There are moments in life that feel like little winks from the universe… quiet confirmations that you’re on the right path, even when you didn’t realize you needed reassurance.
This episode was born from one of those moments.
I brought a story I’ve been writing—something that’s lived in my heart for years—into my classroom. It wasn’t polished. It wasn’t illustrated. It wasn’t even finished. Just simple words printed on plain white paper.
Before I began, I told the class there were no pictures, so they would have to imagine everything in their minds.
They leaned in, they listened, and when I asked what they thought the message was, their answers were so pure and so beautiful—“to have a colorful heart”… “to be grateful.”
They felt it. They understood it. Even without the ending.
And then life carried on. Recess came, the story paused, and I honestly thought that moment would just drift away like so many small classroom memories do.
But days later, a little hand went up.
“What happened to that story?”
A boy remembered. He was still thinking about it. He wanted to know how it ended.
And in that moment, something shifted.
Because that’s when I shared the truth—that the story wasn’t finished yet… and that I was the author.
“You’re going to make millions. It’s amazing. We want to buy it.”
And while that made me smile (and hey… I’ll take the millions too 😉), that wasn’t the part that stayed with me.
What stayed with me was this:
They loved the story before they knew it was mine.
There was no bias. No expectation. No attachment to me as the creator.
Just pure, honest connection.
And isn’t that what it’s really about?
Not the recognition.
But the feeling your creation leaves behind in someone else.
The way it lingers in their mind days later.
The way it opens something in their heart.
That moment reminded me that the things we’re called to create—the stories, the ideas, the little pieces of our soul—they’re not meant to stay tucked away.
They’re meant to be shared.
Even if it’s unfinished.
Even if it only reaches one person.
Because you never know who’s listening…
who’s remembering…
or who’s quietly waiting to hear how your story ends.
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If you are ready to dive in and start Growing A Grateful Heart you can get yourself a copy of the gratitude journal here:
Growing A Grateful Heart- A Daily Gratitude Journal
Candace Dunaway is the host of The Spiritual Cupcake Podcast, a heart-centered space for healing, growth, and high-vibe living. She’s also a teacher, a nature lover, and a creative soul who finds deep joy in life’s simplest moments.
Candace sees the world through rainbow-colored glasses—always searching for the silver linings, even in life’s stormy skies. For her, happiness isn’t a far-off destination, but something woven into the everyday magic of life.
Her love for the outdoors inspired The Mild Side of Wild, a video series that encourages others to step outside and reconnect with nature’s wisdom—a free gift that’s always available.
Whether she’s wandering through the woods, recording a podcast episode, or laughing with a stranger-turned-friend, Candace thrives on meaningful connection. She treasures hearing people’s stories and perspectives, especially when they come from unexpected paths.
Forever dreaming, always creating, she’s endlessly exploring new ideas and projects. Guided by wonder, curiosity, and the belief that beauty is everywhere, She’s here to connect, to let go, and to expand—one inspired moment at a time.
