Recognize significant moments by taking time, through ritual or celebration, and you will deepen your experience, create powerful memories, and reap profound rewards. You will transform moments and experiences that might have been missed, in the quick passage of time, into sacred milestones. -cw

There has been much in the news over this past year about "the little book that could" (Mountain Xpress review), The Woman's Field Guide to Exceptional Living.

I am taking time today to celebrate my first year as a published author. As part of that celebration I'll share some of my favorite features and mentions:

• One just in today! Diva of the Month. I've always wanted to be a Diva! Thanks Lori at Foundation Coaching!

• Mark Victor Hansen's very cool video testimonial

• One of my favorite reviews of the year recently came out by Womenwriters.net. Here is a excerpt:

"Unlike many self-help authors, Woods boasts an impressive pedigree of practical work experience as a life-coach, women’s retreat leader, change facilitator, and personality-analyst. Luckily she’s used that varied experience to create a short self-help book. Yes, you read that correctly. It is short, only 179 pages long, and blissfully free of long-winded case histories and ponderous introductions to basic concepts."

• Comments from women I admire mean so much to me ...

"The Woman’s Field to Exceptional Living is beautiful to look at and a pleasure to hold. The real treat however comes within its pages as Corrie Woods presents nurturing and practical suggestions for stepping out of the ordinary and into your fullest life." – Victoria Moran, author of Creating a Charmed Life

"Corrie Woods’ message—and the positive way she delivers it—not only reminds us that our lives are full of possibility, but also gives us practical tools for stepping into a richer, fuller–and yes, happier–way of being in the world. Wonderful!"  - Abby Seixas, author of Finding the Deep River Within     

"It’s a feel good book that does wonders for the heart." - Dotsie Bregel, founder of The National Association of Baby Boomer Women

• Yes, awards are fun too!

One of my bravest moments of the year came when I stood in front of a camera to share a bit about my book. You can view the video in my archives.

This was a big stretch!

You can always check out the latest at The Book.

Ah, that is the real value of ritual and celebration. You intentionally take time to savor, to make sacred, and to relish. It can support closure or pop the lid on something new. Further, it can create a rich, powerful memory to cherish for a lifetime.- cw

In what ways can you celebrate 2008?