18 Comments
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Molly Simpson's avatar

love this! it sparked two thoughts for me: 1) you can’t control outcomes, but can you can create conditions. 2) re: friction (and to quote from a podcast conversation between Ezra Klein and David Perrell on AI: “It’s not the wave that changes you. It’s the erosion.” THIS unlocked a whole new realm of thought for me when it comes to the real risks and rewards of taking shortcuts with AI. 🌊

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Lizzie Soboleva's avatar

Wow, thats such a brilliant quote!!

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Laura's avatar

Thank you for this always relevant reminder to value the challenge in life!

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Gayle Beavil, MA, BEd, CAPP 🇨🇦's avatar

Erin, you are so right about our want of a friction-less way of life. And we are finding it. This is leading to a sense of meaninglessness and seeking dopamine hits from quick solutions, which don’t last. As you ask, “What are we practicing?”

We need to try again. Wonder. Ponder. Take risks. Draft and redraft. Think and rethink. Make mistakes and take time to reflect on what went wrong, what we can do better, instead of asking AI for the best route. Soft is comfy but boring, unfulfilling. Eventually. LOVE THIS PIECE!

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Erin Nystrom's avatar

Thank you, Gayle 🙏🏻

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Jonas Braadbaart's avatar

This is awesome, thanks for sharing!

Great reminder as to why I'm running a half marathon in the pouring rain tomorrow 😂

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Jonas Braadbaart's avatar

This is awesome, thanks for sharing!

Great reminder as to why I'm running a half marathon in the pouring rain tomorrow 😂

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Taylor Lanier's avatar

Ugh, I needed this read! Thank you for sharing your talent and this beautiful spark of inspiration ✨

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Erin Nystrom's avatar

Thanks, Taylor!!

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Jen's avatar

Thanks for this. Perfect timing. My husband and I just moved across the country to the mountains - where we know no one. We had been living in the same place for over 20 years, raising kids, etc. I left my long time job and don’t really know what’s next. Thanks for the reminder to see this as the exciting adventure and opportunity that it is!

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Erin Nystrom's avatar

That’s awesome!! And takes guts.

What mountains did you move to?

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Jen's avatar

We're in Denver. We are trying a City Year and spending as much time in the mountains as we can before deciding where we want to end up longer term.

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Erin Nystrom's avatar

love that!

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Cheryl Telfer's avatar

Such a great read, and reminder to up the resistance and push through, because you will adjust to those new conditions.

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Lizzie Soboleva's avatar

This is written so beautifully!! Thank you❤️

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Erin Nystrom's avatar

Thanks, Lizzie!!

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tiff 天譓's avatar

I love this !!

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Virgin Monk Boy's avatar

The world keeps telling you to regulate, manifest, and stay calm like enlightenment is a spa day, but friction is how souls remember they’re alive. The ocean doesn’t get smooth without storms, the body doesn’t get strong without resistance, and the spirit doesn’t get wise without winter. Sometimes what hurts is what hardens into meaning.

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