"Those who don't know how to weep with their whole heart don't know how to laugh either."

 

 

Have you noticed how long the days are right now?  We are quickly approaching the Summer Solstice or the longest day of the year.  I was out in our boat last night around 7 pm and it was amazing to see the sun still up high in the sky.  It seemed more like mid afternoon!

What a perfect time of year to celebrate our one year anniversary.  It was one year ago today that Jill Jordan officially joined me at Smart Women's Coaching.  We are celebrating the Summer Solstice with our board members with a party at my home on Commerce Lake on Friday, June 22 with dinner, sunset cruise and bonfire. 

 

This special fundraising event is for our new foundation, the Smart Women's Empowerment Program, focused on helping disadvantaged women and girls (see details at the end of this newsletter) develop the confidence and skills to create inspired and productive lives.  We are so thrilled to finally have the resources and team to help us take Smart Women's Coaching and our foundation to the next level! Watch for invitations to other fundraising events this summer!

 

If you, or anyone you know, is a childhood cancer suvivor treated in the 1970's or 1980's, there is new medical information out that is of great concern to them. I was startled to find out that there was a huge study (10,000+) completed last October which talked about the long-term risks that childhood cancer survivors all face as a result of our treatments.

 

The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) is a 13-year multi-institutional collaboration. The CCSS, derived through 27 participating clinical centers, has collected detailed information on cancer diagnosis, therapy received, and health and quality of life related outcomes.

 

While the results have been published for the medical community, the general public does not appear to have been alerted to the particular health and wellness issues that childhood cancer survivors may encounter.

 

Click here for more information about the study.

 

Click here for the recommended follow-up guidelines.

 

If you or someone you love is a childhood cancer survivor, particularly those treated in the 1970's and 1980's, we encourage them to take this information to their doctor.  Many childhood cancer survivors fall through the cracks, as until now, there have been no guidelines in place for regular follow up, and as most survivors become adults in the 10 years following their treatment, they are no longer followed by the children's hospitals where they were treated. 

 

Your health is your most important asset!

 

I just returned home from the most exciting, inspirational and educational networking/business expo sponsored by eWomen Network in Dallas.  The 4-day event was jam-packed with education and I met so many phenomenal women (and men) throughout the United States and our Canadian neighbors to the north.  Over 2,000 attended the conference and I swear I met over 200!

 

Guest speakers included such prominent leaders such as -- Carly Fiorina, Stedman Graham, Cathleen Black, Michael Port, Tory Johnson, Patricia Russell-McCloud, J.D., Dr. Kathleen Hall, Daryn Kagan, and Robyn Spizman - just to name a few.  There were many more powerful speakers, authors, coaches and sponsoring companies more  than I can possibly mention here -- all orchestrated by the founder and CEO, Sandra Yancy and her Chief "Make it Happen" Officer, Taya Levin.

 

This organization aligns so well with the mission and vision of Smart Women's Coaching which is built on collaboration and sharing with others the resources and contacts to help all of us grow both personally and professionally.  

 

The conference was attended by two of our Smart Women Coaching Advisory Board members - Annette Keeble and Jessica Furlong and I'm sure they share in this excitement that I experienced as well.   My dear friend and partner, Katana Abbott has the distinction of being one of the organization's Premier Coaches - an honor bestowed on only 12 women at eWomen Network, Inc.

 

For those of you, who would like to know more about this organization, please contact me directly and I'll be happy to refer you to the local managing director (or if there isn't a local chapter, consider starting one yourself).  Simply email me at jill@smartwomenscoaching.com or call me at 248-408-2432.  If you sign up through either Katana or me, we'll be delighted to offer you a complimentary coaching session ($250 value!) because we so strongly believe in the power of collaboration.  (Guys, too.  I met a couple of male authors - Michael Port and Bobby Bryant -- who find this organization to be powerful in promoting their expertise and books).

 

Mark your calendars for July 10 - 13, 2008 - you won't be disappointed.  2008 is a ways off so here's what you want to do today:  Visit our Smart Women's Café and join before July 1 to receive over $100 in freebies with your initial membership for $19 a month. Click here for more information!

 

Dear Family and Friends,

 

I've wanted to write you a letter to describe some of the stranger customs and beliefs here in the Mountain Kingdom. This lazy Sunday morning seems to be the perfect time to do so especially since recently it seems that I've been immersed in situations ruled by the Basotho culture.

One of them has to do with my horse, Lance.  As you know he is a stallion.

Gentle as he is there is not a thing wrong with any of his hormonal instincts and when the herd boys have him out grazing with the cattle if there is a mare in season anywhere in the area he leads them a merry (excuse the pun) chase.  Last week he completely succeeded in eluding capture until after he'd coupled with a lovely white mare.

 

This caused quite a stir.  The owner of the mare, if she dropped a foal, would be indebted to me as owner of the stud.  Also, unpre-arranged mating of animals is seen as very bad form and put my herd boy in the position of not doing his job.

 

I entered the situation when my herd boy, Mokabitso, arrived home leading Lance and followed by a rather large group of interested villagers. Mokabitso explained to me that to insure that Lance had not impregnated the mare he must now ride him at a full gallop until he is drenched in sweat and completely exhausted.  I said, "Makabitso, the deed is done.  Nothing we do to Lance will make any difference in whether that mare is pregnant."  He looked at me with the pity one gives to one who is blatantly uninformed or just plain stupid.  The growing crowd of villagers enthusiastically backed his position.  Matjeeka, who is a qualified home-health worker agreed - it must be done.

 

I seldom allow anyone to ride Lance.  I said, "O.K. I'll get the saddle and ride him."  This was met by gasps of horror.  Lance had to be ridden bareback by a virile male or, of course, the cure wouldn't work.  The villagers were shaking their heads in disbelief - how could this educated Lekhooa (white person) be so stupid?

 

Lance was ridden until he could hardly walk.  It took me

 

(click here for more...)

 

Peggi Tabor reinvented herself after retirement by volunteering for the Peace Corps at age 60. While in Africa, she shared her stories and experiences with her friends and is now being published.  All her letters are archived in the Smart Women's Blog.