Women of Worth Magazine Reviews
Each Month We Will Be Adding Reviews of Books & Other Forms of Media That Have Inspired Us & We Feel Would Appeal to Our Audience
Chemotherapy treatments often leave young scalps too sensitive for traditional wigs. These yarn wigs are comfy, soft, and warm. Magic yarn wigs are inspired by beloved Disney characters, and invite children back to the world of play and daydreaming. They are beacons of fun, laughter, and play, during scary times. They are 100% volunteer made, funded 100% by donations, and are FREE to children around the world.
They have sent Magic Yarn wigs to all 50 states and 53 countries. Every Magic Yarn wig is handcrafted with love by volunteers like you. Since 2015, our volunteers have gifted over 56,000 wigs to kids! In communities all over the world, we’re inspiring volunteerism to make a difference.
Thanks to our generous donors, wigs are always free for the families who receive them. Medical hair loss from chemotherapy, alopecia, trichotillomania, burns, and more can leave children’s scalps tender and raw. Magic Yarn wigs are buttery soft, hypoallergenic, sturdy for playtime, and machine-washable
There are many ways to get involved with the Magic Yarn Project. You can either cut yarn to their specifications or send it in to be made into a wig, or you can make a whole wig yourself to send in. Bedazzling flowers or decorating envelopes are other ways to help. You can also make a monetary donation, or help raise money to help buy more yarn.
The Mother-Daughter Book Club is a follow-up to their debut novel, NYT best-seller, Things I Wish I Told My Mother, inspired by Susan’s mother and a tribute to mothers and daughters.
It’s an emotional reunion when they finally gather again, this time on the spectacular shores of Italy’s Lake Como. Sightseeing excursions, reminiscing fueled by “Como-politans,” and a hint of vacation romance all build toward the book club’s trademark “Night of Secrets.”
These friends, and sometime rivals, are close readers of novels, memoirs, and of each other. But as the years and the distance cast shadows and doubt, confidences and sympathies turn into surprising revelations.
Explore with these four old friends on One life-changing trip to the breathtaking shores of Lake Como, Italy, to reunite for the first time since that fateful evening.
Amid the idyllic landscape, sumptuous food and dog-eared pages of their favourite books, it becomes clear that the women are all keeping secrets from each other.
What really happened all those years ago? And will the power of love and literature finally help them to let go? Worth checking out to see.
This Mother’s Day Month also check out their first book, Things I Wish I Told My Mother. This is a heartfelt novel about a mother and daughter confronting unspoken truths, healing old wounds, and rediscovering love during a transformative European trip.
This book explores the concept of emotional intimacy not as a sign of weakness, but as a necessary step toward healing and connection. The narrative thus suggests that only by allowing ourselves to be vulnerable can we create the space for meaningful relationships to thrive.
For those of whom have lost their moms before they had the chance to “clear the air” on past perceptions of unresolved issues it may be time to find a way to do it while they are still here to hear and understand the whys of their actions.
My Mom & I took a month-long trip out east totally unaware of our own unresolved issues and when we returned had had the opportunity to “Divorce & Re-Marry” leading to a healthier grudge free relationship before she passed. Sometimes a change of scenery can help to change perspectives even if it is only a few miles away from home.
In March 2024, actress Olivia Munn announced on social media that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, crediting a simple online tool—known as a breast cancer risk assessment tool—with leading to her diagnosis.
She wrote that she shared in hopes it will help others find comfort, inspiration and support on their own journey” and urged other women to ask their health care providers to calculate their breast cancer risk assessment score.
Since then, National Cancer Institute (NCI) has said that Olivia’s outreach “led to a surge in visits to the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool site” and the rate of women taking this formerly little-known test increased 4,000%.
Should you take it? That may depend on a few factors. Here’s what you need to know about breast cancer risk assessment tests. What is a breast cancer risk assessment tool?
There are two common risk assessment tests available: the NCI’s Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool and the Tyrer-Cuzick Risk Assessment Calculator. These tools help health care providers estimate a woman’s risk of developing invasive breast cancer in the next five years and up to age 90 (lifetime risk). You can take the test free of charge.
Each questionnaire takes about five minutes to complete, and asks the user to answer questions about age, race/ethnicity, personal and family history of breast cancer, and ages at first menstrual period and pregnancy.
The test referenced throughout the remainder of this blog is referring to the NCI’s Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BCRAT).
Who should—or shouldn’t —take a breast cancer risk assessment test?
People assigned female at birth who carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation or who have a history of invasive or in situ breast cancer should not take the test because it cannot accurately estimate risk for these groups. There are alternative tests people in these groups may consider taking.
Any person assigned female at birth who is between the ages of 35-85 can consider taking the test, but it does have limitations. According to the NCI website, its test has been validated for white women, Black/African American women, Hispanic women, and Asian and Pacific Islander women in the United States. But risk may be underestimated in Black women with previous breast biopsies and Hispanic women born outside the United States. Estimates for American Indian/Alaska Native women may be inaccurate as well due to limited data. Further research is needed for these groups.
Breast cancer risk assessment tools are not yet addressed in any current breast cancer screenings recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), American Cancer Society or the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN).
After living with horses for over forty years, Ann experienced the power that they have to change lives on a day-to-day basis, not only her own but also the lives of her students.
She will never forget the transformation of a little boy who was eight years old and who had never spoken a word. He garbled, and every therapy that had been tried failed to elicit speech. She was teaching Special Olympics equestrian at the time on her farm in Jamaica, and one day, thought she heard him say the name of the horse he liked to ride.
Ann and his teacher were sure we were mistaken, so they asked him again: “What did you say?” He repeated the name of the horse. It was the first word he had ever spoken! Of course, they were all in tears of joy, and it was an experience Ann will never forget.
After reading Dr. Dyer’s Living the Wisdom of the Tao, Ann thought to herself that some of the philosophical ideas could be related to not only the way we live our lives but also the way we treat our horses as well. This book has something for everyone, and you don’t have to be involved with horses to get the idea.
Key Concepts of the Book
Spiritual Transformation: It shares powerful anecdotes, such as an eight-year-old non-verbal boy who spoke his first words to a horse he loved.
Philosophical Application: The book relates philosophical ideas (like the wisdom of the Tao) to how we live our lives and how we treat animals,
Broad Appeal: While centered on equestrian life, the author suggests the spiritual lessons are applicable to anyone seeking a better life, regardless of their involvement with horses.
This is a poignant song that delves into the complexities of growing up and the evolution of understanding love and familial relationships. The song reflects on childhood experiences with parental conflict and the realization that love is not always perfect.
It highlights the lessons learned with age and the acceptance of pain that often accompanies love. The lyrics convey a sense of innocence lost, as the singer vows to avoid the mistakes of her parents, believing that love should be devoid of pain.
However, as the song progresses, the narrative shifts to a more mature perspective, acknowledging that love is inherently complex and that her parents, despite their flaws, were navigating their own struggles. This realization is a significant turning point in the song, as it emphasizes the growth that comes with age.
We are at the beginning of a new, fresh year so it can be a good time to try new ways of taking care of ourselves and this video by Sukie Baxter is an eye opener for sure. We found it a refreshing way of looking into body work that can work along with the medical professions.
She walks us through the Nerve Resiliency Spectrum. This a simple yet powerful framework to help you understand where you are on your healing journey.
The term "Nerve Resiliency Spectrum" is not a standard, formally defined medical or psychological term, but rather a descriptive concept used to explain the individual differences in how people's nervous systems respond to and recover from stress, trauma, or pain. The concept describes a range of responses from vulnerability to high resilience.
Understanding the Spectrum: The spectrum highlights that, when faced with similar stressors, people exhibit a wide range of physical and psychological reactions.
- Vulnerability/Low Resilience: Individuals on this end may have nervous systems that overreact to stress, leading to more severe discomfort, chronic pain, or psychiatric symptoms like anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Their nervous system may get "stuck" in states of high alert ("fight or flight") or shutdown.
- Resilience/High Resilience: Individuals on this end can effectively tolerate and adapt to life's stressors, maintaining or quickly returning to a stable physical and psychological equilibrium. This is considered an active, adaptive process involving neural plasticity.
Key Models and Concepts: Related concepts and models help illustrate this spectrum:
The Resilient Zone: Used in models like the Community Resiliency Model (CRM), this visual concept describes the "zone" in which an individual can best handle feelings, think clearly, and manage bodily sensations. Being "in the zone" is a state of optimal nervous system regulation. The goal of such models is to teach skills to help people return to their resilient zone when "bumped" out of it by stress.
The Stress Spectrum: This describes the effects of stress responses on the body as positive, tolerable, and toxic.
- Positive stress is brief and mild (e.g., a first day of school).
- Tolerable stress is more intense but buffered by supportive relationships and coping skills.
- Toxic stress is prolonged, severe, and without adequate support, which can have damaging effects on the nervous system.
Factors Influencing Nerve Resilience:
An individual's place on the spectrum is determined by a combination of factors, including:
- Genetics: Specific genes and molecular factors can contribute to pain or stress resilience.
- Neurobiology: The balance of neurotransmitters and the functioning of systems like the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and the autonomic nervous system play crucial roles.
- Life Experiences: Early life experiences and exposure to trauma can shift the balance between resilience and vulnerability.
- Coping Skills: Behavioral strategies, social support, and learned skills like mindfulness and deep breathing can actively promote resilience.
This isn’t about quick fixes -- it’s about breaking free from the cycle by gaining clarity and discovering the resources that will actually work for you.
There was no performative tone, no rush. Just her, telling a story that felt eerily familiar. As I listened, I began to feel seen. Not in a soft, pampering way, but in a firm, honest way that makes you uncomfortable and relieved at the same time.
Her words were both truth and invitation, gently tearing apart everything I thought I knew about productivity, self-worth, and time.
Below are eight lessons that delivered with a clarity I could not ignore.
1. Being Busy Is Not the Same as Being Valuable.
2. Technology Promised Freedom But Delivered Chains.
3. Rest is Not a Luxury, It is a Requirement.
4. Social Connection Matters More Than You Think.
Despite our constant search for new ways to “hack” our bodies and minds for peak performance, human beings are working more instead of less, living harder not smarter, and becoming more lonely and anxious. We strive for the absolute best in every aspect of our lives, ignoring what we do well naturally, and reaching for a bar that keeps rising higher and higher.
In Do Nothing, award-winning journalist Celeste Headlee illuminates a new path ahead, seeking to institute a global shift in our thinking so we can stop sabotaging our well-being, put work aside, and start living instead of doing.
As it turns out, we’re searching for external solutions to an internal problem. We won’t find what we’re searching for in punishing diets or productivity apps.
5. Multitasking is a Lie We Tell Ourselves.
6. We Have Forgotten How to Be Bored.
7. Saying No is a Skill of the Free.
8. Productivity Should Not Be the Measure of a Life."
JUST LIKE THE Stream Queens Review at left we at WOW, as a way of being in the presence of the AMAZING Diane Keaton, thoroughly enjoyed re-Viewing this comedic yet poignant film that explores themes of empowerment, friendship, and revenge among three middle-aged women who seek to reclaim their lives after being discarded by their husbands.
And yes, one of our favourite clips is the one of them performing one of our WOW Gal Angel’s Hit Songs, “You Don’t Own Me” by Lesley Gore. So much has changed since her times when very few women spent time with just the ladies unless at a bridal or baby shower. When finding a husband to take care of you led to women being competitive with and often distrusting of each other
Three college friends reunite at a funeral for a suicidal friend which prompts them to reflect on their own lives and the injustices they have faced at the hands of their ex-husband prompting them to form a club dedicated to getting back at their unfaithful partners, leading to a series of comedic and heartfelt escapades.
The film is more than just a lighthearted comedy; it serves as a commentary on the societal expectations placed on women, particularly as they age. It challenges the notion that a woman's worth is tied to her youth or marital status, emphasizing that strength and reinvention are possible at any age. The bond of friendship among the three women is central to the narrative, showcasing how sisterhood can be a source of healing and empowerment.
This is a film that combines humor with a meaningful message about friendship and self-worth. It resonates with audiences for its portrayal of women reclaiming their power and finding solidarity in their shared experiences. Whether you're looking for laughs or a deeper commentary on life and relationships, this film offers both in abundance.
Yes, at first you may be as shocked as we were by both the Title and some of the descriptive language used by this author, It definitely may shock you into action.
Inspired by The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, this book will light a fire under your untidy ass with humor and helpful organizing tips that you'll actually want to use. Like a delightfully foul-mouthed best friend, this book dishes out the funny, unpretentious advice you need to hear most. You'll discover how to deal with your sh*t like there's no tomorrow, live in the moment without the f*cking mess, and make your life and your eventual death a hell of a lot easier.
Whether you're getting ready to move in, move on, or just move your ass, Nobody Wants Your Sh*t will help you take control of your f*cking life.
8 Things this book covers:
1. Your Stuff Is Not Your Story.
2. Emotional Guilt Keeps You Buried in Clutter.
3. Decluttering Is Not Just About Physical Space, It’s About Mental Weight.
4. Sentimentality Is Not a Storage Strategy.
5. Your Kids Don’t Want Your Collection.
6. Decluttering Is a Gift to Your Future Self.
7. Organization Without Elimination Is Just Rearranging Clutter
8. You Don’t Need Permission to Let Go.
As you look around your home... What are you ready to let Go of today?
This is a beautiful story about a girl named Sheila who lives in a book that she is quickly outgrowing as she ages.
While it may seem like a sad outcome at first, she with the help of her friends begins to realize that she is still a very special girl in her own right.
Written in a humorous yet poignant way it will touch the hearts of many children, teenagers and even adults who have experienced growth spurts that made them stand out from the rest of their peers.
Melanie Brooks's memoir, "A Hard Silence," offers a poignant reflection on her family's experience during the AIDS epidemic, particularly focusing on the impact of her father's illness and the stigma surrounding it.
At a time when HIV/AIDS was widely misunderstood and public perception was shaped by fear, prejudice, and homophobia, victims of the disease faced ostracism and persecution.
Afraid of this stigma and wanting to protect his family, Melanie's father decided his illness would be a secret. A secret they'd all have to keep.
They did not know that her father would live past that first year, but he did. And for ten years before his death in 1995, from the time she was thirteen until she was twenty-three, Melanie's family lived in the shadow of AIDS.
She carried the weight of the uncertain trajectory of her father's health and the heartbreaking anticipation of impending loss silently and alone.
It became a way of life. The narrative reveals the emotional turmoil and secrecy that defined their lives as they navigated the challenges of living with a hidden illness.
A Hard Silence is an intimate glimpse into Melanie's memories of coping with the tragedy of her father's illness and enduring the loneliness and isolation of not being able to speak.
With candor and vulnerability, Melanie opens her grief wounds and brings her reader inside her journey, twenty years after her father died, to finally understand the consequences of her family's silence, to interrogate the roots of stigma and discrimination responsible for the ongoing secret-keeping, and to show how she's now learned to be authentic.
While there are a lot of new Chick Flicks out there for your Summer Viewing, we had to make sure that some of our Younger Gals haven’t missed out on some of the Most memorable ones we Seasoned Gals loved.
These are the ones we watched over and over on TV via our VCRs before Streaming was even a thing. Many of which scenes are still being acted out in many of our new sitcoms. If you have missed any... now may be the time to catch up.
We are sharing something lighter and smile worthy for the beginning of summer.
After getting passed over for tenure and having her life upended in the process, a physics professor decides to throw caution to the wind and live by her horoscope predictions for a year in this effervescent rom-com from the New York Times bestselling author of Made in Manhattan.
Overdue for a sabbatical, Miranda takes some time to look towards the stars—only this time, she’s not looking for black holes. With her faith in science shaken, Miranda turns to a practice she’s long dismissed as preposterous: astrology.
Determined to figure out why her life has suddenly gone sideways, Miranda commits to a year of letting her horoscope guide her. Soon she’s taking on new home improvement projects, adopting a new pet, and studying what the stars have to say about her ideal love match.
The intriguingly aloof artist living next door? Never. His Aries energy is all wrong. On the other hand, the charming father of her new tutoring pupil is Sagittarian perfection. Made for her...right?
As Miranda navigates life with new a perspective, she slowly discovers neither science nor the stars have all the answers. And that, when it comes to love, you sometimes just have to trust your heart.
If you’re looking for a romance that will keep you smiling, while you’re cheering on the heroine to find her own happiness, definitely pick this one up! Read Full Review
This review is a personal one. Having been a Hairstylist & Hairstyling Teacher for from the age of 16… so over 35 years before I retired, I loved scents…even perms and colour chemicals. Yes, and even nail polish and polish remover.
I always used scented cleaning products…actually LOVED the smell of Javex, loved the smell of fresh pumped gasoline, scented candles and personal products. Loved to sit by a burning fire. Even wore perfume and cologne…until my first experience with the one called Obsession. It was the scent that started the ball rolling and each year more and more scents gave me headaches, sore throats, skin rashes and even breathing issues.
While it seemed gradual for me… except for the smoke symptoms and doctor’s orders to stop smoking other people’s second hand smoke (lost a few friends over that) it actually took almost 20 years before I got to where I am now…searching endlessly for truly unscented products and in the process, wasting a lot of money from purchasing products that said they were unscented but were scented so had to be thrown out unusable or donatable due to them being opened.
In 2018, scientists came up with a way of prolonging the duration of scents which many of today’s air fresheners and laundry products use. It works so well that it is almost impossible to get rid of and with clothing, once used, reactivates if clothing is put in dryer or outside in heat of sun. I used to be a avid 2nd hand clothing shopper. Now it is rare as it takes up to 8 washes after 2-3 days of pre-packing in a baking soda and rinsing or soaking in vinegar to get the scent almost gone. By them the item is almost warn out and looking well worn.
Because my condition was reaching its highest level in 2019, my time of isolation during Covid was my healthiest and unlike those who were looking forward to getting out among people again, I was dreading it. I hadn’t had a headache or sore throat for almost 4 years! Wearing the mask definitely helped once I started getting out but gradually.
Neither I or those of the many who suffer from this condition are asking for sympathy… just awareness on the part of others, especially the companies that are purposely prolonging and intensifying this issue more and more each year. Also leaving out all the harmful additives and chemicals causing so many more to end up this way.
The last few years I taught hairstyling I was able to purchase a gallon of unscented hairspray to use in our school salon. That hasn’t been available for over 10 years now. And no one seems to know why. My condition is actually far less damaging as those who are suffering in far more dangerous way.
The author of this video died soon after creating it. Maria Rizzo is no longer with us. She lost her life in December 2020 after being subjected to too many exposures when spending time in hospitals with her father. She wasn’t able to recover from those exposures, the broken heart of losing her father, and of the world that harms us instead of welcomes us.
The tribute her partner wrote when he informed the MCS community of her passing can be found here.
This seems like a timely story with all those experiencing displacement in the world today…
In May 1992, Edita Mujkic fled war-torn Sarajevo with two young children, in a borrowed car, with two bags, and fifty American dollars in her pocket.
Her husband Goran stayed behind, trapped in the impenetrable siege. He wasn’t allowed to leave. They believed it was only for a couple of months.
After five months of waiting for Goran in Split, Croatia, Edita and her children moved to Penrith in Cumbria, Northern England.
Many more months went by while Goran’s every attempt to escape failed. Edita knew she had to help him. But how? What could she do with her broken English, without money and contacts, and two children to look after by herself?
This moving and compelling true story of courage, love and humanity is a reminder of the nightmares that those fleeing conflict endure and of the difference that the simplest acts of kindness make.
This is a powerful and precise account of a family separated by war, and the experience of trying to adapt to life in a different country, while trying to reunite. An emotional and gripping read which I highly recommend.
I knew a tiny part of this writer's story firsthand, growing up in Penrith, and remember the group arriving in our schools and community. But reading this book was a real education and opened my eyes to the intense reality of Edita and her family's time here and what they really went through - along with the realisation that there was so much more to their world than I ever knew about back then.
This book is a testimony of loss - a lost way of life, loss of a home and homeland, loss of friends, neighbours and family members, loss of innocence, lost time with loved ones, lost lives, lost times, cleverly depicting the 1990s and that different world where instead of mobile phones, emails and social media, it was faxes and landlines, letters and rumours, that kept people in touch and informed.
The sharp contrast between the vivid descriptions of daily life for Goran in Sarajevo during the war and Edita and her children trying to settle into family life in rural Cumbria helps give a sense of what a surreal, isolating, devastating experience it must have been. And yet, despite all that loss and change and sadness, what shines through too is an immense resilience, and a strong will to live, learn, connect, and carry on. What a privilege as a reader to be allowed to bear witness to this very personal, but also universally relevant, story of loss, love, determination, and hope. Thank you for sharing your story Edita (I cried my way through it!) - and I hope it gives us all a push to do what we can to help those in similar circumstances today. Review by Sarah Banard
Suffs is a musical with music, lyrics, and a book by Shaina Taub, based on suffragists and the American women's suffrage movement, focusing primarily on the historical events leading up to the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1920 that gave some women the right to vote.
Rock the vote! There was a time when American women couldn’t do that, not until suffragists got the 19th Amendment passed in 1920. A century-plus later, the Tony Award-winning musical Suffs celebrates the courageous and steadfast women who fought for gender equality at the polls. They faced blowback, but they persisted.
The show revolves around unsung suffragists – aka suffs – who courageously took to the streets to protest inequity. These women crossed age, race, and social divides, though they often fought among each other about the "right" way to advance the movement and who should do so.
With Suffs, Shaina Taub — who wrote the book, music, and lyrics and plays a lead role — becomes the second woman to ever solely create and star in her own Broadway show. Directed by Leigh Silverman (Violet), the show’s producers include Hillary Rodham Clinton and Malala Yousafzai. Learn more about Suffs below, and march on over to the the Music Box Theatre.
Suffs follows suffragist Alice Paul as she joins forces with Carrie Chapman Catt and the National American Woman Suffrage Association for the right to vote.
However, Paul’s desire for direct action clashes with the stoic Catt, who wants to keep women’s virtue at the center of the suffrage campaign to win over President Woodrow Wilson.
Paul recruits other young suffragists like Inez Milholland, the precocious Doris Stevens, socialist Ruza Wenclawska, and longtime friend Lucy Burns. They also debate partnering with Black suffragists including Ida B. Wells but fear alienating white Southern women. Their ultimate break with Catt and NAWSA’s messaging leads them to form a new campaign for the vote: the National Woman’s Party.
Suffs discusses racist and misogynistic violence, including lynching and domestic assault. The show also provides details of the torture of political prisoners after Paul and others embarked on a hunger strike and the Wilson administration approved their force-feeding. However, Silverman does not graphically depict these events, instead relying on Mayte Natalio’s choreography to convey the terror.
Suffs has a rating of 93 on Show-Score, marking it an "audience acclaimed" show as many users call it a must-see production. Especially with the times we are in where we are already loosing some of the rights our ancestors fought for.
As of September 2025 it will be on Tour. Find Out More Now
What will you be doing BEYOND 70? Being women in that category we wanted to know!
Far from the stereotypical views of older life being a time of decline, this inspiring collection of interviews with 21 creative women age 70 or older affirms that life in the “third act” is often a period of vitality, growth, courage, new possibilities, and even reawakening.
This full-color book honors the accomplishments of these talented women who engage in painting, photography, storytelling, mixed media and collage, music, artists’ books, writing, and sculpture. Their work is discussed in tandem with the history and evolution of each woman’s artistic life. Through the power of personal narratives, this collection works against age and gender-based discrimination.
The diverse women artists of BEYOND 70, ranging in age from 70 through 98, offer their stories as benchmark contributions to the literature on creativity, artists’ lives, women’s studies/feminism, and aging.
This is a stunning book. We loved reading about the vivacious lives of women over 70. Brava to Stacy Russo for sharing these diverse stories and giving voice to women who have so much wisdom to share from their textured and remarkable experiences. Such bravery and kindness, and many life lessons you'll ponder long after reading about each woman. I dog-eared many pages to go back to. It's a beautiful gift that I'll share with friends, many of them young women.
This book features some amazing women, beautifully written, with full stunning color images. This book is inspiring and thoughtful. The author has done a fantastic job curating an amazing collection that provides rich insight into these creative lives and how these individuals mobilize their art towards social justice, identity exploration, celebration, and creating incredibly moving expressions of self and community.
Great to read for inspiration, and an absolutely perfect gift for all creative and inspiring humans!!!
We are starting our our 2025 year with a Song that hopefully will inspire a feeling of hope and peace despite all the chaotic events that appear to be causing universal anxiety.
Everything changes… sometimes it feels mostly for the bad and sometimes, thankfully, for the good. Positive can multiply positive vibes and send them outward into the world.
Worrying is like a Rocking Chair… Your keep going back and forth…but get nowhere. Only focusing on solutions can actually save us from future catastrophies so let’s do more of that.
While all in life is fleeting, we do have a choice on how to perceive it. We hope that this song with it’s optimistic words can help you “Let Go, Let God” and trust that for the moment…The Sun is out… there is nothing to fear… It’s a New Year.
Maybe this is One of the Gifts You would like to Give Yourself this Christmas.
Would you like to tap into your own psychic abilities for a better life. To understand the intuitive messages we all receive every minute of every day? To hear your inner voice to better make wise decisions.
The book "You Are Psychic: 7 Steps to Discover Your Own Psychic Abilities" by Char Margolis outlines seven steps to help readers discover and embrace their psychic abilities.
Char believes that everyone has this ability, from birth and in childhood until we are convinced by others to stop listening. to stop trusting our own intuitive thoughts and messages.
The gut never lies...but the mind can talk us in or out of anything...especially healing.
Here are the steps it expands on in the book:
- Recognize Your Psychic Potential: Understand that everyone has psychic abilities and that you can develop them.
- Connect with Positive Energy: Learn to tap into and connect with positive energy around you.
- Protect Your Energy: Develop techniques to protect your own energy from negative influences.
- Trust Your Intuition: Build trust in your intuitive feelings and insights.
- Practice Psychic Exercises: Engage in exercises and practices that enhance your psychic abilities.
- Interpret Psychic Messages: Learn to interpret the messages and information you receive psychically.
- Apply Your Psychic Abilities: Use your psychic abilities in your daily life to improve your well-being and help others.
These steps are designed to guide you through the process of discovering and honing your psychic abilities.
This is a heartfelt exploration into the tumultuous journey of grief. Buchanan, an advocate for older adults and a recognized author on issues of aging faithfully, offers a deeply personal narrative that resonates with anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. The book is structured around Buchanan's own reflections and notes to her late husband, providing a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the day-to-day realities of living with grief. From the mundane tasks of daily life to the profound emptiness of holidays, Buchanan's words offer solace and understanding to readers navigating their own path through loss.
What sets this book apart is its approach to handling grief—not as a process to be rushed or a series of stages to be checked off, but as a complex, individual experience that deserves space and recognition. Buchanan encourages vulnerability and affirms that strength is not the absence of despair but the courage to face it. The inclusion of reflection questions at the end of each chapter prompts readers to engage actively with their feelings, making the book not just a read but a companion through the grieving process.
We at Women of Worth Magazine loved the simplicity yet thoroughness of this little resource for anyone who has been touched by or connected to a person with mental illness. Written in words we can all understand and relate to it would even be a good handbook any New Law Enforcement practices of dealing with those who are not criminals, only mentally ill.
"Through the Fog: A Guide to Caring for Loved Ones with Mental Illness" by Leah DeMarest is a comprehensive and compassionate guide that serves as a beacon of understanding and support for those navigating the complexities of mental illness within their family or community. The book delves into the realities of mental health challenges, debunking common myths and exposing the stigmas that often hinder the path to empathy and care.
It offers a transformative journey for readers, equipping them with the knowledge to understand mental illness better and the tools to combat the associated stigmas.
The author, Leah DeMarest, provides practical advice on legal and financial planning to secure the future of loved ones affected by mental illness. She emphasizes the importance of understanding their rights and preparing for long-term care, which for some, is crucial for ensuring their well-being. The book also empowers caregivers by highlighting the importance of setting healthy boundaries, fostering mutual respect, and establishing trust, which are essential for maintaining strong and supportive relationships.
Effective communication strategies are a cornerstone of the guide, offering insights on how to encourage loved ones to seek help, initiate difficult conversations, and cope with resistance or denial. Crisis management is another critical aspect covered in the book, with guidance on recognizing signs of a crisis, responding effectively, and managing the aftermath.
For those feeling isolated in their caregiving role, "Through the Fog" extends a helping hand by listing invaluable resources such as mental health professionals, clinics, caregiver support groups, and online platforms. This network of support can provide solace and solidarity to those who share similar experiences.
Lastly, the book underscores the significance of self-care for caregivers. It lays out practical steps to implement a self-care plan, ensuring that caregivers can continue to provide support without becoming overwhelmed. This focus on the caregiver's well-being is a reminder that they, too, need support and care.
In summary, Leah DeMarest's
"Through the Fog" is not just a guide but a companion for those
caring for loved ones with mental illness. It shines a light on the
often-overlooked aspects of caregiving and mental health, offering hope and
guidance to step out of the shadows of uncertainty and into a world filled with
understanding and support. For those interested in further exploring this
topic, the accompanying workbook is also available, providing a hands-on
approach to the concepts discussed in the book.
This Vagus Nerve reset is designed to relieve stress and anxiety by restoring the social engagement state referenced in Polyvagal Theory developed by Stephen Porges.
Vagus Nerve exercises also turn off fight or flight in the sympathetic nervous system to release trauma stored in the body. When it comes to trauma stored in the body, people usually ask two questions.
The first is: How do I know if I have trauma stored in my body?
The answer to that one is, you do. We all do. Trauma is a part of life, and we’ve all got stuff. (Even if you don’t remember it.)
It’s why our shoulders are tight and our backs ache. It’s why we get weekly massages and go to therapy. It underlies most chronic health conditions and makes them worse.
Trauma isn’t always about the Big Events. Yes, those count. Of course they do. But so does having a distant mother (who likely had her own trauma). Also… Cultural shaming (hello women who were constantly told to be quiet, be small, not take up space). Or Toxic work environments. Not being heard. Microaggressions. And of course, the ever-prevalent accidents, injuries, falls out of trees and off horses, broken legs, cracked ribs, etc, etc, etc.
Now the second question: what do we do about it?
SO MUCH of the conversation surrounding trauma in our culture boils down to understanding the narrative -- what’s your story? That’s important, BUT…
It doesn’t get to the biological roots. These parts of our bodies are up to 500 million years old and can play a role in having help create your story. They can also alter or change your story for the better when practiced by taking you out of your head where most of your story lives and connect with your body where miracles can truly take place.
We can “talk” to these ancient parts of you -- the parts where fear, stress and trauma are stored -- through movement and sensation, which form the language of your nervous system. And that’s what being shown to you in this how to release trauma video.
You can use this, and other Vagus Nerve reset videos by Sukie Baxter regularly any time you feel stressed, anxious or tense.
"Lady Parts" by Deborah Copaken is a memoir that delves into the author's personal struggles and societal challenges faced by women, using her own body's ailments as a narrative framework.
It's described as a darkly comedic work that reflects on divorce, motherhood, and the healthcare system, among other issues. Readers are taken on a poignant journey through the author's life, marked by a series of harrowing and humorous experiences.
One memorable moment is when she finds herself on the bathroom floor, collecting what she believes to be pieces of her internal organs into a Tupperware container before heading to the hospital in an Uber.
Another notable part is her transformation of her home into a commune to afford rent and childcare, showcasing her resilience in the face of financial and domestic challenges. This book also delves into her experiences with divorce, solo motherhood, and the healthcare system, providing a raw and unfiltered look at the obstacles women face.
On the other hand, Andrea Martin's "Lady Parts" offers a different kind of memorability, filled with heartwarming and humorous anecdotes from her life in show business. From chimps in tutus to flying to Atlanta for a haircut, Martin shares her life with a comedic flair that resonates with readers.
Her reflections on motherhood, relationships, and family life are interspersed with tales from her career, including her time on SCTV and her Tony award-winning performances, painting a vivid picture of a life spent in the limelight.
This book is a collection of essays that bring laughter and sometimes tears, as Martin opens up about the various 'parts' of her life, both literally and figuratively. The book is noted for its frank and witty storytelling, providing an inventory of both the female body and the body politic of womanhood in America.
Both books, while sharing a title, offer unique glimpses into the lives of two remarkable women, their struggles, triumphs, and the indomitable spirit that defines them. They stand as testaments to the diverse experiences of womanhood, each with its own set of memorable moments that leave lasting impressions on their readers.
Each provides a unique contribution to the conversation about women's experiences and the complexities of their roles in society. Both books have been well-received, with readers appreciating the honesty and humor in the stories they tell.
They serve as powerful reminders of the resilience and multifaceted nature of women's lives.
We at WOW found this a very interesting and insightful video. having had this debilitating condition in our own families we like to be informed and hope you do too.
In this webinar recording, Drs. Tricia Woo and
Anthony Levinson demystify the role that genetics and other non-modifiable risk
factors play in a person's risk of developing dementia.
Discover the difference between sporadic and familial Alzheimer's disease and learn about the role of susceptibility genes in increasing your risk. Learn about genetic testing and who should get a test.
Explore how to reduce your risk, delay the onset, or slow the progression of dementia by addressing various modifiable risk factors to reduce damage to the brain and to increase capacity.
The Bottom Line (According to this video)
Most dementias do not run in families or have a strongly genetic cause. However there are exceptions to be considered
Routine genetic testing is not recommended.
Most dementias are due to a complex combination of our age, genes, environment, and other lifestyle and medical factors.
There are several genes – like APOE e4 – that may increase the chance of developing dementia.
Even with a genetic risk factor, you can benefit from a range of strategies to help reduce your risk and promote brain health.
More Info & E-Learnings on Optimal Aging from Mc Master University Hospital are available for you for FREE
"A Kid’s Book About Periods" by Jessica Biel, the newest book on something many of us knew nothing about until the day it took us by surprise aims to destigmatize menstruation and foster open conversations between children and adults. Its approach is both compassionate and educational, seeking to empower young readers with knowledge and understanding about a natural biological process that has been shrouded in unnecessary secrecy for too long. The book's clear and engaging text, combined with eye-catching visual design, makes it an accessible and relatable resource for its intended audience. Biel's personal anecdotes and the inclusion of her own family's experiences add a layer of authenticity and relatability that is often missing from discussions about periods.
Her partnership with Period.org, a global nonprofit focused on eradicating period poverty and stigma, further underscores the book's commitment to social change. It's a positive affirmation that periods are normal, and the different experiences people have with them are normal too.
There are so many times in our lives we gain extra weight and this video addresses a VERY IMPORTANT one: the security we have gained from having the extra poundage.
Many women, especially those who have had unwanted attention to their bodies when young, tend to expand with emotional weight subconsciously hoping they will either appear bigger / stronger than their perpetrators or be less attractive to them overall. Then the weight may come off when they are in what they consider a safe environment… until the next emotional upset.
I have gained weight first from the comments and advances of my stepfather only to lose weight when I felt protected by my high school sweetheart. Gaining again after he went off to university and I felt vulnerable again. This became a pattern whenever a seemingly life changing circumstance appeared.
Whenever I had to cross a new life bridge or take a leap of faith into the unknown,
I would feel vulnerable or insecure about… I gained weight again. Going back
out into the world after Covid-19 being another scary time. Then I gradually rebalance
to what felt good to me once I felt safe again. The support of good friends
played a major part of being balanced or off balance again. Especially the ones
who loved to “Walk & Talk” as much as I did.
Now, at a time when I am feeling vulnerable again from the uncertainty the future holds at this time, with a partner who is suffering from on coming blindness, deafness and dementia from the medication he is on, because of the other 2, I have regained emotional weight. I was delighted to find this video and have been grateful for the emotional release it has already given me.
If you are like me and prefer to release any emotional weight plaguing you, do the process in this video until you feel safer again. It’s worth a try! There are no side effects with this one!
(We at WOW loved this poem because it represents what we are all waiting patiently for... Springtime!!!)
Surrounded by this damp and gloomy Sky I remember far away places
Where Sunshine crept quietly into blazing heat
And I awoke to fragrant orange wafting through worn wooded shutters
In this ashen air I wait, anticipating sunnier days
When fresh green buds pop from trees nestling in
warmth and snowdrops replace the white of winter,
For as this flows into spring and the abundance it brings
So too does my heart look towards new life,
Small petaled coltsfoot turn heads each day to gaze upon that flaming star
In the wild rose, barren of blushing bloom, a song sparrow trills
At dusk peepers begin their chorus from ponds and marshes,
Perched on sedges calling for mates,
Winter has stopped holding her breath and exhaled
a glimmer of hope into this cold world.
We first read the E-book from this author when it came out in 2014 and this year purchased the hard copy to keep it by our side. It is worth an occasional review.
It is for anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable about talking about money or be judged for how they handle the money they have. The average person has money beliefs and issues they need to heal and this book can help them do that.
By taking you through Your Money Story and how it is a mirror for your relationships you can gain a better understanding how it is reflected in your life.
Jennifer helps you gain an understanding of your individual money pain, where it comes from and how it shows up in your daily life. We all can benefit from this awareness.
She gives you tools for moving away from your Scarcity Mindset and guides you into An Abundance Mindset to then Create YOUR Personal Money Vision.
We just finished reading Dare to See by Katie Brown and have to say it was one of the most inspiring books I have ever read.
The author shares her personal stories of overcoming fear, doubt, and insecurity, and how she learned to see the beauty and purpose in every situation.
She also challenges the reader to do the same, to dare to see beyond the surface and discover the hidden gifts in life.
We loved how honest and vulnerable she was, and how she used humor and grace to convey her message. This book made us laugh, cry, and reflect on our own journey.
It also gave us practical tips and exercises to apply in our daily life.
We highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to grow in faith, courage, and joy.
It will change your perspective and your life for the better.
Pidgeon Pagonis always felt like their life was a constant attempt to fit in with other girls--a feeling that was only exacerbated when puberty failed to hit. They never understood why . .. until they uncovered the secret that had haunted their childhood.
Bouncing between their Chicago home and the city's children's hospital, Pidgeon weathered a series of traumatic surgeries, fabrications, and misdirections. It wasn't until college that Pidgeon pieced together the puzzle of their identity: they'd been born intersex but raised as a girl, their life shaped by lies that left them physically and mentally scarred. But for Pidgeon, what began as a shameful and traumatic discovery transforms into a painful yet joyous journey of self-love, truth, and healing.
Pidgeon's inspiring memoir is for everyone whose body and spirit defy expectations, a fierce challenge to a system hell-bent on enforcing binary definitions. Ultimately, it's a celebration of the freedom and empowerment that come from learning the truth about who you are and living it.