The new year has snuck up on us, and for the first time in my adult life, I decided that I was not going to make any resolutions. Let’s face it – I’m not going to lose 25 pounds, I’m not going to stop wearing high heels daily, and I’m not going to keep my desk neat and tidy. It just won’t happen, so why kid myself?
Instead, I decided to have a new mindset inspired by a quote I found New Year’s Eve as I was getting ready to meet some friends. “We will open the book, its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” Somehow, these words by Edith Lovejoy Pierce inspired me to think of the coming year as a personal adventure – pages to be filled with meaning, fun, and inspiration – whatever I choose to put in my book of life, and that’s what I’ve done. I have not resolved to do anything. I have decided to tackle life as an adventure, to create my own chapters, and to live boldly – loving, laughing and living – along the way.
In the first month of 2010, I must say, I have had quite a few adventures. I’ve ridden in a leopard print limousine (seriously, I have pictures), I have visited Luckenbach, Texas, I have met some wonderful people and made new friends, I saw my favorite performer in concert (Patti LaBelle), and I have spent Friday afternoons with my children. Now, you might think that Fridays with the kids aren’t an adventure, but let me assure you, with multiple friends along aged 10 to 14, they are adventurous indeed.
I have begun this year filling the pages of my book called Opportunity, and frankly, it’s been fabulous. As I began working on this magazine, it struck me that the women we feature have also filled their pages quite well.
Dr. Shel’s book is filled with balance, commitment and dreams, with some challenges along the way. Her pages are filled with her philosophy of caring for the mind, body and spirit of her patients, her family, and her community.
Minerva Pérez’s book is filled with the accomplishments of a trailblazer – the first Latina woman television anchor – and the new chapter of her life as she embarks on a new adventure. She’s realized her dream of having a television talk show focusing on Latina women and their issues. Her pages are filled with opportunity and determination.
Not just another pretty face, The Duchess of York’s book is filled with a lifetime of service and commitment to being an advocate for children in need throughout the world. Sarah Ferguson’s pages are filled with the spirit of a woman affecting change for the greater good.
Nina Patel’s book is filled with reinvention – the reinvention of herself as the CEO of her home, her family, and the music industry. The Mantra Mom’s pages are filled with unbridled enthusiasm to try something new, and the success of going from the board room to the recording studio.
What is your book filled with? Maybe it’s trying something new or making some new friends? Focus on Women would love to be in your book of life, to share in your joy and accomplishments. Let us know how you’re filling up your pages, and join us for our Stepping Out with Focus on Women events listed on page 27 designed to inspire, educate, and empower. We’d love to share an adventure with you, and fill up our pages – together.
Stay focused!
Patti Parish-Kaminski
editor@FOWmag.com
