An Idea Is Born!

DEAR ALL,

Evening all, or good morning, good day, wherever you are.

OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY… OH BOY!!

What a launch week it has been! When you’ve been imagining and working on a project for so long, and it comes time to release it to the world, it’s pretty stressful.  In all honesty, majorly stressful, but also extremely exciting.

Personally, I’ve had multiple sleepless nights, feverish body sweats (not Covid!), masses of adrenaline, zero appetite and at times have been battling a gnarly amount of fear. Also, I think I may have accomplished far more steps pounding back and forth across my study floor, trying to figure it all out, than on my daily hike!

But when you’re ‘ready’ or have a self-imposed deadline, you’ve just got to jump right in, press those buttons and let it go. You’ve got to have faith in your project and your partner, in that moment, come what may. You’ve got to TRUST in the path you’re committing to. And TRUST is tattooed on the inside of my left arm (and my son Elliott’s arm too) and thus a constant reminder of how I aspire to live.

I guess it’s similar to how we feel about our kids. You love and nurture them, put the hours in, do your best to prepare and ready them. You’re also always figuring it out as you go. You teach them skills of self-reliance, self-belief and then they have to step out and begin painting their own canvas.  It’s scary but absolutely necessary. Ultimately, they’re going to benefit more from being independent, falling down and lifting themselves up. The stress is that you just can’t help but remain protective and worried with one part of your heart — it’s love, it’s a primal instinct. This feels connected with the launch of Mr Feelgood… we’re naturally protective, figuring it out as we go, an ever evolving work in progress.

So this has been an absolutely thrilling time, a veritable roller coaster of emotions!

Pete and I just wanted to personally welcome those of you that have already visited and subscribed from all over the world. We’re enormously grateful for all the very positive press we’ve gotten and for the masses of encouragement, feedback and supportive messages. Sincerely, the vibe is amazing and has affirmed our faith in what we’re doing.

When you’re creating something like this, you have a certain vision, and then the fun part for me is the explosion of ideas, the creative thrust, as I mentioned in my ‘WTF’ questionnaire.  It’s the juice I was so missing at the beginning of lockdown, and before that too. The tough part for me is sitting down and focusing on one thing at a time. But that’s one of my challenges here and one I’m determined to win. There’s no dodging that responsibility when you’re a core team of two with SO much to do.

Also, what’s interesting is that no matter how crystal clear your intentions, once you let go, suddenly a myriad of other options and ideas begin to say hello and want to play, many that you may never have even considered before. Lots of people want to help, folks I’d never even considered. This reminded me of one of my favorite quotes that has been a great comfort and inspiration for all my adult life. I wanted to share it with you.

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it!”

Often attributed to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the consensus is now that William Hutchinson Murray is the author, from his 1951 book ‘The Scottish Himalayan Expedition.’

Regarding the new articles we’re posting this week, my interview with dear Chris McMillan took several days of chatting and another day editing down! Both he and I can TALK! And given his is such an incredible story, a trove of stellar wisdom, we have published the conversation in full flow so that you, the reader, can glean the gems that will resonate most personally.  (It’s also a reminder that Mr Feelgood’s podcast series is on its way.)  We also have two enlightening stories about the power of film — an interview with army vet Ty Carter whose story was turned into a Hollywood movie and an examination of cinema therapy from three psychologists respected in the field. Pretty darn cool!

As I sit here and type, our beautiful canyon has an eerie cloak of smoke, caused by the closest of several hundred fires currently burning in California. And despite the attention we have been giving to our homegrown project, this is making us more conscious than ever of the events taking place around the world. Sometimes it’s just about the change in the direction of the wind. It’s a reminder of how fragile and precious life is and of how incredible the power and resilience of community and the human spirit can be. I just want to send out masses of love for all those in duress.

Last week I promised to be more verbose in my next note. I clearly still have a lot to learn.

Until next time, thank you!

Always with love.

Cheers,

JOHN PEARSON

Co-founder, Mr Feelgood