Parties, Travel + Anger: My Lucky Summer

Discovering your inner wisdom and sharing it with others

A Unique Respite What does anger have to do with my lucky summer? See some thoughts on emotional intelligence below. But first let me urge you to visit Glacier National Park, if you haven't already. I stayed with family members at Many Glacier Hotel, on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake. The glaciers are getting smaller every year but for now the park's lakes are still turquoise from glacial "flour," and every step of every hike is a humbling and majestic sight. Being unplugged and beyond cell towers' reach were extra blessings.

Aloha State of Mind I also visited Oahu-twice. Trust me, this vacation bonanza is not normal for me! My son is attending the University of Hawaii for the first time, so the second trip wasn't glamorous. But it's Hawaii, after all, where mornings and evenings are steeped in mercury-blue and rose and where the sun shines even when it rains. The highlight for both of us was a surfing lesson from Sunset Suzy and her brother on the north shore. She specializes in beginners and will absolutely make sure you ride a few waves.

What I Learned at Speaking Engagements The pace of corporate events seems to be strengthening through 2010. During the last 12 months I've enjoyed addressing audiences at Genentech, Microsoft's Women's Leadership and Development Conference, The Massachusetts Conference for Women, The Ad Club in Boston, Princeton Day School, The Princeton Jewish Center, Novel Teas in Red Bank, NJ, Novartis and B.I.G. in Ringwood, NJ.

Smartest Path for Female Leaders It's clear that many thoughtful companies have moved far beyond the idea that women need "special help" to become leaders. A more compelling theme of women's leadership I've observed at a number of corporations: the strongest women leaders develop their potency and style by defining themselves outside the prevailing corporate culture and connecting with other women more intimately.

Great Event Ideas I loved Microsoft's Mid-Atlantic Retreat, in which female Microsoft executives invite C-level women clients for two days of fascinating reflection, work and fun. Deb Rosado Shaw ran a penetrating, super practical workshop and I finally learned why acidic wines are supposed to be paired with acidic foods from Laurie Foster, the Wine Coach. A salute also to Novartis' Cambridge Women's Resource Group in MA, which in little more than a year has created a far-sighted structure for supporting women and developing leaders. My interchange with Mark Fishman, President of the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, who was in the audience, has inspired me to create a co-ed version of Letters To My Younger Self Seminars and Workshops.

Calling All Party Girls

In May I called on 50 terrific friends, family and acquaintances (including a wonderful group from Johnson & Johnson's NJ and PA offices) to spread the word about What I Know Now About Success by holding Letters To My Younger Self® Parties. I was amazed and gratified to hear the results from hosts, and comments from many guests, like Denise Williams, who said: "I'd like to host a similar party because I believe this is a wonderful gift of healing, of affirmation, of applause that women can give to themselves and to others."

The parties were such a hit that I was spurred to create LTMYS Party Kits. They're currently in production and will be for sale in mid-September.

My First Customer Is B.I.G.

Any woman looking for encouragement for her business idea--or for her next career step--should consider joining B.I.G., a support, education and networking group with a great vibe. Almost a year old, B.I.G. already has more than 350 members in 30+ pods in 5 states. I spoke at B.I.G.'s first summer summit in July and am proud to say that for its November meeting B.I.G. pods will conduct LTMYS Parties using 30 to 40 LTMYS Party Kits. You can join in, too. Look for more information on my site or at www.justthinkbig.us.

Your Emotional Intelligence Arsenal

I find fear and anger are two of the biggest hurdles that block people from achieving what they want, personally and professionally. I wrestle with both, but anger scares me most. How refreshing to rediscover The Dance of Anger, a 1985 book which can help you turn anger into progress. Author Harriet Lerner's practical approach is so much more intelligent than the divisive, vent-everything attitude currently reigning in American culture.

It's a Movement!

When I started the Letters To My Younger Self® concept ten years ago what I loved most was the power it had to connect women to each other in a profound way. I feel every woman in America should have a What I Know Now moment. I'm thrilled to say that Letters To My Younger Self® is becoming a movement, particularly in the blogosphere. I've begun to publish letters-to-selves from readers and seminar participants on my blog as well. I hope you'll take a moment to tell me which are your favorites. Or submit your own to me at submissions@letterstomyyoungerself. I'd love to see it!

My Favorite...

Books:

Mudbound; The Swan Thieves; Cutting for Stone

Gift Ideas:

Instead of plastic, biodegradeable cellulose bags

Luxo Banho Sandalwood Soap

A cool way to hide all those cables and wires

Websites: Head Butler

Busy Bee Lifestyle