The stretch

And "do you know someone who" column / Issue 1,125

Oh, hi fiends!

Alright, “fiends” was a typo, a little slip of the fingers, but I’m going with it.

When’s the last time you sent the scary email?

Just curious.

Sometimes I think we get stuck if we’re not feeling the stretch.

Sending the scary email is a form of stretching. So is tapping out that draft. Or picking up that dusty project and say “let’s see what this is.” Signing up for the class. Dropping a tiny bit of money on some accountability. 

Something. Anything can be a stretch.

How will you stretch today?

Joshua Henry @joshuahenry20

Share your ideas with the most creative people you can find. Start there and don’t talk yourself out of it

Yes, Joshua, yes! I write about this in Do It Today — sharing your ideas is so important.

Choose the other person wisely. And don’t be afraid to ask for exactly what you need (are you ready for detailed feedback, or do you want a “keep going,” etc).

But don’t let your best ideas sit in a drawer. (She says to herself…)

Two Heads Are Better Than One

Thanks to everyone who filled out Monday’s form and submitted their asks.

Mailchimp let me add links so you could email each other directly. Substack doesn’t have that capability! Which I didn’t know! So if you “know someone who” for any of these, just hit reply to this email and I’ll connect you.

Asking is a big step. Let’s see what they find.

Do You Know Someone Who…

…is hiring for senior editor roles, or senior SEO strategist roles? I'm looking for full-time work!

…knows how to find/research and identify grants to develop an oral/theatre living history about women on Cape Cod. (Person can be located anywhere.)

…provides affordable medical editing freelance services?

…knows Nathan Fielder?

…does illustrations/sequential art for graphic novels/comic strips? I have a film script I'm considering adapting into a graphic novel script and am looking for an artist to do the illustrations. It'd be long-form, maybe between 150-200 pages. I'm open to all styles.

…who is looking for a remote bookkeeper? 

…wants to sell a house in southern California? I want to move from Georgia to be near my daughter in Los Angeles. I can only afford about $330,000, which is probably like hunting a unicorn; but I believe in miracles!

…teaches art to 5th and 6th graders on weekends in West Los Angeles? 

…could help me brainstorm finding more potential donors for a fundraising campaign I have created to provide nurses around the country with free mental wellness care? (More context below!)¹

Please hit reply if you’d like to connect with any of these folks…and thank you! Two heads are better than one.

1. For more context: The hospitals are part of the problem so they are of no help. I have partnered with the American Nurses Foundation and the donations flow directly to them, but they are also little help. Everyday normal people are the most kind, generous and caring donors so far, especially the ones who have loved ones who are nurses. This fundraiser provides free wellness care to any RN in the USA. Many are suffering in silence as a result of the pandemic and are either unable to afford wellness care or it is unavailable to them. Nurses under 35 years of age and those of color are suffering more than any other group. Nurses are the backbone of our communities and when they are suffering, we all suffer. I would love your help. So far I have single-handedly raised over $13,000. My goal is $20,200, an amount chosen because it reflects the numbers 2020, the year nurses became daily heroes. My gentle ask is only $20.20. I appreciate your suggestions and ideas. I am an artist, not a professional fundraiser and I have had to step way out of my comfort zone to do this. But I so believe in the importance on honoring, supporting and thanking nurses and making sure they receive the wellness care they need and deserve.