26 Comments

Being an enthusiast - genuinely finding pure joy in the happiness of others. Irrespective of the impact it has on your life - being enthusiastic about their happiness and contentment.

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I *love* your definition so much. ❤️

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Thank you Brad! There is a feeling of familiarity and ease that lands with me whenever I read your posts, and it seems these lessons you share are very embodied in the ways you show up. I hope you remember that.

For me it is the moments when I tap into someone and see the person in front of me lights up that I know this random conversation is to turn into gold.

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Oh wow. This is so kind. Thank you.

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Brad, can you make that Madeleine L'Engle quote a print or poster? Please?! :-)

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Sheila!! You’re the sweetest! I hope to be able to sometime soon. It’s such a great reminder!

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The act of being curious - that’s what feels like the mark of being an enthusiast. Curiosity is open-ended, dynamic (a word Ray Bradbury used in that clip!) and ever-changing: all of those are the opposite of despair (which, to me, seems closed off, like someone’s gaze fixed permanently at the ground). Maybe eager expectation is part of it too? Being eager or expectant feels vulnerable and scary… and usually when something feels vulnerable and scary I know it’s pointing me in a direction of openness and ultimately how I want to show up in the world! But that doesn’t always make it less scary. :)

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I love this. Thank you for pointing out his use of the word ‘dynamic’ — that stood out to me as significant too! You express the beauty of it so well. Needed to know, too, that I’m not alone in being uncomfortable through some of this! Thank YOU

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Thank you for sharing these quotes, Brad! They are so precious. I will write them down in my journal.

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Your journals are beautiful! Love seeing what you share. Thanks for the kind words. Truly so happy you're here.

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Thank you, Brad!

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Wonderful. Awe and curiosity are such gifts. Thanks Brad.

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DEE. Truly. Thank YOU

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I often say that I like people who are "interesting & interested," but I think this may be a better way of getting at it and getting into it. Thanks!

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Super true! Yes! It’s an excellent escape route from anxiety for me. Like, if I’m in a large group I’ve found it freeing and exciting to be genuinely curious about the people there. Helps break me from the worry I sometimes can be wrapped up in!

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Fearless in the face of excitement and discovery and adventure, even if that’s only on the inside. Open to things that light our souls and make our hearts sing 💛 beautiful words as always Brad

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Fearless! Open! Singing hearts! Yes!!! You’ve laid out quite a path to beauty, friend.

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I recently wrote a piece titled "Claim your enthusiasm", all about my journey to reclaim the word try-hard and own my big dreams. Someone in the comments suggested I subscribe to The Enthusiast and I've been diving into your back catalogue ever since. So glad I found you!

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Love it Brad

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Every time I see light that falls on something beautifully I take a photo of it. Whenever there is a full moon I figure out a different way to photograph it. Some of these photos will become paintings. I don't sell them, I just create them and share them because I want to put beauty into the world.

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"‘What’s an enthusiast?’ Add to the list!" I was thinking along these lines this past week as well :) I wrote "Just Be Amazed" (https://sydneymichalski.substack.com/p/just-be-amazed) about a recent experience where I lost my sense of amazement - and thankfully came to realize that it was a muscle that I could rebuild!

The natural world provides constant opportunity for us to learn how to be amazed - because if we will just take a moment to be curious about anything in nature, we will certainly find ourselves amazed by it. A person who is curious, and then amazed, becomes a person who cares. A person who cares, connects. A person who connects, cultivates. And it spills over into every area of our lives!

So my advice (and my own personal goal): Be curious, and be amazed, and then do it again! It's good for you. (And it can change the world!)

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Sydney! Thank you for sharing your post and your encouraging words. Loved reading about your commitment to being amazed! From birds to rocks to wherever we might find ourselves. Wonderful reminder. Grateful for your wonder and generosity!

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Thank you Brad for all the love, encouragement, support and sparks 🔥 you continually add to the world. You make a great difference in my life and in the world. 😍😘♥️. Never too much joy or enthusiasm or compassion.

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This really means so much, Phoebe. I’m so happy you’re here. What a gift this community has been to me! Here’s to all the joy and enthusiasm and compassion to come!

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Brad, thank you for always being such a huge encouragement to everyone around you! I appreciate your thoughts so much!

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You’re quite literally one of the best there is Marc. Grateful!

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