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Randall Van Nostrand's avatar

Love your resolutions- brilliant!

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Lilliana Mendez-Soto's avatar

I love "favoring what's essential" 💜 Last year my word was Stretch...and I started doing open mics and more rigorously writing about issues of sexuality along with my other projects. What an exciting year you have! Hope to see you soon!!💜

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Shelley Blanton-Stroud's avatar

Stretch is a great piece of encouraging self advice. I'm so glad to learn the connection between your resolution and your work. Keep going!

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Mary Camarillo's avatar

I love all of these events you’re putting together. Yay for you. And congratulations on 40 years!!!!

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Shelley Blanton-Stroud's avatar

Thanks Mary. I see your book world engagement as inspiration.

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Gina Hogan Edwards's avatar

"Favor what's essential." With aging parents, my writing to attend to, and a husband who deserves my focus when we're together, this would be a brilliant mantra for me. Congratulations in advance on book four and 40th anniversary! I hope your 2025 is filled with meaningful engagement and connections.

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Shelley Blanton-Stroud's avatar

Thanks Gina. It is real and honest to acknowledge our partners need our attention too.

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Jan Haag's avatar

Bravo, you! Love seeing your calendar of events for the year. A 40th wedding anniversary and a fourth book in the same year? Wowie zowie! So proud of you, Shelley!

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Shelley Blanton-Stroud's avatar

Jan, it has meant so much to me to follow your Facebook poetry, especially since your mother's passing. I rarely comment, but am often verklempt, when I read the recognizable truth in your lines.

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Carol Strickland's avatar

Engage and connect. I really like that. And how often do we really have the opportunity to do that? One thing I’ve enjoyed about recovery from knee replacement surgery is having a nurse twice a week and a physical therapist three times a week—and the opportunity to engage and connect, albeit short-term, with someone other than my wonderful husband, without whom I couldn’t have done this. Forge ahead. You can do this!😊

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Shelley Blanton-Stroud's avatar

Carol, I am impressed you've found a way to spin knee surgery recovery so positively:) But you're right. Even small interactions can make an outsize difference in how we feel about our day. Especially if you get a good nurse:)

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Jody Hadlock's avatar

I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I don't make new year's resolutions. I used to but hardly ever achieved them, so I gave up. I love the idea of choosing a general theme, so I might steal that! XOXO

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Shelley Blanton-Stroud's avatar

Jody, I felt that way about my resolutions when they were explicit and could and often did lead to failure. I do much better with a focused guide, so I can keep correcting course:)

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Julie Metz's avatar

love your 2025 plans!

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Shelley Blanton-Stroud's avatar

Thanks Julie! I hope your writing is going well!

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Julie Metz's avatar

working on a few projects...

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Kori Moore's avatar

Cheers sweet friend—always appreciate your thoughtful words to work through what’s most important. Love the plans for 2025!♥️

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