Alexandra Penney

Today I picked up a copy of the February 2010 Town & Country (even though I resolved to not purchase magazines from the store - I can't resist this one - especially the issue about Wonder Women). One of the ladies they chose was a victim of the Madoff Ponzi scheme - a woman who has since written a book titled The Bag Lady Papers. Anyway, there are a few lists in this article and one titled, Lessons Learned, which I find truly inspirational as I try to steer us through 2010! Here are a few of my favorites:

1. If your worst fears happen, you will live through them. They can be as bad as you imagined them, but somehow you manage.

2. You will surprise yourself by how well you cope. You have enormous resources you don't know about.

3. You are in control until you have no mind left.

4. When you're flooded with anxiety or panic, think; don't feel.

5. There is such a word as no. Use it to protect yourself.

6. Indulge your crazy ideas. Just think a bit about the consequences first.

7. People will always surprise you - with their generosity or their nastiness.

8. You're sunk if you lose your sense of humor.

9. Ask for what you want even if you don't think you'll get it. You'll be surprised at the response 60 percent of the time.

10. Stop negative thinking any way you can. It takes discipline, but you can do it.

11. When you have your first sip of coffee in the morning, stop for a full ten seconds and taste how good it is.

12. Decide on a short-term goal and a long-term goal, and give them your very best shot.

13. You have a self. Know its strengths and weaknesses.

14. Expect the unexpected, but there is no way to prepare for it.

15. Change is inevitable, but it's an adventure.

16. Loss happens. Get used to it.

17. Be a fighter. Life's no fun if you're not one.