La Dolce Vita Retreats

To prepare for our retreat in Portofino, Italy, here’s a list of suggested readings, everything from novels and dvds set in the region to books on subjects that will be discussed at the workshops.

Enjoy! If you want other suggestions, please do not hesitate to ask. I have tons!

Writing as a Sacred Path: A Practical Guide to Writing with Passion and Purpose- Jill Jepson

Writing Begins with the Breath: Embodying Your Authentic Voice- Laraine Herring

Writing Down Your Soul: How to Activate and Listen to the Extraordinary Voice Within- Janet Conner

The Journaling Life: 21 Types Of Journals You Can Create To Express Yourself And Record Pieces Of Your Life- Shery Russ

The Artist’s Way Workbook- Julia Cameron

The Artist’s Way Morning Pages Journal- Julia Cameron

The Artist’s Way- Julia Cameron

Falling Awake- Dave Ellis

Extra Virgin: A Young Woman Discovers the Italian Riviera, Where Every Month is Enchanted- Annie Hawes

Tea with Mussolini DVD

The Enchanted April- Elizabeth von Arnim

Enchanted April DVD

Falling Awake- Dave Ellis

Halloween always brings back cherished memories from my childhood as well as those of my children. When my children were small, we always made a big fuss over each and every holiday, as I believe we must celebrate life and create wonderful experiences that we will remember in our later years.

But Halloween brought another experience to me that has deeply impacted my life and my beliefs about how we live our lives. It was during Halloween that I learned about the importance of philanthropy, the fact that we need to give back to our communities and that we have an obligation to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

In those days, we children learned about philanthropy quite frequently through UNICEF programs. The programs were easily understood by children, as they supported other children in other parts of the world who were suffering. A child can understand those concepts. A picture tells a thousand words.

I began to learn about helping others during Halloween because UNICEF had these litlle donation cans for trick-or-treating. Instead of candy, we asked the kindly person at the door for a small donation instead of candy. It was a way for a child to understand the concept of sharing with and helping others – giving up something to give to another.

I remember when it was time to buy our holiday cards to exchange at school, I only wanted to buy UNICEF cards, and I followed that tradition until my early twenties. I still reflect on the warm feelings in my heart as I headed to the cashier with my boxes of cards. These cards were serving three purposes: wishing my friends holiday tidings, helping children in faraway places and lastly, helping to bring an awareness about the needy to others. Hopefully they would support UNICEF as well! It felt good; it felt right.

Those experiences as a child helped to carve a path for my life. I uphold the value of volunteerism and passed that value on to my children and hope that they will continue the tradition.

I feel very blessed to have had parents that instilled in me their values of giving back, because in reality, I truly believe that was one of their greatest gifts to me.

Blessings,
Janice

To prepare for our retreat in France, here’s a list of suggested readings, everything from novels that take place in the region to books on subjects that will be discussed at the workshops.

Enjoy! If you want other suggestions, please do not hesitate to ask. I have tons!

Writing as a Sacred Path: A Practical Guide to Writing with Passion and Purpose- Jill Jepson

Writing Begins with the Breath: Embodying Your Authentic Voice- Laraine Herring

Writing Down Your Soul: How to Activate and Listen to the Extraordinary Voice Within- Janet Conner

The Journaling Life: 21 Types Of Journals You Can Create To Express Yourself And Record Pieces Of Your Life- Shery Russ

The Artist’s Way Workbook- Julia Cameron

The Artist’s Way Morning Pages Journal- Julia Cameron

The Artist’s Way- Julia Cameron

Acquired Tastes- Peter Mayle

Anything Considered: A novel- Peter Mayle

Chasing Cezanne: A Novel- Peter Mayle

The Vintage Caper- Peter Mayle

Perfect Balance: Create Time and Space for All Parts of Your Life by Paul Wilson

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, A Toltec Wisdom Book by Don Miguel Ruiz

Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition; Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman

Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment by George Leonard

Secrets of Six-Figure Women: Surprising Strategies to Up Your Earnings and Change Your Life by Barbara Stanny

Perfect Health: The Complete Mind/Body Guide, Revised and Updated Edition by Deepak Chopra

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Pocketbook Guide to Fulfilling Your Dreams (One Hour of Wisdom) by Deepak Chopra

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga: A Practical Guide to Healing Body, Mind, and Spirit by Deepak Chopra and David Simon

The Ten Commitments: Translating Good Intentions into Great Choices by David Simon

Present Moment Awareness: A Simple, Step-by-Step Guide to Living in the Now

How Then, Shall We Live?: Four Simple Questions That Reveal the Beauty and Meaning of Our Lives

I was at a meeting the other evening and we had a discussion regarding mission statements. Not the long, wordy statements, but ones that are limited to 3-6 words. Period. It’s different than your tag line.

In the three to six words of your mission you must describe internal drive – what it is that you aspire to be or to do.

So I began thinking about personal mission statements – our missions in life, how we want to live, what our legacies could be. And then I thought about what the essence of that thought could be boiled down to that would describe my goal for each day.

I think mine would be ” Live in color. Experience more.” It feels right for me.

What would yours be?

Blessings,
Janice

I am trying to determine what criteria women, in the 45-65 yrs. age range, employ when planning a vacation? List the 5 most important determining factors.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What is the optimum length of time to be away?

Prefer International or Domestic Travel?

If International, which continent?

Which country or countries?

What is the best month for your schedule to travel?

How do you get your travel information? Magazines? (which?) Travel agent? Newspapers? (which?) Membership organizations?

What budget do you allow for a week’s vacation?

On an annual basis, how often do you travel for pleasure/vacation?

What types of hotel ammenities are important to you?

Do you prefer to share a room or have your own room?

Thanks!