Dear Agents of Evolution,
Lately there’s been a “musical chairs” feeling to all the comings and going in Ashland, Oregon, the small town where I live. Since last year’s fire, many of my dear friends have moved away from Ashland, yet home prices continue to skyrocket and home sales continue to soar. I don’t know the demographics for certain but meeting newcomers in the grocery stores tells me the ones moving here are mostly affluent people from cities, now able to work from anywhere, wanting more daily access to the outdoors. That’s what draws people to southern Oregon.
Of course, this tiny locale has been ravaged by the effects of wildfire, and the local Oregon Shakespeare Festival, once the economic engine of the town, has suffered. I have no doubt my little mountain valley will revive itself. What I am concerned about though, is that the community that used to live here has been torn apart. The ones who remain are the ones who can’t afford to leave because the rent they’re now paying is so much lower than what is available anywhere else. I’m not sure what people are doing. Moving in with their families? Moving into their cars?
Since the new IPCC report was released earlier this month, it seems there is an increase in planetary awareness sobriety. Perhaps it is beginning to become clear, exactly how deep the hole is that we’ve dug for ourselves. As these realities sink in, it’s nice not to have to tiptoe around them in conversation, pretending that “It’s all good!” Yet now that many are making decisions based on these realities, knowing what we know, we have a choice in how we move through our lives – we can play musical chairs, competing our way to the last of the precious resources of the old world, or we can lean in to the web of kindness, holding each other up as we transition into what’s next.
Imagine yourself in the year 2040. When you look back on this time, do you want to have been one of the people playing musical chairs with humanity’s destiny? Or do you want to have been part of the web of kindness that brought the new systems into being for the generations to come?
This is one of the throughlines to Agents of Evolution. Yesterday was my birthday and I received a wonderful birthday gift – the book is now officially published. I so deeply appreciate your support in getting this book across the finish line.
Now that Agents of Evolution is live, you can help by leaving a book review on Amazon or Goodreads by September 22nd. Everyone reading this newsletter right now supported my pre-sale campaign and will receive your paperback copies in the mail at the end of September/beginning of October. I will be getting the digital copies out to international supporters next week. If you’re willing to write a review, you could buy the ebook on Amazon while it’s 99¢ (until Sept. 22), read the Preface, Introduction, and any two of the planet chapters to get a sense of the book.
I do think this is a book you’ll want to return to at different times in your life. But what your gut tells you on first read, written as a review, will help others readers who are looking for this kind of writing make their decision on whether to buy this book.
Your review shouldn’t take you long – two or three sentences works. Of course, if you’re called to leave a longer review, that’s great too. Here are some examples. Please edit to fit your voice:
As a [profession], I appreciated Marga Laube's take on our collective evolution. Thoughtful and insightful. Definitely worth the read.
I have followed Marga Laube's journey as she was researching and writing the book. It is amazing to see the finished product.
The story about [story description] really drew me in. Very honest, raw, thoughtful and deep. Certainly made me think.
Marga Laube nails it with the quote: [“insert quote from the book.”] Worth a read.
[Something positive like “Five stars” or “Great read.”] This is a book for anyone with an interest in the transformative times we are living in. Definitely recommended.
Have been waiting for a book at the intersection of astrology and evolution. This was one of the first books to really dive into that intersection in detail and it's a great book for anyone interested in their own personal growth.
Longer Review Example:
I wanted to offer a short analysis on [key point in the book.] Marga Laube is offering readers a way to contemplate the times we’re in and what our own unique role is in navigating global crises. I appreciated how the book went deep on personal growth/ evolution and offered actionable insights. My one critique is [insert a 'nice' critique such as “I would have loved to see more depth behind X,” “I wanted to learn more about Y,” “This book didn't have as much Z as I was hoping, but hoping there is a next book in this series.”]
As part of the web of kindness one of the ways we can support each other is by understanding that grief is part of the water we currently swim in, and by extending compassion to those who are not showing up the way they normally do or the way we think they should. We may especially see this in our more sensitive youngsters over the years ahead. A small word of encouragement, a smile at a stranger, an arm around a shoulder … these small acts go a long way in holding each other up.
Thanks for reading, thanks for your support, thanks for considering posting a review, and have a rejuvenating weekend everyone.