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Susan Halaut's avatar

Great reminders. My thinking recently has taken this direction as well. What would it look like to be more fierce and courageous? What am I missing out on by not stepping out in even more boldness and faith? And remembering my own testimony and celebrations of those times I have stepped up and out and the feelings I had afterwards and the rewards it brought.

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Tarek Taha's avatar

That's right Susan! I too have to fight the ready - aim - aim -aim syndrome and instead get the car in motion.

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Cathy Jacob's avatar

Thanks for this, Tarek. It seems the universe is speaking to me about courage this week. Everywhere I turn - whether it is editing a guest post for my Substack, listening to a podcast about introverts who are stretching to be more social, to this lovely story about a kid simply jumping into the unknown - everything is telling me I need to stretch beyond my comfort zone. Maybe a fuller, bigger life begins with a willingness to be uncomfortable.

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Tarek Taha's avatar

Cathy, I am with you. As a sociable introvert, it's often hard for me to be courageous. Usually for me it's when I'm in my head. I'm thinking about "can I do this?" instead of "HOW can I do this." I haven't bought it yet (mainly because I have 10000 unread books on my shelf!) by Adam Grant's new book called "Hidden Potential" is on my list. He talks about discomfort is the THE path to unlocking the hidden potential in each of us. He also calls being uncomfortable an act of character.

I hope this podcast will serve you this week: https://youtu.be/2zG0VcUbHR0?si=LNLGgToHU5YapHrR

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Cathy Jacob's avatar

Thankyou for this, Tarek. I had actually purchased Grant’s new book. I’m with you and am a fellow sufferer of “the 10000 unread books on my shelf” syndrome. But now I’ll put his further up the list!

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Rob Potts's avatar

Well said. I think as a culture, we’ve bought into the idea that a good life is one where nothing goes wrong, we make a good living, we retire and live a predictable life.

Where’s the adventure in that?!? We only have so much time here. I know one thing I’ll never do is retire. I may change what I do for a living, but I’ll always be pushing myself to do and learn new things that are difficult and that I’m afraid of doing.

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Tarek Taha's avatar

I don't think being uncomfortable ever gets fun Rob, but we need it! Otherwise it's Netflix binging + jalapeno cheetos/popcorn every night!

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Linda Hoenigsberg's avatar

Tarek. I don't think I knew that you had undergone brain surgery! You may know that I've had two and that I am now recovering from radiation after the tumor began regrowing. What you just wrote was so encouraging to me. I think I may just print it out and have it handy to read again when I'm discouraged. Thank you!

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Linda Hoenigsberg's avatar

Thanks, Tarek!

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Tarek Taha's avatar

Linda...wow. I am so honored to have played a small role in encouraging you to have a better day and better week. Thank you for that gift. None of us wants brain surgery and I have read your poignant story on Substack. Wow. You are still standing, fighting and adding value to others. Keep on going! I will be praying for your healing!

For those of you that haven't read Linda's story, here's the link: https://open.substack.com/pub/lindahoenigsberg/p/questioning-our-past-experiences?r=2kw56y&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

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Mike Oppenheim's avatar

Another GREAT one. Thank you. It's always helpful for me to be reminded that relaxing in my backyard, while enjoyable, is safe and not exactly helping me achieve my dreams!

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