Introduction
When
women come together in one place to share
their experiences, their dreams and wisdom,
a very special resonance—a powerful
energy—is created.
—Marion Woodman, psychologist
What
if you could assemble hundreds of wise
and accomplished women and girls who've
lived in the past two centuries, and just
listen to them share their pearls of wisdom?
You would probably come away awed by their
ideas, amazed by the similarities of some
of their observations, and eager to try
out their strategies yourself. Well, here's
your chance.
This
book is filled with positive advice and
perceptive observations from more than
four hundred exceptional women and girls.
Every included quote was selected for its
ability to inspire you. Some of these "pearls" are
witty and entertaining, some are brilliant,
and some are just plain helpful. Many are
suggestions that women wish they'd been
given when they were girls. These powerful
quotes can change the way you see yourself
and perceive the world.
The
people quoted in this book are young and
old, from the past and the present. They're
scientists, musicians, business executives,
activists, writers, athletes, actors, doctors,
Internet pioneers, artists, moms, world
leaders, daughters, and more. What they
have to share can help you:
Understand
yourself
Accept your body
Feel confident
Handle bad moods
Overcome challenges
Get motivated
Break out of ruts
Build good relationships
Achieve great feats
Have fun!
Of
course, as a woman named Yula Moses once
observed, "Wisdom is harder to DO than
it is to know."
It's easy to get all fired up, but putting
ideas into practice takes effort.
However,
knowing WHAT you can do, and being reminded
that YOU CAN DO IT, is the fuel you need
to get the fire started and keep it burning.
If
you read this book from beginning to end,
you'll see that it has a natural progression,
but you can skip around, too. If you're
looking for perspective on a certain issue,
pick the chapter that most closely seems
to match. Close your eyes and open the
book to a random page when you want a little
mood boost. Or read a few quotes every
day. Soon, the most meaningful ideas for
you will become familiar and lodge themselves
in your brain, where you can recall them
anytime.
Having "inherited" this
valuable wisdom, you'll be better prepared
to make any decisions, get through any
situations, and live your life with conviction,
enthusiasm, and joy.
—Catherine
Dee
I
love [quotes] because it is a joy to find
thoughts one might have, beautifully expressed
with much authority by someone recognizedly
wiser than oneself.
—Marlene Dietrich, actor, 1901-1992
Beginnings
When
you wake up in the morning. do you make
a mental note to enjoy the day ahead of
you?
It's
strange, but when you're a kid, there is
plenty of life to enjoy, because time seems
to pass very slowly. But guess what? As
you grow up, time seems to speed
up. "I always remember my grandmother
saying, 'Gosh, time flies,'" says Carol
Bartz, president of a large furniture company. "And
I thought, what is she talking about? Well,
let me tell you, times flies...I would
have liked to have had that wisdom a little
younger."
That's why it's important to savor your time
as a girl and a young woman, and not just
wait for the future.
There
are so many things to enjoy about being
young. For example, summer vacation. When
you get older, unless you become a teacher
or college professor, you can't take the
summer off. And your body. Physically,
you will probably be stronger and healthier
than you are right now.
So
when you wake up, remind yourself to appreciate
the day as it's passing by. Enjoy everything
from the mundane activities, such as brushing
your teeth, to the exciting events, such
as a surprise birthday party for a friend.
You've got a whole wonderful day—and
potentially a whole wonderful life—stretching
out ahead of you.
* * *
It's
so quiet in the early morning darkness...Then
the sun breaks...Fingers of light on the
horizon...[I] just want to start singing
or shout, "Glory Hallelujah!"
—Nora Dott Warren, shrimper
I
rise from sleep and say: Hail to the morning!
Come down to me, my beautiful unknown.
—Jessica Powers, poet, nun 1905-1988
Surely
it's better to sleep late in the morning
only when it's a rare privilege, not an
everyday occurrence.
—Lauren Bacall, actor
I
have come to understand that every day
is something to cherish.
—Kerri Strug, gymnast
With
the new day comes new strength and new
thoughts.
—Eleanor Roosevelt, first lady, humanitarian,
1884-1962
Each
day I look for a kernel of excitement.
In the morning, I say: "What is my exciting
thing for today?" Then, I do the day.
—Barbara Jordan, lawyer, congresswoman,
educator, 1936-1996
I
wake expectant, hoping to see a new thing.
—Annie Dillard, writer
The
preciousness of every ordinary moment
is emphasized with every tick of the
clock. Isn't it a magnificent day today?
—Bel Kaufman, writer, educator
Normal
day, let me be aware of the treasure you
are. Let me not pass you by in quest of
some rare and perfect tomorrow.
—Mary Jean Irion, writer, teacher
Now
go take the day.
—Laura Schlessinger, radio talk-show
host
© 1999
by Catherine Dee
