In a world overrun by email, there are still a few I actually enjoy reading. One of those is the Creative Groove Newsletter written by the amazing Jen Jones Donatelli. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, or who Jen is I encourage you to look her up, and then to sign up for the newsletters; they are short, punchy, and chalk full of fascinating content from roller skating options, to a grow a forest accountability app, to invitations to learn about cool events in the city such as The Full Cleveland (a 12 hour megahike across town).
One of her more recent newsletters began with the headline: “If you’re looking for five powerful words that can take you to the next level, here they are: ‘Ask, and you shall receive.’” In that letter, Jen relays her own story of pitching herself to an editor at Enslow Publishing back in 2006. She recalls what a “long shot” the ask was, and how she waited for a polite pass to her inquiry for a gig (if any response at all). She didn’t have to wait long for a response, but instead of the anticipated “thanks, but no thanks,” she was offered the job and went on to do really incredible work. She recalls, “…I can say with 100% certainty that none of it would have happened if I hadn’t summoned the courage to send that initial email.” Speaking of courage… Enter Scott Simon, founder of Scare Your Soul. Scare Your Soul is a movement that “inspires people to engage in repeated small acts of courage that lead to big changes.” I recommend signing up for his newsletter too! In it, you will receive weekly challenges to get you out of your comfort zone, and more fully into your life ;) Each month has its own theme around which the challenges are centered. For instance, June’s theme was self-love while July is all about relationships. I am lucky enough to know both of these cool cats which led me to synthesize Jen’s letter with Scott’s mission to come up with my own idea/challenge for all of you who follow. Here it goes: I want you to think of 10 ‘asks’ you have yet to make, but really want to – maybe that looks like asking someone on a date, maybe it looks like asking someone for a job, maybe it looks like asking someone to teach you a new skill, or maybe it looks like asking someone you want to learn from out for a cup of coffee. My asks are all centered around people I one day hope to work/collaborate with (at this point on what and when are TBD). I am so confident in their abilities, and their missions, and their characters that I’m okay with not knowing what these projects look like yet – just that I want to be a part of what they are birthing into the world. The list of those people are below and while it is scary to ask people you idolize to work with you, amazing things can happen if you do (see my note next to number 10). As a nod to something I learned from Randy Pauch in his “last lecture,” I’m hoping that by posting my asks publicly I’ll make it harder for people to say ‘no’ (wink wink). Click here to see Pauch’s speech.
Famous People I want to work with: Lena Dunham, Liz Gilbert, Glennon Doyle, Thrity Umriger, Austin Klein, Taylor Swift…it goes on and on but those are some off the top of my head. I would love if you are reading this if you would just post one ‘ask’ in the comments below. After all, you never know someone who…
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I thought I was here to relax, but like everything else, it turns out I’m here to learn. That I’m not in control. That things go wrong. That you can enjoy it all anyway – if you let yourself. Disclaimer: I can be a brat. A big one. When we were deciding on places to stay back in January for our big trip out West, a place with a pool was a non-negotiable. After much looking, Gina and I settled on Goosewing Ranch in Wyoming. However, before turning over my credit card number and three-digit security code, I called to verify that the pool would be open for our planned dates. “Yes,” I was told. And so I went ahead with the credit card number. Fast forward six months and a two-hour drive up a dirt road to the ranch. The first thing I see – that gorgeous pool from the internet pics covered with tarps and surrounded by construction material. I literally think smoke started coming out of my nostrils. No email notification with a heads up. No discount. No I’m sorry you were misled. Instead I was told by a ranch employee, “I can assure you that you won’t miss it. We have a river you can swim in.” [The same river we had also read we could tube down, only to later learn that this activity like so many others “starts next week.” I might also mention that it was in the 90s, which according to a local never happens, but also that the river water was like 45 degrees.] I was pretty sure that I could assure her that I very much would miss the pool. My whole demeanor changed. I. Was. Pissed. After a little pep talk from my bestie reminding me that we’ve been to 100s of pools, and also that my mom has a beautiful in-ground secluded one of her own, I was able to bust out of my funk long enough to enjoy the ATV ride through mountain tails. Then came activity sign-ups. All of the activities I wanted to do were at the same freakin time and now we would be fitted for our horses tomorrow, and not tonight. Cue my control freak who by now feels totally blindsided. Breath Kristina. That fresh mountain air. Breathe it. Look where you are. Look at the backdrop to your life in this moment. Green covered mountains, and sunlit water, and horses grazing. And lots of space – to see, to write, to feel. We sat down to dinner (seats assigned), and even though I couldn’t help but complain about the misinformation it now became an inside joke with the new friends at our table. A woman at the table asked, “Is there dessert.” Her partner answered, “That’s for next week guests.” I am here now. I am [now]here. (Stay tuned for my new tattoo). So I had better decide to appreciate it (and yes it is a choice). As soon as I adjusted my frame of mind, other things also began shifting. The head wrangler, Robyn, after finding out about our experience took us on a private 4 hour horse ride along a new trail with lots of little creeks and watering holes. We got to cross the river on horseback and I even got to lope my horse. It was spectacular. She is spectacular. We talked about lots of things on that ride - about trauma, about family, about holding on, and about letting go. I owe Robyn for a one of a kind experience that has inspired me to find a stable nearby so that I can continue to ride, and for helping me relearn the lesson that when things appear to not work out, they really usually do!
Aside: I ended up making friends with so many of the wranglers - these young kids work their tales off and do so with maturity, with grace, and without complaint (that's more than I can say about my own attitude during parts of the trip). |
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I am a creative writer, a runner, a seeker, a teacher, and a student. I've been practicing yoga since 2014 and story-telling my whole life. Archives
July 2021
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