18 Comments
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Robin Flicker's avatar

“We typically don’t read to judge others. We read to understand them, feel closer to people by getting an insight into their thoughts.” What a wonderful way to describe why we read.

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Claire Polders's avatar

Thanks, Robin!

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Michael TenBrink's avatar

Thank you for leading by example.

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Sherry V. Chidwick's avatar

Ah, Claire! I am so excited to follow along as you embark on this vulnerable journey. As a fellow nomad, I get it. I love what you have to say and look forward to your now weekly posts. Go, girl. Can you feel me cheering you on?

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Rona Maynard's avatar

Hi, Claire. Robin sent me.

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Claire Polders's avatar

Yes, she would do that :-). Looking forward to getting to know you better.

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Rona Maynard's avatar

To clarify, she didn’t LITERALLY send me.

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Alexis Beaver's avatar

Yay to your publication schedule going weekly! I for one cannot wait to read your work. I loved that reminder that most people do not read to judge but read to understand. All the best!

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Claire Polders's avatar

Thanks so much, Alexis.

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J Callender Photography's avatar

I dig the profile image!

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Claire Polders's avatar

Thanks! I like shadow selves as well...

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Wake Lloire's avatar

I’m grateful that SmallStack has lead me to your writing and I’m excited that you publish weekly. The fact that you write in your second language so adeptly and still feel nervous about it resonates with me. I am fluently bilingual in both my maternal language (English) and my paternal language (French) and in my recently have I started speaking frequently in French again, and in the beginning I feel judged, but that’s in me. Most of the people I encounter in my small town who speak French are excited to communicate.

It’s exciting to let my brain let go of the fear and just do the thing that scares me.

Thank you again for sharing your writing.

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Claire Polders's avatar

I understand why speaking French after so long can be intimidating, and I’m happy to hear you are able to overcome this fear. Doing the thing that scares you is showing courage.

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Thaisa Frank's avatar

Hard to see this as a tattoo. You offer so much!

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Claire Polders's avatar

You're right: I don't have enough skin on which to engrave it all!

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Erin Mercer's avatar

Honored to work with you on your SmallStack debut, Claire. It resonated with a LOT of people. And wow, the timing of leaving Japan before the earthquake! 😮

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Claire Polders's avatar

Thank you, Erin! I will not say that we cause trouble to a place when we’re leaving it, because that would be insane, but the coincidence is unsettling.

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Claire Polders's avatar

Thanks, Sherry! I feel it indeed!

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