• Field Notes
  • Posts
  • The LOVE Edition 🏳️‍🌈 All Pride, No Ego Newsletter #29

The LOVE Edition 🏳️‍🌈 All Pride, No Ego Newsletter #29

This is what each newsletter page will look like

February 19, 2024

Hello beautiful people, and happy Valentine's Day!

Love is in the air, but today I want to share a lesson about love that took me decades to learn.

But first, I want to share a quote I have been thinking about this month:

"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their beauty is only revealed if there is a light from within." –Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

What is a quote you are loving right now? Reply to let me know!

Now... let's talk about LOVE.

✅ One Big Thing: Be your own Valentine first

Growing up, I yearned for unconditional love. It took me decades to realize that you first need to unconditionally love YOURSELF.

Easier said than done….

My worth always felt attached to achievements and how well I behaved. I fought against bullies in school, but the biggest bully lived inside me.

Negative self-talk holds you back so much in life. You find yourself editing every thought and berating yourself for every mistake.

One day I realized that if I didn’t get a handle on my self-loathing, it would destroy me.

The journey to self-acceptance, and ultimately, self-love, is not easy and takes a daily discipline. And it is difficult to do it alone.

I had an amazing executive coach at Disney, David Oldfield, who taught me to separate the good inner voice from the bad, like separating wheat from the chaff.

Loving yourself does get easier with age… with age comes wisdom, or at least a bit more patience.

After years of work, I finally feel in control of my inner dialogue. Plus, I know the triggers and situations that can bring that inner bully back out.

If you’re struggling to accept yourself — ALL of yourself — find a supportive therapist, coach, mentor, or friend.

As RuPaul says, “If you cannot love yourself, how in the hell are you going to love someone else?”

Can I get an amen??

This journey is easier with friends… what has your journey of self-love looked like?

❤️ Philanthropy Spotlight: Rainbow Book Bus

"May we leave our corner of the world better than we found it."

The Rainbow Book Bus is thrilled to announce its inaugural, cross-country tour of the South! Setting off from Los Angeles on March 4, we'll be stopping in seven cities and partnering with six incredible LGBTQ+ organizations as we travel from coast to coast:

To celebrate our arrival on the east coast, the City of Atlanta is rolling out the red carpet and showing us around town! We'll be visiting schools, libraries and community centers across the city on a grand tour of the LGBTQ+ Capital of the South!

Along the route, we’ll be giving out 10,000 books in states that have been most impacted by book bans and censorship efforts in the last few years.These books represent opportunities to escape, to learn, to feel seen and understood. Most importantly, they're a reminder to LGBTQ+ young people and those close to them that they’re not alone. Together we’re stronger than any attempt to silence us and our stories!

If you’re interested in supporting our mission and the magic of queer storytelling you can donate HERE. You can learn more about our organization at rainbowbookbus.org. Thank you for helping us fight book bans and protect LGBTQ+ authors!

🌈 What I'm LOVING ❤️❤️❤️

  • I love to celebrate my Chosen Family. In March, my dear friend Jennifer Morrison is starring The Penelopiad, a theater production in Chicago, written by the great Margaret Atwood. Join me in Chicago in March to see the show!​

  • One more shout out for another dear friend, Sofía Vergara, for her new, THRILLING Netflix show, Griselda! I devoured the limited series and encourage you to do the same.

  • Finally... a wonderful story from Tulsa. A wonderful and philanthropic family—who are dear friends and supporters of All Pride, No Ego—have graciously purchased a bulk order of books to share with key volunteers and leaders of The Alzheimer's Association.

    • I am humbled that my message will reach those working to eradicate this horrible disease. You can join the fight against Alzheimer's here.

✊ What's Worth Fighting For

🏳️‍🌈 Read All Pride, No Ego. A USA Today Best Seller!

​

Love the book?? It would mean so much if you would leave a review.

Thank you HPulchin!

Last thing... I am book live and in-person corporate workshops for Summer and Fall 2024!

If you want to have a heartfelt conversation about authenticity and inclusion in your workplace, please reply to this email and I will connect you to my events team.

​

Until next time...

Jim