Ruth Beckford brings a lifetime of experience and accumulated wisdom to this book of affirmations and short essays aimed at "women in the second half of life." Topics, which touch on professional and personal issues, include empowerment, health, romance and inner peace. Although this book contains the same philosophies found in virtually every other self-help or inspirational book, its focus on how these thoughts apply to women at midlife and beyond sets it apart. We [...] recommend this book to those women - at least to the ones who, with their booming careers, adolescent or adult kids, aging parents, active spouses and an occasional night at the theater - still have time to read. Just one criticism, though: These lovely aphorisms have a slight whiff of retirement about them, a faint fragrance that makes us wonder a bit if the author fully understands that 50 isn't quite as old as it used to be.

This a must read for the forty-something and the
fifty-something.
This little book with its' practical no nonsense
approach to life and lifestyles can be read again and
again.
Enjoyable, exciting, and enlightening.

I recommended the book to my bookclub, In the Company of My Sistah (Northern Califonria).

Beckford does indeed provide "affirmations for women in the second half of life." As a male, what I find so interesting is that these same affirmations are also relevant to men who share the same generation. The material is organized within four Parts: Health ("An ache here, a pain there. So what?"), Empowerment, ("Live as you jolly well please."), Romance ("There may be snow on the roof, but there's a fire blazing in the oven."), and Inner Peace ("Living from the inside out."). Quite correctly, Beckford affirms the importance of physical as well as mental and emotional health. An abundance of research confirms that older people (ie those in "the second half of life") live longer, recover more quickly from illness, and (generally) are much happier if they sustain a positive attitude. Beckford generously shares from her own, extensive personal experience. ("This book has been a lifetime in the making.") She neither preaches nor harangues. She includes dozens of quotations, some serious and others amusing. She concludes her book with a list of 10 "sayings" she has "invented." Here are three to give you a sense of her style and perspective:

1. "When you're casual about life, you'll end up a casualty."

4. "If you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything."

8. "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present."

Some readers may think such sayings are "corny" or "obvious." Quite true, there is very little "new" in this little book. For me, many of what Beckford calls "affirmations" are really "reaffirmations" of what I already knew but seldom consider. I plan to re-read this book periodically. Also, I will continue to give copies as a gift to friends. But not to all my friends. Nor only to those "in the second half of life." Rather, to those who will be receptive to what Beckford shares so generously. One final thought: Many (most?) residents of retirement communities -- and especially those in assisted living facilities -- will derive great benefit from reading this book. If you have loved ones among this group, you should seriously consider giving this book as a gift to them. Just a thought....