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The Donkey Principle: The Secret to Long-Haul Living in a Racehorse World
You have what it takes to live well. It’s all about embracing your inner donkey!
Some of us feel like donkeys in a world that celebrates racehorses―the shiny and flashy success stories that make us question our own worth and abilities. But life isn't about competing for gold medals. It’s about understanding your unique strengths and using them to mine all the gold that’s already within you.
A delightful blend of short reflections and original illustrations, Rachel Anne Ridge’s The Donkey Principle has a central, timely Embracing your inner donkey is the key to overcoming obstacles, creating lasting change, and achieving meaningful success.
Each chapter of The Donkey Principle
If you’re looking for an inspiring read, this charming book is for you! Let Rachel provide the motivation you need to keep going through difficult situations, especially if you need a “gentle kick” in the right direction to find the path and work that suits you best.
Some of us feel like donkeys in a world that celebrates racehorses―the shiny and flashy success stories that make us question our own worth and abilities. But life isn't about competing for gold medals. It’s about understanding your unique strengths and using them to mine all the gold that’s already within you.
A delightful blend of short reflections and original illustrations, Rachel Anne Ridge’s The Donkey Principle has a central, timely Embracing your inner donkey is the key to overcoming obstacles, creating lasting change, and achieving meaningful success.
Each chapter of The Donkey Principle
If you’re looking for an inspiring read, this charming book is for you! Let Rachel provide the motivation you need to keep going through difficult situations, especially if you need a “gentle kick” in the right direction to find the path and work that suits you best.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published April 4, 2023
24 people are currently reading
581 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 18, 2022
“Some of us feel like donkeys in a world that celebrates racehorses - the shiny and flashy success stories that make us question our own worth and abilities. But life isn't about competing for gold medals. It’s about understanding your unique strengths and using them to mine the gold that’s already within you.”
Oh. My. Goodness. I needed this book.
There’s nothing like social media to make one feel inadequate, is there?! Come on, be honest with yourself. You check the stats, the comments, the likes, other people’s beautifully created photos/reels. I know you do. STOP. COMPARING. It’s the thief of joy.
The paragraph below stopped me in my tracks and the tears started flowing. I re-read it over. Again. And. Again.
“Good leaves room for falling down, for the unexpected, for grace. It understands that some of life’s most priceless gifts are wrapped in ordinary packages. It gives permission for being kind to yourself and others. Don’t let your desire to be the best rob you of the goodness that’s all around you or take away your ability to do good in the moment. Stop trying to live your best life. Live your ‘goodest’ life instead.”
RIGHT?!
Rachel, I loved your GOLD framework, the ‘Dig Deeper’ workbook questions at the end of each section, and the lovingly placed hugs between the pages of your spectacular book. I especially loved the chapter titled “Joyful.”
Future readers, as you turn over the last page, you’ll have a big smile and your heart will be warmed knowing that what this world needs
🐴 Fewer racehorses and more donkeys.
🐴 Less spectacle and more substance.
🐴 Service over show.
🐴 Impact, not just entertainment.
I’m thankful for the reminder that I was designed to live well for the long haul.
You need this book. Source it now. In the meantime, check out the donkeys’ social media page ‘flashandhenry.’
I was gifted this impactful book by Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Oh. My. Goodness. I needed this book.
There’s nothing like social media to make one feel inadequate, is there?! Come on, be honest with yourself. You check the stats, the comments, the likes, other people’s beautifully created photos/reels. I know you do. STOP. COMPARING. It’s the thief of joy.
The paragraph below stopped me in my tracks and the tears started flowing. I re-read it over. Again. And. Again.
“Good leaves room for falling down, for the unexpected, for grace. It understands that some of life’s most priceless gifts are wrapped in ordinary packages. It gives permission for being kind to yourself and others. Don’t let your desire to be the best rob you of the goodness that’s all around you or take away your ability to do good in the moment. Stop trying to live your best life. Live your ‘goodest’ life instead.”
RIGHT?!
Rachel, I loved your GOLD framework, the ‘Dig Deeper’ workbook questions at the end of each section, and the lovingly placed hugs between the pages of your spectacular book. I especially loved the chapter titled “Joyful.”
Future readers, as you turn over the last page, you’ll have a big smile and your heart will be warmed knowing that what this world needs
🐴 Fewer racehorses and more donkeys.
🐴 Less spectacle and more substance.
🐴 Service over show.
🐴 Impact, not just entertainment.
I’m thankful for the reminder that I was designed to live well for the long haul.
You need this book. Source it now. In the meantime, check out the donkeys’ social media page ‘flashandhenry.’
I was gifted this impactful book by Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
May 3, 2023
I received a complimentary copy and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
This is my first Rachel Anne Ridge and I was quite excited to read about donkeys. At the end of the book I felt like I knew Flash, I knew Rachel and I had traits of Flash. Rachel wrote a beautiful book that encourages and drives one to be a better version of themselves . It encourages one to get out of their comfort zone to be who God intended to be. We all need to read this book!
This is my first Rachel Anne Ridge and I was quite excited to read about donkeys. At the end of the book I felt like I knew Flash, I knew Rachel and I had traits of Flash. Rachel wrote a beautiful book that encourages and drives one to be a better version of themselves . It encourages one to get out of their comfort zone to be who God intended to be. We all need to read this book!
April 6, 2023
Thank you Rachel Anne Ridge. This little book is just full of wisdom and life lessons! We could all stand to take a lesson from a donkey. One of my favorite lines is that in changing our lives to reflect humility, we are creating a path that is worthy for others to follow (paraphrase from pg 98). I am giving this book to fellow racehorses in the hopes that we can embrace our inner donkey and maybe learn to much some daisies with Flash, Henry and Tova along the way.
August 11, 2023
DNF
2.5/5
Read halfway through. I was taken by the interesting premise, but this was different than what I expected. I am not big on self-help books but was curious to see how the author interleaves the tales of her pet donkeys with life advice. The connection was pretty loose in my opinion and I lost interest.
2.5/5
Read halfway through. I was taken by the interesting premise, but this was different than what I expected. I am not big on self-help books but was curious to see how the author interleaves the tales of her pet donkeys with life advice. The connection was pretty loose in my opinion and I lost interest.
July 30, 2025
I have read this book twice in my life, and at different points in my life. It can apply to all aspects of your life, and has some great tips to help the reader refocus on what is really important.
February 26, 2024
Cute book. It’s sort of life advice, tips on servant leadership, using your strengths, etc. Not really my typical genre of reading, but it’s short & uses fun examples & stories.
April 4, 2023
What a beautiful golden book!
This new work of words and art from Rachel Anne Ridge brings you a wonderful gift of GOLD.
She helps us GIVE ourselves permission, OWN our stories, LEAN into our unique strengths, and DELIVER our work.
Rachel walks beside us in the pages as our life coach. She brings lessons from her three donkeys, Flash, Henry, and Tova to encourage us to embrace our "inner donkey," find our own path, and savor slow and steady work.
The Donkey Principle contains eleven impactful and insightful chapters each titled with actions beginning with the letter A. For example: Chapter 1 is Ask, Chapter 2 is Aspire, Chapter 3 is Ascribe Honor and so on.
Each chapter has a couple of Dig Deeper sections with questions and space for journaling and contemplating your journey.
This book is a friend.
Buy it for yourself, gift it to a best friend, order several for graduation gifts!
This new work of words and art from Rachel Anne Ridge brings you a wonderful gift of GOLD.
She helps us GIVE ourselves permission, OWN our stories, LEAN into our unique strengths, and DELIVER our work.
Rachel walks beside us in the pages as our life coach. She brings lessons from her three donkeys, Flash, Henry, and Tova to encourage us to embrace our "inner donkey," find our own path, and savor slow and steady work.
The Donkey Principle contains eleven impactful and insightful chapters each titled with actions beginning with the letter A. For example: Chapter 1 is Ask, Chapter 2 is Aspire, Chapter 3 is Ascribe Honor and so on.
Each chapter has a couple of Dig Deeper sections with questions and space for journaling and contemplating your journey.
This book is a friend.
Buy it for yourself, gift it to a best friend, order several for graduation gifts!
May 1, 2023
This is a beautifully written book and such an encouragement! I love the way there are questions that prompt you to consider your own situation throughout. It’s challenged me to step out into the things God is calling me to in this season and has provided practical ways to move in the right direction. It’s also an adorable book! I love the illustrations and also the way the stories illustrate how we can be true to who God has made us.
May 4, 2023
Are you stuck in a rut? Afraid to step out and pursue a dream or creative endeavor? You should read this precious book. Full of love taps and donkey kicks to help get you out of a fearful rut and moving towards serving the world by sharing your unique gifts. Lots of sweet stories and challenging questions…why not get after that dream?? Why not you?? Rachel beautiful lays out her gifts as a writer and a life coach…and an artist. Read the book and find your inner donkey.
March 25, 2023
It was Flash and Henry who strengthened my love for donkeys. When I saw some months ago that Rachel Ann Ridge had written another book, I was so excited to get a copy, I pre-ordered it and anxiously awaited its arrival. It finally came. It is even better than I had hoped! I look forward to reading it again--SOON!
April 5, 2023
Love Rachel Ridge's books. This one is no exception. Here Ridge takes us on a journey showing us through stories and examples what she has learned from her Rescue Donkeys, Flash and Henry. She questions the paradigm of living our best life and instead leads us to lead our "goodest" life. By living our goodest life, we can be in it for the long haul!
Embrace your inner donkey!
Embrace your inner donkey!
April 6, 2023
This is a GREAT Book.
Its not listed as a self help book, but it helped me make a big decision.
Rachel is a wonderful writer and does a nice job of helping you think things by adding spaces to answer the questions she asks you to think about.
Its not listed as a self help book, but it helped me make a big decision.
Rachel is a wonderful writer and does a nice job of helping you think things by adding spaces to answer the questions she asks you to think about.
Read
March 21, 2023Rachel has a refreshingly beautiful way of saying what a lot of people may know deep down but don’t know how to make it happen in their life.
April 9, 2023
Super cute breath of fresh air, away from the every day hussle. Makes you really stop to think what you are considering your best life!
December 4, 2023
Cute little self help book about talking about positive traits of donkeys and how to self improve. Definitely would read more from this author
June 23, 2024
Solid little book with questions to answer.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews