And so it begins…

The first of many to come.

I’m writing this from a place no one in my bloodline has ever seen.

I'm currently deep inside the Orient, typing on my phone, dripping sweat under the southeast Asian sun.

Greetings from Bali, Indonesia.

I can’t help but think that I may be the very first man of my bloodline to ever see the stars from this point of view. Tanned skin and ocean eyes.

(At the very least it would have been about 2000 years, and as far as the living members of my family, I’m the first. More on subverted ‘history’ another time.)

It’s a cool feeling. A mixture of gratitude and a strange sense that in some way I don’t deserve it. I quickly remind myself that if you experience something, it is meant for you. Anyway, this is my first of what will (God-willing) be many emails that you will receive from me.

As is often the case with new projects, I am sure I should have started sooner, but also know that I’m starting exactly when I am supposed to.

It took me almost two years to do the obvious. It’s been almost that long since I quit my full time job and ‘left the matrix’. Feels like a lifetime.

I suppose that’s often the case when you set out with such violent intentions to be ‘different’ and carve your own path. You can miss out on the simple, and often less painful, answers that someone else bled to discover and develop.

I didn’t want to start an email list because it felt like grandfather internet tactics. Old-fashioned and not in the good way. A simple a means of collecting names and addresses to sell to. I realize now that I was naive, and it doesn't have to be that way.

As I repeatedly encounter on my journey, the wand does not make the wizard. And 100,000+ bad writers does not mean a good one isn’t born everyday. I want this newsletter to do one thing: help you improve and allow me to do the same.

As a first note of encouragement, and a motif you will quickly detect in future letters, stop postponing yourself. Stop waiting to take action.

There are so many profound quotes on this idea that I won’t waste word-count on them, but as I begin this new venture, I hope you do the same when you finish reading.

I know you’re busy, so I’ll finish up with some logistics and expectations for emails to come.

Rules of engagement (how this is gonna work):

1. I will never peddle bullshit products.

2. I will only promote my own creations or those of people I personally know and believe in.

3. I will only sell/market when necessary. I am an artist, but I will not starve.

4. Minimum of 1 letter per week, released on Saturdays.

5. Always written by myself (Zach).

6. Expect the format to evolve, but remain simple and concise.

Content (what to expect):

1. Updates on The Vitruvian Universe (podcast, YouTube, community, brand etc.).

2. I will keep prescriptions (telling you what to do) to a minimum and instead share my perspective and experiences with hopes of informing yours (it’s your life to live).

3. Lots of quotes and excerpts from the great thinkers and writers I’m currently reading.

4. I aspire to always communicate clearly, and any use of flowery or ‘fancy’ language is not to seem intelligent or educated. Rather, it is because I love words, and Beauty is a fundamental virtue.

My Chief Aim (why I’m writing this):

To stoke the embers of your spirit; To inspire you to take bold action in giving your gift. I also intend to do the same: selfishness as selflessness.

That’s all for this week, I hope you enjoyed. I’m excited to continue the dialogue next week.

While it’s still feasible, I respond to all messages and comments so please DM me on any platform if you want to connect.

Please share if you feel called, otherwise,

Be The Renaissance.