. Our fearless surrender coupled with the knowledge of our loved ones’ safety, kept us rooted in gratitude over fear. Appreciation over panic.

This appreciation was easier to feel than I could have ever expected because the immediate post quake hours prompted the following questions within me:

1. If I knew I was going to die today, would I be happy with my life exactly the way it is?

2. Am I proud of who I am today?

3. Does my life currently reflect my priorities?

4. Will the people I love…know that I loved them if I disappeared today?

I cried right then; and I am crying now. Because the truth was, “Yes.” A deep, rich, resounding YES.

Through this resonance, something became so crystal clear to me.

I don’t think we are afraid of dying. What we are afraid of is not truly living.

In the moments that we are faced with death, and are fortunate to survive, we are confronted with the deepest, and hardest, questions. They are not truly about death though; they are about life.

Our fears reflect that there is still much left for us to do, people remaining to hear from us, and dreams not yet fulfilled.

We are devastated not by the death…but by the life left un-lived.

My worst fear is not that I die but that I spend the time I have not living authentically and free.

And I’m glad I didn’t wait for an earthquake to wake me up to that. Because 3 years ago, I could not have said “yes” to any of those questions. And I know that because I chose to write a eulogy for my own funeral back then - to become deeply curious about the life people would say I lived.

And I wasn’t proud of that person - yet. I was still doing things out of alignment, out of fear. I was working more than I was spending time with my friends & family. I would say that family, friendship and freedom were my highest values…but my life sure didn’t reflect that.

If someone had looked at my life as an outsider, they would have likely guessed that my highest values were pride and work (or achieving validation through work).

Those values aren’t inherently bad; they just weren’t the kind I wanted my one life to reflect. This powerful exercise was just as strong as the 7.7 mag earthquake for me. Both asked me to look at myself without judgment, through the veil of death, and be radically honest about how I’m spending the time I still have. And just 3 years apart, my reflections and answers have wildly transformed.

Even with aftershock concerns still swirling around, I feel not an ounce of fear because I am not fearing the un-lived life. I know that the people I love will remember how much I loved them, the time I made to spend with them, and the shared experiences that formed the memories we will always have. I know that the conversational art I’ve created reflects who I authentically am and serves others using my gifts. I know that I spend my blessed hours dancing, writing, laughing, and facetiming my parents. I know that I am missing absolutely nothing.

That is my abundance. That is my point of attraction. That is my wealth.

I live so fully expressed that even death cannot scare me into a confrontation with my unclaimed desires. I boldly, and unapologetically, live them already.

Even being here in Thailand visiting my brother for several weeks has been a beautiful reflection of my internal shifts - that I am putting family first now. No longer do I wait until I have time to visit. I make the time to visit a priority.

Because we are not guaranteed another second on this floating rock. That I know, now, for sure.

Don’t wait to live the life you want. Start creating it today.

That’s what this moment is for. It is yours to create with, shape, and design to reflect the person you truly are.

So, are you living exactly as you wish?

Do you really need a natural disaster, a loss, or an illness to confront the truth of that?

All you need is a present moment to find out; and now is always the best time. It’s the time we are so lucky to have. I hope you spend it creating everything you ever desired.

I love you all so much. If I die, my energy lives on in you - thank you for carrying this frequency in your heart. I will never regret a second of time I spent sharing it with you <3

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Podcast Highlight: Spiraling Higher🌀

I’m not me if I don’t share one of the episodes from my fave podcast hehe.

In episode 98, we recounted our TOP FIVE SPIRITUAL LESSONS 🙌

These were the lessons that once had us spiraling lower, fighting against life and ourselves. But ALL OF IT…was for us. To be honest, this was one of our favourite conversations to date because it chronicles the journey, which is the very best part.

Tune in on Spotify!

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Remember to have fun:

Life is short. Have fun. That much is clear after reading this, right?

So here are some recent pics & vids from Bangkok and Ko Larn Island to share the vibration of JOY 🏝️🤪

I hope you enjoyed the 6th edition of the "Next-Level Newsletter!" It was a little different than my usual vibe but if you liked how it felt to read along with me, I would be so grateful if you shared this with someone you think will like it too! Let’s raise the frequency of the planet, together⚡️

To your next level,

Sam

P.S. Working with me 1:1 is by invitation. You reply to this email or apply here.