The Wealthy Women's Resource Guide

WWRG Channel Guide: How to Find WWRG on The Real-Time WEB!

2011-04-21T13:08:00.006-04:00

Technology has driven us to a new level of engagement.

We now have fourteen (14) Twitter channels to choose from:

@JBHIVofWWRG (John Brantley Hooks, IV Chief Content Officer)
Follow this channel for content curated by our Founder. He is always discovering new and compelling streams from which to draw. These often wind up in our other channels depending on their applicability or geo-specific nature.

@WWRGIcon_Mentor (Private Channel by request only)
Content curated from Twitter Icons and Mentors who offer advice and encouragement. List of follows in private.

@WWRG_Austin (Austin Texas Twitter Correspondent & Bureau Chief)
Content of interest to those who live in or visit the Capitol of the Lone Star State. Local Tweeps are active in Women's Empowerment and Technology.

@WWRG_BostonMA ( Boston MA Twitter Correspondent & Bureau Chief)
Content of interest to those who live in or visit Bean Town. Local Tweeps are active in Women's Empowerment and Startups.

@WWRG_Chicago (Chicago IL Twitter Correspondent & Bureau Chief)
Content of interest to those who live in or visit the Windy City. Local Tweeps are active in Women's Empowerment and issues of importance to gender equality.

@KaylaofWWRG (China Twitter Correspondent & Bureau Chief)
Content of interest to anyone following China.

@WWRG_Manila (Philippine Twitter Correspondent & Bureau Chief)
Content of interest to those who live in or visit the Star of The Sea

@WWRG_Dubai_ UAE (United Arab Emirates Twitter Correspondent & Bureau Chief)
Content of interest to those who live in or visit the City of Gold and surrounding Emirates.

@WWRG_Ottawa_CN (Canadian Twitter Correspondent & Bureau Chief)
Content of interest to those who live in or visit Bytown and other Canadian cities

@WWRG_Seoul (Korean Twitter Correspondent & Bureau Chief)
Content of interest to those who live in or visit the City of falling rain.

@WWRG_Tokyo (Japanese Twitter Correspondent & Bureau Chief)
Content of interest to those who live in or visit Tokyo or other japanese cities.

@WWRG_Moscow (Russian Twitter Correspondent & Bureau Chief)
Content of interest to those who live in or visit Moscow ir other russian cities

@WWRGFashionista (Fashion Channel)
Covering the Fashion world in real-time

@WWRGJetsetter ( Lifestyle Channel)
Covering the Jetset as they glide around the globe.

If you don't yet have a Twitter account, don't worry. You can see some of our feed on:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wealthy-Womens-Resource-Guide/135090446545532

or on LinkedIN:

http://www.linkedin.com/company/wealthy-women%27s-resource-guide

Monday's Motivational Makeover - The Mailslot Visionary

2011-03-28T08:26:00.007-04:00

What is the best approach to life?: Perspective, Perspective, Perspective. Pardon the paraphrase of the popular "how to make it in real estate" mantra.

While the term "360 degree" view is compelling perhaps, when speaking of Customer Relationship Management or working relationships (watch your back, comes to mind here), I find a "looking at life through a mail slot" approach to be effective.

For those of you that rarely use the steel receptacles that are available at every street corner for "snail mail" (pre-dates email inbox), let me briefly describe them (see graphic above).

The epitome of "ugly", they are nonetheless very efficient. There are only two ways to gain access - a swinging door in front in which mail can be placed, and a larger one in back that is locked and can only be accessed by an authorized representative.

Image for a moment that you are inside this box. The only view you would have to the outside world would be when someone pulled down the lid in front, or back. In the case of the former, your vision is limited to what is ahead of you. No rear-view or side-view mirrors on these babies!

Which is precisely my point. Sometimes we spend to much time "looking around us", practicing "referential thinking" when we really can't do anything about the past, and the real-time pace at which we live is often overwhelming. Further, we open up our lives via relationships and pastimes like Social Media, over schedule ourselves and our kids, and increase our vulnerability.

Sometimes we just need to sit in our "mailbox" and think. Open the slot and look ahead to the future. Limit access by only allowing a few ways to "get to you". And Listen. Listen to your Inner Voice, and to your children. It is here you will find authenticity.

Most of all, trust your intuition, your unique perspective and vision. You'll find it inside the Steel Mailbox.

Thursday's Truth - GI Jane and Sexual Harassment in the Military

2011-03-24T09:58:00.003-04:00

Thursday's WWRG blog is reserved for coverage of a women's issue that may be under reported, or just plain lied about.

As many of you know, The Wealthy Women's Resource Guide supports victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence through organizations like Jane Doe No More, Inc.

One of the facts that is seldom publicized is the number of rapes that occur against women who serve in our Armed Forces. Recent surveys have indicated this to be upwards of 1/3.

The truth speaks for itself. Here is a link to one woman's story:
http://www.militarywoman.org/forums/content.php?166-Hey-GI-Janes!

Wednesday's Women of Courage - Kathryn McManus

2011-03-23T15:45:00.006-04:00

In an industry that has been largely male-dominated for the better part of the last 50 years, Kathryn McManus has created a name for herself by doing what women do best - work hard, be authentic, never give up!

In 2008, she took the first of several courageous steps and left behind a successful career at CNN, where she headed up their Japanese Business Unit, to form NewsCertified, an online service free to independent or newsroom-based journalists, featuring an array of certified interview-ready sources in more than 1,000 specialty areas.

Today, her hard work and dedication has borne fruit, and is helping other women find work in a new environment where traditional news organizations have closed bureaus around the world.

In a recent interview in Displaced Journalists, an online community for journalists in transition, Kathryn told Founder Susan Older "As a journalist, I would receive hundreds of solicitations a day from organizations highlighting story ideas and experts that I would promptly delete,” says McManus. “Then when I needed someone, I would scramble, trying to find ‘interview-ready’ experts (not generalists) who could comment. The solution seemed so easy: a database of certified ‘interview-ready’ experts that the media can draw from when the need arises.”

This is truly a win-win for all. The courage to make it happen and the work to keep it on an upward path is yet another one of the many women-led business success stories that visionaries like Kathryn are writing every day.

The Wealthy Women's Resource Guide is proud to be a Sponsoring Organization to their Influencing The Headlines community.

Please show your support by attending one of their events taking place in major cities across the US. The next one is April 8 in Chicago entitled "Empowering Women in Media".

Tuesday's Treasure - Texas Couture

2011-03-22T10:55:00.003-04:00

Being half-Texan (Mother's side) and a frequent traveler to the Lone Star state, I could not pass up an opportunity to highlight some of the fashion trendsetters that have their roots there.

Hearing about all the festivities surrounding the recent SXSW Event in Austin made me a bit homesick. While all the focus seems to be on the Capitol City's lightning rod as a High-Tech startup breeding ground, I have seen some remarkable talent emerge in Fashion.

One Austin native, Tom Ford, recently re-launched his line of flattering designs for women after abandoning the gender in 2004. Fast Company named him one of their 100 Most Creative People in 2010 and his spring collection 2011 shows he is back with a bang.

Sadly, another one of my favorite Austin designers, Susan Dell wife of Billionaire Michael Dell, shut down her Phi luxury collection last year. I remember when Susan opened her first store in the tony Tarrytown area of Austin in 2003. 85 Broads member Lauren Santo Domingo whose new venture Moda Operandi we featured here last week, was also a big fan of Susan's work as I recall. I hope we see more of her in the future.

Monday's Motivational Makeover - Vernal Equinox a good day to promote Gender Equality!

2011-03-21T09:26:00.006-04:00

Yes, today is the first "official" day of Spring. The wet snow accumulating here in the NE somehow sends a mixed message.

One thing I recall from the Meteorology course I took in college is that the forces that drive our weather patterns are constantly looking for ways to reach "Equilibrium".

Weatherbug.com describes this as "A condition in which all acting influences are canceled by others, resulting in a stable, balanced, or unchanging system."

Coincidentally, the term "equinox" means "equal light" referring to the fact that today there should be as much daylight as nighttime.

Wouldn't it be great if we could strike a similar balance in our own lives? Between work and life, plenty and poverty, happy and sad?

More importantly, can we have a "gender Equinox" where for at least one day out of every year we learn to respect the equality of the Sexes and the contribution both have made toward the betterment of society, our economy, and our children?

If any of you agree, I say we declare the Vernal Equinox "Global Gender Equality Day" and start a movement to get the UN or similar organization to pass a Resolution to this effect.

Sanctuary Sunday - War of the Romantics Concert Event

2011-03-20T17:16:00.005-04:00

For those of you who follow this blog and live in the NY area, may I recommend spending next Sunday afternoon at the historic Round Hill Community Church in Backcountry Greenwich. There you will find a wonderful musical event taking place in a most idyllic setting. The theme of the concert is the "War of The Romantics" and features well-known musicians performing works by Brahms, Wagner, & Poulenc

My Dear Friend, Hadi Hajjar and his wife, Mirella, are hosting a reception following the concert featuring a feast of Lebanese Hors d'Ouevres and Pastries, many of their own creation.

Here is a bit about the program from their website:

"Greek Soprano, Eleni Calenos, will appear at the Round Hill Community Church performing the soaring solos in Poulenc’s Gloria as part of the program, War of the Romantics, on Sunday, March 27 at 4 p.m. Of her 2008 debut as Cio-Cio-San in Madame Butterfly, the Houston press said, “The phenomenon was the Cio-Cio-San of soprano Eleni Calenos, whose nuanced characterization was a true wonder to hear. She sailed thru her dramatic arias as if buoyed by the stirring music.”

War of the Romantics refers to the contentious aesthetic battles between the supporters of the conservative Brahms, the radical Wagner and the French composer Francis Poulenc, who eschewed German romanticism in any form.

The program also includes Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll which was written as a Christmas gift for his wife Cosima, and will be performed in the original instrumentation. After intermission, the chorus will sing Brahms’ Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes (New Love Songs), and dramatic soprano Jenna Hintz, will perform Dich Teure Halle from Tannhäuser. The chorus will end the concert with the rousing Entrance of the Guests. Instrumentalists are from New York ensembles such as the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dorian Wind Quintet and Antares. The choir and orchestra are under the direction of Christopher Kabala.

Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at the door. For more information, call 203-869-1091."

Thursday's Truth - St. Patrick was actually Scottish and a 5th Century A.D. Women's Advocate

2011-03-17T10:50:00.005-04:00

I know most of you are aware of this. And I hope this will not put a damper on any St. Patrick's activities you may have planned!

What you may not know is that there is strong evidence to suggest he voiced strong opposition to Female Slavery, a widespread practice among the Druids in Ireland during the the 5th Century A.D.

Adamnan of Iona, a student of St. Patrick's tells a story of how his teacher once encountered a Druid and demanded that he release a woman in his captivity. According to legend, ""an angel sent from heaven, striking him severely, has broken in pieces the glass cup which he held in his hand, and from which he was in the act of drinking, and he himself is left half dead. Then he consented to free the Irish girl, and Columba cured him of the wound."

Please enjoy the day we have set aside to honor this important figure in our history. And may the luck of the Irish follow you forever!

Tuesday's Treasure - Fashion Flourishes through Female Entrepreneurs!

2011-03-15T11:12:00.006-04:00

What a great time to be a female in the Fashion industry. Through my association with the 85 Broads Network, I have met many very talented and savvy businesswomen who work in the fashion world for top designers, or who have recently set up their own ventures after working in other areas.

Our own Evie, who is a Spokesmodel for WWRG and an 85 Broads member, is actively involved in several projects including the Fashion for Development initiative she is now rolling out via South South News. We featured her shows in a recent Lifestyle Lifters post.

We have also featured a venture curated by Shauna Mei called Aha!Life. For those of you looking for something unique to give to someone or yourself, I recommend you visit their website and sign up. Many of their offerings are created by women or benefit women in disadvantaged countries.

Another recent addition to the firmament of fashion by an 85 Broads member (or members in this case!) is Moda Operandi. Here, Ashlaug Magnusdottir and Lauren Santo Domingo have created a "first-in-category, members-only online store that lets customers browse and pre-order designer collections immediately following their runway presentation. Launched during New York Fashion Week, M'O was created to allow its members to "shop the runway" from the privacy of their own homes.

Moda Operandi provides direct access to complete runway collections from the finest designer brands, including Nina Ricci, Giambattista Valli, Carolina Herrera, Calvin Klein, Alexander Wang, and Proenza Schouler, as well as jewelry, shoes, handbags, and accessories. Membership perks include recommendations from top stylists, personal shopping assistants, and tools to review looks from every angle."

So many great Women now hold C-level positions at fashion industry Icons like Burberry and Gilt Groupe, to name but a few. If you have a "passion for fashion", please consider joining a network like 85 Broads where you will find plenty of support and mentorship. This is the vision that Janet Hanson set forth when she co-founded the organization in 1997 which has grown to a membership of over 25,000 women and a few enlightened men (me included!)

Monday's Motivational Makeover - Dealing with Personal Loss

2011-03-14T11:58:00.004-04:00

By now I'm sure most of you are aware of the devastating Earthquake and resulting Tsunami that hit northeastern Japan late Friday of last week.

There are no words to describe the loss of life and property, now estimated to be upwards of 10,000 souls and $35 Billion in initial assessments. Having lived in Japan as a youth I can tell you that minor earthquakes were a common occurrence. At first, it is a bit unsettling, but as time goes on, it becomes just another part of life that is beyond our control. No one among the Japanese people that I observed gave it a second thought.

Perhaps it is because they live by the attitude of "Shigate ga nai" or "that which cannot be helped".

In a 2007 National History Day award winning paper titled "The Triumph and Tragedies of Japanese Women in America" , young Japanese-American writer, Taylor Sakamoto provides insight into the evolution of the Japanese women's movement and how ancient customs made life difficult for females in their culture even here in America where their U.S counterparts, while not yet at parity with men, had more opportunity and better chances for success. Ironically, her Maternal Great-Grandmother, Kazue Aoki, emigrated to the US in 1912 as a "picture bride" from the island of Honshu where the recent earthquake and tsunami was most devastating.

Let us show support for the Japanese women in our network as they struggle to deal with the after effects of this terrible tragedy, especially those who have lost Children and loved ones. There is no greater pain that the death of a child or the anguish of not knowing the whereabouts or condition of those that are missing.

The strength of women in times of struggle and challenge are legendary. Please give generously to one of the myriad of relief efforts now underway. But most importantly remember to cherish each day as if it is your last, and live by the attitude of "Shigate ga nai".

Wednesday's Women of Courage - Voices of September 11th's Mary Fetchet

2011-03-09T00:05:00.003-05:00

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 that took the lives of over 3,000 civilians and military personnel, and forever changed the lives of countless others.

Mary Fetchet's 24 year old son Brad, was killed in the attack on number two World Trade Center that day. Over the past decade Mary, a trained Social Worker, has worked tirelessly and courageously to help victim's families and others affected by the tragedy through the Voices of September 11th Foundation she co-founded in October of 2001. In 2003, they received 501 (c)3 status and continue to expand their outreach.

Here is some of her bio from the Voices website:

"Ms. Fetchet has achieved significant local and national praise for her advocacy work. A strong advocate for raising national and local preparedness, Ms. Fetchet campaigned for the creation of the independent 9/11 Commission and continues to promote the implementation of the Commission's recommendations for government reforms. She has testified before the 9/11 Commission, and before the United States Senate and House of Representatives on five occasions. She has made countless appearances on national television programs, and frequently contributes to print and radio news media.

Ms. Fetchet has served on a number of advisory boards and organizations including: The Family Steering Committee for the 9/11 Independent Commission, the National Homeland Defense Foundation, the National Traumatic Stress Network, the Coalition of 9/11 Families, the Family Advisory Committee of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC), Columbia’s WTC Evacuation Study as well as the Homeland Security Advisory Council's Homeland Security Alert System Task Force.

Ms. Fetchet's work has brought her substantial recognition that includes being a recipient of the National Justice Award in 2003 and being presented with the 'Connecticut Hero' award by Senator Joseph Lieberman in September 2004. She was also named an ABC News Person of the Year in December 2004. Other honors include a 2005 Red Cross Award, a 2005 Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellowship, a 2006 "Connecticut's Most Uncommon Women" award. Ms. Fetchet was also featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams Making a Difference and Hometown Heroes and DIRECTTV Hometown Heroes Production.

A graduate of Columbia University with an M.S. degree, Ms. Fetchet worked as a clinical social worker at Bridges, an outpatient mental health clinic in Milford, CT. She lives in New Canaan with her husband Frank, and has two surviving sons, Chris, age 22, and Wes, age 29".

Mary and her staff are busily preparing for some of the numerous events surrounding the tenth anniversary. Please visit the Voices website for more information on how to get involved or make a donation toward the effort.

Tuesday's Treasure - Event Alert "How Women-Owned Small Businesses Will Save The Economy"

2011-03-08T08:46:00.002-05:00

We interrupt our regularly scheduled Tuesday's Treasure post to let you know about a "treasure" of another kind and a very special event she will be speaking at for those of you in the NY Metro Area.

Her name is Kathy McShane and we featured her in a Wednesday's Women of Courage post last year. This Wednesday, March 10, at 9:30am at Waveny House in New Canaan, CT, the American Association of University Women will host Kathy where she will discuss women entrepreneurs and how their growing ranks will change our economy and help lead us out of the financial crisis that continues to put women, their children, and generations to come, at risk.

This blog has been a strong advocate for Women's Empowerment and Women Entrepreneurship. In a blog last year we highlighted the events surrounding the Women's Forum in Deauville, France which has become the "Davos for Women". We have featured pioneering women entrepreneurs such as Shauna Mei, founder of AHA!Life and women, like Kathy McShane, and VC Cindy Padnos of Illuminate Ventures that target women-led ventures, and help them realize their dreams.

Please continue to support the efforts of Women Entrepreneurs and seek them out when next you are looking for goods or services. Your local chapter of 85 broads or Ladies Who Launch are a good starting point.

Lifestyle Lifters - Fashion for Development

2011-03-05T00:05:00.002-05:00

Where in the World is WWRG?

Judging by the map of visitor's locations on the sidebar to the right side of this page - practically everywhere!

As I indicated in my post last November, we are moving swiftly toward our goal to become the leading resource for Women of Wealth and Influence by bringing you on-demand, real-time content on Social Media Technologies that are now the most rapidly growing base of users - Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN.

Since our relaunch in January 2011, our own Face and Voice of WWRG - Evie - has been around the world of fashion, both literally and virtually.

We are excited that her "Fashion for Development" project in conjunction with South South News, is now in full swing and receiving rave reviews. South South News is a leading digital media platform for the countries of the South that is facilitating, connecting, and publishing news on various efforts in sustainable economic and social development to audiences and multiple constituencies not only in the South but also around the world.

In a series of interviews conducted during NY Fashion Week last month, Evie highlighted the new collections of some of the world's most famous and socially involved designers including IvanaHelsinki (Paola Suhonen), Norma Kamali, and Zang Toi.

In these interviews, you will hear IvanaHelsinki speak about her support of UNICEF Dolls, Norma Kamali talk about how she helped girls in an Orphanage in India by using their embroidery in her clothing line, and Zang Toi's thoughts on how fashion can help women in developing countries - his support of battered women in Madagascar via his charity work there is just one example.

Here are the interviews courtesy of South South News:

Ivana Helsinki
Norma Kamali
Zang Toi

These are also available on the WWRG Facebook Fan page and on LinkedIN.

Please follow Evie and I on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EvieofWWRG and http://twitter.com/JBHIVof WWRG respectively.

Remembering Winston S. Churchill, IV

2011-03-02T00:05:00.002-05:00

Today, March 2, 2011 marks the one-year anniversary of the passing of Winston S. Churchill, IV, Grandson of Sir Winston Spencer-Churchill one of the great leaders of our time, following a long and valiant battle with Prostate Cancer.

He will always be in our thoughts and prayers, as will his faithful and courageous widow, Luce, who never left his side during Chemo treatments that left him weak and unable to maintain the energetic lifestyle to which he was so accustomed.

Of his wife’s devotion he said, "We had a friend over from Palm Beach who said that I have a team of highly qualified, devoted, round-the-clock nurses. They are all called Luce.” Never more true was the saying “Behind every great man, there is a great woman.”

Throughout his life, young Winston, IV (shown above with Sir Winston and father Randolph) strove to preserve and emulate the leadership style of his famous Grandfather.

In his Obituary published March 3, 2010 in the British Newspaper, The Telegraph it was noted that “Churchill was frequently at the bedside during his grandfather’s final coma; his elder son Randolph was born two days before the great man died. At the funeral he and his father walked beside the gun carriage, and afterward Lady Churchill came to stay. He kept the flame alive as a trustee of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, an honorary fellow of Churchill and an honorary LLD of Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri, where Sir Winston’s “Iron Curtain” speech was delivered (March 5, 1946).”

Perhaps his greatest legacy is his work on a book of famous speeches by Sir Winston entitled “Never Give In: The Best of Winston Churchill's Speeches”, Hyperion, 2003.

The book, unfortunately, doesn’t include Churchill’s secret speech to the House of Commons, given April 23, 1943, in which he cataloged his country’s dire military situation and expressed faith in the United States. But the stirring testimonies during the dark days of the war and even after his political defeat show such grace and eloquence: “Never flinch, never weary, never despair,” he declared.

I wonder what he’d make of the current whining by the so-called leaders of modern times. Perhaps a copy of Winston, IV’s book should be required reading for every Member of the US Congress. If you believe this to be true, consider purchasing a copy and dispatch to your elected official.

I can think of no greater way to honor the life of Winston, IV.

TGIF - Big Apple Treat for Women - Power & Politics Event

2011-01-21T00:05:00.002-05:00

Last October, I put up this post with some thoughts on how far Women have come since gaining the right to vote some ninety years ago.

The power of women, although a long time coming, has never been stronger. And armed with an increasing share of the world's wealth, these women are making significant strides toward solving some very difficult problems. The increasing poverty among women and children around the globe is but one example. A lack of access to proper education for the world's children, especially girls, is another.

But for many of these issues to be given attention and focus, we must see the balance of power in the global political dynasties shift more toward women. When I attended Harvard Business School a few years back, I used the opportunity to study the Corporate and Geo-Political Governance systems that predominate most nation states. It turns out that most systems of government are based on Family Oligarchies. The U.S. is one of the few economic systems that allows "fractional ownership" by many shareholders. In Europe, for example, a few families have control or a controlling interest in most of the industries within a country or region.

Almost all of these interests are under Male control, although this is changing with the die-off of Patriarchs and a lack of male heirs.

Not surprisingly, these same families hold key positions in the Political Structures of these countries, and again, most of them are held by men.

For those of you fortunate enough to be in NYC this weekend, I highly recommend attending a program being held at the 92st Y entitled "Women, Power, and Politics". Author Gloria Feldt (her latest book featured in graphic above) will be part of the distinguished panel along with Congresswoman Nita Lowey. Learn how the woman's progressive agenda is going.

My heart is all a flitter now that I discovered Twitter!

2011-01-20T12:17:00.005-05:00

Ok. I admit it. Blogging is SO 2010! I've been bad about about bringing new content to this blog because I have fallen for a new love: Twitter.

I feel sort of cheap, though, virtually abandoning my faithful posting of daily insight. I take such care in crafting each day to be a theme; Monday's Motivational Makeover, Tuesday's Treasure, Wednesdays Women of Courage, Thursday's Truth, TGIF, Lifestyle Lifter's, Sunday's Sanctuary.

It turns out that I am not alone in changing direction toward the more "real-time" ways to reach an intended audience. This recent article in Crain's Chicago Business featuring Liz Strauss, professional blogger, web strategist and founder of SOBcon, an online business conference highlights a recent decline in viewership of blogs and a shift toward "Tweeting".

As Liz will tell you, blogging needs to be part of a co-ordinated business strategy that includes many elements of Social Media. It pays to get someone whose expertise is in Social Media strategy like Liz to provide a plan. There is no doubt in my mind that online social media is here to stay and poised for explosive growth in the next few years.

I can tell you that I plan to roll out several new platforms as I expand the Wealthy Women's Resource Guide to become a leading source for information and experts as they relate to you, the Woman of Affluence and Influence.

In the meantime, please follow me on Twitter (@JBHIVofWWRG). I will make sure that each new post to the blog is announced as they are posted.

You may also continue to use this blog as a reference, as I have tried to include appropriate Labels at the end of each post so that you can see a common thread or look for specific topics.

Thank you for your continued loyalty. I hope my viewers in five continents across the globe continue to tune in via Twitter. It is both an honor and a pleasure to see this network grow.

Life Style Lifters - The New "Face" of WWRG

2010-11-27T07:36:00.005-05:00

Many of you are no doubt wondering "where in the world is WWRG?".

Well, after a long hiatus, we are back. The time we have spent out of public view was used to plan the launch of WWRG in the fastest growing social media vehicles on the planet right now - Facebook and Twitter.

The Facebook page for WWRG may be found at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wealthy-Womens-Resource-Guide/135090446545532

I know many of you also follow twitter, so we now have a new Face and Voice for you to follow. Her name is Evie and many of you know her as a frequent guest blogger in this Lifestyle Lifter's column.

You may follow Evie as she travels the globe to bring you the latest in Passion, Romance, and Fashion. Just go to @evieofWWRG and join in as a follower.

I also have a twitter handle - @JBHIVofWWRG. Together, we will bring you the latest happenings among our rapidly expanding global network of well-connected, and influential women.

We will continue to bring you the more "in-depth" insight through this blog. Now, however, you have the ability to access our network 24/7/356 through Twitter and Facebook and join the ranks of women that view this blog in five continents!

TGIF - Pre- Holiday Dining at The Rock Center Cafe

2010-11-05T08:00:00.005-04:00

As many of you know, I am a ferocious Foodie. I am fortunate to have access to a number of fine restaurants around the globe, thanks to some connections that my network has brought to me, and by recommendations from my faithful readers.

While I am not a Food Critic (I leave this to experts such as Zagat or Michelin Guides), I do appreciate when I receive VIP level service even though the staff may not know who I am.

This was the case yesterday when I had arranged a mid-morning "brunch" meeting with a colleague. When I arrived at the Rock Center Cafe in the Rockefeller Center Building in Midtown Manhattan I was told that Breakfast seating had ended and that Lunch was available beginning 11:30am. The time was now 10:30, my guest was arriving in 15 minutes, and had to leave for another appointment shortly after noon.

Oops!

Fortunately, Ken Gordon, VP of Operations for The Patina Group, the firm that operates the RCC was standing in the reception area. He had overheard my conversation with the Hostess, and immediately offered a solution.

Ken seated me in a quiet area of the restaurant, and had one of his wait staff bring coffee to me. Keep in mind that this was BETWEEN service hours.

When my guest arrived, I told Ken that we had a short window in which to eat once the official lunch service began at 11:30. He not only offered to take our Lunch order in advance of this time, he went beyond the call and asked if we would prefer something more like Breakfast. As my guest and I had both been looking forward to this, we immediately took Ken up on his offer.

I was truly awed when our beautifully presented and extremely tasty dishes were served less that 15 minutes later! The time was now 11:15 well into the hiatus between seatings.

Our waitperson, Mike, never failed to ask if we needed anything. At many restaurants, patrons experience a "black hole of service level" if seated late into a period of transition as they busily change over place settings, etc. This was definitely NOT the case here!

This was as fine a dining experience as I have had in quite a while. As you make plans for the weekend, please add "eat at one of the Patina Group's fine restaurants" to your list. You may find one of their locations by clicking here.

If any of you are planning to be in NYC over the holidays, there is no better view of the festivities in and around Rock Center than a seat in the cafe overlooking the Ice Rink and the famous X-mas Tree.

If you are contemplating a private holiday affair, I'm sure Ken or one of his staff will be more that happy to assist you with your plan.

Based on my experience yesterday, you are in the best of hands!

Tuesday's Treasure - Holiday Tips v.2 - Giving Back

2010-11-02T12:18:00.005-04:00

In last Saturday's Lifestyle Lifter's post, I began a series of posts intended as "Holiday Tips for The Wise".

Today I'd like to introduce you to Meera Gandhi. Her work in tireless support of many charities, non-profit organizations, and for profit ventures are too numerous to list. For a detailed look at what she has done and where she is going, click here. Her latest passion is as Founder of The Giving Back Foundation.

In a article you may read in it's entirety by clicking here , Meera gives six tips for giving during this upcoming Holiday Season:

1. Write a check. The easiest way to make a difference is to donate money to people who are doing work that you believe in. Every bit counts from as little as $10 to a $10,000.

2. Reach out to people. The simple acts of being kind and helpful is truly a way of giving back. If someone asks for your assistance, help out as much as you can.

3. Commit your time. Everyone can spare a few hours during the month. Spend it at your local soup kitchen, working for a charity or mentoring another person.

4. Be kind to yourself. Most people are running around ragged from just their daily routine. Give yourself some time to relax and recuperate. If your own well is dry, you’ll have nothing to give others.

5. If you have to say no, say it in a kind way. It’s not possible to help everyone who asks, but if you refuse kindly and perhaps put the person in touch with someone who can help, you will keep the circle moving.

6. Open up your contact list and share knowledge and experiences. Sometimes, giving can be as simple as helping others through your own knowledge or personal contacts. It requires very little effort on your part, but it can help others immensely.

Her latest project is called Giving Back. Meera has produced a documentary of this initiative and I am privileged to have been invited to a private screening tonight. She has a special mission: "We are to the universe only as much as we give back to it."

I couldn't agree more!

Here is another Holiday Tip to all you smart, impact-full, and well-connected women in my Network:

Put the DVD of Giving Back on your Holiday Gift List! You may purchase a copy by clicking here. 100% of the proceeds go to the charitable activities of the Giving Back Foundation.

Sanctuary Sunday - In Memoriam, Indira Gandhi

2010-10-31T14:25:00.004-04:00

Perhaps this post is better left suited for a Wednesday's Women of Courage writeup. It really felt like a good thing to put up today, although October 31st is the day many parts of the world, including these United States, celebrate Holloween.

On this day in 1984, Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India was gunned down by a pair of Sikh extremists acting in retaliation for the storming of the Sikh holy shrine of the Golden Temple in Amritsar earlier that June.

She is the world's longest serving woman Prime Minister.

The night before her death she told a political rally: "I don't mind if my life goes in the service of the nation. If I die today, every drop of my blood will invigorate the nation."

In the days following the death of the prime minister up to 1,000 people are thought to have died. The army were ordered to go into the cities and quell the violence.

Mrs Gandhi's son, Rajiv, was sworn in as her successor within hours of her death. He went on to win a landslide victory in the general election in December 1984.

On 6 January 1989, Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh were hanged for killing Mrs Gandhi. Balbir Singh was acquitted.

Rajiv Gandhi was himself assassinated by a suicide bomber on 21 May 1991.

Click here for a great article on how things have changed since the Gandhi Era.

Lifestyle Lifter's - Holiday Checklist V.1

2010-10-30T14:30:00.004-04:00

On your mark. Get set. Go! The annual holiday season is fast approaching and if you are like most of us, there is a feeling of "Where has the year gone, and how can it be November already!"

Well, consider this your wake-up call.

After today, there are 26 days left until Thanksgiving as celebrated here in the US. There are 56 days left until Christmas.

Have I gotten your attention?

Today's post is one of a series we will be doing on "Holiday Tips for the Wise". Many of you have a very hectic schedule. Some call it the "Jet-Setter's Lifestyle".

Holiday Tip # 1: Divide and Conquer!

For those of you with more money than time, may I suggest an email to my good friend, Pamela Tobiason (pam.tobiason@familyconciergeandmore.com) of Family Concierge and More.

Pam, her expert staff and her many connections can take on all of your shopping, scheduling and personal calendar needs during this busy Holiday Season.

Holiday Tip # 2: Get your Invitations and Holiday Cards Out Early!

This year, in lieu of a Holiday party, we are hosting a "friend-raiser" in support of Jane Do No More, Inc. We have partnered with Papyrus and Spark who have graciously offered to send an invitation from their elegant line of Letter Pressed stationary to each of our invitees (see graphic above).

Set an Outlook entry today to send an email on Monday to Dani LaTorre, Papyrus Flagship Store Manager (Store02285@srgretail.com) for help on all your Custom Printing Needs.

In a world where more and more people choose e-cards for convenience, nothing says "Classy" more than receiving a hand-addressed Envelope containing a beautiful invitation or Holiday Card.

Make sure you order these early (printing times vary by style) and get them in the mail well before the US Postal Service deadline for Holiday delivery. "better late than never" is not a good thing when a card arrives on New Year's Day that says "Merry X-Mas"!

Look for more Tips in next week's installment of Lifestyle Lifter's.

Until then, have a Happy and safe Halloween (one day left)!

Thursday's Truths - Microloans Make a Difference!

2010-10-28T08:48:00.003-04:00

My apology to my faithful viewers. I have not had an opportunity to post since last week! There are a lot of exciting things happening with the WWRG network, including last evening's event put on by our local chapter of 85 Broads which featured the Grameen Foundation and their work to provide microloans to women in disadvantaged nations so that they can lift themselves and their children out of poverty.

I was honored to be a Power Host at the event, and led a group of women ( and a few enlightened men!) through a exercise on how the process of loan making works.

The impact of these loans is impressive. Here are a few statistics courtesy the Grameen Foundation:

9.4 Million...
...of the world's poor have been helped by our MFI partners, allowing them to begin their journey out of poverty.
More than 1 Million...
...microloans have been generated through our Growth Guarantee program. (Estimate based on average loan size.)
$160 Million...
...in local currency has been leveraged to support microfinance programs in 13 countries.
25,000...
...Village Phone operators are working in 6 countries around the world.
300,000...
...daily transactions are supported through Mifos at microfinance institutions around the world.
More Than $2.3 Million...
...in in-kind services have been contributed by 140 Bankers without Borders volunteers in 9 countries.

Many of you know that I am committed to getting the word out about Global Women's Issues including the fact that greater than 70% of the world's poor are women and children.

I encourage you to support organizations such as the Grameen Foundation and others like it. Also, please familiarize yourself with the UN Millennium Goals, which seek to eliminate world poverty by 2015.

TGIF - What Ifs? vs. Why Nots?

2010-10-22T07:28:00.008-04:00

Today would be a great day to plan your weekend. Yes, I said PLAN! This is different than worrying.

The great statesman, Winston Churchill said “Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning”

Many of us think that if we worry about something, it will focus our energy on making sure the event or task goes well.

Wrong.

Here are some typical beliefs and false assumptions about worry (Shearer & Gordon, 2006), and courtesy AnxietyandStress.com:

Intolerance for uncertainty: "If I think about this enough, I should feel a sense of certainty."

Intolerance for discomfort: "If I can just think this through, I won't have to feel this way."

Inflated sense of responsibility and culpability: "If bad things happen, it's my fault."

Distorted risk assessment/emotional reasoning: "If it feels likely, it is likely. If it feels dangerous, it is dangerous."

Perfectionism--mistakes are unacceptable: "Mistakes mean I wasn't in control and screwed up."

Pessimism/presumed incapability: "Bad things will happen to me and I won't be able to deal with it."

Misconstrued virtue: "Worry shows how deeply I care about my children."

Overvaluation of the thought process: "Because I have a thought, it is, therefore, an important thought, and I must give it my full attention and get it settled. I can anticipate and avoid discomfort by worrying."

"Meta-worry" or worry about worrying: "I'm making myself sick. I'm going to bring on an early heart attack. I'm out of control. I'm weak. If my faith was stronger, I wouldn't worry."

Implicit magical beliefs: "Worry prevents bad things from happening. It keeps loved ones safer."

Please use today to ask yourself "why not?", not "what if".

Why not plan that trip to an exotic destination that I have wanted to take, but I am too busy to take?
Why not ask the person next to me struggling with their own issues if I can help?
Why not ask, "what are my dreams?"

For as Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Thursday's Truth - A Woman's Vote Counts Now More Than Ever!

2010-10-21T08:16:00.004-04:00

It has been almost a century since women received the right to vote. After years of battle (the very first efforts to gain this right are thought to have been mounted in 1848), the Nineteenth Amendment to our Constitution was signed into law in August, 1920.

As depicted in the photo on the left, there were considerable numbers of men who did not think it was a woman's right to vote, or work, or do anything but what were then traditional roles. This scene may appear humorous now and in fact this tactic was used by one female writer to draw attention to the issue.

In 1915, writer Alice Duer Miller published these Five Reasons We Don't Want Men to Vote:

Because man's place is in the army.
Because no really manly man wants to settle any question otherwise than by fighting about it.
Because if men should adopt peaceable methods women will no longer look up to them.
Because men will lose their charm if they step out of their natural sphere and interest themselves in other matters than feats of arms, uniforms, and drums.
Because men are too emotional to vote. Their conduct at baseball games and political conventions shows this, while their innate tendency to appeal to force renders them unfit for government.

This year's mid-term elections here in the US are becoming a battle ground for women's votes. A number of issues that are part of the platforms presented by both political parties are considered "women's issues", such as the economy, and healthcare.

A report out later today published by the National Women's Law Center and the Rebecca Project for Human Rights will cover the plight of an unseen and largely forgotten group of women - those who live in our nation's prisons.

The report noted the number of women in prison — more than 115,000 as of 2009 — has risen at a higher rate than that of men since the introduction of mandatory sentencing policies for many drug offenses. It said most of the women are nonviolent, first-time offenders, and about two-thirds have at least one child under 18.

This is tragic, because without a parent, many of these children will themselves be susceptible to the forces that cause violent crime - poverty, lack of education, no job.

We need women, more than ever to get out and vote this mid-term election. Seek the truth in what the candidates are saying. Carefully choose who will lead our national and state and local governments. We need policies and programs that allow women (and men) to raise their families in an environment that fosters respect for the individual and a strong work ethic.

Wednesday's Women of Courage - Today is Love Your Body Day

2010-10-20T07:34:00.004-04:00

The Now Foundation and their Women's Health Project have declared today " Love Your Body Day".

This is the thirteenth year that this event has occurred. In 1998, then NOW Foundation President Patricia Ireland declared, "We are sounding the alarm that advertising can be hazardous to women's health." "On Love Your Body Day, women across the country will celebrate our bodies and reject unhealthy stereotypes. We will also put advertisers on notice: Stop profiting from campaigns and products that are bad for women," Ireland said.

As with women's poverty issues, a subject I wrote about recently, I see very little change. In fact, it appears the situation is getting worse.

According to Elizabeth McGee, NOW Foundation Special Projects Director, fashion models also send a dangerous message to young people. According to the California Department of Health Services, the average weight of a model is 23 percent lower than that of an average woman; 20 years ago the differential was only 8 percent. The constant bombardment of images of emaciated women on billboards and television and in magazines sells products at a terrible price to our communities. Findings show the diet industry is booming and thousands of young women suffer from eating disorders; it is estimated that 20 percent of college women battle bulimia.

Please take time today to think about your own image. Love your body, and your mind. Treat them both with respect, and have the courage to resist the temptation to do things that are not positive to your self-esteem.

But most importantly, be a role model for younger females who have never had a more opportune time to make a difference in the world.

Tuesday's Treasure - Oct 19th,1987 could happen again!

2010-10-19T09:13:00.003-04:00

My apology, in advance, to those of you who were logging in today hoping to find a post on a Treasure that I pass along, such as beautiful Wakaya Island.

Today marks the 13th anniversary of "Black Monday" when stock markets around the world crashed, shedding a huge value in a very short time. The crash began in Hong Kong, spread west through international time zones to Europe, hitting the United States after other markets had already declined by a significant margin. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) dropped by 508 points to 1738.74 (22.61%).

The recent "flash crash" that caused a similar drop in stock prices, and the increasing number of Sovereign Nations on the brink of bankruptcy make the likelihood of another market meltdown occurring, very real.

I have a report, dated August 2005, written by a Canadian Asset Management firm that I keep handy whenever I talk to others about how our government has surreptitiously intervened into our stock market, and our entire financial system since the 1987 crash, largely through it's shadowy and privately owed Federal Reserve System.

Leave it to the Canadians (a bulwark of sensibility and straightforwardness) to tell the world the truth about what our leaders have been doing for over two decades of free market manipulation.

If any of you are interested in a copy, please contact me.

Although I no longer have a direct affiliation with a Private Wealth organization, I can certainly refer you to a trusted Financial Advisor who understands the risk of another meltdown and can help you prepare for the next shock wave that will inevitably occur.

Monday's Motivational Makeover - The Cleaver Effect

2010-10-18T09:26:00.003-04:00

This past weekend was full of exciting news for women. The Women's Forum wrapped up in Deauville, France after four days of incredible speeches, programs, and sharing among the more that 1,200 women (and a few enlightened men) in attendance this year. Click here to download a video of some of the event's activities.

Saturday marked the passing of Actress Barbara Billingsley. In her signature role as June Cleaver in "Leave It to Beaver," which ran for six seasons, Billingsley personified the ideal middle-class mother and housewife in an era when relatively few American women with children worked outside the home.

My, have things changed. Or have they.

As I reported yesterday, Sister Mary MacKillop was canonized by The Catholic Church and became Australia's first Saint. Also known as Saint Mary of The Cross, she was a 19th century "whistleblower" nun who activists say should be the patron of victims of sexual abuse by priests because she was punished for exposing it.

Together with Father Julian Tenison Woods, Sister Mary founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart and a number of schools and welfare institutions throughout Australasia with an emphasis on education for the poor, particularly in country areas.

Most of the world's women and children live in poverty. Efforts such as those of Sister Mary, and her canonization will no doubt raise awareness around the plight of women and their children around the globe.

Growing up in the 1960's, I watched Leave it to Beaver, and other popular TV shows of the period such as Father Knows Best, My Three Sons, and Dennis The Menace.

My mother worked her way up the corporate ladder before choosing to become a "stay-at-home-mom". But she never bought into the June Cleaver lifestyle. Perhaps this is why I believe in co-investment by women and men in the duties of house, parenting, and career.

Here are some frightening statistics I came across recently that show that as a global team (women and men) we have a long way to go to before poverty is eradicated, and gender equality is more than lip service:

# In 2004, women in the United States were paid 76 cents for every dollar men received for comparable work.

# African American women earn only 71 cents and Latinas 59 cents for every dollar men are paid. Asian Pacific American women earn 86 cents for every dollar men make.

# Nationwide, working families lose $200 billion in income annually due to the wage gap between men and women.

# If married women were paid the same as men in comparable jobs, their family incomes would rise by nearly 6 percent, and their families' poverty rates would fall from 2.1 percent to 0.8 percent.

# If single working mothers earned as much as men in comparable jobs, their family incomes would increase by nearly 17 percent and their poverty rates would be cut in half, from 25.3 percent to 12.6 percent.

# If single women earned as much as men in comparable jobs, their incomes would rise by 13.4 percent and their poverty rates would be reduced from 6.3 percent to 1 percent.

# Half of all women with income from a pension in 2002 received less than $5,600 per year, compared with $10,340 per year for men.

# The 25.6 million women who work in predominantly male jobs lose an average of $3,446 each per year; the 4 million men who work in predominately female occupations lose an average of $6,259 each per year—a total $114 billion loss for men and women in predominately female jobs.

# In the global economy, women account for 60 percent of the world’s 550 million working poor—even though they make up 40 percent of the world’s workforce.

source: http://www.aflcio.org/issues/factsstats/

If you are in a position of influence at your company, organization, or school, please take this opportunity to reach out to a woman who may be struggling with burdens of poverty or raising children in a single parent home.

Provide them the motivation and support they need to overcome these burdens. The worst thing you can do is ignore the problems that face them, and perhaps someday you.

For as Sister Mary MacKillop often said, "never see a need without doing something about it". (1871).

Sanctuary Sunday - A New Saint for Bold Women

2010-10-17T07:19:00.005-04:00

Yesterday marked the end of the 6th edition of the Women's Forum 2010 which was held in Deauville, France. By all accounts, this was the most exciting and well attended event in its short but significant history.

I hope all of the women in my network that were able to attend now find themselves safely back home, no doubt energized, but perhaps exhausted! I also hope that those of you who had to settle for "virtual attendance" at this year's event through viewing blogs such as WWRG, will plan to go to the next installment in Fall 2011.

Another significant event happened yesterday in the ever widening world of women's influence.

Australia received its first Catholic Saint, and she is woman! This event may not be as significant to those of you who live on other continents. But for my friends and the Faithful in Australia, this is cause for joy and jubilation.

Her name is Mother Mary MacKillop.

Born in 1842, MacKillop grew up in poverty as the first of eight children of Scottish immigrants. She moved to the sleepy farming town of Penola in southern Australia to become a teacher, inviting the poor and the Aborigines of the area to attend free classes in a six-room stable.

She co-founded her order, the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, with the goal of serving the poor, the sick and the disadvantaged, particularly through education.

I encourage you to read more about her and the five other Saints also canonized yesterday by following this link.

Enjoy your Sanctuary today, wherever it may be. Please reach out this week to someone living in poverty. Find a way to help educate children who live in disadvantaged areas. Saint Mary MacKillop thanks you.

And so do I.

Thursday's Truths - Women Entrepreneurs at Women's Forum 2010

2010-10-13T16:50:00.005-04:00

Day one of the Women's Forum 2010 being held in Deauville, France features speakers including Jennifer Halliday, Global Director of Business Development, Zinio, LLC. and Vivmag, LLC.

One of the major themes running through this Event is how women are becoming increasingly involved in global entrepreneurial activities.

Here are a few findings that were presented in today's session:

- opportunity and necessity are the two primary reasons to get involved in entrepreneurial activities.
- Across the world, women in richer countries are starting an increasing number of businesses with high economic potential and in high-tech sectors.
- In countries with low levels of economic output (GDP), entrepreneurship offers a way out of poverty.

As I reported in an earlier blog, 20% of all entrepreneurs in China are women. Here in the US, Chinese-Americans like Shauna Mei are starting up successful ventures, and capitalizing on the educational and career opportunities that this country presented to them.

There are many exciting programs scheduled for tomorrow's (10/15/10) session including one by Jeanniey Mullen, Global Executive Vice President and CMO of Zinio, LLC and Vivmag, LLC,

Also on tap tomorrow is a session sponsored by Ernst & Young of an inaugural group of CEO Male Champions. The business leaders will come together to define – through specific and actionable dialogue – what it means to be a CEO Champion of women’s advancement and empowerment.

Enlightened men are increasingly becoming involved in previously exclusively all-female groups. I am privileged to have been named as one of the first "Guys Who Rock" by 85 Broads, a global and exclusive members-only network of over 22,000 women (and a handful of enlightened men!)

Wednesday's Women of Courage - Aude De Thuin

2010-10-13T00:05:00.001-04:00

Beginning October 14, 1200+ of the most powerful women on the planet will descend on Deauville, France to take part in the 6th Annual Women's Forum, often referred to as the "Davos for Women".

Were it not for the courage and vision of it's founder, Aude de Thuin, who took a personal financial risk to put on the first Forum in 2005, this important event would not have been possible.

In a recent Forbes.com article "Why the world needs a "Woman's Davos"", De Thuin describes herself as " independent-minded, and stubborn". She has spent most of her life as an entrepreneur, having put herself through college working as a model.

When asked why she set out to start the Women's Forum in 2004, she told the interviewer that going to the mostly all male Davos event would be fruitless, since just a small number of women are attendees and small business is not well represented. After being denied bank loans, she sold one of her ventures and put the money toward the first event.

When she became doubtful whether she had done the right thing, her husband told her to "trust your intuition". She took the first courageous step, and never looked back.

This year's Forum promises to be the best ever. Attendance is up 20% over last year, and her list of sponsors has grown to include some of the top firms in the world.

I encourage you to login to the Forum website and view the programs and initiatives they have in play, and consider getting involved.

I hope to see many of you there for the 2011 meeting.

Tuesday's Treasure - Deauville, France

2010-10-12T04:50:00.006-04:00

This week, I am devoting most of this blog to coverage of "the Davos of Women" - the Women's Forum 2010 taking place in the seaside resort town of Deauville.

With only 4,500 residents, this is one of the world's only seaside resorts that can be enjoyed all year round, and thus has gained international repute as a result.

According to website Information France, "Through the years, the town has managed to develop harmoniously, preserving its historic, architectural and cultural heritage, while at the same time keeping step with an ever-changing tourist sector. Indeed, only two hours from Paris, this rendez-vous of elegance and art de vivre promises visitors a complete change of scenery, with its many turn-of-the-century villas, traditional half-timbered houses,colourful sun umbrellas on the beach and famous Promenade."

Because of it's beauty, several wealthy women, including Greek shipping heiress, Chyrss Goulandris, have homes there. Her villa is reputed to be where William The Conqueror planned his invasion of France.

French clothing designer, Yves St. Laurent had a home there which he shared with his succession of French Bulldogs always named Moujik.

Deauville is full of delightful restaurants, shops, and hotels. Later this week, I will bring you a few suggestions so that those of you in my network who are going there this week, can take time to "do up the town" with some of the other 1,200 + delegates attending this year's Forum.

Monday's Motivational Makeover - More on Change and the Women's Forum 2010 this Week!

2010-10-11T11:28:00.010-04:00

Over this past weekend I posted some information on an exciting event that is taking place October 14- 16 in Deauville, France.

It is the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society, an annual event where powerful women, and a few enlightened men meet to discuss the economy, and the future of women in industry, government, and philanthropy. In addition, and perhaps most importantly in our increasingly virtual world, it is a chance to network "face-to-face" with each other.

This event is supported by an "A-list" of sponsors including Accenture, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Proctor & Gamble, Qualcomm, and Zinio.

There are numerous programs that take place over the course of the event, but I would like to share a few that I think will interest my viewers and members of my network in attendance:

Zinio and Qualcomm will have a presence there and have partnered together on a global “Change the Page” tour that coincides with the launch of a tremendous "revolution of digital reading" study performed by the Harrison Group. This study, titled "America’s Appetite for Digital Consumption", is a benchmark in the next wave of change ( http://www.changethepage.org/). Together, Zinio and Qualcomm are addressing the Reading Revolution and how the publishing and technology worlds are joining forces to address and evolve the way people read.

While this survey reveals that tablet based technologies and eReaders have widespread consumer appeal, this study reveals that “unlike other new technologies, this revolution is not about the technology itself, but rather, it is about the role that content plays in people’s lives.” Complete copies of the research can be purchased by contacting The Harrison Group.

Those of you who faithfully follow this blog may recall that I have written about Zinio in the past.

They provide a platform able to run on multiple devices, and a single solution to access a rapidly growing universe of content (including this Blog!). It's more than an application – they're a world-class digital products and services company that unites readers, what they read, and the many devices they read on. From design to distribution, their cross-platform suite of applications – UNITY™ – engages readers like never before on their iPads, iPhones, desktops, laptops and Android devices. For advertisers, they offer the chance to take advantage of a format that’s more engaging, with higher returns than any other digital platform.

In my opinion, Zinio delivers a new standard for digital publishing.

At the Women's Forum, Zinio and Qualcomm will be sponsoring the Writer’s Corner which takes place in the Discovery Hall. Within this area, Zinio and Qualcomm will show the evolution of reading from stone, to paper, to print to computer through a series of powerful imagery, ending with a sneak peak of the Mirasol Biomimicry Screen’s and Zinio interactive digital content.

A few interactive workshops that Zinio are participating in or conducting are listed below:

- Exclusive VIVmag focus study with Rising Talent group

Rising Talents aims to distinguish highly talented young women who will become influential figures in our economies and societies in the future. The initiative is an example of the values illustrated by the Women’s Forum since its creation. It was launched in 2007 under the impulse of Aude de Thuin, Founder and CEO, as a corporate and personal commitment to promoting women leaders and bringing the vision of rising generations to the Forum. Each year, 20 to 25 young women are invited to attend the Women’s Forum Global Meeting and join the Rising Talents network

This exclusive group will get to interact with VIVmag one-on-one on the iPad in order to generate key learnings from this savvy group on how women read interactive, dynamically designed digital magazines like VIVmag. The seven pillars of VIVmag will be showcased; beauty, style, healthy eating, fitness, travel, awareness and wellness and Rising Talent women will provide their feedback on the VIVmag experience – a luxury digital magazine

- Speaking Engagement by Qualcomm’s Cheryl Goodman, Director of Marketing, Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.

Information is fundamentally changing. A single animated movie now contains more data than entire libraries. There is one final frontier in this digital revolution, however, and it is perhaps the most important: print. No single moment in history has seen so much information move from one format to another with such significant implications. Print content now stands to enter new realms of use in arenas like education, social welfare, industry and entertainment. This is not only a technological revolution, but a revolution in intrinsic human reading behavior. The implications of this migration are empowering for those driving the revolution and daunting for those who lag on the adoption curve. In this session, participants will hear from women leading and enabling this reading revolution. Cheryl Goodman, hails from Qualcomm, a global leader in next generation wireless solutions and who’s mirasol display technology aims to preserve what makes print great. The compliment to Qualcomm’s hardware and wireless solutions are software platform solutions, is Zinio, the global leader in digital content distribution.

- The Future of Publishing

Cheryl Goodman and Pierre Geslot of ORANGE will address the Future of Publishing and Technology (I'll provide more info in a follow-up post later this week!)

As you can see, Change is happening in every aspect of our lives, and these programs describe the "cutting edge" of the technology that is helping drive it.

I will have another update on this event as the week progresses and some feedback from my viewers fortunate to experience this important women's event "live", so that you can experience all the energy and excitement "virtually".

Celebrities, Philanthropies & Charities - Women's Forum for The Economy & Society 2010

2010-10-09T14:44:00.006-04:00

This week, the 6th edition of The Women's Global Forum Meeting will begin on October 14 and conclude on October 16. This year's theme is "Change - make it happen".

The Women’s Forum Meetings aim to bring together leaders from all over the world – women and men – representing the business world, the government, academic circles, culture, etc. in order to give new perspectives to key issues in our present and our future; to create a powerful, global network in order to strengthen the influence of women throughout the world; to draw up innovative and concrete action plans to encourage women’s contribution to society and promote diversity in the business world.

I am honored to have several of my network.attending this event, which is billed as the women's equivalent of the World Economic Forum which takes place annually at Davos, Switzerland.

Among them are Jeanniey Mullen and Jennifer Halliday of the Zinio organization. They are event partners along with their one-of-a-kind, all digital magazine for women - Vivmag. They are participating in several of the programs during the event, and I am hoping to bring you some of their insight as they progress.

Lifestyle Lifters - Imagine a World at Peace

2010-10-09T06:59:00.002-04:00

Today marks what would have been John Lennon's 70th Birthday. It is hard to imagine that there is anyone on the planet that does not know who he was or what he stood for.

His mission to promote world peace is carried forward by his widow, Yoko Ono, who was a driving force and a true soul mate.

She is in Iceland today marking John's untimely death over 30 year's ago with a series of celebrations .

While many think that when she and John got together, her influence over him was a bad thing. I think that it was just the opposite.

If John were alive today, I believe they would still be united in working tirelessly for World Peace, just as Yoko continues to do to this day.

This relationship was truly a forerunner to what is now becoming a new era of co-investment by women and men to solve world problems.

It is often said, "behind every man is a great woman". In this case, they worked side-by-side, arm-in-arm. And since John has left us, Yoko continues on.

Let us continue on. Please take time today to remember John and give thanks to Yoko and her continued efforts to bring about World Peace.

Thursday's Truth - Women and Private Banking

2010-10-07T00:05:00.002-04:00

As many of you know (or can find out by clicking on my picture in the sidebar), I have experience in Private and Investment Banking, at both start-ups, and Majors.

Part of the reason I got involved with this industry in the first place, was to learn and apply the knowledge I gained in these organizations, to issues concerning Women of Wealth. This Blog is an outreach to this group, and came about because my research indicates that better than half of the world's wealth is controlled by women, and over 80% of household purchases are made by them, as well.

What has been lacking, in my opinion, is a true "personal, all-women oriented" alternative to Private Banking. The following article from Forbes.com brings up some good points regarding Private Banks, many of which I agree with based on my experience in the business.

The truth is, women invest differently than men. They also like to have not only personal services, but truly private ones, for no other reason that in an age where identity theft and social networks are both increasing in number, it just makes sense.

I have some recommendations for those of you who are currently seeking Private Banking Services, or any personal services for that matter. Please contact me and I'll be happy to discuss.

I now count among my extended staff a Personal Assistant/Concierge, and a Personal Trainer/Chauffeur/Bodyguard (yes, they really do all three!).

Women of Wealth have the means to make a difference in the world and establish a legacy for generations of women to come .

But they must be careful with whom they place their trust to help them get there.

Wednesday's Women of Courage - Shauna Mei

2010-10-06T00:05:00.004-04:00

In my Tuesday's Treasure post yesterday I featured a new website - AHAlife.com - that was created by my 85 Broads colleague, Shauna Mei.

Shauna spoke at a recent 85 Broads Power Breakfast, and gave us all some background on her life and new passion.

Everyone in the room was moved when she described her journey from a child born in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China to attending MIT, working at Goldman Sachs, and living and working in Manhattan as a fashion industry executive in successful firms she either founded or co-founded.

She also shared with us that when her Mother found out she was pregnant with a girl, she insisted on keeping the child despite pressure to have an abortion. Shauna said that her Mother felt that the child that was inside of her was special and would grow up to achieve great things.

Her Mother was also told that the fetus had a heart defect. Again, she held fast to her conviction to see the pregnancy through.

Shauna's accomplishments bear witness to how right her Mother's intuition was.

Miraculously, her heart has healed on it's own, eliminating the need for life-threatening surgery.

Courage to survive, courage to compete, courage to press on regardless.

These are traits that drive Women of Courage to achieve greatness.

And thanks to the courage of a Mother, passed on to her Daughter, Shauna now inspires us to do the same.

Tuesday's Treasure - The AHA! Life

2010-10-05T00:05:00.001-04:00

I recently joined a social network that truly speaks to my need for simplicity. It's actually not just a social network, it is more of an online community structured very much like my favorite activity in Kindergarten - "show-and-tell".

The brainchild of former Fashion Industry and Wall Street Executive, Shauna Mei, AHAlife.com is a place where I can see what I and others have curated (show) and learn how this item was conceived, manufactured or otherwise acquired (tell).

1 Product. 24 Hours. 100% Inspiring—that's what it's all about. AHAlife.com showcases and sells one hand-selected item each day and tells the story behind the making of the product, along with a designer profile and sometimes a video or audio slideshow that takes you inside the creative process.

Simply brilliant!

Recent offerings include a Canon G12 Camera embellished by Diane Von Furstenberg, a Crystal Clutch Handbag designed by Marchesa, creator of red carpet confections beloved by Hollywood style icons Blake Lively, Naomi Watts, and Demi Moore, and a Buy Her Bag Not Her Body bag, made of recycled rice sacks in Cambodia by survivors of human trafficking.

Certain product purchases receive "karma points" for supporting a brand that donates part of its profits to a good cause.

I get good Karma just being a part of the AHA life community. Try in on for size. It will surprise and delight you.

Monday's Motivational Makeover - More on Anti-Aging

2010-10-04T08:39:00.004-04:00

Due to an overwhelming response to last week's post on Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara, and his tips on how to stay younger, and live longer, I am devoting today's Motivational Makeover to yet another example of how proper nutrition and exercise play a key role in Anti-Aging.

There are also clear benefits to maintaining a healthy lifestyle when faced with a disease such as Breast Cancer, a leading cause of death in Women.

According to the website devoted to his book, The China Study, Dr. T. Colin Campbell was a researcher at MIT and Virginia Tech working to promote better health by eating more meat, milk and eggs -- “high-quality animal protein … It was an obvious sequel to my own life on the farm and I was happy to believe that the American diet was the best in the world.”

He later was a researcher on a project in the Philippines working with malnourished children. The project became an investigation for Dr. Campbell, as to why so many Filipino children were being diagnosed with liver cancer, predominately an adult disease. The primary goal of the project was to ensure that the children were getting as much protein as possible.

“In this project, however, I uncovered a dark secret. Children who ate the highest protein diets were the ones most likely to get liver cancer...” He began to review other reports from around the world that reflected the findings of his research in the Philippines.

Although it was “heretical to say that protein wasn’t healthy,” he started an in-depth study into the role of nutrition, especially protein, in the cause of cancer.

The research project culminated in a 20-year partnership of Cornell University, Oxford University, and the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, a survey of diseases and lifestyle factors in rural China and Taiwan. More commonly known as the China Study, “this project eventually produced more than 8000 statistically significant associations between various dietary factors and disease.”

The findings? “People who ate the most animal-based foods got the most chronic disease … People who ate the most plant-based foods were the healthiest and tended to avoid chronic disease. These results could not be ignored,” said Dr. Campbell.

In The China Study, Dr. Campbell details the connection between nutrition and heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, and also its ability to reduce or reverse the risk or effects of these deadly illnesses. The China Study also examines the source of nutritional confusion produced by powerful lobbies, government entities, and irresponsible scientists.

The China Study is not a diet book. Consumers are bombarded with conflicting messages regarding health and nutrition; the market is flooded with popular titles like The Atkins Diet and The South Beach Diet. The China Study cuts through the haze of misinformation and delivers an insightful message to anyone living with cancer, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and those concerned with the effects of aging. Additionally, he challenges the validity of these low-carb fad diets and issues a startling warning to their followers.

Sanctuary Sunday - The Cab Ride

2010-10-03T12:43:00.007-04:00

I hope you are all enjoying this day, wherever your sanctuary may be.

I receive many emails containing stories, musings, and reflections. This one spoke to me personally, having lost several relatives this year, including my ninety plus young Mother.

This one is for you, Mom:

The Cab Ride

I arrived at the address and honked the horn.
After waiting a few minutes I walked to the door and knocked... 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase.
The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters.
In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said.
I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness.
'It's nothing', I told her.
'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated'.
'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said.
When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'
'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly.
'Oh, I don't mind,' she said.
'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice”.

I looked in the rear-view mirror.
Her eyes were glistening.
'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..'
'The doctor says I don't have very long.'

I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city.
She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds.
She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said,
'I'm tired. Let's go now'.

We drove in silence to the address she had given me.

It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up.
They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.

They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door.
The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' she asked, reaching into her purse.
'Nothing,' I said.
'You have to make a living,' she answered.
'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.
She held onto me tightly.
'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light..
Behind me, a door shut.
It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift.
I drove aimlessly lost in thought.
For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.

What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?

What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID.

BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

Lifestyle Lifters - Cupcakes For Cancer

2010-10-02T08:27:00.003-04:00

In my TGIF post yesterday, I brought to your attention the fact that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Today, I want to introduce you to one of my favorite places to get a "lift" - from a delicious treat. The name of the shop is "Crumbs". The one in our small town here in the Gold Coast of Connecticut is always packed.

This month their entire chain is offering a "Pink Cupcake" - vanilla cake filled with vanilla cream cheese frosting topped with light pink vanilla fondant with a mix of pink ribbon quins and pink and white sprinkles around the edge. 20% of proceeds from all sales will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

I speak often of how women and men need to co-invest in anything they do. I think you will find this article in Women's Day a prime example of how husband and wife, Jason and Mia, co-owners of Crumbs have made this approach successful.

There are several Crumbs locations on both the East and West coast. Sorry to those of my visitors from outside the US - there are no international shops yet.

But wait a while. I have a feeling it won't be long before the whole world has access to their fabulous line of baked goods!

TGIF - October is NBCAM - Thank Goodness I'm Fine!

2010-10-01T07:55:00.008-04:00

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And while this disease predominantly affects women, one percent of the cases diagnosed every year are in Men.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, aside from skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the United States this year.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women (after lung cancer). Although African-American women have a slightly lower incidence of breast cancer after age 40 than Caucasian women, they have a slightly higher incidence rate of breast cancer before age 40.

Breast cancer occurs less often among women in Asian countries (such as China and Korea) than among women in Western countries (such as the United States and Europe). In Hong Kong, where the population stands at nearly 7 million, 2,273 new cases were diagnosed in 2004 and 454 women died from it.

Research has shown, however, that breast cancer now is being diagnosed more frequently among women living in Asian countries, especially among younger women. This is an alarming trend. According to breastcancer.org , the researchers don't explain why this is happening. In the past, the diets and lifestyles of Asian women supported a lower risk of breast cancer compared to Western women. The average woman living in an Asian country:

eats more fresh vegetables
is closer to her ideal body weight
is more physically active
is less likely to drink significant amounts of alcohol

These are some of the same habits that lead to a longer, healthier life. Click here to go to my recent blog on noted Physician Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara and his tips for anti-aging.

It's possible that some of the increase in breast cancer diagnoses is the result of more younger women in Asian countries adopting a typical Western diet and lifestyle. Research has shown that Asian women who live in the United States and have adopted a typical Western diet and lifestyle have breast cancer rates similar to the general U.S. population.

It's also possible that other environmental factors are contributing to the rising rate of breast cancer among women living in Asia. Much has been written about higher levels of pollution that have been brought about by rapid industrial growth in China. Environmental factors such as air and water pollution have been associated with cancer.

The researchers also point out that a large number of women in Asia (70%) don't get regular mammograms. Because breast cancer rates are increasing, Asian governments and healthcare systems will have to work harder to boost awareness of breast cancer risk and the importance of annual screenings.

Happily, today, there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States. Since 1990, more and more women have been surviving breast cancer, largely because of early detection through mammography and improvements in treatment.

Take time today to reach out to a Breast Cancer patient. Chances are good you know one personally - in your family, or where you work. Look for one of the many events in your area that are scheduled as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and commit part of your Time, Talent, or Treasure to help fight this disease.

But most importantly, click here to familiarize yourself with the benefits of early detection.

The life you save may be your own.

Thursday's Truth - NOW I get it!

2010-09-30T07:31:00.010-04:00

Late last week I had an AHA! moment, as entrepreneur and 85 Broads colleague, Shauna Mei would say. An article entitled Women on Street A Declining Breed appeared in last week's WSJ.

It was brought to my attention by another 85 Broads colleague, Margaret Astolfi of Clear Harbor Asset Management.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over the past ten years, 141,000 women, or 2.6% of female workers in finance, left the industry. This despite a 4.1% growth in the number of women in the US labor force during the same time period.

In the article, several reasons are cited for this decline, including one by 85 Broads Founder, Janet Hanson, who offered that women are finding "their entrepreneurial groove" , " It's not because Wall Street is not a fascinating place to be, it's just that there are other places that are more fascinating".

I could not agree more. One only need look at the swelling ranks of women entrepreneurs in emerging markets like China where women make up 47% of the workforce, and 20% of all entrepreneurs. Click here for a recent study by Harvard and Rollins College faculty.

But I have another theory as to why female talent has left the financial industry.

It involves authenticity. Most women demand it. And Wall Street has traditionally not fostered a culture of truth.

Another thing women demand, and are willing to fight for, is equality. Despite recent progress, the gap between what women on Wall Street earn compared to their male counterparts is still unacceptably large. Forgetting pay, women account for only 16.8% of executive officers, and only 2.5% of financial company CEO's, according to a recent study by Catalyst, Inc.

The only thing that will reverse this alarming trend is a mutual investment by both men and women in changing the way society views their roles and responsibilities. Click here for a post on this subject by fellow 85 Broads colleague and Wonder Woman, Jacki Zehner.

The truth is, we need more women on Wall Street, not less. But then again, we need more women in all areas of influence and power. We need more Authenticity. Once this has been restored, the women will come.

I, and many others, are looking for ways to help bridge the gap between men and women. Women of Wealth are putting their money where their mouth is, and supporting other women.

And it's finally beginning to pay off!

Wednesday's Women of Courage - Maya Lin

2010-09-29T07:23:00.006-04:00

Today's Woman of Courage exemplifies true determination. As both artist and architect, her work reflects a strong interest in the environment. She has served as an advisor on sustainable energy use, and as a Board Member of the National Resources Defense Council. In 2000 she published her first book, Boundaries. She describes it as a "visual and verbal sketchbook, where image can be seen as text and text is sometimes used as image."

Here is more background on her work courtesy of feminist.com:

Maya Lin was born in 1959. Her parents emigrated from China and taught at Ohio University. When she was a 21-year-old student at Yale, her design for the Vietnam Memorial was chosen from over twelve hundred proposals. The controversy that ensued was ugly and unwarranted. Yet, Maya Lin defended her work with extraordinary grace and courage. Her vision manifests itself in the Vietnam Memorial, one of America's most significant monuments, with the names of those who died in the war chiseled into a wall of black marble slicing through the earth. The Civil Rights Memorial she designed in Montgomery, Alabama, pays tribute to fallen Civil Rights workers. Like the Vietnam Memorial, the names of those honored are chiseled in stone, but this monument creates the appearance of a stone table with water flowing over the sculpture as if rising from the earth itself.

Both monuments not only witness the past, but honor the outcome in the present. Maya's vision is strongly influenced by the Earth Artists of the 1960's and 1970's. She credits her Asian-American heritage as the source of her ability to combine the influences of East and West as well as reason and intuition to manifest within her architectural designs. Her strong concern for the environment is demonstrated by her use of recycled, living, or natural materials in her work. Her vision is clearly one of expansive respect for past, present, and future generations.

Tuesday's Treasure - Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara

2010-09-28T00:05:00.000-04:00

You may have noticed two themes running through my posts over the last few weeks.

One is Sustainability. The other, Anti-Aging. These two topics are not dissimilar.

Sustainability relates to our ability to keep our natural resources from running out due to waste, overuse, or just plain neglect.

Anti-aging relates to our ability to sustain our lives over a longer period of time without the usual decline in physical or mental health. Here again, waste (toxic cell growth), overuse (eating too much, or the wrong kind of food.) and neglect (lack of exercise, proper diet) come into play.

Arguably one of the world's best known (and longest practicing) physicians is Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara.

This article about him comes courtesy of the Japan Times:

At the age of 98, Shigeaki Hinohara is one of the world’s longest-serving physicians and educators. Hinohara’s magic touch is legendary: Since 1941 he has been healing patients at St. Luke’s International Hospital in Tokyo and teaching at St. Luke’s College of Nursing.

After World War II, he envisioned a world-class hospital and college springing from the ruins of Tokyo; thanks to his pioneering spirit and business savvy, the doctor turned these institutions into the nation’s top medical facility and nursing school. Today he serves as chairman of the board of trustees at both organizations.

Always willing to try new things, he has published around 150 books since his 75th birthday, including one Living Long, Living Good that has sold more than 1.2 million copies. As the founder of the New Elderly Movement, Hinohara encourages others to live a long and happy life, a quest in which no role model is better than the doctor himself.

Here now, in his own words, is advice on this doctor of long life on how to live a long life.

Energy comes from feeling good, not from eating well or sleeping a lot. We all remember how as children, when we were having fun, we often forgot to eat or sleep. I believe that we can keep that attitude as adults, too. It’s best not to tire the body with too many rules such as lunchtime and bedtime.

All people who live long – regardless of nationality, race or gender — share one thing in common: None are overweight. For breakfast I drink coffee, a glass of milk and some orange juice with a tablespoon of olive oil in it. Olive oil is great for the arteries and keeps my skin healthy. Lunch is milk and a few cookies, or nothing when I am too busy to eat. I never get hungry because I focus on my work. Dinner is veggies, a bit of fish and rice, and, twice a week, 100 grams of lean meat.

Always plan ahead. My schedule book is already full until 2014, with lectures and my usual hospital work. In 2016 I’ll have some fun, though: I plan to attend the Tokyo Olympics!

There is no need to ever retire, but if one must, it should be a lot later than 65. The current retirement age was set at 65 half a century ago, when the average life-expectancy in Japan was 68 years and only 125 Japanese were over 100 years old. Today, Japanese women live to be around 86 and men 80, and we have 36,000 centenarians in our country. In 20 years we will have about 50,000 people over the age of 100.

Share what you know. I give 150 lectures a year, some for 100 elementary-school children, others for 4,500 business people. I usually speak for 60 to 90 minutes, standing, to stay strong.

When a doctor recommends you take a test or have some surgery, ask whether the doctor would suggest that his or her spouse or children go through such a procedure. Contrary to popular belief, doctors can’t cure everyone. So why cause unnecessary pain with surgery? I think music and animal therapy can help more than most doctors imagine.

To stay healthy, always take the stairs and carry your own stuff. I take two stairs at a time, to get my muscles moving.

My inspiration is Robert Browning’s poem “Abt Vogler.” My father used to read it to me. It encourages us to make big art, not small scribbles. It says to try to draw a circle so huge that there is no way we can finish it while we are alive. All we see is an arch; the rest is beyond our vision but it is there in the distance.

Pain is mysterious, and having fun is the best way to forget it. If a child has a toothache, and you start playing a game together, he or she immediately forgets the pain. Hospitals must cater to the basic need of patients: We all want to have fun. At St. Luke’s we have music and animal therapies, and art classes.

Don’t be crazy about amassing material things. Remember: You don’t know when your number is up, and you can’t take it with you to the next place.

Hospitals must be designed and prepared for major disasters, and they must accept every patient who appears at their doors. We designed St. Luke’s so we can operate anywhere: in the basement, in the corridors, in the chapel. Most people thought I was crazy to prepare for a catastrophe, but on March 20, 1995, I was unfortunately proven right when members of the Aum Shinrikyu religious cult launched a terrorist attack in the Tokyo subway. We accepted 740 victims and in two hours figured out that it was sarin gas that had hit them. Sadly we lost one person, but we saved 739 lives.

Science alone can’t cure or help people. Science lumps us all together, but illness is individual. Each person is unique, and diseases are connected to their hearts. To know the illness and help people, we need liberal and visual arts, not just medical ones.

Life is filled with incidents. On March 31, 1970, when I was 59 years old, I boarded the Yodogo, a flight from Tokyo to Fukuoka. It was a beautiful sunny morning, and as Mount Fuji came into sight, the plane was hijacked by the Japanese Communist League-Red Army Faction. I spent the next four days handcuffed to my seat in 40-degree heat. As a doctor, I looked at it all as an experiment and was amazed at how the body slowed down in a crisis.

Find a role model and aim to achieve even more than they could ever do. My father went to the United States in 1900 to study at Duke University in North Carolina. He was a pioneer and one of my heroes. Later I found a few more life guides, and when I am stuck, I ask myself how they would deal with the problem.

It’s wonderful to live long. Until one is 60 years old, it is easy to work for one’s family and to achieve one’s goals. But in our later years, we should strive to contribute to society. Since the age of 65, I have worked as a volunteer. I still put in 18 hours seven days a week and love every minute of it.

Treasure your body. Treasure your Planet. You will feel better, and live longer by doing both!

Monday's Motivational Makeover - Creating a Virtual You!

2010-09-27T08:00:00.006-04:00

In last week's Monday's Motivational Makeover post, I touched upon how women are becoming "ageless" through the use of proper nutrition, exercise, and yes, an occasional "lift" courtesy of some talented Plastic Surgeons such as my friend and fellow 85 Broads member, Dr. Shirley Madhere.

I created this blog as an outreach to women who, for a variety of reasons, may not feel like their current circumstances allow them to go to events, or become involved in some of the initiatives I highlight from time-to-time.

Very often this is due to a low self-esteem, or a feeling that "what I do really doesn't matter".

In short, they need to begin writing a "social biography", but lack the confidence, or do not know where or how to begin.

For those of you currently "stuck" in this situation, the key to getting motivated and involved may lie in creating a "virtual persona" first, then work on getting face-to-face in groups as you gain confidence.

The fact that you are viewing this blog is an encouraging sign. It tells me that you are interested in what other women have to say about some of the issues you face, and research shows you are not alone in using blogs and other social media as a vehicle for doing so.

Here are some interesting facts regarding women and blog usage from a study published by Blogher and Compass Partners. Although these survey results are a bit dated, it shows a trend which is only going to increase if history is any indication.

36.2 million women actively participate in the blogsophere every week (15.1 publishing, 21.1 reading and commenting)

* Women are so passionate about blogging that large percentages of women said they would give something up to keep the blogs they read and/or write:

- 55% would give up alcohol

- 50% would give up their PDAs

- 42% would give up their i-Pod

- 43% would give up reading the newspaper or magazines

BUT, some things are sacred … only 20% would give up chocolate!

* More than half of women maintain the original blog they started

* Our time shift from traditional media is accelerating. In the general Internet population:

- 24 percent of women surveyed say we watch less television because we're blogging

- 25 percent of us say we read fewer magazines because we're blogging

- 22 percent of us say we read fewer newspapers because we're blogging

* "It's about me": Our own lives are our favorite topic -- but don't assume you know all the different topics our lives represent by lifestage.

* More than half of women surveyed consider blogs a reliable source of advice and information

* Half of women surveyed say blogs influence their purchase decisions

* Despite hype, few women report discontinuing blogging due to problems with trolls or being “outed"

For a copy of the original report please click here.

I encourage each of you to widen your knowledge base by seeking out blogs such as WWRG that are reliable sources of information, and focused on what's important to you. If you enjoy sharing your expertise or opinion, you may even consider starting your own blog.

Either way, you will be taking the first step in making over a "virtual you", and a social biography.

The World will be your stage!

Lifestyle Lifter -Jennifer McCann, Lifestyle Photographer

2010-09-26T09:18:00.008-04:00

Last Sunday evening I participated in the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG) awards ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria In NYC.

As I walked down the Red Carpet, I was greeted by the usual barrage of "flash units" from the global press and media outlets that were on hand to cover this annual event which preceded the UN MDG Summit began on Monday of last week.

I paused to allow a picture against the backdrop.

I asked one of the photographers how I might obtain a copy of any photos she had taken. She politely offered that I should contact East of Ellie, the event planner for the evening. I made a mental note of this and proceeded into the reception area to meet up with my other invited guests.

Later that evening, this same photographer approached our group and asked for a photo. How she found me in a room filled with hundreds of people is nothing short of a miracle.

I asked her again how we could obtain a copy of the group photo, and this time she offered her business card and said she would gladly broker the transfer.

Once again, fate deals me an opportunity to introduce to you an extraordinary artist, and a new friend.

Her name is Jenn McCann. Based out of Fairfield County, she is a married, and mother of two beautiful little girls.

Jenn is a "Self-Taught Photographer" and sole proprietor of "Jennifer McCann Photography"

I asked her to give me a little background on her passion:

"I have enjoyed and dabbled in photography for years, but started professionally part time 3 years ago, just went full time this past year, and even in the slow economy, I'm finding my business growing quickly.

I'm a "lifestyle" photographer, I work with natural light, on location- I mainly do family and children's portraits, and weddings- but other areas have included misc. events, product, and even fitness.

I was published in the June 2010 issue of "Shape" Magazine.

I am also contracted by "Family and Children's Aid" in Danbury, CT (A non-profit agency) as the agency photographer to photograph events and clients throughout the year.

I was featured as business of the month at Newtown Savings Bank in July 2010 - in my home town of Bethel.

My style is natural and candid, catching special moments between loved ones. My main goal is to please my clients and try to provide a comfortable, relaxed, and fun atmosphere to ensure great pictures!"

I encourage all of you to visit her website to get a better look at her work. I know many of you are located outside the NY Metro Area, but for the right event, and the right arrangement, I'm sure Jenn will make herself available!

TGIF - Plan a Fall Outing!

2010-09-24T08:48:00.006-04:00

Fall officially arrived yesterday, although the temperatures here in the Northeast of the US are still summerlike!

Soon, however, the temps will be dropping (unless you are lucky enough to live in a warm climate), leaves will be turning, and we will be looking for "indoor" activities to keep us in the right frame of mind.

I have invited many of my friends and clients to join me on a private tour of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) collection here in NYC. While this is but one of many great museums located here in Manhattan, it certainly has a unique following. The Modern restaurant is adjacent, and is where we dine after the tour. It is one of NYC's only restaurants to carry the Michelin Guide's One Star rating.

As many of you know, I have a genuine love for Asia and Asian Art, having spent a very impressionable portion of my childhood there.

I was delighted to discover through my contact at Papyrus, a high-end stationery and gift boutique ( Their wrapping paper, cards and gift wrap services are exquisite!) the artwork of Haku Maki (given name Maejima Tadaaki).

Examples of his work are on display at MoMa, Art Institute of Chicago, the British Museum, London, The Museum of Fine Arts, London, and the Aschenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts, San Francisco, among others.

Born in 1924, Maki's art began attracting attention at international print shows and in 1959 his work was selected along with nine other leading print artists to make up James A. Michener's landmark book The Modern Japanese Print. From that time until the present he has ranked among Japan's most respected print artists.

His work (including the limited edition "Rose" pictured above) is also available for viewing and purchase exclusively at the Papyrus boutique in Greenwich CT. If you are interested in stopping by, please send a note in advance to Dani Latorre, Flagship Manager at store02285@srgretail.com, and she will be delighted to give you a personal tour through their gallery.

If you do decide to make Greenwich your destination for a Fall Weekend Away, I recommend you stay at the beautiful Delamar, an exclusive and very private boutique hotel located on the harbor. Their restaurant, L'Escale is one of the finest around.

Tuesday's Treasure - If clothes make YOUR man, then Michael Reslan makes his clothes!

2010-09-21T05:22:00.006-04:00

In yesterday's Monday Motivational Makeover post, I talked about how anti-aging is the new fashion statement, especially for men looking to regain their competitive edge vis-a-vis their younger colleagues. I also mentioned that the event drew a crowd of A-listers from around the globe, and a variety of fashionistas each making their statement and drawing from their local cultures and talented designers.

Among the fashion world's movers and shakers seated at our table was Michael Reslan. Reslan recently opened a 15th floor showroom at 689 Fifth Avenue with amazing artwork, hand-crafted Italian furnishings and spectacular views of Manhattan.

Within this elegant space he offers his "Who's Who" list of clients a private, discreet, yet sophisticated environment which he has learned from over 27 years experience in the High-End Clothing industry is what sets his offering apart from the rest .

As he so aptly puts it " space + privacy = luxury"

I encourage you to share some time with your BMF and go enjoy some wine and cheese in his Tuscan-inspired outdoor garden.

If you are both too busy, Reslan will bring his line to your home or office. He reiterates, “This is not a store, it’s a private shopping experience.”

And one well worth it, I might add!

Monday's Motivational Makeover - The Total Package

2010-09-20T09:06:00.004-04:00

A few months ago, my colleague and fellow 85 Broads member, Evie wrote a guest blog featuring another 85 Broads member and friend, Dr. Shirley Madhere.

Shirley, Evie, and I attended the UN Millennium Development Goals Awards event in NYC last evening. Among the presenters were former super model Christie Brinkley and Actor, Country Music singer, John Schneider.

The Grand Ballroom was packed with dignitaries, celebrities, and CEO's, many of them women. Gloria Gaynor sang her signature disco anthem " I will survive". During this, there were literally women dancing in the isles.

What struck me the most was the energy in the room. Also striking were the men and women who attended.

Ageless is not just a concept anymore - it is reality!

Both Christie and John did not look their biological ages. I credit this to a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and good nutrition.

I discussed this with Shirley, a noted Plastic Surgeon. She agrees, and in fact her practice is centered around a "holistic" approach to anti-aging.

Another thing that struck me. Men are beginning to take an interest in re-vitalizing their youth. Shirley said that she has a number of high-profile male clients who want to look younger to " compete with younger men (and women)" who are increasingly rising to the top of companies and organizations.

I encourage you to take time today to think through what a makeover - physical or attitudinal - would do for you.

Keep in mind, though, that working on one, without paying attention to the other, will limit your outcome and your appearance.

Shirley is working on a book on this very subject and as soon as it is available, you will all be the first to know!

In the meantime, I hope to get her to do an occasional guest blog so we can begin our Total package Makeover ASAP!

TGIF - Today is Constitution Day.

2010-09-17T00:05:00.003-04:00

According to holidayinsights.com, "The Constitutional Congress held it's final meeting on September 17, 1787. Do you have any idea why? That's right! It was to sign the Constitution of the United States of America, a document for which they so painstakingly labored to create and perfect.

After the meeting there was still much to do. Individual states then had to meet and vote on it. The U.S. Constitution did not go into effect until two years later on March 4, 1789."

At the risk of being obvious, I note that none of the original signers of The Constitution were women. That would certainly NOT be the case if this document were in play today.

Moreover, despite the groundbreaking nature of the Constitution, women's involvement in the national political scene has been slow in coming. Here are a few factoids to consider:

Since 1789, only 2 percent of members of Congress have been women. But not until 1917 was a woman elected to the House of Representatives. In the Senate, from 1922-2006, only 33 women have served in the Senate: 20 Democrats and 13 Republicans.

The global average percentage of women in parliaments is 17 percent; in the 110th Congress, it is 16 percent. (cite)

Delaware, Iowa, Mississippi, New Hampshire & Vermont are the only states never to have a woman represent the state in either House of Congress.

1872. Victoria Woodhull ran for president of the United States on the Equal Rights Party ticket. She is most famous for her declaration and campaign to run as the first woman for the United States Presidency in 1872. Many of the reforms and ideals espoused by her for the common working class against the corrupt rich business elite were extremely controversial in her time though generations later many of those implemented are now taken for granted. Other ideas and reforms still remain controversial and debated today.
1917. The first woman elected to the U.S. House of representatives was Jeannette Rankin (R-MT). She served from 1917-1919 and from 1941-42. Sometimes called the "Lady of the House", Jeanette Rankin entered the House as the first woman in Congress.
1922. The first woman to serve in the U.S. Senate was Rebecca Latimer Felton (D-GA). She served for one day; she was appointed, not elected.
Hattie Caraway became the first woman to win election to the Senate, in 1932.
1933. Frances Perkins was the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet; she was Secretary of Labor under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
1964. Margaret Chase Smith (ME) became the first woman to have her name placed in nomination for president at a major party convention; Sen. George Aiken nominated her at the Republican national convention.
1968. Shirley Chisholm (NY) became the first black women to be elected to Congress.
1976. Barbara Jordan (TX) became the first black women to deliver a keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention.
1981. Sandra Day O'Connor became the first woman on the Supreme Court.
1984. Rep. Geraldine A. Ferraro (D-NY) is the first woman on a major party's national ticket; she was selected by Walter F. Mondale as his Vice Presidential running mate.
2007. The first woman to lead the House of Representatives is Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

Throughout most of the Senate's history, it has been almost entirely male. Until 1920, few women ran for the Senate. Until the 1990s, very few were elected. This is due to many factors, including the lack of women's suffrage in many states until ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, women's limited access to higher education until the mid-1900s, public perceptions of gender roles, and barriers to women's advancement such as sex discrimination, which still play’s a factor in their limited numbers today.

No women served from 1922 to 1931, 1945 to 1947, and 1973 to 1978. Since 1978, there has always been at least one woman in the Senate.

I believe it is only a matter of time before women become a majority in politics. Maybe by then, some of the problems of our current system will be fixed.

Or as one of the greatest Women in our history stated:

"The day will come when men will recognize woman as his peer, not only at the fireside, but in councils of the nation. Then, and not until then, will there be the perfect comradeship, the ideal union between the sexes that shall result in the highest development of the race. "

Susan B. Anthony

Thursday's Truth - What is Truth?

2010-09-16T07:24:00.005-04:00

I went to Google for an answer. When I typed in the word "truth" in the search box I received 214,000,000 results. Obviously a very popular topic.

Here are links to some of these results which ranged from the scholarly, i.e. Stanford University's online Encyclopedia of Philosophy , to companies whose names include the word truth such as a window hardware maker (Truth.com, interestingly enough) and clothing lines that have truth messaging.

Everyone has their own opinion regarding Truth. Truth is almost always associated with fact. Seeking the truth. Getting the facts. These two go hand-in-hand.

How do you regard Truth? Take time today to think about this. Do a little research, and a lot of soul-searching. If you find truth, you will find freedom. That's a promise.

Wednesday's Women of Courage - Jane Doe No More

2010-09-15T08:16:00.006-04:00

I have the honor of serving on the Board of the Jane Doe No More Organization, whose mission is to improve the way society responds to victims of sexual assault.

It was founded by Donna Palomba, whose courageous story has been featured on NBC Dateline. She was also featured in another of our Wednesday's Women of Courage posts last June.

At JDNM, we are working hard to shorten the time between crime and healing for victims for sexual assault. What began as a local effort, has now grown to an international one. A video, Duty Trumps Doubt, is in the final stages of production, and will be presented to the International Chiefs of Police Conference in Orlando, Fla. next month. This film will help law enforcement better handle evidence at the crime scene, and sensitize them to the need for compassion toward the victim.

Our website, janedoenomore.org, contains many ways to get involved through various social media such as Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Please consider joining us in our mission. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

Monday's Motivational Makeover - Ladies and Gentlemen...

2010-09-13T00:05:00.000-04:00

...may I have your attention, please.

We often refer to someone we admire or respect as "a classy lady" or "a perfect gentleman". I hear these terms used less frequently nowadays, perhaps because our definition of these terms is so subjective. And maybe we associate the behavior of a true gentleman or lady with old-fashioned values or simpler times.

I still aspire to be a gentleman, and truly appreciate when told I am so by an appreciative lady. And while many young girls look up to Lady Gaga, I personally think there are other examples that are more deserving of that title.

Here is a perspective on the subject offered by John Henry Newman in his book, The Idea of a University (I have altered original from masculine to feminine) :

"Hence it is that it is almost a definition of a lady to say she is one who never inflicts pain. This description is both refined and, as far as it goes, accurate. She is mainly occupied in merely removing the obstacles which hinder the free and unembarrassed action of those about her; and she concurs with their movements rather than takes the initiative herself... The true lady...carefully avoids whatever may cause a jar or a jolt in the minds of those with whom she is cast; - all clashing of opinion, or collision of feeling, all restraint, or suspicion, of gloom, or resentment; her great concern being to make everyone at their ease and at home.

She has her eyes on all her company; she is tender towards the bashful, gentle towards the distant, and merciful towards the absurd; she can recollect to whom she is speaking; she guards against unseasonable allusions, or topics which may irritate; she is seldom prominent in conversation, and never wearisome.

She makes light of favors while she does them, and seems to be receiving when she is conferring. She never speaks of herself except when compelled, never defends herself by a mere retort, she has no ears for slander or gossip, is scrupulous in imputing motives to those who interfere with her, and interprets every thing for the best. She is never mean or little in her disputes, never takes unfair advantage, never mistakes personalities or sharp sayings for arguments, or insinuates evil which she dare not say out.

From a long-sighted prudence, she observes the maxim of the ancient sage, that we should ever conduct ourselves toward our enemy as if she were one day to be our friend. She has too much good sense to be affronted at insults, she is too well employed to remember injuries, and too indolent to bear malice. She is patient, forbearing, and resigned on philosophical principles; she submits to pain, because it is inevitable, to bereavement, because it is irreparable, and to death, because it is her destiny.

If she engages in controversy of any kind, her disciplined intellect preserves her from the blundering discourtesy of better, perhaps, but less educated minds; who, like blunt weapons, tear and hack instead of cutting clean...She may be right or wrong in her opinion, but she is too clear-headed to be unjust; she is simple as she is forcible, and as brief as she is decisive. Nowhere shall we find greater candor, consideration, indulgence; she throws herself into the minds of her opponents, she accounts for their mistakes. She knows the weakness of human reason as well as its strength, its province and its limits.

If she be an unbeliever, she will be too profound and large-minded to ridicule religion or to act against it; she is to wise to be a dogmatist or fanatic in her infidelity. She respects piety and devotion; she even supports institutions as venerable, beautiful, of useful, to which she does not assent; she honors the ministers of religion, and it contents her to decline its mysteries without assailing or denouncing them.

She is a friend of religious toleration, and that, not only because her philosophy has taught her to look on all forms of faith with an impartial eye, but also from the gentleness and effeminacy of feeling, which is the attendant of civilization".

May we all, men and women, heed these words and remember to bring civilization into the lives of our peers, children, colleagues, and the disenfranchised. Use today as an opportunity to makeover your personality and your behavior so that it brings out the true Lady or Gentleman in you!

Thursday's Truths - Truth or Consequencies?

2010-09-09T00:05:00.004-04:00

In my last Sunday Sanctuary post I began describing the economic underpinnings of our current financial system. Specifically, I touched upon two types of capitalism that are the predominant ideologies in practice in the free world today - Anglo/US capitalism and stakeholder capitalism.

There is another type that has been emerging ever since the Financial Crisis and the resulting "punishment" of the financial institutions that were allegedly at fault.

It is called "Charitable Capitalism". Many firms, such as Goldman Sachs, have launched new initiatives such as their 10,000 Small Businesses Initiative, a pledge of half a billion dollars to provide access for small businesses to financial capital, mentors, networks, and business education. Since women-owned businesses now account for a significant portion of our economy, this is a great step toward getting money into the right hands so that we may continue to heal our financial condition.

In an op-ed piece around this time last year, my Gal Pal, Jacki Zehner wrote:

" What’s it going to take from Wall Street? How about repentance? Repentance is a theological concept that isn’t normally associated with business practice, but that’s what Main Street needs from Wall Street. Repentance is the first step in healing a broken relationship. Yes, it starts with admitting wrongdoing and expressing sincere regret for it, but it goes far deeper than that. It demonstrates sincerity through definitive and dramatic action in a new direction, signifying a strong commitment to the relationship."

In my opinion, unless the financial system we have created, and the underpinnings of capitalism are reformed to include honest, viable, and effective (socially responsible) institutions, with morally responsible individuals put in place to run them, the consequence will be a global shaking of biblical proportions.

Repentance is the first step toward truth. And the truth will set us all free.

Wednesday's Women of Courage - Your Financial Personality

2010-09-08T00:05:00.000-04:00

I'm going to deviate a little from our usual Wednesday's Women of Courage format and present some new thought on how women view financial decision-making. It may help you better understand the behavior of women around you, and your approach to money, as well.

While at the gym recently, I caught a CNBC interview with Maddy Dychtwald whose latest book is Influence: How Women's Soaring Economic Power Will Transform Our World Here is an excerpt from a conversation she had with Robert Morris of First Friday's Book Synopsis:

Morris: Your discussion of women’s “money profiles” caught my eye. For those who have not as yet read Influence, what are the five types and what is the dominant characteristic if each?

Dychtwald: As we collected data from our study, trying to better understand women and their financial behavior, five profiles of women and money emerged. Overall, our research uncovered the fact that what determines a women’s financial personality is very much how she feels about money, how much she defers to someone else to get the job done, what she wants money to do for her, what she wants to do with her money, and how confidant she is in her relationship with money. While these profiles are merely snapshots at one moment in time, it immediately became clear that three of the five personalities helped women’s economic emancipation while two others did not. In the book, I describe these personalities in detail, but here’s a quick take.

The most confident of the five personality types is the Alpha Female. Eighteen percent of the women surveyed identified with this profile, and their behavior (when it comes to money) is much like a stereotypical confidant male: a quick decision-maker, risk-tolerant, and less interested in the details than the results.

The Perceptive Planner is not quite as confident as the Alpha Female, but this is the personality that 35 percent of women identified with, making it the largest segment in the study. They are analytical, disciplined and responsible.

The third personality is the Power Partner which is the second most common group in our study with 23 percent of women identifying with this personality. She is collaborative and willing to strike compromises, believing that two heads are better than one. These three personality types are pro-active and empowered when it comes to money.

The last two personalities are not: Supportive Traditionalists and Uncertain Searchers. About a quarter of all women identify with these two personalities. A Supportive Traditionalist demonstrates the de facto way women used to behave with money, deferring decisions around money to a male. She enjoys spending and is not too interested in gaining knowledge around finances. Amazingly, it is the smallest group in our study with only 8 percent of women identifying with this personality.

The least confident personality is the Uncertain Searcher with about 16 percent of women identifying with this personality. This personality is led by her emotions when it comes to making financial decisions. She knows little to nothing about finances and doesn’t know where to turn for information. She knows she’s lost and isn’t sure how to move on.

What personality type are you?

Tuesday's Treasure - Networking 101

2010-09-07T07:35:00.008-04:00

Many of you have accumulated wealth through the effort and determination required to succeed as a small business owner, entrepreneur, or by breaking through the glass ceiling at a Fortune 500 company.

My fellow 85 Broads Member, Hilary Eaton Pearl, is an internationally recognized success coach and founder of Hilary Pearl Associates. In her seminars, she emphasizes the need to create and maintain a "personal brand".

There are many ways to do this. One is to join one of the many women's networks that have been created within corporations that recognize the value, and cost saving, associated with fostering gender equality. Many employers like Deloitte, view it as part of their business strategy.

By viewing this blog, you are passively joining in to my global network. Each time you click through to another blog or website, you are taking part in what I call learn & apply involvement.

Another way to amp up your personal brand value is to join one of the many digital social networks, such as Facebook or LinkedIN. Be very careful here, however, because reputation management is much more difficult when you hang yourself out to an entire world via the World Wide Web.

If this is the way you want to go, I suggest you hire a good "social media trainer" such as Kathryn Rose who is part of the Ladies Who Launch network, and Founder of Supreme Social Media. They can coach you on how to tap into this incredibly powerful tool and become more effective with networking at all levels - professional and personal.

And finally, there is just plain, old fashioned face-to-face human interaction. Take time to strike up a conversation with a person next to you on the train, in a store, or restaurant. Janet Hanson, Founder of 85 Broads calls this "seeing the trade"

As Hilary says "It’s each of our responsibility to make introductions between two people you find interesting. Later, the gift will come back to you."

Monday's Motivational makeover featuring Tess

2010-09-06T08:38:00.002-04:00

Dwell in possibility.

Whatever you want, wants you!

Enjoy this moment…this moment is your life.

What’s in your life is what you choose, choose powerfully!

Just writing these things lifts my heart. There is energy and influence in positive thought.

So…why don’t we fill our days and lives with positive thoughts, intentions and words?

We get caught up in the pressures and demands of the everyday and start to measure ourselves against other’s yardsticks. I remember standing in the doorframe at Lloyd’s house when I was a little girl and he would mark the frame molding with my latest growth spurt. It was exciting because I was usually taller than most of the kids and it was important to grow the most and be the tallest.

There’s a contest in everything if we allow it. There is pressure in the simple things if we compare and contrast. There is fear if we are attached to the outcome and lack enough self esteem to know for certain that we’ll be “okay” no matter what happens. Just like going to the dentist every six months, or working out 3 times a week, or eating more salad than chocolate (I hear some people do that)…..we can speak into possibility and focus on the what’s right instead of the what’s wrong.

Why don’t we do that more??

Thoughts influence brain chemistry. We could feed our brains and our spirits the food they need to function optimally. If we know it is so…why don’t we do it more often?

Rule: Thoughts change brain chemistry.

That sounds so simple but that’s the way it is, with our thoughts changing neurotransmitters on a daily basis. If a man walks into a room with a gun, we think “threat”, and the brain releases norepinephrine. We become tense, alert, develop sweaty palms, and our heart beats faster. If he then bites the barrel of the gun, telling us the gun is actually chocolate, the brain rapids changes its’ opinion and we relax and laugh – the jokes on us.

We feel what we think! Positive thinking works. As the above example suggests, what we think about a situation actually creates our mood. Passed over for a promotion, we can either think we’ll never get ahead in this job (lowering serotonin and making us depressed) or assume that we are being held back for another promotion or job transfer (makes a better mood). David J. Abbott M.D.

Healthy Ways to Affect Your Brain Chemistry

Here are a few simple and healthy steps that you can take to improve your brain chemistry. By making lifestyle choices that benefit your brain's chemical balance, you can embrace a healthier, happier life.

Nutrition
There's something to the old adage, “You are what you eat.” In fact, your diet can make a difference in your brain's chemical levels, and proper nutritional inputs are necessary for the brain to operate at optimum speed and function. Certain foods and nutrients can even affect mood, helping to create and maintain calm and contentedness after recovery. Vitamin B12 plays a role in preventing depression, and other B vitamins increase natural serotonin levels in the brain. Additionally, Omega-3 fatty acids help stave off and even help treat anxiety disorders and depression.

Exercise
Exercising provides happiness by stimulating the body's production of endorphins natural pain killers that also produce mood-enhancing effects. Additionally, exercise reduces stress and releases adrenaline, giving your body an extra boost of natural energy.

Pleasure
Any enjoyment in life triggers the release of dopamine and serotonin, from love and sex to relaxation and creative expression. These, in turn, reinforce pleasurable behaviors and lift our mood and outlook as neurotransmitters are released.
Sleep
Our bodies replenish neurotransmitter levels as we rest, making sleep one of the most important ways you can help maintain a healthy brain chemistry.
Therapy
Emotional and psychological well-being can help promote healthy brain chemistry. The practice of positive thinking makes future positive thoughts (and their accompanying dopamine and serotonin release) come more naturally. Additionally, therapy can help resolve any existing emotional traumas that take a toll on our brain chemistry through nightmares, memories and flashbacks that retraumatize us, releasing needless adrenaline. Therapy can also help heal negative self-beliefs that adversely affect our brain's chemical levels.

Detoxification
Alcohol and drug intake can have a drastic effect on neurotransmitter levels within the brain, causing chemical imbalances to occur. By achieving recovery, you can allow your body to detoxify in the short and long-term. After the withdrawal period has ended, your brain will move towards healthy, natural neurotransmitter levels once again. From Pacific Hills Treatment Center

Having a juicy life is within reach if we choose our thoughts carefully, manage boundaries, monitor our reactions, take care of ourselves, indulge our senses, acknowledge the angels among us, push through the discomfort, reduce the drag coefficient and communicate with honest compassion.

Notice where you’re giving up your power in your choices and make requests to get life back on track. Start over anytime…just hit the reset button and pull out a clean canvas.

I used to say I wanted my life to be a technicolor romantic musical comedy….then some people laughed at me and said I was weird. Ya know what? I don’t care if I’m weird…I want my life to be a Technicolor Romantic Musical Comedy dang it! And for the most part, I’m on my way. Trusting positive intentions to steer for awhile sure couldn’t hurt.

Wanna play along with me?

What’s in your life is what you choose. Choose consciously and powerfully!

Tessgreen3@gmail.com, www.tessgreen.com

Sanctuary Sunday - Sustainability Economics

2010-09-05T11:17:00.010-04:00

I hope all of you are enjoying a relaxing Sunday.

I have been blogging more on the topic of sustainability lately, perhaps because of recent environmental disasters such as our Gulf Oil Spill here in the US and the news that 2010 is going into the record books as the hottest in recorded history.

At the risk of creating some dissonance in your delightfully serene sanctuary, I want to give you some "mind candy" to contemplate.

The concept is not that complex, so please pardon me if I paraphrase a line from a popular song which states, "'we've got the whole world in our hands".

Few understand the economics that have provided the underpinnings for the changes that have occurred over centuries, not just decades, in our environment. This is the more complex part of the discussion, and a full treatment of this topic cannot be given justice in one blog post. When we get together face-to-face at an upcoming WWRG Summit, I will cover this in detail.

I had the honor of being accepted for post-graduate work at the Harvard Business School where I received a certificate in Private Equity and Corporate Governance. This area of study is a subset of economics, and the forms of Capitalism that dominate our world economic system.

At the risk of oversimplification, there are basically two forms of Capitalism currently in practice today in the free world.

The first is Anglo/US capitalism and stems from the USA and focuses on short-term maximization of shareholder value.

The second is less widely publicized. It is based on concepts of social justice and recognizes the interdependence of businesses and their local communities. For a full treatment on this topic may I suggest a book that my friend Therese Necio-Ortega, Executive for the Peninsula Hotel group was a contributing expert on entitled Leadership for Sustainable Futures: Achieving Success in a Competitive World by author Gayle C. Avery.

Regardless of whether you believe in one form of capitalism or another, we are still living on the same planet, one that was created long before either existed, or humans for that matter. Without an understanding of what drives the decisions our leaders make, and the honesty with which they make them, a clear picture of how we have arrived where are today cannot be brought into view.

Please consider joining a global initiative such as the Awakening the Dreamer movement I mentioned in an earlier Sanctuary Sunday post. This group, and others, will help educate you on the severity of the problem and suggest ways that you may help solve these pressing issues, and hold our world leadership accountable for their actions.

Why? Because the sanctuary we call Planet Earth is in danger of quickly becoming a cesspool instead.

SDG - JBHIV

Lifestyle Lifters - Unleash the "Tiger" in You!

2010-09-04T00:05:00.001-04:00

As those of you who follow this blog in the US are aware, we traditionally celebrate this weekend in observance of Labor Day.

Nestled within this three day period is another, perhaps more significant "Green Holiday" - National Wildlife Day - September 4. The purpose of this day is two-fold: to increase awareness of endangered animals in the U.S. and around the world, and to acknowledge the work of zoos and animal sanctuaries that help preserve the animal kingdom every day.

In my opinion, one of the most beautiful animals on the planet is the tiger. This species has several forms. All of them are on the endangered list:

Total Population in the Wild: around 3,500
Subspecies:
Bengal tiger (Pantera tigris tigris)
Population: Fewer than 2,000 Status: Endangered Species
The Indochinese tiger (Pantera tigris corbetti)
Population: Fewer than 500. Status: Endangered Species
Malayan Tiger (Pantera tigris jacksoni)
Population: Fewer than 500 Status: Endangered Species
Sumatran tiger (Pantera tigris sumatrae)
Population: Fewer than 500 Status: Critically Endangered Species
Siberian Tiger (Pantera tigris alataica)
Population: Around 500 Status: Endangered Species
South China tiger (Pantera tigris amoyensis)
Population: No sightings in years. Status: Critically Endangered Species

Trends: The Siberian tiger is the only subspecies whose population is stable. The others are declining. Main threats are illegal hunting and habitat loss.

But we are in danger of losing a tiger of a different sort. One that has the personality of a woman born under the Chinese Astrological Sign of the tiger.

The Tiger is the third animal in the Chinese horoscope, after rat and ox, and before rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and boar.

You would be a tiger if you are born between:

February 8, 1902 and January 28, 1903
January 26, 1914 and February 13, 1915
February 13, 1926 and February 1, 1927
January 31, 1938 and February 18, 1939
February 17, 1950 and February 5, 1951
February 5, 1962 and January 24, 1963
January 23, 1974 and February 10, 1975
February 9, 1986 and January 28, 1987
January 28, 1998 and February 15, 1999

The third character profile of the twelve earth branches is that of the Tiger. She is called Yin in Chinese and symbolizes passion and integrity. The Yin or Tiger personality surveys her world and sees it through the eyes of an idealist. Life is a gigantic stage to her, on which she will no doubt be playing many leading roles. Competitive, outspoken and courageous, she will take on any and all comers with a positive "never say die" attitude.

Her primary goal in life is to be involved with something that makes a difference in the world - preferably, a huge difference. A humanitarian at heart, she will always try to support a worthy cause, champion the rights of the underdog and fight for those, like children or animals, who cannot defend themselves. Not one who shrinks from controversy, she tends to be a rebel or an activist if she feels her views are being ignored.

In today's world, where women fight daily for the right to be treated as an equal, we all need to be "tigers". Lift up your fellow woman. Lift their spirits. Lift their Lifestyle. Give them a hand up, not a hand out!

Does your birth date make you a Tiger? Great. Then act like one and the rest of us will play along.

TGIF - Labor Day Weekend Begins!

2010-09-03T00:05:00.002-04:00

In last Saturday's Lifestyle Lifter's post, I shared my Dream Holiday in Europe. Maybe you are one of those viewers lucky enough to be at one of my suggested destinations this upcoming Labor Day Weekend [I know at least one, and you know who you are ;)]

FYI, here are the 2010 Top Ten International and US Labor Day Vacation Destinations as provided by Orbitz:

Top 10 International Labor Day Weekend Destinations - 2010
2010 Rank(1)	Destination	Average Daily Hotel Rate(2)
1	Cancun, Mexico	$165
2	London, Great Britain	$148
3	Paris, France	$216
4	San Juan, Puerto Rico	$126
5	Rome, Italy	$153
6	San Jose Cabo, Mexico	$142
7	Barcelona, Spain	$141
8	Toronto, Canada	$107
9	Vancouver, Canada	$134
10	Montego Bay, Jamaica	$160

(1) Based on Air, Hotel and Hotel plus Air package bookings made on Orbitz.com for travel from 9/3/2010 to 9/6/2010. Bookings made as of 8/19/2010.

Regardless of where this weekend finds you, please enjoy your time with friends, family, and others. And have a safe trip back home!

Thursday's Truth - Sojourner Truth

2010-09-02T00:05:00.000-04:00

When I first began blogging on topics of interest to Women of Wealth, my goal was to inspire them to step out from behind the comfort of their affluence, or the shadow cast upon them by a spouse, parent, or belief, and begin creating their own personal life story - a social biography.

And while some of you may argue that the subject of today's Thursday's Truth post is better recognized as one of our Wednesday's Women of Courage, I felt her story (and the fact that she has the name "Truth") was compelling enough to share it with you. The following is her social biography as referenced at fembio.org.

"Sojourner Truth was a fiery orator, committed abolitionist, women’s and poor people’s rights activist, preacher and singer, who was not formally educated but created her own theoretical constructs for social equity and radical action.

Originally named Isabella Bomefree, Truth, the second youngest child of ten, was born around 1797 to James and Elizabeth Bomefree, slaves on a farm in Ulster County, New York. As a child and youth, Isabella spoke Dutch as a first language, was sold to several owners, and at age fourteen married an older slave named Thomas with whom she had five children. In 1826 (one year before she would have been legally freed by state law), Isabella ran away from enslavement, finding protection with the Von Wageners, a Quaker family whose last name she took. While with the Von Wageners, Isabella went to court and successfully sued for her son’s return to New York after his owner had sold him illegally into perpetual slavery in Alabama.

In the early 1830s, Bomefree relocated to New York City with her teenage son Peter, leaving her daughters in the care of their father. Earning a living as a domestic servant (one of the only occupations open to free black women), Isabella also attended white and black churches and joined the Magdelene Society, a Methodist mission dedicated to reforming prostitutes. Later Isabella became the only Black and one of the few working class people to join Robert Matthews’ Zion Hill commune, which believed in good and evil spirits and illnesses caused by the same, until its collapse in 1835.

In 1843, inspired by difficult economic times and the Millerites, a religious group who believed the world would end that year, Isabella Bomefree took on a new identity. She changed her name to Sojourner Truth and became a wandering evangelist. Making her way eastward across Long Island and Connecticut and up to Northampton, Massachusetts, Sojourner sang to beckon people to her, often making up her own words to commonly known tunes like church hymns or "John Brown’s Body" (also known as "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"). She then preached to them, whether they were at camp meetings, in churches or just on the roadside. Once the Millerites faced the Great Disappointment at the end of 1843, Truth became a member of the Northampton Association, a utopian community led by George Benson. The Association’s reformist-minded members (including Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison) exposed Sojourner Truth to liberal concepts such as abolitionism and feminism.

It was Garrison who persuaded Truth to dictate her life story and publish it in 1850 as The Narrative of Sojourner Truth. When the Northampton Association fell apart in 1846, the proceeds from sales of the Narrative enabled Truth to buy a house in Florence, Massachusetts. More importantly, as one of the first accounts of a female former slave, the Narrative was a powerful weapon in the abolitionist cause, in which Truth was an active speaker and protestor, known for her insight, courage and wit.

By 1850 Sojourner was also one of the first activists to make the connection between the rights of slaves and black people and those of women. In a speech at a women’s rights convention in Akron, Ohio in 1851, Truth proclaimed, "I could work as much and eat as much as a man ... and bear the lash as well! And ain’t I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen ‘em most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother’s grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain’t I a woman?" With this statement Sojourner demanded that white feminists broaden their vision to include the suffering and strength of black, enslaved and poor women in the category of woman and in the fight for equal rights.

With the passage in 1867 of the Fourteenth Amendment giving black men the vote, white suffragettes were outraged at the lack of reference to women, and most Black activists believed that the suffering of Black male slaves entitled them to receive the vote first. Again, Truth was the only voice for Black women, and for recognizing the link between racism and sexism: "There is a great deal of stir about colored men getting their rights but not a word about the colored women’s theirs, you see, the colored man will be masters over the women, and it will be just as bad as it was before. So I am for keeping the thing going while things are stirring, because if we wait ‘till it is still, it will take a great while to get it going again." Moving to Washington, D.C. in 1863, Sojourner Truth worked on behalf of black Civil War soldiers, nursed and taught domestic skills to freed slaves and visited President Lincoln. During this time Truth also protested and brought about congressional action banning segregation on trolly cars in Washington, D.C.

While working for the Freedman’s Relief Association after the War, Sojourner discovered the lack of paying work for Blacks, and in 1867 initiated a job-placement effort that matched poor Black workers with employers in upstate New York and Battle Creek, Michigan. This work enabled Truth to understand the gap between the immense contribution Black people had made to the nation’s development and the complete lack of acknowledgement or reward they had received for their labor. Speaking of the revolutionary idea of reparations nearly two centuries before Black Power activists, Sojourner proclaimed "Our nerves and sinews, our tears and blood, have been sacrificed on the altar of this nation’s avarice. Our unpaid labor has been a stepping stone to its financial success. Some of its dividends must surely be ours." Acting on her words, Truth led an unsuccessful petition to Congress for a land grant to resettle Black freedmen in the West.

Although her petition did not succeed, it paved the way for 1879’s large, spontaneous migration of Black "Exodusters" from Mississippi, Lousiana, Texas and Tennessee to Kansas. In 1883, Sojourner Truth died at her home in Battle Creek, Michigan.

In addition to her heroic deeds, Truth has also become known for her revolutionary ideas and biting sense of humor. Remarking on her own lack of formal education, she quipped, "I can’t read, but I can read people." She suggested to suffragettes that they engage in direct action, "Sisters, I ain’t clear what you be after. If women want any rights more than they’s got, why don’t they just take them, and not be talking about it?" Finally, in response to white male abolitionists who taunted her, she revealed her radical theological view by "[asking them] ‘Don’t you believe in Jesus?’" When they said they did, she said, "‘Well, Jesus is the son of God and Mary. Man had nothing to do with it’"

Amen!

Wednesday's Women of Courage - FEMM Committee and Human Trafficking

2010-09-01T07:41:00.007-04:00

Today's Women of Courage post is devoted to a group of women from the European Parliament, the bicameral legislative branch of the European Union (EU). It is considered one of the most powerful legislatures in the world, serving the second largest democratic electorate in the world (after India) and the largest trans-national democratic electorate in the world (375 million eligible voters in 2009).

Those of you who follow this blog in Europe are no doubt aware of this group and it's mission to promote Women's Rights and Gender Equality.

^{The women that form the Committee are holding their next meeting tomorrow, September 2. You may view the meeting live at the following link.}

On the agenda will be a discussion of Trafficking in Human Beings. This is a huge issue around the globe.

Several of my Gal Pals and I here in the US are involved with a group called Love 146. Statistics from their website show an alarming pattern of abuse, and slavery, including women:

1. 600,000-800,000 people are trafficked internationally each year
2. 14,500-17,500 are trafficked into the U.S every year
3. 80% of these are women and children
4. It’s a $9 billion business worldwide (Paulk, 2005)
5. It is in the top 3 revenue earners for organized crime (Leach, 2004)
6. 1.2 million children are trafficked every year
7. There are 27 million slaves world wide (Leach, 2004)
8. In 1850, slaves cost $40,000 (in today’s dollar); today, they only cost $30 (Bales, 1999)
9.In 2004: 7000 traffickers were prosecuted, and 3000 convicted
10. The most common type of slavery is debt bondage (see above).
11. The fastest growing type of slavery is trafficking
12. The Maximum Jail Time for trafficking: 20 yrs-life, depending on the offense
13. Convicted traffickers must “provide full restitution to victims.”

Women of Wealth have a mandate to use their Time, Talent, and Treasure to bring about meaningful change in our world. Groups of powerful women such as FEMM are doing this at a global level.

Please consider supporting a group such as Love 146 or use the resources of humantrafficking.org to locate an initiative in your country or region.

Tuesday's Treasure - Kashwere U

2010-08-31T07:35:00.004-04:00

With the end of summer approaching, and many of our young returning to college, it's time to break out the warmer clothing as Fall slides in behind it.

And I cannot think of a better way to stay warm and show school spirit than to wear a half-zip hoodie with your team logo from Kashwere U.

Kashwere U was founded in 2009 by Kimberly Appelt, Kimberly Connors, Boyd Harden, Kerry O'Dea and Peter Seltzer. Their commitment as owners is to offer a more fashion-forward, aspirational and unique line of collegiate gear.

Kashwere's unique fabric is a favorite among Hollywood Celebrities, including Oprah, Dr. Phil, and sports figures such as Shaquille O'Neill.

Your corporate logo or that of a non-profit can be made into Kashwere U product, and is a great way to promote a cause or brand.

This business is yet another example of how a simple idea, combined with a new technology, can quickly grow into a multinational, multicultural phenomenon.

Once again, a women-conceived, women-led venture rises up to prove that anything is possible if you follow your dream and persevere.

Monday's Motivational Makeover featuring Tess

2010-08-30T00:05:00.001-04:00

Blind Spots~

I got broadsided in my blind spot last night.

I wasn’t in the car.

It was one of those blind spots that exist and we don’t realize how vulnerable we are..….that’s why they’re called blind spots. There’s the “I know what I know”, there’s the “I know what I don’t know”….and then there’s the “I don’t know what I don’t know” stuff….Blind spots are the nefarious little gremlins that jump up and bite you when you least expect it out of the “I don’t know what I don’t know bag of treats”.

When you get hit in a blind spot you don’t know how to handle it. Everything that you know about yourself goes out the window because you are sideswiped and confused. This is unsettling to me since I’ve spent so much time in the introspection and self awareness aisle at the bookstore….if you know what I mean. Really, I’m not a stranger to looking into the proverbial mirror.

I was at a restaurant having a glass of wine and listening to music with ‘the man’ and we were waiting for another couple. They were an hour late and within the first 10 seconds of them approaching the table, something happened and I just lost my ……my……let’s say…the gray matter just melted and drained out of my left ear and down my shoulder and ended up in a pool on the floor next to my chair. So to speak.

My reaction to the event was so completely out of left field. Suddenly I felt this alien invasion at the control panel of my brain and then it was completely out of my hands. Words came out of my mouth with a sharp edge, a feeling occupied my body that was rigid and agitated, and intensity pervaded my being for about 30 minutes or so. I was triggered. No doubt about it.

I had to talk through it and process what had happened. I needed to understand and get a handle on it because it was abundantly clear to everyone involved that it was very charged for me. I didn’t know if my emotions were anger, surprise, confusion, or humor. I was laughing one minute and then once I got in the car and starting talking about it, the emotion turned to tears and then back to anger. I was ashamed with my behavior.

Once we arrived at our other destination and met up with the couple again, I immediately joked about my reaction and rolled myself under the bus. I apologized to them and was a grown up so that we could have a nice time. Not to mention, it was one person’s birthday.

Now mind you….I HAD a reason for reacting. I’m not going into it because I’m protecting the innocent here…but I had just cause for a reaction.

No matter what the trigger, I am ultimately responsible for my reaction. It is reasonable to point to the culprit and assign blame and that would feel really good for a little while and then I have to look at myself and own all the silly little gremlins that are jumping around in me screeching. I’m still pretty embarrassed about the whole thing.

The projection party is never pretty, but essential to understanding my behavior is the need to venture into that emotional bio hazardous material and figure out why I plugged into the situation the way I did. This will take some time to sort through but I know there is value in it.

The good news is:

I caught myself.

I apologized

I’m looking at why my reaction was so severe

Maybe I’ll heal something in the process……..

Did you have reactions to getting hit in your blind spots this week??

Did you assign blame or did you look at your roll in the drama?

What’s in your life is what you choose. Choose consciously and powerfully!

Celebrities, Philanthropies,Charities - Jacki Zehner

2010-08-29T00:05:00.001-04:00

I would be remiss in not mentioning the recent change of "virtual venue" by one of my favorite Gal Pals and fellow 85 Broads member, Jacki Zehner.

Coupled with a physical change in venue, Jacki now continues her popular blog as part of her namesake website, jackizehner.com. Her previous blog posts from pursepundit.blogspot.com have been ported over so none of her brilliant insight and true humanity will be lost.

For those of us who have seen Jacki grow into one of the world's most powerful women on Wall Street, this is a very welcome step. Take a look at her latest op-ed piece for a taste of how committed she is to action and not just words. When Jacki speaks, it is with a strong voice calling for Women's Equality.

Few know that Jacki and her husband, an ordained minister, are supporters of many causes through the Zehner Family Foundation. Both of them are retired Goldman Sachs partners, Jacki having been the youngest woman and the first trader to be invited into the partnership.

I know from firsthand experience that with this couple, family comes first. And despite their wealth, they know that stewardship of Time, Talent, and Treasure are the most important lessons to be learned, and the most difficult to live by.

For a great list of upcoming global women's events (maybe you will be lucky enough to catch Jacki at one!) click here.

Lifestyle Lifter's - A Dream Holiday in Europe

2010-08-28T00:05:00.001-04:00

I know many of you enjoy this segment of the WWRG blog, so while our guest blogger, Evie, continues her hiatus, I offer a suggestion for what a "fantasy holiday" in Europe might entail.

When I was growing up in Asia, my family frequently took advantage of the lengthy summer vacation period and traveled to Europe.

Two of our favorite destinations were Greece and Italy.

These two countries are once again top of my list as would France.

My fantasy holiday would begin in Greece. A trip to Greece is never complete without a visit to Mykonos. Mykonos is so beautiful, it is no accident that it has become one of the most desired destinations in the world. And if you add the cosmopolitan lifestyle, the sophisticated nightlife and the historic treasures of the nearby Delos to its stunning natural beauties and picturesque villages, you’ll have the recipe for an unforgettable holiday.

Although one of the smallest islands of the Cyclades complex, Mykonos is definitely the most famous, thanks to its treasure of natural beauty, rich history, cosmopolitan character combined with a wild nightlife, as well as plenty of local color.

My next destination would be Italy. I would hire a car and drive south to Tuscany where olive groves and some of the finest vineyards abound. As a serial "foodie", this journey would not be complete without dining on authentic Tuscan cuisine while enjoying a view of the rolling hills and beautiful villas.

I would then proceed directly to the glamorous French Riviera. A boat trip along the scenic coastline would include iconic towns such as Nice, Cannes, and St. Tropez and of course, Monaco. After enjoying the private beaches and world-class restaurants there I would complete my fantasy holiday in Paris. After several days at the Peninsula Paris (opening in 2012), I would regretfully return to the U.S., no doubt a few pounds heavier, but many burdens lighter!

BTW - did you know that Tokyo has now passed Paris as the Michelin Guides "city with the world's best restaurants"?

I have another fantasy holiday in Asia to tell you about in a future Lifestyle Lifter's post.

TGIF - Today is Global Forgiveness Day

2010-08-27T07:18:00.006-04:00

Global Forgiveness Day began in 1994. It was created and is sponsored by the Christian Embassy of Christ's Ambassadors. This holiday originated in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Forgiveness is not limited to Christian belief.

Mahatma Gandhi, a Hindu, said

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

Buddha said," The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, nor to anticipate troubles, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly".

People of Muslim faith are familiar with the following saying: "Forgiveness is the crown of great qualities."

Regardless of your race, religion, or creed, please take time today to "forgive and forget", for as Gandhi also said:" Be the change you want to see in the world".

Thursday's Truth - What Fuels We Have Been!

2010-08-26T00:05:00.002-04:00

I watched a documentary the other day that reminded me, once again, of the saying "there is nothing new under the sun".

The name of the film is Fuel and it follows one man's journey to discover the truth behind fossil fuel and it's role as both as sustainer of life and world currency. I downloaded mine via NetFlix but you can get a copy by clicking here.

I remember well the long gas lines during the 1970's, when the Middle East Oil Embargo disrupted supply to the US. At the time, I was driving a VW Beetle. Despite it's great fuel economy, I still needed to gas up and standing in line was a real wakeup call.

When I graduated from college, my first new car purchase was a VW Dasher Diesel. I have always been fascinated by this technology. Maybe it is because my childhood included a number of years in Asia where the Mercedes Benz 190D was the taxi of choice, especially in Hong Kong.

As soon as I had the money, the Dasher was quickly replaced by what was the "King of Diesels" - a 1982 Mercedes Benz 240D. This car is still in the family, having been given over by me to my late mother when I made a move to the big city of Manhattan where having a car was a luxury and not a necessity because of mass transit.

Whenever I drive it, I like to look for others of the same model, year, and type (there was a gasoline version produced during the same time period). Many other owners are astounded when they learn that my vehicle has only 97,000 miles on it. If you know anything about diesel cars, many have hundreds of thousands of miles and some over a million!

After viewing this film, I plan to convert my beloved car to biodiesel. I have also purchased my last new car. And not just because of the financial downside of doing so (depreciation immediate, long term investment with no return) but because I do not want to consume additional valuable, and limited, natural resources that are required during the production phase.

Our planet is fragile. Groups like Awakening The Dreamer and others are focused on helping bring about change and raising awareness.

I highly recommend you view this movie. I hope to see you driving a vegetable-powered vehicle in the near future. Our Planet will thank you and so will I.

Wednesday's Women of Courage - Kathy McShane

2010-08-25T07:23:00.008-04:00

I believe that the strength of the human spirit is the single most important element of success. Much of who I am and where I am today I owe to my determination to transcend my physical challenges, and press on regardless.

Today's Woman of Courage is Kathy McShane. Kathy has had considerable success in the world of business. And despite a physical handicap, her busy lifestyle is a testament to how mind over matter can drive the human spirit to accomplish incredible things.

Currently a Marketing Director for Ladies Who Launch, a global organization of women who are entrepreneurs, Kathy was also CEO and Founder of The Kendrew Group, LTD. She also helped launch various consumer and bank card products for AT&T, Chemical Bank (now Chase Manhattan), Mastercard International, and Visa USA.

Her numerous awards include a "Mark Award" for HBO, a "Small Business Award of Honor" given by Bill Gates, Microsoft CEO, and a CBS News Radio "Small Business Hero" Award.

Kathy is also a mother, wife, and a supporter of many causes. And like most women, she has had to accomplish all of this while proving to the world that the right man for the job - is a woman!

Tuesday's Treasure - Scrumptious NYC

2010-08-24T07:48:00.005-04:00

I am the first to admit that I have an addiction to food. Having grown up in a "Suite Life" scenario where eating in some of the finest restaurants around the globe was part of daily life, I developed an appreciation for what sets apart "cuisine" from mere "sustenance".

Many of you are fellow "foodies" and some of you have asked for my recommendation for Private Chef Services. If you are located in the NY Metro area, look no further than Scrumptious NYC, where "Chief Gourmette" Samantha McCuen creates food that can only be described as personal and luxurious.

Trading in her corporate suit for an apron several years ago, Sam creates individual menus tailored to the tastes and nutritional preferences of each client. She is also available to cater a private party or corporate affair with advanced notice.

I have had the pleasure of personally sampling her Culinary Art at a few private affairs. Inevitably, most of the guests set up camp in the kitchen, transfixed by her personality and anxiously awaiting the next "course".

Bon Appetit!

Monday's Motivational Makeover featuring Tess

2010-08-23T08:13:00.002-04:00

Love~

The conversation around love seems to keep popping into my conscious surroundings and interactions lately. A few of us…in my world….seem to be in an inquiry around love and what it actually is.

A work associate asked the question the other day, “How do you know if you’ve met the right one?”

The New International Webster’s defines love:

1. A strong tender affection; deep devotion, as to one’s child, parent, etc. 2. The affection felt by two persons who are sexually attracted to one another. 3. A person who is the object of another’s affection. 4. A very great interest or fondness: love of leaning.

John Gray of Mars and Venus fame has a terrific book called Mars and Venus On a Date and he outlines quadrants that formulate the ingredients of a “soul mate” in his opinion. I happen to subscribe to this view. He maintains that having spiritual, emotional, physical and intellectual compatibility are essential to laying the foundation of a soul mate connection. He also feels that there are evolutionary stages to building and fortifying relationship potential and they are attraction, uncertainty, exclusivity, intimacy and engagement. In his educated outlook, these stages should be followed carefully and in sequence as to allow the greatest possibility of solid relationship incubation.

Harville Hendrix, Ph. D. is a Clinical Pastoral Counselor who is known internationally for his work with couples. He and his wife Helen LaKelly Hunt, Ph.D. co created Imago Relationship Therapy and developed the concept of “conscious partnership.” Their partnership and collaboration has resulted in nine books on intimate relationships and parenting.

Imago Therapy is effective as a way to create stronger relationships. It offers insights into the unconscious agenda we bring to our relationships. I’ve read his first two books and have participated in his seminars and therapy and the basic premise of his work is that we are subconsciously attracted to partners who remind us of our parents. Both positive and negative characteristics surface and then we are forced to heal emotional wounds that we share. The confusion for many couples arises when one partner wants to project their emotional dysfunction onto the other because it is too painful for them to see in themselves. Then, they tend to move on to the next relationship with the same wounding and blame patterns unless they are really motivated somehow to “fix” it once and for all. Hendrix offers healthy communication steps to begin to understand each other and grow in love and awareness.

Of all the exercises in Imago Relationship Therapy, we now regard Imago Dialogue as being the most effective tool for satisfying our innate yearning for wholeness and connection. Developed with my wife Helen LaKelly Hunt, Ph.D., Dialogue is the language of love in all relationships. Ultimately, the three steps of Dialogue are - mirroring, validating, and empathizing –

Other philosophies are based on the principle of putting the needs and comfort of your partner first. Not in a codependent or unhealthy way, but rather as a mature “contribution to the corporation” (as my grandpa calls his marriage…the corporation). Being proactive and nurturing and letting reciprocity take its course.

In Passionate Marriage, David Schnarch, Ph.D. outlines some of the wrong reasons why people get together…..not love……

Low self –esteem

Loneliness

Neediness

Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are.

Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two.
- Captain Corelli's Mandolin6. "Love is the beauty of the soul."
--St. Augustine

In a perfect world we would be healthy and whole and ready for relationship. Yet reality is that there are many broken families and mistreatment that leaves deep emotional scars and eventually, one will be forced to heal this inside if one is to be successful in relationship.

Have you done your work? Are you still blaming others for your emotional wounding?

What is your definition of love?

Sharing common experiences, having a biological / chemical attraction, sharing common values and desires, respecting each other’s differences, aligning in spirit/emotion/intellect/sexuality, knowing how to disagree/argue with compassion, doing your work outside of the partnership, feeling ‘safe’ and passionate with your partner, honoring your word and commitments, finding someone with lots of money (just kidding….seeing if you’re awake), wanting to stay in it during the times you contribute more to the corporation than your lover, and then the good old bonding that comes from our brain/body chemical plant…the psychopharmacology that mother nature threw into the punchbowl to make things tingly and cohesive… …the pheromone party.

What’s your recipe for Love?

What’s in your life is what you choose. Choose consciously and powerfully!

Sanctuary Sunday - Silence is Golden

2010-08-21T23:29:00.007-04:00

Sshhhh! Turn off your iPod. Mute your HDTV. Tune out all noise from any spot within your immediate surroundings. Let your mind calm so as to hear only the inner voice that is your moral compass.

Not so easy, is it! We are constantly bombarded by sounds. Most of them we have little or no control over. But some, we do.

Talking to others is one that we have a certain degree of control over. How often have you been engaged by someone who just will not come up for air during a "conversation". Many feel that it is rude for others not to respond when within sight - commonly referred to as "the silent treatment".

One of the "fads" during the 1990's was the Isolation or Sensory Deprivation Tank. This consisted of a vessel sufficient to hold enough heavily salted water such that a human body could be suspended without sinking. Once inside, earplugs and an eye mask were donned, and the chamber sealed so as to not allow any outside stimuli.

Many who tried this felt extremely uncomfortable. After all, if it not for our senses we would not be able to judge our body in relation to the world around us.

One does not have to resort to this extreme in order to benefit from occasional silence. The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society suggests the following to observe a "moment of silence" in our daily lives:

Designate a certain hour or half-hour of the day as a silent time, perhaps in the early morning.

• Eat a meal in silence. Silent eating helps you pay closer attention to your food and the changes in your appetite; you may find yourself eating less than usual.

• Use silence to help you become more attuned to your environment. Turn off the TV, computer, radio, or other noise-producing devices and listening closely to the ambient sounds that remain. Try to find a sound you’ve never noticed before.

• When conversing with others, listen to what they are saying. Often, instead of listening, we are thinking of what next to say.

Listening to others. Now there's a novel thought. Maybe we've discovered the secret to achieving World Peace, and all it took was a few minutes of silent blog reading!

Enjoy your day. Luxuriate in your Inner and Outer Sanctuary.

Look for the return of Tess and her popular blog in tomorrow's installment of Monday's Motivational Makeover.

Until then remember to believe,achieve, receive. SDG JBHIV

Wednesday's Women of Courage - Therese Necio-Ortega

2010-08-18T00:10:00.001-04:00

The strength of a human spirit is never more evident than when one experiences a "near-death" event.

In this scenario, where survival depends on faith and determination to live, the courage to overcome any adversity or challenge is put to the test.

In the case of Therese Necio-Ortega, she passed with flying colors.

As told in an article first published in the Philippine Inquirer.net, "her story unfolds around 4 p.m., July 16, 1990. The then 27-year-old Necio, then with the press relations office of the Hyatt Terraces in Baguio City, Philippines, had called a meeting with the hotel’s banquets and food and beverage (F&B) officers at the executive office on the second floor. They were preparing for the 10th anniversary of the casino, and people were very busy. So busy, they had to move the meeting to 4:30 p.m.

Richie Tomada, the banquet manager, jokingly shooed Ortega away, insisting she go ahead to the casino manager’s office on the third floor. She obliged, not knowing Tomada’s suggestion would save her life.

“I even teased her that perhaps they wanted me out of the room so they could all talk about me,” she says, laughing almost painfully at the recollection.

Nobody had a chance to talk for long. A magnitude 7.8 quake shook and twisted the whole building. Seconds before the hotel crashed, casino manager Agapicio Valencia shoved Ortega under a narra table. The space could only fit one. The table withstood the beams that collapsed.

From the third floor, Ortega crashed to the ground floor mezzanine. She spent two hours pinned down by the rubble, with only her face showing.

“I knew I was going to die. I knew it when I saw my whole life flashed before me. I saw my graduation pictures from St. Theresa’s College, and then from the University of the Philippines, I was praying and ready to die,” she says.

Valencia, who was found by rescuers first, asked people to look for Ortega. When they saw her condition, they had to find the smallest engineer to get into the crack and pull her out. The guy was Tony Nab-Ali, a 4’9” engineer of Igorot descent. He wrenched Ortega out of the rubble.

The first thing Nab-Ali asked Ortega was whether he should look for her legs, which he assumed had been cut by the impact.

“I was carried like a rag doll,” the 5’4” Ortega recalls. Miraculously, she suffered no cuts but was literally black all over with bruises.

Ortega was brought to the Ifugao garden beside the hotel car park where her secretary, Bing Torres, massaged her legs until they started feeling a tingling sensation. In less than an hour, Ortega was back on her feet and, being one of the few hotel managers who had survived, was tasked to oversee the recovery operations and handle the media".

To this day, Therese keeps a gratitude journal. In it she writes "thank you for being alive". And now, she savors every moment. For she once saw her life flash before her eyes, and believed it was not yet her time to go.

Her life, her courage, her passion should inspire us all. Make each day count. Love life and it will love you back.

Monday's Motivational Makeover - Innovate, Motivate, or get out of the way!

2010-08-16T00:05:00.002-04:00

JBHIV: Tess is taking a much deserved break from this blog. Check back next week for more of her insights into Life, Love, and enjoying them to the fullest extent possible.

The sub-title of today's blog post is a play on the popular phrase "Lead, Follow, or get out of the way".

As Women of Wealth, you have the capacity to affect the world around you in so many ways. And yet I hear so many of you voice the opinion that " what I do really doesn't count ".

Innovation is a catch phrase for anything from product development to paradigm shifts. Finding a creative solution to a complex problem can be innovative. Getting those around you to join in the effort requires motivation.

I have added a new section to the sidebar of the WWRG blog. It contains video of some innovators, and motivators that I know are the best in their respective fields. These short films should give you some insight into what is possible. Each of these individuals are passionate about what they do.

They believe in themselves and that what they do DOES count. So take a step out of the shadow of a significant other, or parent, or anyone who is a negative influence.

Look for ways to educate yourself. Read about others that have had success (please use a Zinio-powered e-reader - and save a tree of two in the process!).

Lead, Innovate, Motivate, and get out in front! Our Planet will benefit, and you will be counted on, not counted out!

Lifestyle Lifters - Awakening the Dreamer Initiative

2010-08-14T23:55:00.010-04:00

In my last Thursday's Truth post, I sited the Peninsula Group of hotels for their leadership in Sustainability efforts at their properties across the globe. It is good corporate citizenship like this that goes a long way toward curing what ills an increasingly dysfunctional world.

As Women of Wealth, many of you feel strongly - a mandate - to use the financial resources entrusted to you to benefit others.

And while many of you are already working toward making our Planet a sustainable, viable, and beautiful place for generations to come, there are also those who are still searching for their role.

If you are one who dreams of a better world, then please look at the efforts of the Awakening The Dreamer Initiative. In the WWRG VIP Featured Video section of the Sidebar to this blog you will find a brief video featuring some of the participants located in Hong Kong.

From humble beginnings as the Pachamama Alliance, it has grown to a worldwide movement.

And just as the Wealthy Women's Resource Guide Network has grown virally and now reaches five continents, so too will movements like Awakening The Dreamer continue to grow exponentially. But they need support.

Please take time today to think about how you can personally support the efforts of Sustainability. Give of your Time, Treasure and Talent in whatever way you feel best.

As you enjoy your weekend and contemplate the week ahead please keep in mind the following quote from one of history's greatest statesmen:

If the human race wishes to have a prolonged and indefinite period of material prosperity, they have only got to behave in a peaceful and helpful way toward one another. - Sir Winston Churchill

Thursday's Truth - Think Globally, Act Globally

2010-08-12T08:14:00.013-04:00

As many of you know, I spent a considerable amount of my childhood traveling with my family. Perhaps the most impressionable years during this period were spent in Asia, predominately Manila and Tokyo.

My father, an executive with a global information technology firm, had access to virtually any hotel available when he traveled throughout Asia.

Inevitably, he chose a Peninsula Hotel.

If memory serves, we have stayed on more than one occasion at:

The Peninsula Hong Kong - We had several Christmas celebrations here as it was my late Mother's favorite shopping destination!

The Peninsula Bangkok - during a global tour that included Malaysia, Taiwan, the Middle East, and Europe.

The Peninsula Manila - built after our time, but I frequently recommend it to clients and business associates that travel there.

The Peninsula New York - We stayed here on our trips back to the States each year.

I only wish there had been a Peninsula property in Hawaii. It was a frequent stopover when flying Cathay Pacific across the Pacific Ocean. Our family had to settle for the Honolulu Hilton.

I was recently reminded of what differentiates a truly grand hotel from a merely great one during a recent visit to the Peninsula New York.

As many of you know, I love a high tea served in grand style and have enjoyed meeting many of my friends and clients there when they visit NYC. It is no wonder that regardless of which Peninsula property you visit, the level of service and comfort are consistent. The luxury of the surroundings is without compare.

Few know, however, that the Peninsula group of hotels is also one of the most socially responsible.

Their Corporate Sustainability Vision is outlined on their website as follows:

"HSH aspires to manage its businesses and operations to high ethical and social responsibility standards as a leading hotel and property group. We are committed to integrating sustainable practices and principles across our operations in a balanced way whilst providing an exceptional level of service to our customers."

I am so looking forward to the opening of the Peninsula Paris in 2012. Formerly the Majestic Hotel and the French Foreign Ministries Centre International de Conferences, it is currently undergoing a fifty million Euro redevelopment. As many of you know, Paris is one of the venues I have selected for a future WWRG Retreat.

As Women of Wealth, I know that social responsibility is high on your list of priorities. Many of you have made a conscious decision to support organizations and brands that "walk the talk".

And you also know how committed I am to raising awareness among my network when I come across those that share our values.

Next time you choose to stay at a Peninsula property, rest assured that both you and our Planet are in good hands.

Or should I say "White Gloves".

Wednesday's Women of Courage - Cheryl Beckett

2010-08-11T00:05:00.001-04:00

This past Sunday, ten members of a Medical Mission were killed in Afghanistan.

Among them was Cheryl Beckett. I did not know her. But, a piece of me - yes - a piece of all of us who face the fear of death to serve others - was taken away.

Cheryl's father, a minister from Knoxville, Tennessee, was remarkably calm as he described her passion to help others.

Beckett said his daughter was gifted in every school subject and graduated valedictorian of her Owensville, Ohio, high school.

Lindsay Braun, her classmate from first through 12th grade, told the Cincinnati Enquirer that Cheryl Beckett was "an absolutely amazing person with more guts and conviction than I could ever dream of having."

She'd graduated summa cum laude with a biology degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and had a scholarship to Johns Hopkins University, Charles Beckett said, but turned it down after she felt "called" to do humanitarian work. During college, she had traveled to Honduras, Mexico, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

"Our excitement for her overcame our fears" of having a daughter living in a faraway, war-torn country, Beckett said.

Cheryl Beckett was well aware of the danger she faced but was "passionate" about her work and "devoted" to the Afghan people, her father said. He implored Afghan leaders to "hear the cries" of people whose blood was shed over the years in the name of helping others.

"The wickedness of terrorism is being conquered through daily acts of mercy," the family said in a statement Sunday night. "Peace in Afghanistan can be achieved by the establishment of just laws for all people and the continued sacrifice and selfless love of people working together.

"Those who committed this act of terror should feel the utter shame and disgust that humanity feels for them."

The family has talked daily with Cheryl Beckett's teammates in Afghanistan, and a fund set up in her name will likely fund one or more of the mission projects she was working on, Charles Beckett said.

"We share this pain with those who continue the difficult and dangerous work to which Cheryl committed her life," the family statement said. "We, as a family, will continue to love and pray for the Afghan people. We pray that Cheryl's life and work will inspire existing and future ministries of mercy to press on."

As devoted as his daughter was to her life's work, Beckett said, he thinks she would be "embarrassed" by the attention paid to her death.

"She would be appalled that her picture has been shown across the world," he said.

And he can't help but grieve, not only for the daughter he loved, but for her good works cut short by "terrorists ... mercilessly killing defenseless unarmed people."

"Had these men had the opportunity to know her," Beckett said, "I think they would have laid down their weapons and sat at her feet, and asked her, 'Tell us: Who is it that is giving you this kind of life, and this kind of hope and this kind of love?' "

Monday's Motivational Makeover featuring Tess

2010-08-09T08:26:00.002-04:00

Limiting Beliefs~

Are you where you want to be? Do you have what you desire in your life?

Do you believe that you deserve happiness, health, abundance and true love?

If so…..I acknowledge you for having a belief system that allows the space for this.

If not….I invite you to consider that your beliefs aren’t serving you in having a big life.

The foundation is laid for belief systems very early on and we build upon them, brick by brick, day by day, year after year.

What is your foundation made of?

I watched Miss America, Gilligan’s Island, Hart to Hart and Marcus Welby. Snow White and Cinderella were staples. I read Seventeen Magazine and Glamour. We sat down and ate dinner as a family almost every night. Grampa Darrell and I never missed an Elvis concert on t.v. (btw, we had one of those brand new Zenith remote control gadgets for our t.v.) Grama Grace put our hair in pin curls and then drug us to the Lutheran Church whenever she could. Small town Iowa was insulated and uninteresting compared to the year spent in the California commune, but served to heal the age inappropriate exposure, and all contributed to my belief system evolution.

My belief system was that you had to be pretty and have a musical/dance……or dramatic reading talent…to win. You could be Ginger or Mary Ann, but regardless, you had to be pretty…even shipwrecked on an island. Scouring the pages of magazines imprinted also. You had to dress well and wear your hair and make up in the latest greatest style. Being thin was the only option. Snow White and Cinderella taught me that if you were pretty enough (recurring theme), you would be rescued and live the good life. No more cleaning and hanging out with only dwarfs.

Raquel Welch was the gold standard for beauty and when I would spend the night with my girlfriend Shelly, her dad would leave his Playboy magazines out and she and I would hide in the attic giggling over the glossy images. Once again, imprinting on my belief foundation was that men only wanted to look at beautiful and sexy women.

So there is a theme here…..

At least for me, a large part of my belief system foundation has been based on physical attributes. Thank goodness I got a healthy dose of good values, work ethic and strong character from my most incredible grandparents whom raised me. It is easier to take the things that work out well, for granted. It is the beliefs that keep us stuck……small…..limited…..that eventually get the magnifying glass because nobody likes the mark the brick wall leaves on the forehead after prolonged ignorant repetition.

I took the fairy tales at face value and I knew they were stories, but when you tell yourself the same stories over and over, you begin to BELIEVE them as examples and they run you at a certain level. I am now faced with owning and embracing the rest of myself…my intellect, my soul, my altruism, my ability, my talent, my core, my power.

Change is gradual and so I will make every attempt to notice where I’m playing small inside of limiting beliefs and bring the rest of me out of the shadows.

I want more for me.

I want more for you.

What’s in your life is what you choose. Choose consciously and powerfully!

Monday's Motivational Makeover featuring Tess

2010-08-02T00:05:00.000-04:00

Sensuality~

Indulge yourself. You deserve it.

You are running through life, taking care of others, working late hours, juggling more details every day, chasing your tail, burning the candle at both ends, cleaning up messes, fixing the car, scheduling, preparing, mothering, daughtering, planning for the future…thinking, thinking, thinking …living in your head.

Just for today…indulge yourself.

See, hear, feel, taste, touch, smell.

Here is a practice guide to be used as a template. By all means, customize it to suit your personal preferences.

What if you could enjoy an entire day just for you? What would it take?

Do it.

Don’t even think about why you can’t, just do it. Loan the kids out to grandma or a friend, take a personal business day at work, cross everything off the list and just get back into your own skin. Again….get back into your own skin.

Breathe

Breathe again

Breathe deeply this time. Close your eyes and actually feel that breath going into you body. Your cells will start to tingle a little bit. Your body is an amazing machine and it asks so little of you usually. It gets up everyday and goes with so little attention. We somehow think that caring for ourselves is selfish instead of necessary….vital.

Feed it today. Feel it today. Indulge it today. Mind, body and spirit.

Light your favorite candles…the ones you’ve been saving because they are special. You’re special, so you can light them today.

Make a cup of your favorite coffee or tea. You have time to sip today.

Put on some easy music.

Draw yourself a bubble bath and marinate in the bubbly until your fingertips are wrinkly like when you were a kid.

Drench your body in coconut oil or your favorite lotion. Notice all of your beautiful curves and angles. Appreciate this amazing body.

Walk around naked…for that matter, dance around naked.

Put on something velvet or silk and feel it against your soft fresh skin. Really, feel it.

Take yourself to lunch and order something decadent. Order a little drinkypoo. It’s your day. Languish and enjoy the attention and the service. Take your time.

Breathe.

Get a massage.

Buy yourself flowers. Splurge on the peonies or the orchids. Smell as many gorgeous little buds as you can while there.

Don’t forget to keep breathing…..deeply.

Say nice things to yourself (especially when you’re getting out of the bathtub and you catch a glimpse of that ….that…..that….hail damage). “Love what is” …just for today.

Notice life going on around you.

Dangle your feet in a puddle, pond or pool.

Buy your favorite dessert and let it melt on your tongue bite by bite.

Be present.

Breathe.

Paint your toenails..or have a pedicure…or just get those little gems massaged. They argue little and we torture them so.

Those of you whom are laughing at the notion of taking a sensuality day…….are the ones who need it the most! Stop resisting.

Laugh.

Go to your favorite market and select a delicious and healthy dinner for later.

Take a nap on fresh sheets.

Breathe.

Take some quality time with your lover.

Kiss.

Make love.

Add other ingredients to taste.

What’s in your life is what you choose, choose consciously and powerfully!

Thursday's Truth - Food for Thought

2010-07-29T00:05:00.001-04:00

I received a very interesting email yesterday. One that gave me pause and set my "truth-o-meter" into the red zone.

In the body of the email was an assertion that many of the Laws that have been passed by Congress contain language specifically exempting its members from the very laws they have passed.

That was a new one on me. So I set out to find the truth. As usual, there are two sides to every story, and yes, there appear to be many laws - the Civil Rights Act - being one of them, that are in question.

The only ".gov official list" I could find with a cursory Google search did not mention the recent Health Care Legislation, or The Americans with Disabilities Act, but these too, are cited frequently in many blogs and articles on this subject that appear to have more current information.

This blog is not meant to be a forum for political debate, and this specific day's post is dedicated to "truth". But if the food for thought I have offered compels you, I suggest further investigation is in order. If your research finds this to be true, then the implications are alarming.

I will also forward on to many of you the email I received. I don't often do this, but in this case I sense at least some of you will want to "pass along" this thought -provoking issue.

I leave you with a quote from one of the greatest Statesmen of our time:

The truth is incontrovertible,
malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it,
but in the end; there it is.
- Sir Winston Churchill

Wednesday's Women of Courage - Melanne Verveer

2010-07-28T08:15:00.003-04:00

Today's Woman of Courage is Melanee Verveer, our nation's Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues.

Her experience and courage have created a Social Biography that is truly phenomenal:

Melanne Verveer is Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Vital Voices Global Partnership, an international nonprofit that supports emerging women leaders in building vibrant democracies and strong economies. Vital Voices focuses on expanding women’s participation in politics and civil society; increasing women’s entrepreneurship and fighting human rights abuses, particularly the trafficking of women and children. Vital Voices provides international leadership training through a collaborative with Georgetown University that enables women leaders from around the globe to more effectively contribute to advancing progress in their societies. The Vital Voices Global Leadership Network connects thousands of women leaders who have participated in Vital Voices conferences or the Global Leadership Institute training programs. Verveer served as Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the First Lady in the Clinton Administration. As a member of the White House senior staff, she advised the President and implemented a wide range of substantive policies, budget priorities and communications strategies. She was the First Lady’s chief assistant in her international activities. In that role, her responsibilities included overseeing Hillary Clinton’s global initiatives on women’s rights as human rights, democracy building, micro-enterprise development, and the education of women and girls. She organized the First Lady’s historic trips overseas, including her travels to Central and South Asia, Russia, Northern Ireland, Central Europe and Africa. She helped to create the US government’s Vital Voices Democracy Initiative to promote women’s economic and political progress globally. The initiative was an outgrowth of the U.S. response to the UN 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing in l995. Verveer also took the lead in establishing the President’s Interagency Council on Women, which serves as a model for governments to address issues of concern to women. She was instrumental in coordinating the US response to the growing global problem of the trafficking of human beings and represented the US government at various international conferences. Verveer has over twenty-five years experience in government and public interest work. She has a broad knowledge of domestic public policy issues which she has brought to the international arena. Previously, she served as Executive Vice President of People for the American Way, a civil rights and constitutional liberties organization where she played a key role in the passage of several landmark civil rights bills. She was Coordinator for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs for the U.S. Catholic Conference, Field Manager of Common Cause and worked in both the US House and Senate as Legislative Director and Special Assistant respectively. She was a founding member of the Coalition on Human Needs and has served on the Boards of Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, Counterpart International, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Advocacy Institute, Public Allies, NETWORK and the Center for Policy Alternatives, among others. She has played a leadership role in the Women Leaders Initiative of the World Economic Forum. She is a frequent speaker and consultant on a range of public policy issues. She received her undergraduate and master’s degrees in Russian studies from Georgetown University, where she was a University Fellow. Verveer has been profiled in The Washington Post, National Journal, Appointments with Power, Beachman’s Guide to Key Lobbyists, and Who’s Who of American Women. She has received many awards, including the American Association of University Women’s “Woman of Distinction”Award, Knock Out Abuse Leadership Honoree and the Basilian Humanitarian Award. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Women’s Foreign Policy Group, the Washington Institute on Foreign Affairs and Women In International Security. She was a member of the Robert Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights delegation to Guatemala in 2003, and has served as a faculty member of the Salzburg Seminar.

As a Woman of Wealth, you too can make a difference. There is always room in the "House of Change" for another person willing to stand up for the rights of others. And while your own social biography may not be as extensive as Ambassador Verveer's, the role you play in bringing about gender equality will impact women for generations to come.

Monday's Motivational Makeover featuring Tess

2010-07-26T00:05:00.002-04:00

Drag coefficient.

(yes, I’m following up a blog entry on discomfort with one on drag coefficient. Thank you for noticing).

This term kept coming to mind all week long.

The technical definition of drag coefficient is a dimensionless quantity that is used to quantify the drag or resistance of an object in a fluid environment.

Regardless of what it technically means, it was my metaphor for the week.

How much drag coefficient have I either created or allowed into my life? If it is true that we have a set amount of energy and we spend it like we spend our money, when it is gone, it is gone.

I haven’t spent enough time taking care of my wellbeing lately. My work hasn’t been enjoyable, I’m not getting enough quality sleep, I’m drinking too much wine, I’m worrying about some things, I’m trying to see too many people and squeezing in too many networking meetings, I’ve added a couple little projects to my list, I’ve added a couple larger projects to my list, I’ve taken on clients that don’t have a set routine, I’m not exercising, the toilet broke, the a/c was dead for 3 and ½ days last week …I may have been retaining water so my clothes were uncomfortable…need I continue…

Bite by bite, I have added so many things to my life that it isn’t fun at this pace. Normally I recognize this before I hit a wall, have a meltdown, or get too much of my agitation all over everyone else in my world. This time it took a little longer to tap me on the shoulder….maybe I just didn’t notice the tap…..so it took an elbow to the side of the head to get it (literally, I took an elbow to the head last week when I was out country dancing at the Broken Spoke. It left me seeing stars for a minute). Ok! Got my attention.

Being an advocate for quality of life and balance, I fully expect myself to notice when the walls start closing in and I can’t breathe. Not this time. I got to experience all of the frustration, upset and ensuing embarrassment that comes along with being in my own little free fall party for an entire week or two….even when I mentioned to those close to me that I was feeling stressed and anxious some time back.

Well, time to clean this up. Going to take an inventory today and see where I can clean house and organize my thoughts. See where I’m hemorrhaging energy and install some energy efficient measures.

How much drag coefficient are you operating with in your life? Has it been there for so long that you don’t even recognize the toll it is taking? What it the cost of continuing to live this way? Peace? Laughter? Health? Quality of life? Happy relationships?

Next week ….a sexy topic, I promise!

What’s in your life is what you choose, choose consciously and powerfully!

TGIF - Do Unto Others...

2010-07-23T08:57:00.004-04:00

As we approach another weekend in what has been a long, hot Summer here on the East Coast, may I suggest a slightly different way to spend your "downtime".

Reach out to someone less fortunate and offer them support- moral, financial, or physical.

On this day in July of 1852, Frances Seward, wife of William Seward, President Lincoln's Secretary of State wrote to him after a visit to the Auburn New York Orphan Asylum, “I was greatly interested in the Orphans. . . . One of them has died & is to be buried this morning. As he was a poor colored child placed there by my advice, I am going round and shall defray the funeral expenses.”

Her compassion and support of African-American Slaves is well documented.

The return on your investment in others will be measured in part, by your willingness to give up a part of you to benefit the whole of humanity. The feeling you get when you have done so will be immeasurable.

Have a delightful, safe, and relaxing weekend!

Thursday's Truth - Brutal Honesty

2010-07-22T07:51:00.004-04:00

White lies. These are untruths that are spoken and are considered justified based on some higher purpose. The fact that they are "white" implies that they no longer have a dark meaning, which is really like adding insult to injury.

An example might be asking a spouse, boyfriend or significant other whether the clothes you are wear make you look fat. The response is "no" even though they truly believe otherwise.

The brutally honest answer is: "no, your fat makes you look fat". This would not play well in many relationships.

Just the combination of these two words seems to be an oxymoron. We normally equate brutality with abuse. We admire honesty as a virtue that is very difficult to live up to.

And Truth hurts - brutally so, at times. But the truth will set you free to enjoy life and make the choices that are wise and appropriate.

While I don't agree with the use of inappropriate language in the blog I am about to suggest as a resource, much of what the writer talks about is true.

Here is the link - view discretion is advised.

Wednesday's Women of Courage -Summer Reading

2010-07-21T07:55:00.003-04:00

I know many of you are looking forward to getting away at some point this summer, before the return to fall. Traditionally a time for renewal, the term vacation has come to mean more activity, not less, perhaps a "working one", and the added stress of making sure everyone else's needs are met.

This year maybe a "stay-cation" is in order. One that involves just one day, where you, and you alone are the focus. Doing this may take courage, since women tend to feel as though they are being selfish if not fully involved in family, friends, or community.

If you are looking for a good read during this brief period of self-renewal, may I suggest a book that profiles several women in categories such as the courage to persevere, the courage to listen to your heart, etc.

One of the women profiled in the perseverance category is Faith Popcorn. Our children had the experience of a Montessori education as a child, and I remember her as having children in the same school. I remember thinking at the time how interesting a name she had, but did not realize what her background was or career aspiration.

To me, she was a Mom interested, as I, in providing the best educational and life experiences as possible for her children. She appeared to be a devoted, caring parent although I do recall she was a single mom at the time.

We all know women like Faith. Some are struggling with personal battles, and circumstances beyond their immediate control.

But in the end, they are determined to prevail. And that spirit cannot be broken.