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TAMPA BAY • FEBRUARY 23-24 2026

This FINAL encore experience will be unlike any other. Because like everything we do, it's been "reimagined" from beginning to end. It's not a virtual or hybrid event. It's not a conference. It's not a seminar, a workshop, a meeting, or a symposium. And it's not your typical run-of-the-mill everyday event crammed with stages, keynote speeches, team-building exercises, PowerPoint presentations, and all the other conventional humdrum. Because it's up close & personal by design. Where conversation trumps presentation. And where authentic connection runs deep.

If It Were Easy, Anyone Could Do It

Why does everything have to be so difficult?” “For just once, could something simply be easy?” “Do I have ‘Hero’ stamped on my forehead?

AMAZINGLY, I’ve heard each of these statements from other people and I’ve made a few of them at some points in my life. It is almost like the punctuation mark at the end of each of these statements could just as easily be an exclamation point. In this way, the statement might more accurately express the exasperation many of us feel with the process of absolutely being stretched beyond what we are sure we can possibly endure.

One day, when I was really feeling the exclamation point a rogue thought raced across my mind: “If it were easy, anyone could do it.” Well. Okay. As my more controlled-self took captive the next thoughts, I wondered about the truth and facts of that statement. Here are my considerations about the truth and facts:

  • If demonstrating patience in rightfully managing the criticism and negativity of others (which are so often based on self-serving motives) were easy, maybe we would have never encountered the fulfilling opportunity we are privileged to hold in this season of life.
  • If faithfully enduring difficult and sometimes tragic turn of events in our personal lives were easy, maybe we would have missed the discovery that we really are emotionally strong and mentally tough (to the amazement of those who deemed us down for the count, thus they counted us out).
  • If being forced to brainstorm for solutions in a business dilemma were easy, maybe we would have never met the key person (who became a divine connection) on the other side of the problem solving efforts.
  • If gracefully persevering through an unexpected life loss (that we neither caused nor wanted) were glamorous and easy, maybe we would have never realized the goodness and kindness of so many people who had been hidden in plain sight around our lives.[/message][su_spacer]

In each of these real life scenarios, there are so many varying details that could be associated with the variety of situations. Yet, the common thread in each of them is the strength and capacity of the human spirit to be stretched beyond that which we think we can bear. Even so, when we choose to never, ever give up within life’s challenges – we risk the chance that we will discover unspeakable joy and amazing life truths through new wisdom.

During the really difficult places of life, love, and relationships – when we are between a rock and a hard place – we often experience the precise times and the moments of uncovering gems of truth.

One of these gems is: “If it were easy, anyone could do it.” The real truth is that I get to do it and I will come out on the other side of it more fulfilled; strengthened emotionally and mentally; with divine connections in my life; and with a renewed belief in the goodness and kindness of others.

On second thought, I think I’ll put that exclamation point on demonstrating patience, on faithfully enduring, on brainstorming for solutions, and on gracefully persevering. Yes, I think I will do it today, even though it is not easy, just because I can.

Devaney Rae
Devaney Raehttp://www.countlessjoys.com/
Devaney’s professional background includes professional Business Development, Leadership, and Life on Purpose Coaching, along with Instructional Design Technology consulting for Training & Presentation Design. Devaney also provides professional consulting within Organizational/ Performance Management for business owners and decision-makers. Devaney also established Life On Purpose with Devaney Rae in early 2018 as a way to connect with others who want to Get From Where You Are Now To Where You Want to Be. This effort connects people with professional coaching and a variety of resources to establish business growth that includes learning to create and manage multiple streams of income. Devaney works one-on-one and in small groups with people to create their own Life Purpose Plan and to develop the correct Business Strategy for Growth. Then, she helps them bring the plan to life so each one can step into their ownMORE! She has enjoyed a successful career in Healthcare Administration, Chemical Manufacturing, Retail Sales, Marketing, and within the Non-Profit Business sectors. Devaney earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Walden University and her Master’s degree in Instructional Design Technology for Professional Trainers from New York Institute of Technology. She also earned a degree in Dental Hygiene with license to practice in Texas and Louisiana. Devaney is a published author of the book, Countless Joys: The Place Beyond Tears (Westbow Press, 2015). The content is her story about how ordinary people are called to do “the extraordinary” in life. She has a passion for impacting others with life-giving hope, joy, and peace. Devaney established a non-profit organization, Countless Joys, Inc. in 2015. The mission of Countless Joys, Inc. is to Touch the Lives of Others with Joy. The specific focus is on Interrupting Human Trafficking of children and teenagers. Altogether, giving back to others is Devaney’s personal life mission and joy. Devaney makes her home in Franklin, Tennessee.

DO YOU HAVE THE "WRITE" STUFF? If you’re ready to share your wisdom of experience, we’re ready to share it with our massive global audience – by giving you the opportunity to become a published Contributor on our award-winning Site with (your own byline). And who knows? – it may be your first step in discovering your “hidden Hemmingway”. LEARN MORE HERE


2 CONVERSATIONS

  1. This is a wonderful truth, Devaney. You’re right, we would rarely ever desire “to be stretched beyond that which we think we can bear” but without it we don’t get to experience the feeling of going beyond and achieving something that excites us. For me, it’s also very easy to get complacent in my personal development if nothing stretches me.

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