Three Black Skirts....

A few weeks ago I was visiting Mer and family. We always have a great time and this was no different. One evening we ventured into this little used book store. I love to read, but most of the time when I read I fall asleep or just don't even finish the book (in fact, I am still working on my 100 days of weight loss - crazy...finish it already). Anyways, I thought I would look around a bit. Maybe even find a fun book. First I found a really cute book called

You could totally see that this was a used book. I cried a bit when there was a note in the front of the book dated December 2001 and said - "Donna - Hope you enjoy this little bit of light reading. I miss your cheerful disposition!!! Love Always, Connie" It made me wonder - did Donna pass away, she really was not a good friend of Connie's or maybe she didn't like to be reminded of her cheerfulness (LOL). I had to pick this book up, it looked like fun and well, it would make me remember how good a friend I had with Mer. A good way to end the day or start my day when I think of a friend.

"Without friends, your address book would be blank."

"A friend will tell you secrets she's been sworn to silence about"

"You always have someone to complain to"

My God-Daughter then helped me find a new reading series for my son. We picked out "How to Train your Dragon" - we have finished the first in the series - can't wait to read the rest.

Then as I was looking over the "self help" or "diet" or "inspirational" books - really looking for the Sex in the City books (I had this urge to see if they had them), I see this bright pink book. Pulled it out and the cover reminded me of Audrey Hepburn in the movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's" - it was just cute and I thought, what the heck, let's see what it is all about.

Really - all I need to survive are Three Black Skirts. What could this book be all about? Well, the table of contents included: 

• Well-Being
• Style
• Life Skills
• Career
• Mood Management
• Emotional Rescue
• Spirit
• Giving Back

What the heck - a low cost of $8.00 (okay, you can purchase it online for only $1.00), but it looked like a good, fun, uplifting read. Plus, I figure with my re-found lifestyle and the desire to keep losing weight, I was going to need Three Black Skirts! I picked this up. My total purchase for the day was more then I expected, but I was happy with all of my selections.

The other morning I finally had a moment to sit down and read. That pink book was screaming - read me, read me. Wow - what an easy and enjoyable book. The first chapter is titled "Balance - The Whole Shebang" I could not have asked for a better way to have this new book come into my life. Wouldn't you know it, just the first chapter re-introduced me to many things that I have been working on. Here are the highlights....

• Bare Bones Basics for Well-Being: Drink a lot of water, eat something raw and something green at every meal (even in winter), don't fear garlic, sleep eight hours, exercise once a day and try to worry less.
• Attitude - Melted cheese is not going to kill you; anxiety might. Budget your worries. Enter and leave the day on a positive note. How well you feel depends on the spirit in which you do things and the best way is calmly. Positive thinking is like good posture. Don't forget to cry. Beware of spinning your wheels on too many "head miles".
• Roadblocks to Balance: make sure you have balance, don't let the road blocks get you down. To strike a balance first make a list of the six main areas of your life that represent your personal needs
• Diet: Improving your diet has less to do with what you take away and much more to do with what you add.
• Drugs and Alcohol: find a natural high, not a chemical high. Make exercise your high (go figure)
• Exercise: The math of exercise is simple: The less you do the less you want to do, the more you move the more you want to move. Exercise lets you feel and express your whole body, evens out  your moods, strengthens your bones, improves your balance, oxygenates your blood, shakes out emotional knots, and makes you feel alive in the fullest sense of the word.
• Right Ways to get to Sleep: Warm milk, a light read, soothing music, deep-relaxation exercise, concoct a dream before sleep and other suggestions...
• Soul Food - everyone needs beauty. Make sure you get a daily blast of beauty and let it blossom inside you. The soul cries out for it, and the body can't flourish without it.

That is just the first chapter. I can't wait to read the rest of this book!!!! I will share more from time to time as I make my way to the end. I do see myself reading this from cover to cover (and before the end of the year is done). I will purchase one new Black Skirt to celebrate the final chapter - no, wait - it has to be three!

What are you reading at the moment? What book would you recommend that is fun, uplifting and just one that you would enjoy sharing?

Staying MOtivated MO