What began in November 2006 as the monthly communication, Tips for Living a Live You Love, sent to visitors of www.womansfieldguide.com or readers of my book, along with all blog posts and web updates, came to an halt in August of 2009 given health challenges. A common thread woven throughout my life in the past few years has been around health challenges. A couple hip surgeries and a lot of chronic pain, a surprising diagnosis of chronic Lyme Disease, a lot of disagreeable meds, a recent discovery of severe gluten-intolerance all simply caught up with me this year and knocked me off my feet. There have regrettably been phone calls unanswered, self-care retreats wiped from my books and plenty of less-than-graceful moments while I have spent countless hours tending to my commitment to be in vibrant health regardless of the obstacles that present themselves.

Of course, with the health challenges come the opportunities for me to walk my self-care talk each and every day. Without getting into all the details, the good news is that the gifts have been, and continue to be, incredible. I am currently in great health! Now, with several months of extreme self-care behind me and an incredible array of health care professionals on my team  to be thankful for (including my medical team at Sanoviv!), it's time to pop my head back up and to share some holiday cheer with my readers. Hey, and what says "cheers" better than free gifts.

Free Mini-Guides to Improve Your Life

Supporting others in both living a self-care lifestyle and in living a full life with chronic pain continue to be passions of mine. Expressions of those passions are four new mini-guides that I hope you will find these helpful and share them with others.

• Oh My Aching ... Tips for Living Your Best Life While Managing Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is pain that persists past the time usually required to heal from an illness or injury. When you live with chronic pain, it is as if you live through a veil that cloaks much of who you are and how you may want to interact with others. People of all sizes, ages, colors and health conditions experience chronic pain. You might be a breast cancer survivor in recovery, a person whose low back pain will not respond to treatment, a sufferer of postherpetic neuralgia as a result of the complications of shingles, or someone unexpectedly dealing with a Lyme Disease or Chronic Fatigue diagnosis. If you and your family know the face of pain, this guide
may be of help to you.

• Self-Care for the Family Caregiver: 68 Tips to Help You Survive and Thrive

"There are only four kinds of people in the world - those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers." Rosalyn Carter

• Self-Care in Your Wisdom Years:A Primer for Women in Midlife and Beyond, 105 Tips to Help You Shift from Burnout to Bliss!

It may seem obvious that taking care of yourself is a great thing to do, yet for many women it remains an elusive goal. Self-care is for the future, a dream far off in the distance which some of us just never get around to turning into a reality. The fact is that stress, a sense of being overwhelmed, and depression are epidemic with American women ...

• Gotta Book in You? Tips, Tools and Resources to Coax the Writer in You Out of the Closet

In a 2002 article in The New York Times, author JOSEPH
EPSTEIN stated: "According to a recent survey, 81 percent of Americans feel they have a book in them and that they should write it now." That means that millions of people are moving through their lives thinking, "Gee, I'd like to write a book." And here is the light-of-day truth: most people don't. We'll take liberties here and go on to assume that all those unwritten stories cause big regrets in countless people's lives.
We can't have that now, can we? What about you? If the thought of writing a book has been nudging you, this may be your ticket to get started.

Here are five resources for moms wanting to connect, get educated and get inspired:

• MomFuse - a website offering an eclectic mix of great info, great bargains, and great give-aways.

     Check out their latest review of Corrie's book

• Looking for tons of fun ways to turn ordinary days into extraordinary learning adventures with kids? Pick up a copy of Esther Jantzen's new book, Plus It: How to Easily Turn Everyday Activities into Learning Adventures.
• VickyandJen.com - It's a unique podcast and family resource site about making life simple so you can enjoy what really matters.

• FirstOurselves.com: "Women are the fulcrum, holding the balance for our families and communities. Everything orbits around our axis. When we're out of balance, the entire system is off-kilter." Join Karly Randolph Pitman for self-care wisdom and more.
  

• Mom's Choice Awards: Check out the extensive list of 2009 winners for quality products for your family. Yep, Corrie's book is a Silver Award Winner!

Got some great ideas for sites, resources and books for moms? Send them on to Corrie at womansfieldguide.com.

I am thrilled to add three new women to Spotlight on Exceptional Women. These gals are shaking it up! Click on the links to learn all about them and to find out what our other exceptional women are up to.

Sal and KK - The Midlife Gals

I, for one, think there is a tendency to take midlife way too seriously. We end up either looking back all the time or looking ahead. The juice of living right here in this moment, and the humor just waiting for us to grab at every turn, so often gets missed. Well, this certainly does not apply to The Midlife Gals. Sal and KK are full of fun and provide a great reminder to live in the moment and to laugh out loud!

Pamela Bruner - Make Your Success Easy                           The first time I met Pamela she was playing her harp and I was in awe of her talent and the beautiful notes filling the air. I quickly learned there is more to this musician than meets the ear. She is a Certified Life Coach, and Advanced EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Practitioner, a Certified Firewalker Instructor and a women who is a dynamo at helping others to succeed.

As a mentor to other authors, I often hear folks ask, "How do I build buzz about my book?"

There are tons of great resources out there that address this head-on, such as:

• John Kremer's 1001 Ways to Market Your Book

• Carolyn Howard-Johnson's The Frugal Book Promoter

When I look to my own promotion strategies I have to be honest and say, I do the things that feel in flow with who I am.

Here are three examples:

I value critical review. Submitting my book to tons of book reviewers and to national awards programs is an effective way to get feedback and to get lots of exposure / lots of buzz!

I love to collaborate. My Spotlight on Exceptional Women is one way I have dramatically expanded my network while getting a chance to get to know, and to play with, wildly creative women.

I love to share. The numerous articles you can find on the internet, the Free Resources section of my website, and the Bonus I offer to book buyers all reflect that joy of sharing, while at the same time promoting my work in the world.

You get the idea?

If you are an author exploring how to "build that buzz" I encourage you to begin by identifying those flow avenues for you and to actively design your marketing around what puts a smile to your face.

As a first-time author I was thrilled when I received notification that my book had received a Finalist Award in the National Indie Excellent 2008 Awards. That was in May '08. Now, one year later, the last of the awards programs for 2008 titles are wrapping up. I am so very proud to share that The Woman's Field Guide to Exceptional Living has been honored to be the recipient of nine national awards. Each feels significant in its own way and each program involved the review of hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of titles to get to the small list of finalists.

I see it as a great start for The Woman's Field Guide series. Stay tuned!

Recipient of Nine National Awards

• Silver Winner 2009 Nautilus Book Awards: Small Press Category

• Finalist Foreword Magazine 2008 Best Book of the Year Award: Body / Mind / Spirit

• Silver Winner 2009 Mom’s Choice Awards: Women’s Issues

• Finalist National Best Books 2008 Awards: Women’s Issues

• Finalist National Best Books 2008 Awards: Self-Help / Motivation

• Finalist National Indie Excellence 2008 Awards: Women’s Issues

• Finalist Next Generation Indie Excellence 2009 Awards: 3 Category Winner: Women’s Issues, Self-Help, Inspiration

Give Wings to Your Dreams: Reawaken Your Joy and Passion for Life, Lauren E Sullivan

Inspiration and practical guidance, for women in midlife who are experiencing stress, burnout or blues, to design happier, more peaceful, and balanced lives.

There have been so many moments in my life when just the right book found its way into my hands and my heart. Lauren's book is one of those "just the right books." As she shares her own challenging journey, she provides hope, practical wisdom and seven stepping stones to transform your life. Beautifully done!

It is a multiple award-winning book and rightly so.

Check out Lauren's video for some in this moment inspiration. The Wings Movie.

Entering the Age of Elegance: A Rite of Passage & Practical Guide for the Modern Maturing Woman, Chloe Jon Paul

I have to say that the title of this book really caught my eye and says so much: Entering the Age of Elegance. As a woman turning 50 this year I love this invitation to elegance. Chloe has taken a fresh approach to a popular topic by giving us a resource-rich travel guide. This book is packed with practical information, recommended book lists, web pages and resources. I found myself saying, I never thought about that before ... over and over.

If this is a topic that draws you in you might like to check out the fun contest that National Association of Baby Boomer Women has going in collaboration with Chloe Jon Paul: Entering Your Age of Elegance Contest.

Check out the Summer 2009 issue of a cool little magazine, Massage Envy Magazine for great tips on healthy and happy living.

Look to the article, A Dose of Closeness:
Connecting with friends is good medicine to learn what writer Teresa Caldwell Board (and Corrie) have to say about the importance of friendships. Here is an excerpt:

 "Sure, it can be tough for busy women to stay connected to their friends. But what are you missing when you don’t do it?
“I challenge people to ask themselves, ‘What
price am I paying when I feel disconnected from
my support system?’” says Corrie Woods, women’s self-care coach and author of The Woman’s Field Guide to Exceptional Living.
Say no to say yes. “Learn how to say no to things
in your current schedule so you can make time for
friends,” Woods says. Decide what supports your
overall well-being and make those things a priority."

This magazine makes for a great read cover to cover with down-to-earth great tips.

It is true to say that many of my favorite books and favorite people have one thing in common - they have been recognized as recipients of the Nautilus Book Awards. As its stated mission, the Nautilus Book Award program wants to Change the World One Book at a Time. When you look to the list of just a few of the past winning authors you know they are serious:

Angeles Arrien
Deepak Chopra, M.D.
Caroline Myss
Barbara Kingsolver
Frances Moore Lappe’
Thich Nnat Hanh
Jean Houston, PhD.
Eckhart Tolle
His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Yes, my beloved bookshelf has a title or two by each. In fact, when I am looking for a great read I frequently look to the Nautilus list and I am always more than pleased.

With this said, I am thrilled beyond words to share news that The Woman's Field Guide to Exceptional Living has been honored as a Silver Recipient of the Nautilus Book Awards in the Small Press Category. Winners of the Gold Award will be chosen from Silver winners in late May 2009.

A dear friend recently called my book, deceptively simple, and one she'll go back to for a good second read. I love that description and perhaps it's just that formula that results in this being the fifth national award. I like to think that maybe my book offers something the world needs a bit more of!

Learn more about the Nautilus Book Award program here.

I am all for the kinds of Mother's Day gifts that are homespun, picked from a field of wildflowers, or even the surprise-breakfast-in-bed kind. If, however, you are going shopping this Mother's Day here are some fresh ideas to brighten your Mom's special day:

• What woman would not love gorgeous one-of-a-kind wearable art? Artist Debra Bryant has been weaving her magic for many years and each piece she creates is a masterpiece! What's Your Bag - Handwoven Accessories

• How about give your Mother (or yourself) a retreat to remember? In my little corner of Western NC one of the best spa deals around is at The LakeHouse Lodge and Spa at Highland Lake. It is truly a serene setting perfect for a spa day or a few days of R & R. They offer a wide variety of spa services and the comfy accomodations will make you melt. The stellar staff will make you feel like they have rolled out the red carpet. Ahhhh

• Well, of course, what woman won't love to get a copy of The Woman's Field Guide to Exceptional Living?

• For the Gardener: A Gardening Magazine that is a cut above the rest! There are over 100 how-to gardening publications in this country. Only one magazine, Green Prints,  shares the human side: the joy, humor, frustrations, and heart in fine prose and fine art. It's the best personal garden writing, old and new. It's funny. It's tender. It's truthful. It's inspiring. There is absolutely no other gardening magazine like it.
  

• Knock-your-socks-off stationary and more. If you don't know about the Heron Dance Store, or have not visited it lately, it is a feast for the eyes and you just might find a perfect gift for Mom.

It's Hard to Make a Difference When You Can't Find Your Keys: The Seven-Step Path to Becoming Truly Organized, Marilyn Paul, Ph.D.

Marilyn Paul takes a holistic approach to tackling a fracturing facet of many of our lives - disorganization. Rather that simply providing check-lists and processes to follow, the author begins by helping us to understand the underlying stories that so often fuel our disorganization. She then goes on to provide practical exercises and steps that can lead us to calm, clear air.

I love this book because it's both a delight to read and it gets right to the heart of things. Being organized is one of the many facets of exquisite self-care. Marilyn Paul has given us a powerful and comprehensive tool for self-discovery and transformation in her fabulous book  It's Hard to Make a Difference When You Can't Find Your Keys.

Here is a cool and fun podcast that you might enjoy. Corrie joins Vicky and Jen for a lively conversation on their program What Really Matters to explore her favorite topic: self-care.

An overview:

Be Exceptional!

Challenge yourself to shift from negative to positive priority living and dramatically improve your life! Listen to Exceptional Woman on What Really Matters, a podcast by Vicky Thornton and Jen Rehberger, two moms who have taken networking beyond the next level. Corrie Woods, women’s author, inspirational speaker and life coach, joins Vicky and Jen in a casual chat about easy and practical self-care tips to engage in our lives. With humor and honesty, these three ladies entertain and enlighten, sharing real life scenarios about the small things that make a big difference. The companion page on vickyandjen.com includes free book downloads, additional articles and links for more about becoming an exceptional woman.

Check out the podcast and resource page here.

My latest newsletter seemed to resonate so deeply with many of my readers that I have decided to post the tips as a resource for any/all who may be looking for support in managing ongoing pain.

(You may subscribe to my newsletter at www.womansfieldguide.com)

I am not a health-care professional. I am, however, a woman who knows the challenges first-hand.

Regarding Chronic Pain: Recent information from The American Pain Foundation indicates:

• Pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined

• 76.2 million people suffer from chronic pain

• More women than men reported that they were in pain

With so many moving through complex lives with pain, it seems fitting to share some support tips (from personal experience, mind you) for managing, and sometimes embracing, the unique gifts wrapped up in this bizarre package called pain.

You may be a breast cancer survivor in recovery, a person with low back pain that will not respond to treatment, a surprised individual dealing with Lyme’s Disease and/or chronic fatigue, or you name it. If you and your family know the face of pain, this one is for you.

Self-Care Tips for Managing Chronic Pain

1.    Focus on what you can do, rather than on what you cannot. There are always, always things you can do.  Example: While I have been less active I have had the opportunity to explore many things I never would have taken the time to do. Example: pencil sketching. I am loving it and it is something I always felt drawn to. (no pun)
2.    Experiment daily with your body (in safe ways). Take those long hot baths (more than once a day if helpful) and leave the guilt behind; check out an infrared sauna – my current favorite; make sure to move your body each day, even if it is in small ways; use the ice; use the heat; be with your pain rather than being your pain through meditation. Experiment daily and let your body lead the way.
3.    Be ok with not being your 100% right-on self. Someone said to me earlier today that when we live with chronic pain, we live through a veil that cloaks so much of who we are and how we may want to be in the world on our best days. Go easy on yourself 24/7.

4.    Be honest with those around you. They cannot read your mind. When your pain is spiked you don’t have to go around complaining all the time, but it does help to let those around you know that raw edge is exposed.
5.    Allow your chronic pain to open compassion to the world of folks who suffer. Truly, I remind myself each day that what I may be experiencing is so small compared to some. In my case that is completely true. When I focus on compassion for others, it is hard to slide into self-pity, though I go there too; don’t get me wrong.
6.    Rest, rest, rest – and do so in creative ways.
7.    Expect and accept that on some days you may not be firing on all cylinders, emotionally or physically. If you need to, make sure that someone has your back.
8.    Be grateful for the body parts that are feeling just fine – thank you very much! When I focus on most anywhere but my hip, I am thrilled to say it all is working great and feeling fine.
9.    Be ok with getting angry, depressed, frustrated but do not be OK with staying there. If you feel that you have slid into a place you cannot get out of, seek help. That is what therapists and other healing professionals are there for.
10.    Take those pain meds if and when they can give you a break. Because I hate taking anything, I have had to retrain my mind to be ok with that Extra Strength Tylenol (or such) when I find myself becoming the pain.

Oh, and here is a bonus tip for you: feel free to buy yourself glorious flowers whenever the mood strikes. They always brighten my mood!

To learn more about managing chronic pain check out:

• The American Pain Foundation: www.painfoundation.org

• American Chronic Pain Association: www.theacpa.org

____________________________________

Corrie Woods is an award-winning author, a women's self -care coach, and a woman currently navigating the road of chronic pain as the result of an unresolved sports injury and a diagnosis of Lyme's Disease.

Imagine a weekend playing, relaxing, and creating on the beautiful shores of Maine this April.

Imagine being on a retreat with a small group of amazing women who have come together to explore creativity through writing, movement and more.

Top it all off with a master facilitator who knows how to create safe space and a rich experience for all.

What and who am I enticing you to learn more about? The Gift of the Sea is a women's creativity retreat offered each spring by my dear friend, Maggie Butler.

A weekend like this one can change your life!

This retreat is just one of the many gifts Maggie shares as a women's creativity and writing coach.

Maggie is being honored this month as one of our Exceptional Women. I invite you to learn all about this wise and wonderful woman at Spotlight on Exceptional Women.

Life Coach and author, Carolyn Scarborough, has a way with words. In her beautiful book, Backyard Pearls, Cultivating Wisdom and Joy in Everyday Life, she presents gems we can discover in our day to day lives to step up the joy. This book is absolutely loaded with wonderful, and yet simple, ideas shared with the reader in a cozy friend-to-friend tone.

As a coach, I've found the book to be a great resource for exercises to do with clients and groups. Because the chapters are just a few pages and each closes with a "Discover Your Own Pearls" prompt there is an abundance of good stuff here to draw from and be inspired by.

This book is one of my current favorites and one I highly recommend. You can learn more at

www.backyardpearls.com

We are thrilled to share that The Woman’s Field Guide to Exceptional Living has been honored by being selected as a finalist in the Foreword 2008 Book of the Year Awards program. Previous awards include: Mom’s Choice Awards 2008 Silver Recipient, finalist in two categories of the Best Books Awards 2008, and finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards 2008. This title represents the first book in The Woman’s Field Guide series.

ForeWord's Book of the Year Awards program was designed to discover distinctive books across a number of genres. More than 1,400 books were entered in 61 categories for the 2008 program. These books represent some of the best work coming from today's independent press community. The winners will be determined by a panel of librarians and booksellers and announced at a special program at BookExpo America in New York City on May 29. A complete list of finalists is available at www.forewordmagazine.com.

Download Press Release

Get to know the latest bright shiney women chosen for Spotlight on Exceptional Women!

Vicky and Jen - These two ladies are brilliant! They have rolled up their love for parenting, love for keeping things simple, and love for sharing into a resource-rich website that is loaded with fun and value. From podcasts featuring experts on all facets of parenting and family life, to recipes, to cool activities for kids - they offer it all. I am thrilled to spotlight Vicky and Jen, two women making a difference in our world!

A lovely wise woman has flown into my life this month on the wings of a powerful book. Your Truest Self, Jan's latest book, is a gem and has found a place on my shelf for most cherished books.

Stay tuned for more news about Jan, as she will be gracing the pages of Spotlight on Exceptional Women soon!

Your Truest Self, Janice Lynne Lundy

Spiritual guide and mentor Janice Lynne Lundy proposes twelve principles drawn from her personal encounters with prominent spiritual teachers to enable women to live a full, rich-in-spirit life. Within every woman there is an essential Truth waiting to be claimed, a Truth that will empower her to claim a spiritual life that is real and authentic, one that will nourish and sustain her every day. Drawing from her personal encounters with twelve spiritual mentors--activists, artists, writers, and teachers--author Janice Lynne Lundy has created twelve Transformational Truths to guide and enable women to live more peaceful, confident, and open-hearted lives. Each chapter includes peaceful pauses for meditation and reflection questions that will help readers unpack their own personal meaning from each Transformational Truth's profound wisdom.

As I read Jan's latest book I felt as if every word was written just for me. Passages popped off the pages both reminding me of what I know to be true and offering fresh insights into new places of discovery. Her ability to create an intimate connection with the reader is a rare gift.
In essence, she invites the reader to pull up a chair and join her and the circle of wise women she introduces us to. This book is a gem! My life has been enriched by this book and by Jan's open-hearted wisdom. - Corrie Woods

HONORING EXCELLENCE

  The Mom's Choice Awards® is an annual awards competition that recognizes authors, inventors, companies, parents and others for their efforts in creating quality family-friendly media, products and services.

Wow! What a great program and what a powerful source of information for families seeking quality products and resouces. Too, what fun to share news that The Woman's Field Guide to Exceptional Living has been chosen as a Silver Recipient for this prestigious award.

This represents the third national award for this title and helps to set the stage and build the buzz for the next book in the Woman's Field Guide series. Stay tuned!

To learn more about the award here ...

On this historic day in United States history, when over 3 million people have flocked to DC and countless others across the globe have gathered via television and internet and radio, the call is for leadership.

... Not just from our new president but from our communities and from the examples we live in our own lives.

Image: CNN

In this light it seems fitting today to highlight a woman and a cause sweeping the planet.

World Leadership Day was founded and launched by Elisabeth Gortschacher, founder and director E.E.G. Coaching Pty Ltd, on 20 March 2007.

The vision:
A world that recognizes, engages and cultivates the expression of the innate leadership in every person.

Since its inception this initiative has spread across the globe with ambassadors on almost all continents.

I invite you to learn more about World Leadership Day and to explore ways to engage, cultivate and express your innate leadership in your community and in your world in meaningful ways.