60 Comments
May 13Liked by Donna McArthur

"May you tackle your hard things with grace and ease." Thank you, Donna!

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Rebecca you are so welcome! It's lovely to see you here, thank you for taking the time to read and comment.

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'Courage is like a muscle'. I'm going to remember this, Donna. Thank you for this terrific post! 🙌

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May 12·edited May 12Author

Thank you Rebecca, I appreciate you checking it out and taking the time to comment❤

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This is absolutely why my work and Substack is centered around Braving YES -- every day we have a chance to lean into something brave and courageous. Going to the gym or the dentist for the first time in a long time. Making an ask. I work with my business clients on everyday courage ... because literally everything in business is terrifying half the time. :)

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I agree Shawn, when we look at life from the lens of courage it's amazing how many things we must step into as we go through the day. I think framing it this way helps us to see we might be braver than we think we are!

I love that your publication is all about being brave enough to say YES, what a wonderful call toward a vibrant life.

I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment!

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May 8Liked by Donna McArthur

Courage is a muscle indeed! Thank you for reminding us all of this, Donna.

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Thank you for being here Eden, it means a lot to me❤

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Donna, thank you for the encouragement to find our courage. It's in there!! I am excited to read the research referenced in your post.

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Jo, your three words 'It's in there" spark hope and possibility! I hear from so many, and sometimes feel myself, as if it's all been drained out but it hasn't - it's in there. Sometimes hiding in plain sight.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this great comment, I'm glad you like the post.

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May 7Liked by Donna McArthur

That's so funny Donna, it reminds me of the first time I had to open a bottle of champagne in a bar and no-one had shown me how. It hit the ceiling, but luckily nothing was broken. Ahhh courage, yes the courage right now is to wait for the next moment to be revealed, to stay where you are and know it is all being worked on, can be the most courageous thing to do. There is nothing breaking down, there is no battles to fight, you just have to wait. We are held, we are loved and we can let go.

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Oh Louise champagne is a tough one! I'm impressed you even got the cork out, I don't think I could have done that without a wrestling match. I'm glad nothing was broken.

You are right, it does take courage to wait for the next moment to be revealed, to sit and wait. It's a different kind of calling that can easily be mistaken for autopilot. I believe the only way to know the difference if if we are in tune with what's going on in our hearts.

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May 8Liked by Donna McArthur

I think it was more gravitational force than skill! Yes, that beautiful knowing that we are exactly where we need to be. Thank you for the reminder.

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Thanks Donna, woke up this morning to find your Vibes in the room !!

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Excellent!

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I never really thought about courage when I was working for a living. But I drove a big machine with a bucket on it and sometimes had to pile wood chips in the yard. When I ran out of room, the only place left was to go, was up. So you 'climbed' up the side of the pile by making your own 'road'. When you ran out of room, you filled up the road and made another one, by driving over the side of the hill, down. It was hair-raising at times, to say the least. It was just something you had to do, so you did it.

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This reminds me of the logging truck drivers in our community which, of course, are also in your community thus the wood chips. Their stories make my hair stand on end yet it's all just a day of work for them. Then I get to work on a little baby which would scare the pants off some but for me is beautiful and just another regular patient. It goes to show that courage, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

Thank you Ben!

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What a beautiful post. Thank you Donna. I really loved your words "yet there is nothing more helpful than a small, focused action step when it comes to taking on a challenging task...Do something to narrow the gap between where you are right now and where you want to be. Then do another little thing tomorrow. As far as I can tell it is the only way forward."

A small focussed step to narrow the gap...It makes like simpler that way, doesn't it?!

Thank you x

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Sam, I am thrilled to see you here and it's a great reminder that it's been far too long since I wandered over to Soft. SImple. Still.!! My reading time has been limited recently so I look forward to heading back there very soon.

Thank you for your kind words about the post. I agree that putting our focus on the next step can make things flow with greater ease. Often I need to rein myself in from over planning and trying to control the thing which, I think, makes the gap widen.

❤❤

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I will put the kettle on when you are ready. I look forward to sharing again with you. I have just launched my new mediation podcast 'Meditations with Sam' and would value your feedback. Until then, may life gift you with many wondrous moments. x

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And to you Dear One❤

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I remember this post from some time last year, and I remember that I really liked it then and unsurprisingly, I still like it now.

Also, the two quotes below, nail it:

“Each time you act in the presence of fear you dilute its power and grow your own.”

“A big pitfall of being an adult is we frequently sabotage ourselves by downplaying the cost of doing nothing.”

Thanks Donna :)

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You, my friend, have been here since the very beginning and I am so thankful!

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Right back at you, Donna :)

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What a much needed reminder. I appreciate you naming it as stepping into the gap between here and there. Sometimes I just bemoan the fact that I'm here and not there, and don't do anything about it!

Also, I was a bartender at 21 who couldn't open a wine bottle very well either! I got better with age!

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I love meeting other rookie serving staff! Yes, the gap between here and there can be such a stumbling block. I will always remember the first time I read about it and the lightbulb that went on for me once I recognized the truth of it. Now, if only I could hold that truth close to my heart instead of constantly forgetting it!

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Tried a lot of the easy stuff, Donna, not much of it was all that satisfying, but it's sometimes ok for short breaks from the hard challenges, 'cos although they really do deliver, they can be a tad exhausting......... Currently prepping for, and really looking forward to the next one !!

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Maurice, I would love to hear how you prep for your next big challenge. Just recently I've been thinking about how nice it would be to have the ability to follow someone around to see how they 'do' things, how they go about their day to face, not only the mundane tasks, but throw themselves into the ring.

I agree that the easy stuff delivers a much smaller return but sometimes is of necessary and great comfort!

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Thanks for asking me, Donna. The challenge is two part..... Longer term is to set up a self sufficient community with the practical skills to convert semi derelict buildings with land, into sustainable homes that are climate resistant AND climate powered. A haven for creative folk, especially those who can write.

The more immediate part is how to travel with some physical disability - yet without a driving license, from Nederland to the French / Spanish Border and there search for such a property. The prep for this bit has been 14 months of extreme physio which must continue throughout the journey - an adventure which starts in two day time.

The long term bit is to find that community via Substack. Now one year in a related thread commences on the 29th of May "This Creative Journey". Peace, Maurice.

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Wow Maurice, this is amazing! Well done not sitting on the sidelines of your life but taking it by the horns to see where it leads you. I wish you the very best as you begin your journey and I will be sending you great vibes for finding just the right property. As soon as I get a chance I will be heading over to your Substack community to check it out.

Travel safe my friend.

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This post is perfect timing. Can I link it with my post for Wednesday? It also compliments Kim Van Bruggans recent piece.

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Link away Honeybun, I would be honored! I have not read any recent posts of my fellow writers as have been off my computer so look forward to checking out Kim's post as well as your recent doggie's guest post!

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No worries. Hope you’re having a fab time!

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It's been great, thanks❤

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May 5Liked by Donna McArthur

Yup. Pushing that ‘ole cork into the bottle in Southern Alberta. Very relatable!

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Haha, maybe it's an Albertan thing!

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Beautiful. I never thought of courage in everyday life. But isn't writing an act of courage?

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Yes, for me writing is an act of courage both in inner exploration and then hitting publish. There's a powerful ebb and flow to it reminiscent of daily life.

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May 5Liked by Donna McArthur

Cheers to little steps forward!

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Yes and now that I'm back from vacation I'm looking forward to my steps linking right up with yours and will be in touch in a day or two❤

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Yay! I'm putting my thinking beret on ;)

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