The Bag Lady Papers

Hello! I just finished a great read - The Bag Lady Papers. The book is about Alexandra Penney, and how she rebuilds her life after she loses every cent to the investor Bernard Madoff. Its a story of inspiration, independance, & finding your inner strength.

Here is my favorite excerpt from the book:

" If your worst fears happen, you live through them. They can be as bad as you imagined them but somehow you manage.

You will surprise yourself at how well you cope. You have enormous resources you don't know about.

You are in control until you have no mind left.

When you are flooded with anxiety or panic think- don't feel

There is such a word as NO. Use it to protect yourself.

Indulge your crazy ideas- just think a bit about the consequences first.

You don't have to love your parents. Honor and respect the institution of parenthood, and you will feel no guilt.

There is no such thing as human worthlessness. Even the MF must have some redeeming quality, although i admit i doubt it.

People will always surprise you with their generosity, or nastiness.

You're sunk if you lose your sense of humor.

Ask for what you want even if you think you won't get it. You'll be surprised at the response sixty percent of the time.

It's okay to feel pity for yourself- for a short while

Ranting out loud can make you feel quite a bit better.

Stop negative thinking any way you can. It takes discipline but you can do it.

Fear has two faces: The good side motivates you, the bad side paralyzes you.

When you have your first sip of coffee in the morning, stop for a full ten seconds and taste how good it is.

Decide on a short term goal and a long term goal and give them your very best shot.

Don't beat yourself up about a decision, it was right at the time you made it.

If you can't make a decision, you can always decide to not decide.

You have a self. Know its strengths and weeknesses.

Fear can make you tougher and stronger.

Evil exists.

Generosity can trump anything.

Expect the unexpected, but there is no way to prepare for it.

Change is inevitable, but its an adventure.

Loss happens, get used to it.

Be a fighter, life's no fun if you're not. "

Go pick up your copy!

xoxoxo

Jenna