13 Comments
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Ryan Dunlap's avatar

I'm so.excited that my two.oldest are going to.back.to.back.weeks.of.the opportunity to experience the good.kind.of.tired.this.summer. And thank you for.the equation. I'm going to.see what that might inspire.

Brad Montague's avatar

Oh man. I’m thrilled! So much goodness ahead. Lots to be enthusiastic about for sure. Love to you all!!!!

TMFritz. On The Human Spectrum's avatar

thank you for this(!) and of course i had to look up the origin/etymology of enthusiasm (curious:)- en-theos-asmos = in + god + action = divinely inspired:D

Brad Montague's avatar

Yes!!! Isn’t that perfectly perfect? True enthusiasm is a holy thing!

Writercises's avatar

If you ever decide to a compile "the Enthusiast's Greatest Hits," this tops the charts. So many delicious tidbits of wisdom; so simply said. Thanks for putting into words the difference between good tired and bad–so true!

Rich Wells's avatar

There is so much gold in this email Brad- thanks for writing it!

I had a realisation the other day that my best, most creative work comes out of procrastination - I should be doing more ‘important’ (usually screen based) things and instead follow some ‘what if’ thread in a different direction.

I can beat myself up about that. Now I’m thinking that maybe I should reframe ‘procrastination’ as ‘what if time’. Has a much better ring to it!

Susan Waters's avatar

Again, I love your posts! So timely and true. Bless you for the gifts you bring to the children who have the privilege to spend time with you. At summer camp, or the schools you've traveled to around our country and the world. Believing in the power within each individual that you see and encourage others is your living legacy. How or what these children take with them as they mature to adulthood, we may not see. I do believe that it will make a world we envision and believe in! Thank you.

Vanessa Lowry's avatar

I love this Brad. And your equation of joy + curiosity + action = momentum really describes my friend Joy Kelleher who is doing so much good in the world. She has a private therapy practice, founded and heads a nonprofit that helps young adults 18 - 24 as they build a stronger foundation for adulthood, is a teacher of Reiki, a writer, a creator of community in many ways, and is just fun to be around. I forwarded this to Joy and some of our friends who love her like I do. (Joy's substack is https://substack.com/@thrivingwithjoy)

Linda Thompson's avatar

Yes, to all of this!

Lindsey Adams's avatar

Your words are always so encouraging and inspiring! Thank you for showing us the way to more joy and beauty and momentum. There are always one million excuses for why not to create as a busy single mom, but lately, I've been finding that just taking action- even to make a silly 60-second drawing or an average painting- perpetuates that joy and enthusiasm and it ripples out to inspire others to do the joy + curiosity + action thing.

Julia Skinner's avatar

This is another essay I'm going to have to share on Sunday over on the Gentle Pen. It is so full of magic and inspiration Brad. Thank you!

Hema A's avatar

While healthy habits may not guarantee perfection or eliminate every challenge, they do help us stay alert, energized, and present. In a world filled with distractions and stress, choosing to care for ourselves is a powerful act of courage.

So let us stay curious. Let us stay enthusiastic. Let us take those small steps that lead to lasting change. Your health journey starts with one choice today—and that choice can create momentum for a healthier, happier tomorrow.

Thank you immensely!

Marc Joblin's avatar

Brad, thank you as always for sharing!