Sample Chapter

Preface

I have lived through wars and revolutions. One of the wars I volunteered for. I have had a gun held to my head, been kidnapped, been hit by a drunk driver and faced many other life-threatening situations. All of this before I was 25 years old - but I'm still here!

On the other hand, I also had many wonderful life-affirming experiences. I have been loved well and often. I have been spoiled, pampered and treated like a queen.

On the whole, I always felt that the glass was more often half-full than half-empty.

I've lived in Europe, the Middle East and North America. My living accommodations ranged from six-to-a-room to a penthouse in New York over-looking Central Park.

I have been a daughter, sister, wife and mother - the whole catastrophe!

I have been rich and I have been poor - and rich is better!

This book is a combination of memoirs and advice column. Like all advice books, this is highly idiosyncratic. Keep this in mind: what you are reading is one person's opinion. It is not the holy writ and none of it is written in stone. This is not the definitive tome on how to live your life. If something makes sense and applies to your life, well and good. It not, don't worry about it. My feelings won't be hurt if all of my ideas don't find a home with you. Bottom line: take the best, leave the rest.

After the holy books have been written and the great philosophers had their say, there isn't much that is new. I am reminded of the tag line on an old Hungarian comic magazine: "To a newborn babe, every joke is new." It is in this spirit that I offer you my thoughts.
Some you may have heard before, some might be new to you. My hope is that you will find something that will resonate within you and maybe something that you were not aware of or hadn't thought of quite in the same way.

I also hope to bring a smile to your face.

In closing let me say that I appreciate your picking up this book. It is my hope that you will find some of it useful. Enjoy!