I've Always Wanted You To Know

Women: Stop Apologizing

Recently, I was asked by the media why Are women too quick to say 'I am sorry'? It seems like women apologize for everything.  Why is that?  What are the downfalls?  What should we really be saying 'I'm sorry' for?  My comment to the reporter:  We have been taught by our mothers of mothers, all generations as women to get approval and appease others.  It almost seems like an epidemic of I'm sorry's.  Even if it isn't our fault, we are quick to apologize.  Why is is that we apologize for everything?...How can we possibly find our way back to feeling good when we feel so guilty about everything, even about not feeling bad enough?  We have lived our dilemmas of whether we could have done more to help and concerned about the promises we never kept.  What are the downfalls?  We lose our powerful voices, and many times don't let others take responsibility for the blame.  The other party gets off the hook, and we look like the guilty one.  We take on everything.  SOLUTION:  Instead we can take a step back, practice not saying we're sorry right away, and listen to whether we really need to apologize.  Let us embrace our beauty as women and have more confidence in our ability to speak our truth.  Please comment on: Why you think women apologize for everything?  Looking forward to hearing from you...

Loving You From My Prison Cell: Danielle Bacheers & her mother

Dear Mom, "Do you realize how far we've come in our relationship? Seeing us together now, who would ever think that not even eight years agok, you changed the locks to our house so I couldn't get in because you were so afraid of me, or that I left home because I was afraid of you?" said Danielle, a daughter writing to her mother from a prison cell."   This is an excerpt of the letter in the book, Dear Mom, I've Always Wanted You to Know.  We don't know what Danielle did to be serving a life sentence.  What is more important is that she is working through her challenges and committed to feeling more liberated within.  Everyone has the right to work on themselves.   I commented in the August issue of the newsletter how I was pleasantly surprised when I received a picture of Danielle & her mother (above)  I did not want to imagine what Danielle looked liked, because I did not want to get emotionally attached to her.  When I received the picture, I realized that I thought she would look differently.  Yet as I view this picture, my heart goes out to Danielle.  How brave she is!!! What a beautiful daughter & mother. 

What Its Really Like to Write a Book

The book, Dear Mom, I've Always Wanted You to Know...March 29th, came out earlier than expected.  This is a good thing.  More time to sell.  The first two weeks were very tense.  Trying to get the new website launched, working with the publicity firms, and checking if the books were on the Mothers Day tables as promised.  I was working 15 hour days, trying to orchestrate the web team, and the publicity team.   I had the tables at Borders spot checked all over the country.  Working with Penguin, we finally got most of the Borders to comply with what we agreed on.   It has been a good campaign so far.   14 radio interviews, 2 local tv stations, and very successful book signings.    We sold out at Books & Books--approximately 50 books.  In fact 2 women came in afterward, and my friend sold her two books to them. They gave her a $20 and told her to keep the change.  Supply & Demand.  We sold a total of 100 books in Aventura, Sunrise, and Boca Raton Borders.  In Tampa, we sold 40 books at B & N. 

The most important message from all of this: the difference Dear Mom will make to the women who read it.  I am very focused on how this book will help women all over the world express and release emotion.  It is easy to speak about the Letters from the Heart Project & Dear Mom, because it is about how diverse women around the world find their voice.   We are all interested in this topic, and how women overcome their challenges.  I am so focused on the message verses the book, that everything is falling into place for the right reasons.

It certainly has been exciting so far.  It seems so right to be here at this time.   I found by being centered in the moment and what I had to do today, helped me have more energy.   It seems the busier we are, the more we get done.

Until next time...Truly, Lisa

The underlying theme of "Dear Mom"

"Dear Mom" is about much more than relationships between mothers and daughters. One of the themes I'll be coming back to again and again in this blog is "releasing emotion."

In my last chapter, The Need for Closure, of Dear Mom, I've Always Wanted You to Know...

At dinner, a man I'd just met asked me if I thought writing a letter could create more peace in the world.  After thinking about the extraordinary results of this Project, I responded, "Writing just one letter to your mother will guid you to open your heart fully, release pent-up emotion, and produce a transformation in yourself, therefore in the world.  The more we are committed to work through our fears, the more insightful and peaceful we will become.  For every time your own heart lightens up, there is a positive effect in the world and you can see the light in others.

If you could produce these results from emotional release, aren't you worth it? 

What it's really like to write a book

You might think I'd be shouting hallelujah after finishing my first book, "Dear Mom." Believe it or not, I've now got more to do than ever... and it can feel overwhelming at times. Here's a one thing I recommend for handling stress: 

When you get overwhelmed, take a moment to ease your mind.  We often concentrate on "the not enough syndrome" and what we need to do next.  No matter how many tools we have access to, we get caught in the "strong current" of stuff.

When you get overwhelmed, take a moment to ease your mind. Focus on all that you have accomplished in a day, week, year, and feel the enjoyment of your milestones.  There are many examples of this. Overcoming a challenge is an accomplishment.  Helping someone is a gift. 

Do you feel the difference?  I do as I am writing this.  Now we are feeling good about ourselves instead of chasing ourselves on the treadmill.

Leave a comment

One of the true benefits of the Internet is our ability to interact with each other.  I want to hear what you think!  The best way for you to respond to the things I write here is to leave a comment.  Here's how to do that:

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Welcome to Lisa's Blog

What a journey it's been... As I look back on the last 4 years, it feels as if I climbed Mount Everest, twirled around in a tornado, and walked through the hottest deserts in the world.  I ask myself how I did it on a shoe string budget, while renovating a house, working full time, going through a merger at work, receiving letters from women all over the world, and getting married in the process! This blog will take you behind the scenes of how I wrote "Dear Mom" and The Letters from the Heart Project. I'll be talking about what I'm up to now and inviting you to participate every step of the way. I look forward to your input and feedback. Just click the Comments link below!