You know one of the things I am most grateful for from you, our community of students and readers, is your open-hearted honesty, your incredible intelligence and also your generosity with your time. It’s a really hard thing if I am honest, to reach out and ask for help. Henry Ford was credited with saying, (but it’s never been proven he said it) “If I had asked people what they wanted they would have said a faster horse” and it’s always a story that’s used to prove you should innovate and not ask what people want. Be a leader. Part of me agrees with this. And a larger part knows that when you are fortunate enough to have an engaged base of intelligent and dynamic people you are nuts not to ask them their thoughts.
So when we last week polled everyone about a subscription model for our Letters the responses were amazing. The inpouring of personal messages I have received has literally blown me out of the water and broken my heart open. So many of you looked deeply into yourselves, and questioned the ins and outs of your answers, and came to deep realisations about how you value us, but more importantly how you value yourself. I had some very touching messages from parents who admitted they didn’t spend a cent on themselves and have begun a personal enquiry into their self-worth and their self-care. I had messages from people who had the greatest suggestions I would never have been able to come up with myself, being limited and bound by the inner workings of The Broad Place. We had tonnes of messages about overwhelm, a sense of guilt for not reading them all already, and in general feeling anxious about taking care of oneself and the challenges this presented. Something about this little survey really triggered something in so many. I am still working through responding to them all although I have read them all (I will get to you asap if you haven’t heard from I promise).
But I wanted to take the time to say firstly, a giant thank you. And secondly, to encourage you to ask for advice and help where you need it. Once the initial nerves settle down, doubts, and you stop convincing yourself you should know all the answers and you step into your vulnerability, incredible things can happen. I am so happy I was uncomfortable for a moment (a long week of vulnerability) as the experience back was 1000 times worth it. We are still working out what to do with our Letters, naturally, you will be the first to know.
Written with love,
Jac x
L E T T E R from Jac – Opening To Vulnerability
