A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOOK ON AGING
by
Stephanie Raffelock
Genre: Inspirational / Spiritual / Essays / Self-Help
Publisher: She Writes Press
Publication Date: April 28, 2020
Number of Pages: 119 pages
Scroll down for the giveaway!
All around us, older women flourish in industry, entertainment, and politics. Do they know something that we don’t, or are we all just trying to figure it out? For so many of us, our hearts and minds still feel that we are twenty-something young women who can take on the world. But in our bodies, the flexibility and strength that were once taken for granted are far from how we remember them. Every day we have to rise above the creaky joints and achy knees to earn the opportunity of moving through the world with a modicum of grace.
Yet we do rise, because it’s a privilege to grow old, and every single day is a gift. Peter Pan’s mantra was, “Never grow up”; our collective mantra should be, “Never stop growing.” This collection of user-friendly stories, essays, and philosophies invites readers to celebrate whatever age they are with a sense of joy and purpose and with a spirit of gratitude.
PRAISE for A Delightful Little Book on Aging:
“Where are the elders? The wise women, the crones, the guardians of truth here to gently, lovingly, and playfully guide us towards the fulfillment of our collective destiny? It turns out that they are right here, in our midst, and Stephanie Raffelock is showcasing the reclamation of aging as a moment of becoming, no longer a dreaded withering into insignificance. A Delightful Little Book on Aging lays down new and beautiful tracks for the journey into our richest, deepest, and wildest years.” – Kelly Brogan, MD, author of the New York Times bestseller A Mind of Your Own
“A helpful, uplifting work for readers handling the challenges of growing older.” – Kirkus Reviews
CLICK TO PURCHASE:
Aptly titled, A Delightful Little Book on Aging lays out a joyful, thoughtful, easily applicable approach to handling the advancing years with dignity, grace, and gratitude. Ms. Raffelock wrote with so much wisdom, authority, and charm, I found myself highlighting numerous passages that resonated with me. By the time I finished reading, nearly the entire inside of the book was covered in light green color (I chose a highlighter that matched the cover) .
Arranged in four sections–Grief, Reclamation, Vision, and Laughter–the book is filled with personal anecdotes that illustrated the author’s message and lists of advice gleaned from experience and lessons learned through the years. Of the anecdotes, my favorite was the one about the elderly couple who danced. “They showed us what wringing every last bit of life out of the cloth of our existence looks like.”
Of all the advice, these stood out for me:
- Keep moving – Walk, dance, exercise, do yoga. “You gotta keep moving to be relevant.”
- Be authentic – Grieve, say no, accept failure, put yourself first, speak up. “Stand in the light of your truth.”
- Have friends – Engage in community, volunteer, mentor, connect. “To care about someone beyond yourself is a fulfillment of our shared destiny.”
- Practice gratitude – Breathe thanks, name the gifts and write them down, reflect. “Gratitude practice is a way of opening the heart to appreciation and hopeful possibility.”
I’m turning forty-eight this year. I have heart palpitations and arthritis. My hair has silver strands. Soon, I will have hot flashes. This is the perfect time for me to read this book. It reinforces what I already know and reminds me of things I’ve forgotten to include in my journey to the golden years. So, yes, I’m recommending this book. Join the giveaway AND buy the book. Buy as many copies as you can afford. It’s the perfect present to yourself, to friends and loved ones. Give it to them now. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Carpe diem. Seize the day.
Stephanie Raffelock is the author of A Delightful Little Book on Aging (She Writes Press, April 2020). A graduate of Naropa University’s program in Writing and Poetics, she has penned articles for numerous publications, including the Aspen Times, the Rogue Valley Messenger, Nexus Magazine, Omaha Lifestyles, Care2.com, and SixtyandMe.com. Stephanie is part of the positive-aging movement, which encourages viewing age as a beautiful and noble passage, the fruition of years that birth wisdom and deep gratitude for all of life. She’s a recent transplant to Austin, Texas, where she enjoys life with her husband, Dean, and their Labrador retriever, Jeter (yes, named after the great Yankee shortstop).
Website ║ Facebook ║ Instagram ║ Amazon
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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
TWO WINNERS: Signed hardcover copy of A Delightful Little Book on Aging + a set of 50 pocket inspirations
ONE WINNER: A set of 50 pocket inspirations
JULY 7-19, 2020
(US ONLY)
Click on photo to enter giveaway.
CLICK TO VISIT THE LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE TOUR PAGE
FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH POST ON THIS TOUR, UPDATED DAILY,
or visit the blogs directly:
| 7/9/20 | Notable Quotable | That’s What She’s Reading |
| 7/9/20 | Review | StoreyBook Reviews |
| 7/10/20 | Review | Carpe Diem Chronicles |
| 7/10/20 | BONUS Post | Hall Ways Blog |
| 7/11/20 | Author Video | All the Ups and Downs |
| 7/12/20 | Guest Post | Chapter Break Book Blog |
| 7/13/20 | Author Interview | Texas Book Lover |
| 7/13/20 | Review | Forgotten Winds |
| 7/14/20 | Review | Momma on the Rocks |
| 7/15/20 | Podcast | The Clueless Gent |
| 7/15/20 | Review | Kelly Well Read |
| 7/16/20 | Review | It’s Not All Gravy |
| 7/17/20 | Guest Post | Missus Gonzo |
| 7/17/20 | Review | Sydney Young, Stories |
| 7/18/20 | Review | Books and Broomsticks |
| 7/18/20 | Review | Reading by Moonlight |
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Maida Malby 
Hi Maida, I’m so happy to be on your blog today. I’ve had a great time this morning looking at all the books you’ve reviewed. I miss going to bookstores during these times, don’t you? But your site has made me feel like I’m wandering the aisles of a cozy establishment, my arms filled with books to take home. I’m thrilled to see my book, A Delightful Little Book On Aging, sitting on one of the shelves here. Thank you so much for inviting me into this lovely space and for being so welcoming.
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Stephanie, I adore your book! It’s on my Keeper shelf to re-read often. I can’t wait for your novel. I already know it’s going to be fantastic. I forgot to share that I only started writing at age 44.
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I was a closet writer at 44! It’s so good to name and claim what you want in life. I think mid-life is the most creative time for women. I wish I’d been a little more confident in myself back then, but I can sure share the story now, so that other women can learn from me: first of all, go for your dreams! And second of all, believe in yourself. There will always be naysayers — but ignore them. And on a final note: don’t late age be a deterrent for expressing what’s in your heart! Big, big hugs.
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Big hugs back. Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope we keep in touch.
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I hope that we stay in touch too. I’d like to stay in touch with both you the good person, and you the good writer. Hugs.
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I’m glad you matched your highlighter to the book’s color theme! Great review & sounds like a great book to get for the girlfriend group. Thanks for the post.
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It’s such a beautiful book I felt bad “defacing” it but I needed reminders of the passages that resonated with me. I’ll definitely buy a new copy for myself and another for my mother-in-law.
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Remember when your teachers used to tell you not to mark up a book? My most favorite books are the ones that I’ve marked up because I wanted to remember something that moved me or inspired. I feel pretty good that you used so much highlighter! LOL Big hugs.
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You totally should feel good. I only do it to the best of books. You should see my Holy Bible. 😀
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I’m chuckling at the green highlighter — it does match.
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