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August 2001, Issue 1

Hello,

This is a letter to my friends. This is a letter to inspire you and to help you with ideas on living your best life. I do not plan to give advice based on my little slice of human experience. Rather, my vision is that this letter will evolve to be interactive…a means to share the ideas and voices of many women. I believe that although many of us are on different life paths, we are all traveling in the same direction…and we can learn from each other.

Many of you may be moms, others just married, and others may be gloriously single. Whatever your status, you probably don’t spend enough time taking care of YOU. By nature and social conditioning, women are quick to take care of others first and self last. Bad. Bad. Bad. It has taken me almost three years to learn to balance a career, family, and social obligations. Now, that I have that juggling act somewhat figured out, my inner self is screaming at me to again re-focus my time on things that truly matter to me.

One thing that really matters to me is my writing. And you will help me to that end. By committing to this letter, I am forcing myself to write on a semi-regular basis. Other things that are important to me are:

• Trying new outdoor sports
• Exercising on a regular basis…(and I do mean a REGULAR basis!)
• Giving back to the community
• Living life in full color

What are your goals? Write them down. I strongly believe that women need to listen more to the calling of their hearts…or to discovering what that call might be!

Women have a history of oppression. Many of our grandmothers and even our moms did not (OR STILL DO NOT) spend enough time following their hearts and living their dreams. We are in a time when women are just breaking free of the repressive, confining norms and expectations of society. We are told we can live our dreams, but how many of us really do? My goal is not only to live my best life, but to empower my daughter by example. This means I must refuse to carry the baggage left by previous generations and I must continually re-focus and re-evaluate my own goals. I believe that the more we hear the voices of other women, the stronger we become. For the most part, we are breaking ground here GIRLS, and we need each other.

So, I will commit to send this letter out four times a year. I hope every letter to be different…with many voices and varied ideas are based on your feedback. Please send me your comments, inspirations, frustrations, and stories of joy! (There is way too much good in the world to not share a bit more of it!) I can’t wait to hear from you!

Love,

Celeste

For the GIRLS…

The focus of this newsletter
Is just us GIRLS.
To encourage and inspire
To help you be
Your very best self
And to light your creative fire.

G—because you are Glorious
And have so much to give
And sharing your life with others
Is the only way to live!

I—is for Independent
As we learn to live together
In the growing human family
Working to make it better.

R—is for Radiant
Which you are.
You can’t help but let
Your light shine far.

L—you are Luscious
Unique in every way
Know that every lusciousness
Will help you through each day.

S—is for our sisterhood
And may we always understand
The feminine and special ways
We are different from a man.

So G.I.R.L.S, it’s my desire
That this letter communicate
Ways you can improve your lives
And to know that you are great!

Quick Quotes:

“What we visualize we can be! See yourself as where and who, you want to be!”
--SARK
From her book: Living Juicy

“All that is required for the triumph of evil is that good men (women) do nothing.”
--Edmund Burke

“Happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk life, to be needed.”
--Storm Jameson

“Happiness consists in activity – it is a running stream, not a stagnant pool.”
---John Mason Good

Make a life list!

One of the things I have started to put together is a “TO DO” list for my life.
This encompasses many things I hope to do in my lifetime and is a constant reminder
to get off the couch! Here are a few of the items on my list…

1. Drive the Pacific Coast Highway in a convertible with my best girlfriends.
2. See Paris.
3. Run a marathon in less than 4 ½ hours.
4. Bike across the Golden Gate Bridge.
5. Change someone’s life through good works/charity.
6. Publish a book.
7. Learn to play the piano.
8. Go on an African safari.
9. Learn to play Tennis.
10. Win a cooking contest.
11. Go to the Kentucky Derby.
12. Canoe a river with my husband.
13. Hike the Colorado Trail.

Start your own list! It may take a while, but it is fun and will help you focus on what is important to you!

Great Books…
(Make the time to read!)

1.) “Succulent Wild Woman” by SARK
2.) “FLUX: Women on sex, work, love, kids, and life in a half-changed word” by Peggy Orenstein
3.) “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy” by Sarah Ban Breathnach
4.) “Women of Courage” by Katherine Martin
5.) “The Girlfriends Guide to Getting Your Groove Back: Loving your Family Without Losing Your Mind” by Vicki Iovine

August/September To Do List…

1. Get a massage. (Have a whole spa day if you can!)
2. Take a moonlit walk with a friend.
3. Nap on a Sunday. (Without guilt!)
4. Clean out your closet and make-up bag.
5. Call a long lost friend.
6. Buy new, sexy underwear. Do it for yourself.
7. Put fresh flowers in your house. (They are good for your soul.)
8. Try a yoga class (if you haven’t yet!)
9. Write a letter to a favorite Aunt, Grandparent, or relative.
10. Take time for yourself everyday!

For the next letter… Share your voice!
Tell me what is on your life list? What are you doing for yourself now? Who inspires you and why? Tell us of your successes, your frustrations, your life lessons…
Tell us…what are your Fall and Winter traditions? What is the one thing you will splurge on this year? (For yourself, of course!)
Based on the feedback and information I get, I will try to incorporate as many women’s voices as possible. I know your time is short, so tell me about what is most important to you. (You do not have to respond, but I welcome everyone’s voice.) I will try to keep the GIRLS letter concise, as we are all short on time…but I will share as much as I can!
If you know someone who would really, really enjoy this letter, pass on this copy to them…or send me their address and I will include them on my mailing list! Thanks!