18 Comments
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Ruth  H's avatar

Oh this is good! You have given me the tool to keep going. I am almost a complete recluse except with my sisters. I have one club left that I will not give up, but I find it so hard to move myself to attend just once a month. I don't sleep well, I am in almost constant pain if I am not completely attuned to something else, the club meets at 10 am. I used to be a morning person but now I try to sleep as late as I can just to get in a little more sleep. So, it is hard for me to make that 10 o'clock meeting. I love my herb friends we've been meeting for years yet I have RESISTANCE to getting up and going. You've just helped me with that, thank you.

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Toby Neal's avatar

Yes Ruth, don't give in. Being with others is valuable in ways it's hard to count. So many benefits healthy and emotional.

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Tara's avatar

Keep going, Ruth! Your friends would miss you terribly. Think of it as your once-a-month "treat" to hang out with your buddies & discuss a favorite hobby. 💙

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Ruth  H's avatar

They are dear friends, all younger but some not much younger. They always offer to take me to the meetings, so far I have driven myself. It is a small town after all. Thank you for the encouragement.

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Laura Winter's avatar

Gosh; this piece resonates SO much with me! I enjoyed a successful 40-year career as a self-employed residential design professional but am my worst enemy when it comes to my watercolor practice. It's something that should be relaxing and enjoyable but my inner critic turns it on its head. I'm hoping now that I'm not caring for our 1 year old grandson daily, I can turn my studio back into a studio, leave all my painting supplies out and dive into the pure joy of creation again (and not procrastinate by shopping online for specialty paint brushes)!

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Toby Neal's avatar

Oh, shopping for the supplies, even buying art books and courses---all very effective procrastination strategies! Thanks for chiming in.

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Jaymi “the OC BookGirl”'s avatar

First: vituperative what a GREAT word. Second. YESSSSS to all of this. Being creative in any way or means is vital to us all. I also can’t imagine attending a live nude art class - you are inspiring me!

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Toby Neal's avatar

It has been a continuous surprise to discover how many body attitudes I have hidden inside!

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Rebecca's avatar

Good advice that can be applied to other areas of life that is needed!

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Toby Neal's avatar

Absolutely. Basically, resistance, tries to keep us from doing any worthy activity, but sloth and self indulgence.

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Jason McBride's avatar

I loved this post, this is what I needed today!

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Toby Neal's avatar

Outwit outlast, outplay!

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Tara's avatar

I didn't have "Toby had to stare at a penis for an hour" on my bingo card but here we are. 🤣 Thanks for this post. It'll help me resist my resistance going forward. 💙✊🏽

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Toby Neal's avatar

lol it was a unique kind of agony I didn't expect 😜

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Angela Leslee's avatar

I could so relate to this piece Toby. The combination of resistance and stubborn refusal to give in to it. A constant dance.

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Toby Neal's avatar

It's what we do! Awareness helps, knowing its universal helps...but in the end only we can do the work. Or let Resistance win.

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Amy's avatar

The Special Ed kid part hits hard. It's so hard to trust compliments and assistance because I frame them as covert criticism and an indication that I'm different. Well, maybe I am different, and it's only a Bad Thing because I'm allowing resistance to tell me it is.

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Jeanie's avatar

Proud of you, your inner creative self is coming forward! I’ve been in such a class and it was intimidating. I have to admit I was much better at landscapes and still life’s. You make me want to dig out my watercolors I haven’t touched in 10yrs! Keep up the good work on both of your creative fronts!!🤗

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