by Founder Jeanne Denney
There is almost nothing crazier than starting a transformational program or school. Starting SoULL (School of Unusual Life Learning) has been similar to leading a six month trek up a mountain, digging a well for the thirsty with a pick axe, or building a bridge for the stranded with twine. I feel a little some days like Orville or Wilbur. As in Wright. Except that there is only one of me. They had each other. The thought has come, “Why the bleep am I doing this?” You may be asking this too.
I know well the joys of helping others. I have been a therapist a good long time. It’s great work. But this is different. It comes from a deeper place. It comes in the night. It doesn’t leave you alone. It gives you insight and then expects you to do something with it. It says “Follow”. It says “Failure isn't real.” It says “Do it anyway”. If you explain that you are a contemplative person that doesn’t fit usual descriptions for “a leader” it doesn’t care. It says “Just do it”. Ugh. You can imagine the arguments. I explain that I have no interest in being a hero(ine). Maybe I can just…write an obscure book for a few people? Talk to friends? It says “Write emails. Invite. Create. Continue inviting.” I say “Do I have to?” It says “Yes.” So I am writing to you. Hey, I am just doing my job.
I admit that on some days there is a lot of “I don’t want to.” But truthfully, I have been given these unique and beautiful teachings because they truly need to be given. When I have given them, I have witnessed their deep effect on the hearts, souls, and bodies of students. I have come to know the power and the need for a life teaching that goes further than the pages of any book, beyond academics. The need for the creativity that comes from these ideas, for people to be empowered in learning together. I feel a responsibility. Further, a beautiful little community has grown around these teachings. Not so much around me. I am an ordinary enough human. But around what we are learning together. And that is really cool. There is a lot more to come.
I am not trying to start a movement or a religion or save the world or be famous in any small world within the world. But if the world is going to take its next awkward step toward sanity, it is going to be because people learned how to band together to learn a new language and create new solutions from new ideas. This is a start.
This work has called me into a different leadership, one that empowers others through deep connections with self and an exploration of true community. It may be calling you. If so, you probably need to answer that call. I am gratefully standing by. Just doing my job.
