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Abby Alten Schwartz's avatar

YES to this kinder approach. Returning to a creative practice is the most grounding form of self-love. Can't wait for this year's journaling project. I need it.

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Vivo_X40's avatar

When the data controller is not working properly or the core is also not working good to the users "the co-founder" etc. what to expect is the owner user's have to adjus? is that senseless to the core and the assuming governance?

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Michael Granzen's avatar

What a beautiful invitation to creative ritual and gentle transformation through habits of the heart and pen. Oh my, you got this alchemy thing down! Saying yes to life-giving rituals rather than mere theory rings true to experience—on both micro and macro levels: “The great problem of our time is not to formulate clear answers to neat theoretical questions but to tackle the self-destructive alienation of humanity in a society dedicated in theory to human values and in practice to the pursuit of power for its own sake." (Thomas Merton)

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Sandra Pauline's avatar

Hello dear how you doing? and awesome 😊.I would like to know more about a man like you. would you like send me a friend request or inbox message thank you

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

I haven’t done resolutions for a long time, but this year decided to speak to my potential. “I am capable of…” it’s more positive self-talk than shooting for the stars. I’m hopeful about the results.

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Carole Erdos's avatar

Being grateful.

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

This is a part of it, yes. The truth is I’m fortunate and I need to remember that.

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Sandra Pauline's avatar

Hello dear how you doing? and awesome 😊.I would like to know more about a man like you. would you like send me a friend request or inbox message thank you

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Marty's avatar

I love this!

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Sandra Pauline's avatar

Hello dear how you doing? and awesome 😊.I would like to know more about a man like you. would you like send me a friend request or inbox message thank you

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Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

Thanks!

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Judith Ross's avatar

So good. Will this be the year I actually stay with it? If not, it won't be because of a lack of effort and encouragement on your part. Wishing you all good things in the coming year.

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Myriam Sollberger's avatar

I’m new to Substack, and I just wanted to say how grateful I am for this piece. I’m currently caring for a family member who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and reading your reflections on gentleness, ritual, and letting go of the all‑or‑nothing mindset landed in a way I really needed today.

Thank you for offering language and perspective that feels grounding in a moment when so much is uncertain. Your writing is a gift.

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Myriam Sollberger's avatar

Thank you for acknowledging. I would appreciate your support as well. My family and I are heartbroken. I cope by writing. Please keep writing as well so I can keep reading and being inspired.

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M.Murphy's avatar

I can honestly say that I’ve never made a New Year’s resolution.

If I want something to change… a bad habit gone or better prayer life, etc. I do it for Lent. This has never failed me.

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A.T. Shackelford's avatar

Mr. Murphy, I have always felt the same way. Though I recently considered how Creation itself uses winter to rest and prepare at the same time the liturgical calendar forces us to consider the mystery of the Incarnation. It is a fitting time to reorient ourselves toward our ultimate telos, considering what small steps we must take to put the dead parts of ourselves to the fire.

When Lent rolls around, that opportunity is thrust upon us anew as we begin our own climb up Golgotha.

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Karen Parrish's avatar

So lovely. A keeper for the new year. Thank you for this beautiful wisdom.

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Ananda Jaynes's avatar

I love the idea of forming rituals instead of resolutions. Thank you 😊

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Supriya Kamboj's avatar

Lovely. I strongly feel that rituals change the trajectory of the subconscious forever. I'm a person made of rituals like having a slow and early breakfast and ending the day with a walk. It's a part of who I'm as a human now.

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CansaFis Foote's avatar

…been practicing goallessness for three years now and can solidly rec a life of unintentional (comedy)…

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Dm's avatar

All I can say is thank you so

much for this !

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LKas's avatar

I learned something profound from this wise guidance. All the art supplies that I have neatly stored in my closet are not my kryptonite but rather the stepping stones to a greater understanding of myself. Not all at once, rather, One Pencil At A Time…Thank You

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LKas's avatar

Your writing and reflections are really profound. I want to stop, reflect, be present and you write exactly what I need to read and digest right now.

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Karen Rafferty's avatar

I was an army brat. I didn’t think about New Year resolutions as much as moving resolutions. Each time a move was imminent, i would decide how I was going to remake myself in my new locale. When I was 13, I spent sometime pondering why my grandiose plans always failed. I came to the conclusion that the constant in every move was me. Then I had to ask why I failed and whether my proposed changes reflected who I am. Now, in my mid seventies, I have achieved most by living in the present. I have only today so what will I do in it that reflects my values and moves me closer to what I desire.

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Jamel Adkins-Sharif, EdD's avatar

Such an important reframing; focusing on ritual -not resolution, can make all the difference in how we approach transformation. Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Suleika!

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Usman Humayun's avatar

Thanks for sharing. Rituals and just showing up is so important. I started walking everyday 4+ months ago and the only thing I make sure of is doing it everyday. Slowly it has become a sustainable quantity that is helping with my health and weight management.

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Judi's avatar

Six years ago I began daily walking with my newly adopted 3 yr old rescue pup who, for his own medical GI reasons, needed his daily walk. At first it was just a chore that I had to do for him, but as time went on I started looking forward to having to do it and then I ended up just wanting to do it. I would sing to Benny and talk with God, notice the big and little gifts of beauty around us, agenda free friendly connections with other neighborhood walkers. . . I lost my sweet, furry walking mate Benny just last week and right now it is too painful to walk without him. I’m not without hope, just reeling from the physical loss of that little light of my life and the several daily rituals we developed together.

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Brian Vance's avatar

I read this to the accompaniment of Jon Batiste, of course. What a great substack, thank you for writing it.

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