CatBonny, if I were going through some of your recent trials, I *would* be complaining. You’ve had some rough ones. Hang in there, my friend.

Christie, I don’t think I deserve any of what you said, but thank you. It means much coming from a fellow tribe-mate.

Chanson and Rich, I will email you my pile o schlock tomorrow.

Chandelle, even if you don’t see yourself in this way, I totally see you as a doer. You more than just about anyone else I know (well, maybe Jana) live an intentional life. That takes a lot of doing.

This reminds me of a Kierkegaard saying that stings me every time I hear it:

“If one wishes to succeed, the secret of life is to chatter freely about all one wishes to do and how one is always being prevented, and then do nothing.”

It stings because oh, it’s so true for my life.

I am constantly inspired by the way you actually DO the things you say you want to do. You actually devote yourself to the things and people you care about. That’s what I want for my life, too, and I’m getting there, a bit. Attending that Quaker meeting was a big leap of faith (HA!) for me, but I did it because of your example, and Jana’s. I’m committed to pushing through the pain and becoming active because of all the people in my life who are making that same commitment who live with their own pain. It’s time to stop believing that mine cuts deeper.

It’s wonderful to see this post.

And, as someone who’s had to do a few ‘workarounds’ with my life, I’m right here to help you along with that if/when it happens, too…

BTW, I really liked the NaNoWriMo chapters you sent me — and I was sad that I was automatically unsubscribed from your list by failing to “opt in” a second time. (I was busy the day you sent the message culling your list, and then I put off writing back about it.)

Is it too late to get back in on the manuscript reading?

Isn’t cycling great! I don’t have all that many new, refreshing ideas while cycling (I go into a sort of traffic-aware trance) but I do have a lot of new, refreshing ideas BECAUSE of my cycling.

And your assessment doesn’t strike me as egotistical. Maybe because I spend so much time in Corplandia. I think it is healthy to honestly reflect on your accomplishments – in a balanced manner, of course. Don’t change the name of the site to “Mind on John’s Awesomeness!”

Also I had no idea you had chronic pain, which says something about the grace with which you carry yourself.

I am proud to know you and count you among my friends. You are an inspiration.

It’s so great to hear about all this personal growth in your life. I am so happy that you have gotten to experience all of this fun risks and challenges in the past several months, and that you have come out on the other side of it with a really awesome attitude about taking on more risks in life.

I feel like I have been a bit whiney of late, and this is great inspiration to try to change my attitude bit, and get back to happy/thankful living. = +

Looking forward to reading what you’ve been working on. Keep writing!

your goals and accomplishments are highly motivational to me. thank you

Good for you on the biking. Exercise can have a huge impact on one’s outlook on life and self.

Swimming is another form of working out that is easier on the joints.

Keep it up!