Comfort Secrets for Busy Women: Finding Your Way When Your Life Is Overflowing by Jennifer Louden

What do you do to comfort yourself? Maybe you take a few precious minutes and do something nice for yourself - like curling up on the couch with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and a big spoon.  Well, that’s an example I would have given prior to reading Comfort Secrets.  However, my perception of comfort has changed significantly while reading and contemplating this book.  Do I really feel comfort after I’ve finished the ice cream?  Not really – actually I feel like I overindulged and gained a couple of unwanted pounds.  Real comfort is about being kind and nurturing to yourself for the long term, which can sometimes conflict with the “shadow” comforts we may desire as a quick fix.

Women today are busier than ever with our diverse responsibilities.  In the age of go-go-go and do-do-do, it’s very difficult to maintain any type of balance.  As a result, taking care of ourselves often ends up at the bottom of our priority lists, and we get all out of whack.  But Jennifer Loudon and her Comfort Queen muse (“CQ”) can help us re-evaluate our situations.  In the book they bring us on a journey of self-exploration and encourage acceptance of our true selves.  No, it’s not too New Agey or touchy-feely.  It really is about simple truths (although they may not seem so simple at first), lots of examples from everyday women, and a big helping of imagination and whimsy when conjuring up images of CQ.

Chapter by chapter, Jennifer and CQ gently guide us through numerous thought provoking, soul searching questions in an easy-to-relate-to format.  They advocate living your life from the “inside out”, truly listening and checking in with yourself, and not being afraid to ask for help.  To them comfort is really about loving and nurturing yourself in spite of your imperfections, and understanding and accepting that you have limits.  You need to work with you – what you’ve got, not what you want to have – and follow the unfolding path of your life despite all its interruptions.  Have faith and learn to trust yourself.

Take your time with this book.  Read a chapter and then set it aside; treat yourself to a journal and write the answers to the questions; really use the book as a self-discovery tool.  The holidays can be a good time to reflect on your life in this way.  Get to know yourself better as you work through the book, and perhaps let it guide you to a more peaceful life in the New Year.

December 3, 2003, is Comfort Secrets Day.  When you order Comfort Secrets on this (and only this) day, you’ll receive loads of fabulous bonuses to nurture yourself and your dreams.  Plus you’ll be entered into a drawing to win 12 sessions of coaching with Jennifer Louden, a $1,450 value!  Just buy the book through our link on December 3, 2003, and send your receipt to amazonsecrets@comfortqueen.com.  Go here to learn more about the great goodies.

About the author:  Jennifer Louden is a best-selling writer, creativity mentor and creator of learning events and retreats.  She has appeared on numerous TV and radio programs, including Oprah.  She’s spoken to thousands of women in settings as diverse as the Canadian wilderness and a German bank.  Jennifer lives on an island in Puget Sound with her husband, Chris, and their daughter, Lillian.