In his book On Tyranny, Timothy Snyder lists “make eye contact and small talk” as one of his ”20 lessons from the 20th century.” “This is not just polite,” Snyder explains. “It is part of being a citizen and responsible member of society. It is also a way to stay in touch with your surroundings, […]
Stand out
by resolutewoman on January 14, 2021 in change, character, courage
In his book On Tyranny, Timothy Snyder lists “Stand out” as one of his 20 lessons from the 20th century. “Someone has to,” he explains. “It is easy to follow. It can feel strange to do or say something different. But, without that unease, there is no freedom. Remember Rosa Parks. The moment you set […]
The truth
by resolutewoman on January 12, 2021 in change, character, courage
“To abandon facts is to abandon freedom,” says Timothy Snyder, a Yale historian and the author of On Tyranny. “If nothing is true, then no one can criticize power, because there is no basis upon which to do so. If nothing is true, then all is spectacle. The biggest wallet pays for the most blinding […]
Tell the truth
by resolutewoman on January 12, 2021 in change, courage, Uncategorized
To abandon facts is to abandon freedom,” says Timothy Snyder, a Yale historian and the author of the book On Tyranny. “If nothing is true, then no one can criticize power, because there is no basis upon which to do so. If nothing is true, then all is spectacle. The biggest wallet pays for the […]
Unless someone cares a lot
by resolutewoman on January 5, 2021 in change, courage
When my children were teenagers, they sometimes replied, “I don’t care.” “It’s important to care,” I would tell them. That’s why I like this quote—which I found on a blue sticker packaged with several presents from my son, Jay, and his wife, Rachel. (They know I like quotes!) The Lorax said, “Unless someone like you […]
Where hope lies
by resolutewoman on December 29, 2020 in courage, hope
“The hope of the world lies in what one demands, not of others, but of oneself,” James Baldwin once said.
We will continue to fight
by resolutewoman on November 12, 2020 in change, courage, resolute-women
“Dressed in suffrage white, Kamala Harris acknowledged ‘all the women who have worked to secure and protect the right to vote for over a century,’” writes Debra Adams Simmons, an executive editor of National Geographic, “’100 years ago with the 19th Amendment. Fifty-five years ago with the Voting Rights Act. And, now, in 2020, with […]
A joyful warrior
by resolutewoman on November 10, 2020 in book, change, courage
“My daily challenge to myself is to be part of the solution, to be a joyful warrior in the battle to come,” writes Kamala Harris in her book The Truths We Hold—An American Journey. “My challenge to you is to join that effort. To stand up for our ideals and values.”
We made it
by resolutewoman on November 7, 2020 in courage, stress
“When this day is over and the night takes us, allow yourself a deep breath. Because we made it through this day….There will be another one along tomorrow,” says Frederik Backman in his book Anxious People. I heard Frederik Backman speak at an Arts & Letters virtual presentation, and I couldn’t resist reading his book.
Make a difference
by resolutewoman on November 5, 2020 in change, courage
Now that I have voted, it’s time to think about what else I can do to make a difference. As Jane Goodall once said, “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference […]
What’s this site about?
We wrote our book and we’re writing our blog because we were frustrated. We were frustrated with experts who try to tell people how to lose weight, raise their children and improve their marriages—and be a success—in 10 easy steps. In three weeks. In one book.
Our self-help book and blog are for grownups—for women who know that there are no easy answers to life’s complex problems—that finding solutions requires some self-knowledge and self-searching and hard work.
We want to help women discover their own answers and live with them as their guide. We want to help you and other women Help Yourself!
We write about making changes and also about many other issues important to women, including families, friends, work and food.