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Chris Peden's avatar

This stopped me in my tracks. It’s a reminder that clarity doesn’t always come from strategy — sometimes it comes from a quiet question written on a napkin. Vision isn’t built in spreadsheets; it starts in moments like this, when you finally decide what matters most.

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Julia Skinner's avatar

I’m with you Chris! Mind blowing!

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Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear Julia: Thank you so much for your kind and generous words! Greatly appreciate you!

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Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear Chris: You made my day! I'm going to use your quote on LinkdeIn b/c you said it so elegantly and beautifully: "Vision isn't build in spreadsheets! It's build in the moments!" Thank you so much for reading and for trying it out! I can't wait to hear about your experiences! Cheering you on, M!

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Erin Phoenix's avatar

I did this after reading your piece. Wow. It brought such clarity to my thought process and it happened about two days later as well. I needed that, thank you!

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Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear Erin: I'm so happy to hear that you DID IT! Congrats for taking action! and thank you so much for sharing your experience of clarity in your though process! Can't wait to hear more about your successes! Cheering you on, M!

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Natasha Tynes's avatar

This is beautiful

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Genelle's avatar

This was so beautifully written. I teared reading it. Thank you for sharing and will be trying this exercise out!

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Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear Genelle: I'm so happy that it resonated with you! and I can't wait to read/hear how doing the exercise will resonate with you and about your successes. Cheering you on, M!

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D.K. Rose's avatar

What a difference a little clarity and time can play. Your essay was honest and hopeful. Thank you for sharing such a personal story. I’m looking forward to giving it a go!

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Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear D.K Rose: I'm so happy that it resonated with you! and even more excited that you will give it a try. I can't wait to read your experience/wins. Cheering you on, M!

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Leslie Wall's avatar

I’ve been teaching this writing technique to women at a shelter in Hawaii. Some of them have actually enrolled in college, gotten jobs and transformed their whole lives from these small practices.

I also have them pair up and talk to their partner like it’s 4 years later and everything they wrote down has come true.

It’s truly wild that what happens in our brains is projected forward into our future selves.

Love this piece so much. Thank you for sharing

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Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear Leslie: I'm so happy to see/read that you are already using it and that's working for you in amazing ways! I love your expansion and the sharing activity. What a fantastic idea! I'm sending you a DM as well for a collab opportunity. Cheering you on, M

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Leslie Wall's avatar

Awe. I love seeing people realize that they have the power to change their circumstances with small intentional practices that are free for everyone! Looking forward to your message and a possible collab

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Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Absolutley and super excite about collab opportunity!

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Suzanne Warsinsky's avatar

This is so real. I lived something similar, and I changed my life the same day my daughter left me out of her family drawing. I asked where I was, and she replied, “In a meeting.” I did ask her to draw me in because I was still in the family, and so she put me upside down, on my own, in a corner of the paper.

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Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear Suzanne: thank you so much for sharing your own experience! that's so powerful and at the same time heart breaking. And congrats on changing your life the same day! that's incredibly brave and courages of you! Cheering you on, M!

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Yolanda E. S. Miller's avatar

Oh Magdalena, this brought tears to my eyes. Truly, if anything demonstrates the Courage to Create, this is it.

It looks like this exercise is going gangbusters for you now too, so I'm thrilled for you!

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Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear Yolanda: Thank you so much. I'm so deeply touched that it resonated with you and that it brought tears to your eyes! I deeply and greatly appreciate you!

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Dr Mehmet Yildiz's avatar

You articulated cognitive framing in simple words with your insightful perspectives and actions. This is a remarkable post that can guide anyone struggling to find their calling and voice. Thank you for writing this valuable story from the heart. Everything you said deeply resonated with me.

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Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear Dr. Mehmet: thank you so much for reading and I'm so glad that it resonated with you and that you fond it valuable. Greatly appreciate you!

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Carole Leslie's avatar

You are such a good story teller! You make us feel it. You don't just tell us "stuff". It's very powerful.

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Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear Carole: you've made my day! thank you so much for your kind and generous words! I try really hard to write from the bottom of my heart/soul! Cheering you on! M

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Daughter of Danu's avatar

I did this a second time after re-reading your article realizing that I didn’t ask the right question initially. This time I added dialogue and responses like you did. I felt energized afterward. Now I’m just watching for the synchronicities, obvious answers I didn’t see before and just how the universe moves to make my vision happen. Thank you for posting this article.

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Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear Daughter of Danu: thank you so much for sharing your experiences! and of course congrats on taking action! Cheering you on and I'm so happy to read that you feel energized! Yeyyy!

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Jacqueline Fisch's avatar

🥹 What a beautiful story. And such a brave and bold move to take the step to apply for voluntary separation. Your son is so lucky to have a mom like you 💖

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Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear Jacqueline: Thank you so much for your kind and supportive words! I did read your comment to my son and he says that he agrees with you (lol). Cheering you on and hope that you share your experienced from this exercise with me and the community!

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Didi Rowland's avatar

I cried as I read this. As a mom and a social worker I relate 1,000%. I look forward to this writing exercise with you. I am at a critical point in writing my memoir. This comes at the perfect time. Thank you!

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Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear Didi: looking forward to seeing you tomorrow for the workshop! I am so excited for all of what we will get to create!

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Timeless Muse's avatar

When you read something you are meant to read, because you have already asked questions. I'm off to my 20-min writing now.

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FRH's avatar

Thank you — your post made me cry. Not because I’m in an insanely demanding job or juggling children, but because I was once the child who needed that kind of devotion from my mother. Sadly, in those days, her job and the bottle won.

I’m also grateful for the writing exercise. I’ve been trying so hard to manifest the life I want to live — repeating affirmations, holding onto that fragile thread of belief that I can create it. The idea of quantum jumping fascinates me, though I admit it’s been hard to fully grasp. Your words helped me feel like maybe I’m not so far off.

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Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear FRH: Thank you. What a heartfelt and beautiful share! I greatly appreciate your kind and generous words and hope that you will give it a go and share your results with me and the community! Cheering you on, M!

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Jo Blackwell's avatar

This is a wonderful story. My 4 children range from 34 to 41 years and from this angle, I can confirm that we don’t have long with these precious little people we create! Presence is everything as a parent. And life doesn’t stop at 40 or 50, or 60 - new chapters will still await.

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Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear Jo: Thank you so much for reading and I'm so happy that it resonate with you! And yes, life doesn't stop at 40, 50, 60 - for sure - as we see the evidence of that on Substack where the 40+ are dominating (ok - that's my wish! - not data based) but I love reading articles for 80, 90 years old!

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