41 Comments
User's avatar
Vijaya Vardhan🍊's avatar

Pain taught me more lessons than pleasure ever could. If I’m being smug, it means I’m taking things for granted. Thank God for pain in my life. You are polished today because of the rough experiences you went thought. They are your strength and not your weakness!

Diane Williams's avatar

Hi Magdalena,

I’ve truly been enjoying learning from you and connecting with new writers through your platform, **“Courage to Create.”** The title itself immediately resonated with me—because it also takes courage to reinvent.

That connection sparked my curiosity and drew me in. I’m currently building a space centered around reinvention, growth, and community, and I felt that engaging with your work would help me learn, stretch, and continue evolving in that direction.

I also want to say—your interview with Andy was phenomenal. The way you guided the conversation, asking questions that allowed him to unfold and show his authentic self, was powerful to witness.

Kudos to you for creating a space where writers feel seen, heard, and supported.

I look forward to staying connected, continuing to learn, and being part of conversations that encourage both the courage to create—and the courage to reinvent.

Coach Diane

Reinvention Studios

Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear Diane: it's so great to see you here on Substack and part of the Courage to Create community! Welcome and super excited to have you here! Thank you so much for your kind and supportive words! I can't wait/hear more about your journey and reinvention. Cheering you on, M

Diane Williams's avatar

Hi Magdalena,

Thank you so much for such a warm welcome—I truly appreciate it.

I was drawn to "Courage to Create" because it speaks to something I deeply believe: it takes courage not only to create, but to reinvent. Your platform resonates with me, and I’m grateful to be part of this community.

I’m looking forward to sharing more of my journey and connecting with others who are navigating their own paths of growth and transformation.

Thank you again for your encouragement—it means more than you know.

Cheering you on as well,

Coach Diane

Reinvention Studios

Blue's avatar

Yes, Diane. So true about the courage to create and for me — another small “C” to begin with: Curiosity. Blue💙

Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear Diane: I love that you are seeing the direct correlation between courage to create and courage go re-invent! Both are equally scary in the beginning! Super excited to have you in the community !

CraftyMamma's avatar

I so love this. Have a similar set of stories and in the process of using the found wisdom to help a community I’ve been called to. One I never imagined being a part of - but one I have found a love for. Thank you for the encouragement here and in your other writing. Writing is what I must do…

The Advocacy Chronicles's avatar

I love this post so much. Life is so tenuous and teaches us so much after we weather a storm or sunshine, we share our journey not just to inspire others (rarely that for me) but as cautionary tales, of hope, of resilience and of “this too shall pass - because it always does” moments. ❤️ “we’ll be alright x”

Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Thank you! Lots of lessons to learn!

Bronagh Laoch Quinn's avatar

Its been a long time since I have read the secret garden, or even thought about it. Looking back, I can definitely relate to Mary in many ways. I would create "alternate" universes to escape completely or "write" myself in stories with people who actually saw my struggles and pain without telling me to try harder or suck it up and deal with it. They would gently push me to face the hard things, and provide comfort as I did so.

If I look at my my writing as a "secret Garden", I can find the courage to honestly create a space of understanding and healing.

Thank you for providing a new perspective!

Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear Bronagh: I love love your reframe: "If I look at my my writing as a "secret Garden", I can find the courage to honestly create a space of understanding and healing." that is so brilliant! You are spot on! I do hope you give it a go and can't wait to hear more about your experiences! Cheering you on, M

Diane Williams's avatar

Hi Magdalena,

I’ve truly been enjoying learning from you and connecting with new writers through your platform, “Courage to Create.” The title itself immediately resonated with me—because it also takes courage to reinvent.

That connection sparked my curiosity and drew me in. I’m currently building a space centered around reinvention, growth, and community, and I felt that engaging with your work would help me learn, stretch, and continue evolving in that direction.

I also want to say—your interview with Andy was phenomenal. The way you guided the conversation, asking questions that allowed him to unfold and show his authentic self, was powerful to witness.

Kudos to you for creating a space where writers feel seen, heard, and supported.

I look forward to staying connected, continuing to learn, and being part of conversations that encourage both the courage to create—and the courage to reinvent.

Coach Diane

Reinvention Studios

Diane Williams's avatar

Great content! I am excited about your upcoming post. I am curious about your son. How is he doing? Does he, too, use writing for healing? Magdalena, I really like your site. I am just starting on Substack. Will you please share who put your site together? Thanks for sharing your journey.

Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear Diane: Welcome to Substack! Thank you for asking about my son! He is doing great - fully recovered and thriving! As for my site - I did it myself - it took a while and few diffrent iterations and it’s still work in progress :-)

Diane Williams's avatar

Magdalena, I am thrilled to heard that your son is thriving. Have you written a memoir yet?

Your site looks great, but i will watch for your updates. I am looking forward to your next newsletter.

Let’s stay connected.

Coach Diane

Pain Story Exit's avatar

I just found you! One question: is writing by hand, pen & paper, much more powerful than typing on notes app? Is there big enough difference in result that you would say to use one method over the other?

Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Dear Pain Story Exit: Thank you and a great question! My recommendation is writing by hand, pen & paper - and then you can take photo, convert into a digital document etc. but for sure I'm a huge proponent of pen and paper!

Pain Story Exit's avatar

That’s what I guessed. In the first article I read, your words, “just open the notes app…” so I thought I’d ask. I wrote my first 20 minute Future Script today! Yay!

Kim Roberts's avatar

Omigosh I love you already Magdalena! Can't wait to write with you.

Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Awwwww! Thank you so much! Can’t wait!!!

Dr Mehmet Yildiz's avatar

Yes those words you mentioned in the opening of this inspiring story is very challenging. But you took personal responsibility and proved what humans can do. Thank you for your inspiring post. It resonated deeply with me.

Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

The resilience and personal responsibility are a very interesting dynamic duo when it comes to stretching and proving what we as human can accomplish and achieve with focus and determination.

Zara Bogaski's avatar

The power of not keeping it inside of you. Beautiful lesson.

Adrian Hop's avatar

What a powerful story of growth and transformation! The love and laughter you found in those little ones helped shape the incredible person you are today. Keep on inspiring! Keep on creating!

Dr Mike Broadly's avatar

Thank you for this inspiring and uplifting piece. I love what you do and how you motivate your readers.

Becky Gosky | Jobity's avatar

What an inspiring story you tell and what a courageous person you are! I look forward to your newsletter.

Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Thank you so much!

Roy Solheim's avatar

Inspiring!

The heart of a warrior Magdalena💪🏻. It is almost like I can hear the seven virtues of Bushido whispering in the background. Your story reveal a powerful fighting spirt!

Magdalena Ponurska's avatar

Wow! Thank you Roy! I love the idea.

Sean Mize's avatar

What a powerful testament to courage!!