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Jackie Melnyk's avatar

Liz Gilbert’s Letters From Love had a tenderness prompt today too. I believe this is no accident. I think the whole world feels the need for a little tenderness right about now and like minds, well, think alike. Thanks for your postings each week Jonathan.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Ah too fun! Love when Liz and I somehow end up on the same plane at the same time, Jackie. And, of course, I love her wise mind and giant heart, too! Seems like maybe a call to tenderness is "in the air" these days.

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Maureen Anderson's avatar

That struck me, too! Had both not arrived in my inbox the same day, and been people other than Liz and Jonathan, it might be tempting to think one might be copying from the other. Tenderness for the win!

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Dr. Julie Kellogg's avatar

I like reframing self grace as tenderness. Lovely ideas.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Feels like they're really one in the same, Julie.

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Nicola Miller's avatar

Perhaps tenderness might say that you might need some space so that the 'still small voice of calm' can speak to you. You won't find that in the slipstream. I hope you find that space.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Indeed, Nicola. Making more of that space as we speak.

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Lori K Walters's avatar

Ooo that's a great little question. I'll be using that. Thanks.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Glad it resonated, Lori.

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Georgia Patrick's avatar

Hey Jonathan...I write about transformations and transitions that professionals and communicators past 45 experience. Your article has a description of process and it's missing the substance of what you are stepping into and what you are letting go. Can you direct me to an article where you may have talked about that, and I missed it? Or, have you not said that aloud yet? I will certainly feature you in the article if you can help me see the "something new" and what you think has "gotta give"

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Hey Georgia, lots more detail in the previous "2x20" focused posts I've shared over the last few months.

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Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne's avatar

Too many to-dos.

Duty calls and endless tasks.

Be careful, my dear.

... 

To please everyone,

to try to achieve it all.

It's a baited hook.

...

To save everyone,

to fix the world by Sunday.

It's a booby trap.

...

Tender with it all.

Good enough is good enough.

Gently, with no rush.

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Heather Nielsen's avatar

Thank you! I too have been using the words Tender/Tenderly/Tenderness more often recently! Indeed, we need this💕💕💕💕💕💕

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Samantha G 🌻's avatar

Letters from Love and Jonathan, tenderness wins this week! I have discovered that tenderness is being kind to myself, gentle, nurturing, listening to my body, my mind and giving it what it needs, love, space and rest, because tenderness is just as important as conquering. 😊💛

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Jeffrey Davis's avatar

So much goodness here.

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Rosemary's avatar

Thank-you for the reminder!

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Jennifer Leslie's avatar

Thank you for this gentle and loving reminder...

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Kyle Wood's avatar

Going through this myself at the moment JF. I was really struggling with that pull in 2 directions. Going all out for 2 days getting work done on my business, but then needing to soften into this new direction.

So what I've done - which is actually an idea I feel like I would have gotten from you - is give myself 30 days to explore this new direction. I've stopped creating all content for my main business, except for a couple hours work for paid subscribers.

It's been awesome. Very disorientating, but an epic relief. I'm actually able to stay with the new problems and struggles I'm facing. And celebrate the little wins along the way properly. The 30 days are nearly over and I'm getting ready to write my list to let them know I'm continuing it for another 60 days.

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Marie Anne's avatar

Beautiful connection of tenderness and grace :) Similar to unconditional love, we give them with open hearts yet with ourselves shared with timidity...

I find myself undulating in this period of life (2 years older than you). Fellow human, creative entrepreneur, elegant problem solver. My journey began at 50. What I've learned as of now is that my focus has become expansive. A profound sense of interconnectedness, service and fluidity as opposed to a refined sense of self direction and

purpose for the next '20'. Shapeshifting these past 12 years were filled with beautiful experiences, people and growing pains. My takeaway; the form and purpose are revealed while I show up with in service with hope, joy, and 'tenderness' (grace).

Thank you for sharing (inspiring) Jonathan !

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Evie Watts's avatar

Timing could not have been better. Tenderness for me to filter the not-so-tender words coming at me from...me. YES! Thank you.

This is what I would say to friend or client, it's what I HAVE said to friends and clients.

Why is it so hard to take our sage advice?

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