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THE
TAOGIRL GATHERING A
Celebration of Taogirls Everywhere If you have trouble reading this newsletter or cannot download the graphics, you will also find it on the website at: http://www.taogirl.com/taonewsletter.htm Dear
Taogirls – please check out our newly revamped website www.taogirl.com
and take special notice of the new “News
and Feedback” page. http://www.taogirl.com/tao_news07.htm The
Taogirl Gathering Issue
Number Eleven
Happy spring –
at long last! I feel ready to
welcome this new season, especially as I finally had the snow storm I had
been longing for all winter. Yes,
I know I am among a small number who actually wish for snow – but I did
love seeing that gorgeous white blanket covering our property last month.
Of course, I wasn’t the one who had to go out there in the frigid
air and plow and shovel. Joe
and our pooch, Daniece did that. But
I did have a hot cup of cocoa ready for Joe when he was finally finished
and ready to come in a warm up. Daniece
didn’t need hot cocoa. She
couldn’t get enough of the cold – she is, after all, a furry Old
English sheepdog wearing her own fur coat. And now it is
April, the college basketball season will end with the women’s final
tournament this weekend, American Idol is down to 9 contestants and
baseball begins in a week or two. And, most importantly, we celebrate
April’s holidays with Easter bunnies and Matzoh and family and friends. I wish you all the
joys of this season of renewal and growth. CJ
This
month’s Taogirl Gathering will also feature:
Spread the word – please remember to forward this issue of THE
TAOGIRL GATHERING to your friends!
Live boldly. Take risks. Make someone say “What the hell was THAT all about? Calling all Taogirls in the The first meeting of the At: Yoga4Everybody, I will also be leading a Taogirl workshop at Yoga4Everybody
Wednesday, May 16
You are all invited to either or both – please rsvp
One of the most
wonderful perks of being a Taogirl, is the opportunity to meet warm,
friendly and interesting women all around the country.
Yet it was in my neighboring town of Introducing……………………………………………..Margaret
Margaret,
when we met you told me that you always believed you were a Taogirl.
How so? Actually
after reading your wonderful book, I thought to myself wow what CJ wrote
about is how I live my life, accepting what comes along and yet not
letting the bad stuff change who I am. I
know that life wasn’t always easy for you in your childhood. In what
ways was it difficult? I
came from a very mentally and physically abusive family.
I was abused by my mother and father, thrown down steps, beat with
an iron spoon by my mother and at around 10 years old kicked where no
little girl should be kicked by her father. I think that was because I
accidentally spilled my milk. My last beating from my father was when
I was 21 and he kept punching me in the face. My mother used to cheat
on my father and I would get calls as a child saying if your mom does not
stay away from my husband I will throw acid in her face. I am sure my Dad
was cheating also. My mom and dad looked like they belonged in How
did you manage to get through those tough times? I
prayed a lot and would say to God they cannot be my parents you are my
father. And
even now you’ve been thrust into difficult situations.
Can you elaborate on this a bit? I
got divorced after a 28 year marriage and in doing so my mother alienated
my whole family from me (my dad died at 60 and he was an only child so
there is no family on his side left). It was not because of me getting the
divorce, it was because we built an apartment for her in my house and my
soon-to-be-ex was paying all the bills, and I could no longer support her
and myself alone. After my
divorce she continued living with me and did not talk to me for a
year. I finally had to ask her
to leave as she refused to help me pay any of the bills. Yet,
I have a brother 7 years younger that she adores. He does not work and has
3 kids so my mother's money goes to him. I certainly feel hurt by this.
I have continued to try to be a good daughter – being at her side
during a several-month-long hospitalization after surgery at one time. It
hurts that my brother never went to see her.
At this point she is out of my life. I do miss my grandmother
who is still alive at 101, but because my mother is the stronger member of
her family of six siblings
they have all shunned me, too. So
my mother has a huge family and a big support group and I have no family
at all anymore. Yet
you keep your head above water – and remain confident, happy and
healthy. What
inner strength do you draw upon to do so? Well
I do believe in the old adage God only gives us what we can handle!
And what does not kill us make's us stronger! Going threw a bad divorce
and having no family behind me was one of the most difficult things. I
have since remarried and found a nice man to share my life, (only thing is
with me I am always' waiting for the other shoe to drop). Hopefully,
God gave me all I can handle already and the rest of my life will be a
piece of cake! Do
you have anything you would like to add to this interview that I haven’t
already touched upon? Yes
I have met a wonderful author, woman and friend - you CJ! You have
shown us threw your wonderful book the way of the Taogirl. and I so thank
you for writing your book! What
advice do you have to our Taogirl readers as they travel their own paths? I
believe we all have an inner strength, and when times are bad we have to
rely on this inner strength. Also always keep a smile on your face and try
to be upbeat. No one wants to
be around a sad person! And in doing this you will feel happy inside as
you are showing the world your smiling happy face. Also I love to
laugh. In life you have to have a good sense of humor to get you through.
No one does get out alive! Blessings and Happiness to all of my
Taogirl sisters out there! Margaret With
your strength and positive attitude, Margaret, I suspect the rest of your
life will be a “piece of cake”. You
certainly deserve it! Thank
you for sharing your story and your life and your Taogirl philosophy with
the rest of us. CJ 
Here’s where I will be in
April:
Wednesday, April 11
Women in Transition Panel
Saturday, April 21 Renew and Bloom Retreat
www.bloomafterdivorce.com
The
This is a full day event. I
will be speaking at
Sunday,
March 22
Circles of Wisdom http://www.circlesofwisdom.com/
Please call for reservations: 978-474-9010
Saturday,
April 28
A workshop for girls ages 11 - 14
Temple Beth-El
Keep checking the Travels page of the website for
current updates.
http://www.taogirl.com/taotravels.htm
Spread the word – please remember to forward this issue of THE
TAOGIRL GATHERING to your friends! AN EXCITING UPCOMING EVENT THAT EVERY TAOGIRL SHOULD KNOW
ABOUT Renew
& Bloom Retreat A weekend seaside retreat to
renew and rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit from
all of life’s transitions… _
Gatherings & Workshops with Barbara
Scala JD, Certified Life Coach and Co-Author of Sanity
Savers: Tips for Women to Live a Balanced Life _
Author Talks with Prill Boyle
(Defying Gravity: A Celebration of Late Blooming Women) &
CJ Golden (Tao of the Defiant Woman) _
Yoga & Meditations with Joanne DeVito,
Certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor _
Private Coaching Session (optional) _
Labyrinth & Beach Walks _
Massage/Reiki/Reflexology* Whatever you are
transitioning through in life, take a break and explore how to move
forward to create the life you have always envisioned. The Call
203.521.1129 to Register or Email to info@bloomonline.com Presented with: www.bloomonline.com
' Bloom Services LLC ' Private Rooms with Water Views Available Upon Request $550 per person/double
occupancy (meals, yoga, program events) $100 additional for private
room (book early for availability) *Spa Treatments Additional
Charge
Spread the word – please remember to forward this issue of THE
TAOGIRL GATHERING to your friends!
the Taogirl on-line Boutique is open
THE TAO
OF THE DEFIANT WOMAN A Guide
to Life over 40 IN
English AND Spanish !
www.taogirl.com/taobookstore.htm
THE TAOGIRL HANDBOOK
The
Taogirl Handbook is
chock full of suggestions to aid you in the organization of your Taogirl
Group. Along
with the exercises and discussions within the pages of this three ring
binder, I’ve
also included blank pages for your own notes, as well as plenty of
“growing room.” http://www.taogirl.com/taogirlhandbook.htm THE
OFFICIAL TAOGIRL T-SHIRT
www.taogirl.com/taogirltees.htm TAOGIRL GREETING CARDS
http://www.taogirl.com/taogirlcards.htm If you know of, or have a website that you think
Taogirls would enjoy seeing, let me know and I’ll be happy to set up a
hyperlink from this newsletter to that site.
Conversely, if you would like to do the same from your site to this
newsletter, please contact me to do so. It is in this manner that we can support each other as we all strive to support women everywhere! Prill Boyle …
Like the women she writes about in her book, Defying
Gravity, Prill Boyle is a late bloomer. After graduating from
college at 38, she became an English teacher. Then in January of 2000 she
read an article in The New York Times about a 65-year old CHECK OUT PRILL’S NEW BLOG!!!!!!!!!! Visit Prill at:
http://defyinggravitynow.blogspot.com/ Barbara Scala… Founder of Bloom
After Divorce, Barbara is also editor and creator of Bloom OnLine
Magazine for "Women Who Want to Grow" at www.bloomonline.com
and writes her ongoing column Divorce Ain’t So Bad After All. Visit
Barbara at www.bloomafterdivorce.com
and make sure to read Bloom OnLine Magazine www.bloomonline.com Esteemed Woman Foundation…This
amazing and important organization was founded in 2000 by filmmaker Suzie
Galler who began conducting research about women and
self-esteem which led to the making of the highly acclaimed documentary
film I Am Beautiful. The film then became the cornerstone of an outreach
program designed to help women explore and strengthen their self-image..
It now includes ongoing workshops, resource materials and an outreach
network that provides support nationwide. The foundation's primary focus
has been to develop comprehensive programs for women of all ages and
backgrounds. The programs teach that self-esteem is not a destination, but
a life long journey--one that requires recognition of the sources of
self-esteem, and a willingness to address those areas that impede a
positive self-image. Visit
the Suzie and the Esteemed Woman Foundation at:
http://esteemedwoman.com Visit
Patricia and The Connecticut Muse at:
http://connecticutmuse.com/aboutus.html Donna Ferber …
is the author of the wonderfully supportive and encouraging
book, From Ex-wife to
Exceptional Life: A Woman’s Journey through Divorce.
Donna is a licensed professional counselor and licensed
alcohol and drug counselor. She
is also a psychotherapist and experienced speaker who has drawn on her
twenty years of experience counseling women through this difficult process
to create a comprehensive guide comprised of 365 one page essays that
offer inspiration, insight and information. Visit Donna at:
http://www.donnaferber.com/index.htm Alignment With Life…Andrea D. Klein, the guiding light behind this If
you’re ready to: embrace the 2nd half of life; explore the
opportunity of truly having fun; tap into your creative juices; move into
possibilities, potential and passions then you will want to “meet”
Andrea via her website. And
you don’t have to live in Visit
Andrea and Alignment With Life at:
http://www.alignmentwithlife.com/contact.htm A special “Thank You!” goes out to Taogirl
Margaret for so openly and honestly sharing her story with us.
And, to all of you other Taogirls who keep
contacting me with thoughts, suggestions and encouraging comments I extend
my sincere thanks. As we
continue to grow as a family and I get to meet more of you I remain
awestruck by the depth of your caring and kindness.
Please keep emailing me so I may share your stories,
comments and questions with our readers in upcoming issues of The Taogirl
Gathering. And don’t forget to share The Gathering! C
J
Spread the word – please remember to forward this issue of THE
TAOGIRL GATHERING to your friends! To view past issues of The Gathering click on the issue you would like to see:
june06
july06
august06
september06
october06
november06
december06
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