November 2023 Raising Confident Mothers

raising NOVEMBER 2023

CONFIDENT MOTHERS

LIVING FROM GRATITUDE

Abundant Living Made Simple The Power of Shifting Your Mindset LIZZIE LIN JOHNSON AWARD-WINNING WEDDING CAKES 5 Secret Ingredients for a Sweeter Life THAIS FERNANDES CREATOR OF RIO FOREST SKINCARE Finding Her Light in Entrepreneurship

The

Confident Mom Circle CLARITY. COACHING . COMMUNITY

No one should have to walk through motherhood alone. It takes a village — and we’re so happy you’ve joined ours.

The Confident Mom Circle is a refuge for women who want to create fulfilling lives while raising the next generation.

Each issue includes inspirational articles, practical insights, and self-coaching guides tailored for hardworking women like you.

Plus, once a month, we get together on a friendly, live group coaching cal l with Lacey Jones, your certified life coach.

On these calls, we dive deeper into meaningful principles and apply them to our everyday lives.

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JOIN US LIVE THIS MONTH! WED, NOV 29 @ 7PM PT & THURS, NOV 30 @ 10 AM PT For the Zoom link, log in to your Confident Mom Circle account at RaisingConfidentMothers.com.

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Developing the ability to want what you already have is one of the most powerful gifts you can give yourself. When you consciously view your life from a state of gratitude you will continue to attract all that you desire.

Editor's Note Raising Confident Mothers is for women like you — women who want to find balance in motherhood, protect their mental health, and live fulfilling lives while raising strong families. Each month, you’ll find inspiring stories from everyday moms doing extraordinary things. We’ll also dive into life-changing principles that help you self-reflect, gain direction, and achieve your highest potential. In this season of gratitude and thanksgiving, we will focus our work on wanting what we already have. Shifting to a deliberate thought process that creates

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a sense of gratitude may not be easy in this chapter of your life. You may be experiencing circumstances that you never imagined you would face. But I promise you, that when you work to see the blessings within the challenging circumstances, your burdens will be lifted, you will feel love and you will find hope.

Hope for the future that you want and hope for the future that you will create. I know this because I have done it and I have walked beside other women and mothers as they create the life they want.

Will you join us?

Lacey Jones

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contents 5 SECRET INGREDIENTS FOR A SWEETER LIFE

ABUNDANCE & GRATITUDE FOR A FULFILLING LIFE

01 EDITOR'S NOTE: THE POWER OF GRATITUDE

When you want what you already have, you gain more of what you want in life.

05 ABUNDANCE VS. SCARCITY

Use the CTFAR Model to see the impact of an abundant mindset.

06 LIVE ABUNDANTLY TODAY You don’t have to postpone your happiness until your next milestone.

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LIZZIE JOHNSON, 2X WINNER OF ‘BEST IN BOSTON’ WEDDING CAKES

18 JUMPSTART YOUR PROGRESS

INFUSE YOUR GOALS WITH GRATITUDE 26 HOW TO OVERCOME ENVY WITH GRATITUDE

Use this simple exercise to go from feeling envious to appreciative.

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FOSTERING HOPE WITH CATHERINE RYUN (PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS)

FINDING HER GLOW: THAIS FERNANDES, CREATOR OF RIO FOREST SKINCARE

Catherine shares takeaways about the blessings and challenges of caring for newborns as a foster mom.

Thais went from surviving to THRIVING in motherhood through an transformative entrepreneurial journey.

28 PURE GENEROSITY Giving with a spirit of scarcity is very different from giving with a spirit of abundance.

29 WHEN TO JOIN US LIVE Get the details on this month’s live, group coaching session. All members of the Confident Mom Circle are invited!

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Abundant Mindset

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Abundance vs. Scarcity Mindset An abundant mindset means trusting that there are plenty of resources available to you.

Plenty of time, plenty of help, plenty of opportunities. Abundance is linked to feelings of gratitude, contentment, generosity, and ambition.

On the other hand, a scarcity mindset is the belief that there is not enough to go around.

Scarcity brings up feelings of fear, comparison, pride, and apathy.

Let’s use the CTFAR Model (Circumstance - Thought - Feeling - Action - Result) to compare how abundant thoughts shape our emotions, actions, and results. We’ll use a real-world example from Lizzie, a successful cake baker in Boston. (You’ll read about her inspiring story later in this magazine.)

Example A: Abundance Mindset

→ (Circumstance): I am a cake baker in Boston. → (Thought): “There is plenty of work to go around.” → (Feeling): Confidence and Abundance → (Action): I focus on my gifts and support fellow bakers in the area. → (Result): I attract plenty of work for myself and my network of baker friends.

Example B: Scarcity Mindset

→ (Circumstance): I am a cake baker in Boston. → (Thought): “The market is too saturated, there are not enough customers.” → (Feeling): Fear and Scarcity → (Action): I spend time comparing and very little time working. → (Result): My business doesn’t grow; I’m not able to compete with other businesses.

You probably noticed that thoughts based on scarcity drive negative feelings, which lead to unhelpful actions and results. On the other hand, thoughts that stem from abundance fill you with positive emotions and drive positive actions and results. Try it out on the following pages!

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ABUNDANCE VS SCARCITY SELF COACHING WORKSHEET

What scarcity-related thoughts do you have? (They could be related to topics like money, time, opportunities, talents, and more.)

How do these thoughts make you feel?

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ABUNDANCE VS SCARCITY SELF COACHING WORKSHEET

How can you reverse these thoughts with an abundant point of view?

How do these new thoughts make you feel?

Have a challenging issue in your life, and you’d love to practice an abundant mindset?

Book a free, 25-minute coaching call with Lacey at https://www.laceyjonescoaching.com/schedule.

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"Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into."

- Dr. Wayne Dyer, educator & writer

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Elevate the

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Podcast Spotlight In this inspiring episode, Catharine Ryun, daughter of Olympic runner and politician Jim Ryun, opens up about her diverse career and journey in foster parenting.

Catharine’s story is a testament to faith, resilience, and making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children.

4 Moments You Don’t Want to Miss: 1. A Life of Surprises: Catharine's journey spans politics, corporate America, and her current role as a foster mom. Her life story is a remarkable reminder that we can trust in God's plan, even when it leads us down unexpected paths.

2. The Power of Faith: Catharine emphasizes the importance of allowing the Lord to work in your life, regardless of your relationship status. Her faith-led approach has brought her fulfillment and purpose as a single woman.

3. Fostering Change: Learn about the emotional challenges and rewards of being a foster parent. Catharine's story of bonding with a child and then letting go is a testament to the strength and love required for foster parenting.

4. God's Love for Vulnerable Ones: Catharine is passionate about the impact we can make on the lives of foster children. She encourages us to recognize our role in pouring God's love into these little ones, creating a lasting difference in their lives.

Catharine's journey is a strong example of how faith, resilience, and love can transform lives. Tune in to the full episode to hear all the inspirational life lessons she shares. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or LaceyJonesCoaching.com.

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Live AbundantlyT o d a y All too often, we have this idea that we need to achieve more before we can be happy or content with life.

We tell ourselves, “If I can just lose the weight, make more money, get the house put together...

THEN I’ll have made it. THEN I’ll be happy.”

We feel this need to overwork to feel good about ourselves.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need to get richer, smarter, skinnier, or be a better parent to deserve a happy and abundant life. You can give yourself permission to live that way right now.

And this doesn’t mean you’re “settling" or letting yourself down.

In fact, the opposite is true. When you’re able to appreciate where you are now, you have even more freedom to decide what you’ll do next.

When you believe this, you’re more prepared to chase after your goals with an abundant mindset and experience joy along the way.

References: Jamie Varon, Radically Content: Being Satisfied in an Endlessly Dissatisfied World (2022).

Brooke Castillo, The Life Coach School certification program

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LIVE ABUNDANTLY T o d a y SELF COACHING WORKSHEET

Complete this sentence: “I’ll be happy when…”_______________________ What comes to mind? Are you giving away your present happiness to your own requirements or some future version of yourself?

What can you do to allow yourself to be happy now? How will that impact the way you think? How would you feel and act?

One-on-one coaching can help you find peace and get clear on your goals.

Reserve your free session with Lacey, a certified life coach, at https://www.laceyjonescoaching.com/schedule.

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5 Secret Ingredients

for a Sweeter Life from Lizzie Lin Johnson, creator of Lizzie’s Bakery

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lizziesbakery.com @lizzies_bakery

Meet Lizzie, mother of two award-wining baker. She has competed on Food Network and has nearly 40K followers on Instagram where she shares expert tips for fellow bakers.

But Lizzie never imagined her life would look the way it does today.

Growing up in a Chinese household, Lizzie rarely had sweets at home. In college, Lizzie started baking cookies and brownies with her roommates.

Lizzie graduated from a competitive marketing program with dreams of working in a large office in a big city. “I never thought I was creative,” she says. “But I did like to bake.” After graduating, Lizzie started experimenting with cakes. She sold her first cake to a friend for $20, and that’s when Lizzie's Bakery was born.

Now, as a mother of two, Lizzie is out to prove that you CAN be a mom AND have a successful business.

Here are five of her top ingredients to make it happen.

Ingredient #1:

AN ABUNDANT MINDSET Lizzie reminds entrepreneurs about the importance of an abundance mindset, and “not being afraid to start something because you think it’s too saturated out there." She says, “There’s always something for you.”

Even with dozens of incredible bakers in Boston, Lizzie isn’t intimidated by the competition or their prices. “Hey, there’s a lot of cake to go around,” she says.

This abundant mindset has done amazing things for Lizzie, a two-time winner of “Best Wedding Cakes” by Boston Magazine.

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Ingredient #2:

FRIENDLY COMPETITION Another bite of advice from Lizzie: “Be obsessed with your competitors.”

But not in the scarcity-driven, competitive way — in the form of creating genuine friendships.

“They're all in the same boat as you, and you're just going to be helping each other out instead of beating yourself up or comparing yourself,” she explains.

Lizzie’s baker friends have been a saving grace, especially during the pandemic. “If anyone got sick, everyone was there for each other.” An abundant mindset has not only helped her build a successful business — she’s also created meaningful relationships along the way.

Ingredient #3:

ALWAYS LISTEN Listening to people is a key to Lizzie’s recipe for success. “I’m always talking to my Uber drivers,” she says, “because you never know who you’re going to run into. And I think that's how I've gotten so far in life — the relationships I've built and the networking and communities.”

Lizzie keeps in contact with many different people, which gives her access to personal support systems. Even with so much on her plate, Lizzie generously gives time and attention to others, a true sign of an abundant mindset. Lizzie reminds us there’s always someone who can help you (as well as someone you can help). lizziesbakery.com @lizzies_bakery

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Ingredient #4:

PROTECTING MENTAL HEALTH Lizzie shared a very personal experience about mental health. After giving birth to one of her sons, Lizzie noticed that she kept feeling irrationally angry and upset.

After researching, she determined she was experiencing something called “postpartum rage.” For her, some simple steps greatly improved her mental health. These included eating nutritious foods, getting more sleep, and doing quality exercise (which is not the same as standing for work, she points out).

Lizzie encourages other moms not to wait until everything else is done before taking a moment to relax. Everyone has different ways to relax, and you should do whatever helps you.

Ingredient #5:

BALANCING BUSINESS & MOTHERHOOD Like many moms, Lizzie is constantly working to balance family life with her creative pursuits. She’s learned to prioritize daily tasks and not be too hard on herself about getting everything done.

Lizzie chooses to focus on her kids when they’re home (even if other work isn’t finished). She also prays for specific guidance to avoid spreading herself too thin, so she can be the kind of mom she wants to be.

“You don't have to do all the things,” Lizzie says. “But if you want to do all the things, you can do it. Don't beat yourself up if you aren't perfect — we're all just trying to do our best.”

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"Gratitude works its magic by serving as an antidote to negative emotions. It’s like white blood cells for the soul, protecting us from cynicism, entitlement, anger, and resignation."

– Arianna Huffington, businesswoman and author

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Question of the Day Series: Your Daily Dose of Clear Thinking You can create a happier, more fulfilling life for yourself by simply changing the way you think. In this all-new podcast series, you get a tidbit of coaching guidance in less than 10 minutes.

Lacey offers new ways of thinking and helps you avoid common mind pitfalls. For example, how to recognize the emotional burdens you are carrying and release ones that don’t serve you. She also talks about personal faith journeys and poses questions to help you think intentionally about your spiritual goals.

Get unstuck this week with a daily dose of inspiration. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or RaisingConfidentMothers.com.

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New episode available each week on the website and all podcast apps.

Elevate the

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Infuse Your Goals With Gratitude Are your goals motivated by lack or abundance?

Life coach extraordinaire Brooke Castillo said, “Ambition fueled by abundance is what moves us forward as a species. It’s the trait that finds cures for disease, answers to poverty, technological advances, and solutions to our most pressing problems.”

But even when we have abundant goals, we still have to overcome human “mind drama.”

You know, all the exaggerated fears and “what ifs” that pop into your head once you’re set on a goal.

Mind drama gets in the way of accessing true abundance.

One way to beat mind drama is by tapping back into gratitude. You can do this by visualizing your future after having accomplished your goal. Allow yourself to feel grateful for your future self and the results you’ve created.

Let’s try it out together on the following pages.

Psst: Remember to bring your questions and ideas to this month’s group coaching session! For the Zoom link, log into your Confident Mom Circle account at RaisingConfidentMothers.com.

Wed, Nov 29@ 7pm PT & Thurs, Nov 30 @ 10 am PT

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INFUSE YOUR GOALS WITH GRATITUDE SELF COACHING WORKSHEET

1) Think about a goal you truly desire. Now, clearly visualize yourself in the future having obtained that goal. Allow yourself to feel gratitude ahead of time for what you’ve accomplished. Write down what this looks and feels like to you:

2) What (if anything) comes up that gets in the way of feeling grateful ahead of time? Write these thoughts down:

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INFUSE YOUR GOALS WITH GRATITUDE 3) Next, reframe those thoughts from an abundant mindset. Write down the new thoughts:

3) Finally, get back to gratitude. What can you do to continue to feel grateful ahead of time as you work toward your future goals? Jot down these steps.

Let’s work together toward your brighter future.

One-on-one coaching is another great way to tap into the power of your own thoughts.

Schedule a free, 25-minute call with Lacey at https://www.laceyjonescoaching.com/schedule

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From Surviving to Thriving in Motherhood Thais’ Journey to Find Her ‘Glow’ RioForest.com @rioforestt

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Do you want to live a more fulfilled life while nurturing your creative spark?

Meet Thais, a Brazilian mother of five with an inspiring journey. She is the creative force behind Rio Forest, a plant-based skincare line inspired by the natural beauty of Brazil. Many of the ingredients, such as fresh lavender and geranium, come from her company’s own farm near Rio de Janeiro.

But Thais' story reaches far beyond skincare; it goes deep into her quest for personal fulfillment and creative expression.

Before creating her business, Thais was barely passing her university psychology classes. She was constantly telling herself that she was a failure — at home and in just about anything she did.

However, Thais’ life quickly changed when she reconnected with a friend who was training to be a life coach. Her friend helped her identify her special strengths and talents, like problem-solving and creativity.

“I knew right then and there that I needed to become an entrepreneur and do something that would put me back into the place where I was using my biggest skills,” she says. That’s when she started focusing on her strengths rather than her weaknesses and stopped comparing herself to others.

Thais decided to change her life around through a bold business venture: bringing plant-based products that she loved from Brazil to the United States.

After years of hard work, her dream is becoming a reality.

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RioForest.com @rioforestt

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Embracing Gratitude & Support Along the Way

Thais’ entrepreneurship journey has been gratifying, yet challenging. As a woman of faith, she has needed to seek out spiritual guidance along the way.

“It’s not easy,” she says. “You really have to get down on your knees. You really have to ask for direction.”

Thankfully, Thais has been supported by talented colleagues and supportive friends and family along the way. Even Thais’ five-year-old son has been an answer to her prayers.

On a particularly hectic week, Thais’ son noticed her praying silently at the table.

In his sweet voice, he started praying aloud, thanking God for individual family members and the things he loved. "Gratitude is so powerful,” Thais shares. “It changed my entire mood.”

23 Photo: The scenic farm in Brazil where many Rio Forest natural ingredients are harvested. RioForest.com

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Creating her new skincare company has been a much-needed creative outlet for Thais.

"So many of the day-to-day tasks of motherhood are tedious and monotonous,” she says. “So it's important to have a creative outlet for your own mental health."

Thais’ mind craves the opportunity to solve problems (beyond what’s for dinner or when to get the laundry done, she says). An international business has presented many opportunities to problem solve, plus she enjoys the creative elements of media and marketing.

Through it all, Thais remembers that nothing is more important than her family.

She recognizes that modeling a meaningful life is the most powerful parenting tool she can offer her children.

“Right now for me, [parenting] right is becoming my best self, paying the price to become the disciple I want to be, overcoming my fears of failure, overcoming my personal challenges, finding my voice, and not comparing myself to others...”

By honoring her talents, Thais has strengthened her sense of self-worth and identity. She plans to pay it forward by inspiring more women to embrace their natural ‘glow’ — inside and out.

“You don’t have to be like anyone else,” tells us. “There’s a reason you’re you.”

Listen to the full podcast interview with Lacey & Thais on the Elevate the Individual.

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RioForest.com @rioforestt

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“As with all commandments, gratitude is a description of a successful mode of living.

The thankful heart opens our eyes to a multitude of blessings that continually surround us.”

- James E. Faust

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How to Overcome Envy With Gratitude We’ve all felt envy at some point or another. Envy gives us a ‘scarcity’ view of the world.

Envy says that more for them means less for you. But this way of thinking harms us and stunts our personal growth.

Maybe you’re feeling jealous of: Your friend who’s constantly posting about her romantic getaways with her handsome husband The family whose kids never seem to make mistakes Your sister who can eat anything she wants and still fit perfectly in her high-waisted jeans But there is good news — we can combat envy with gratitude.

Envy can also help us uncover our own subconscious desires and goals.

Let’s experiment with the self-coaching worksheet on the next page.

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OVERCOMING ENVY WITH GRATITUDE SELF COACHING WORKSHEET

Think about someone you feel jealous or envious of at times. Write down five things you appreciate about that person or their accomplishment(s).

Sometimes jealousy makes us aware of our own subconscious desires.

What does this other person teach you about what’s possible for you?

WANT HELP WITH THIS? Schedule a 1:1 coaching session at laceyjonescoaching.com to work through your thoughts.

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Pure Generosity Even the act of giving (such as giving service, time, or a gift) can come from a spirit of scarcity or abundance.

We sometimes give with a spirit of scarcity when we expect something in return. Or maybe we expect the other person to act a certain way toward us because of it.

On the other hand, pure generosity means giving to someone without obligations or expectations. Pure generosity fosters a spirit of abundance.

Next time you go to do something generous, consider reflecting on your own mindset with these questions: Would I be okay if I didn’t get any credit for giving this?

Do I feel that the other person owes me for giving this?

Do I believe that there is enough available to me that I can offer this without always seeking something in return?

When we think more abundantly, it’s easier to develop pure generosity and a higher level of humanity.

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FIND YOUR SPARK. DEVELOP YOUR TALENT. SHARE YOUR LIGHT. You have many talents that can make a difference in your life and the lives of people around you. You may be feeling the urge to create or try something new.

Maybe you’d like to start an online business, create a work of art, use new technology at work, or simply make your home a more organized and beautiful place.

As exciting as that all sounds, it can also be scary. But there’s good news — you don’t have to tackle the creative process alone.

In the Confident Mom Circle, we walk through doubts, fears, and frustrations that often come up in the worthwhile process of creation. Together, we’ll help you set goals and make them happen.

Through this process, you’ll become a more confident woman.

And as a more confident woman, you’ll show up better for yourself, your family, and your community.

Join our live group coaching call this month.

It’s FREE with your magazine subscription!

November 29th at 7pm PT or November 30th at 10am PT Find the Zoom link inside your account at RaisingConfidentMothers.com.

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“Your ability to see beauty and possibility is proportionate to the level at which you embrace gratitude.”

- Dr. Steve Maraboli, author and behavioral science acadamic 30

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The

Confident Mom Circle CLARITY. COACHING . COMMUNITY

Mom, it’s time for you to live the kind of life you want.

You can thrive (not simply survive) in motherhood.

The Confident Mom Circle includes live group coaching calls to help you refine your perspective and gain momentum toward your goals.

During our monthly online meetings, you’ll connect with other extraordinary women. We support each other as we work to become the best versions of ourselves.

JOIN US THIS MONTH! Wednesday, November 29th at 7 pm PT Thursday, November 30th at 10 am PT

Live group discussions via Zoom.

Log in for the link at RaisingConfidentMothers.com.

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The curves and overlapping letters speak to creativity and approachability.

The double lines represent the journey we're on together as mothers and in our coaching relationship.

Arch shapes throughout my branding reflect the welcoming environment and support I give my clients throughout the ups and downs of motherhood.

Find more inspiration and support at RaisingConfidentMothers.com

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