For the last 100 Sundays, I’ve posted an essay here on Stirring Point. This piece will be my last—with any arc of consistency—although I’ll post occasionally when I feel I have something to say. The time has come for me to focus on writing efforts I’ve long ignored. A book awaits my attention. I need to work toward submitting articles for publication. Both require the full thrust of my efforts and the hawkish review of other writers. My attention to their success starts today.

About Stirring Point. This website began with two main objectives: 

  1. To capture stirring ideas that forced my thoughts beyond the realm of comfort, helping me question my entrenched beliefs.
  2. To build a consistent writing habit, anchored by a sense of public accountability to an expecting audience.

Some writers have no issue producing content that both rivets and woos their readers. Others stare at a blank page and sweat blood. I’m of the latter, and without the accountability of an audience, my dream of a consistent practice may have slipped away. But you showed up every week, which kept me showing up. For that, I’m deeply grateful. 

While I may have found consistency within my writing habit, my content most certainly did not. The early pieces detailed a 3-month sojourn—training jiu-jitsu with local communities—through North and East Africa, capped with a visit to Pakistan. The middling posts focused on the practice of mindfulness along with the act of seeking resistance for the purpose of growth. The last few pieces concentrated on our beliefs and the importance of human connection, with a toe lightly dipped into the topical issues of today. I’m proud of some pieces and embarrassed by others, yet I’m grateful for them all because they forced me into my chair and pinned my thoughts against the page. Good or bad, I found my seat, grabbed my laptop, and never missed a week.

There are so many exceptional writers in this world and instead of spending an extra 10 minutes of your Sunday morning with them, you spent it with me. Your comments, likes, emails and texts functioned like an emotional “Kickstarter,” propelling me toward a personal dream. Thank you for the time you spent thinking with me and, hopefully, for the time you spent growing with me, too.

I hope you’ll drop back in for the occasional post. More importantly, I hope you continue to seek ways to stir your thoughts beyond the edges of your comfort. That’s where growth awaits, and that’s what we should all be seeking. 


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8 responses to “My 100th Consecutive Post: The Next Chapter”

  1. What a bittersweet moment. Your posts every Sunday morning provided a crazy and safe feeling like a warm blanket with a cup of coffee. What you may have felt as “embarrassing,” I saw as growth. I’m so proud of you and your commitment to this goal. I’m excited to see what the next chapter holds for you! What an incredible role model I’ve had for my entire life and now get to share with my sons. I love you, big brother ❤️

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  2. The past 100 Sundays I have anxiously anticipated your writing. I was always entertained, inspired, driven to introspection or left reeling. I will miss this Sunday morning ritual and may be forced to develop my own. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, experiences and soul. pop

    Liked by 1 person

  3. John, best of luck! I’ve truly enjoyed starting my Sundays with you and your thoughts. And we still need to get on the mat together!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Many thanks, Alan! I look forward to connecting and I’m always game for mat time!

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  4. It’s been great following Stirring Point for all 100 weeks. Looking forward to reading whatever creative product comes next.

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    1. Thanks Eamon! I appreciate your support and thanks again for following along.

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  5. great1cfbfbcc8f Avatar
    great1cfbfbcc8f

    Cheering you in on making this decision, John. Proud of you and your 100 editions.

    I eagerly await ad hoc missives.

    And more about your book. As you know (but I want to reiterate): here to read anything you write (and provide feedback/celebration/etc) anytime.

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  6. great1cfbfbcc8f Avatar
    great1cfbfbcc8f

    Cheering you in on in making this decision, John. Proud of you and your 100 editions.

    I eagerly await ad hoc missives (and your BOOK!!!).

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