Good afternoon! I wanted to send a bonus Good Morning today based on some feedback I received this weekend regarding my August 27, 2006 Good Morning (reprinted in its entirety below.) A respected challenger offered very helpful and constructive criticism on the "Your Turn" portion of the Good Morning - you'll find that paragraph bolded below.

When I typed that paragraph I hoped it wouldn't be misinterpreted and thought about re-writing it, but I did not. Her feedback was that the email came off that I felt I was better than others and that my way was the only way to empowerment. She felt, in this particular e-mail, that I was "guilt-selling." Since she felt that way, I became concerned that others might as well. There is a great quote: "Those who believe the impossible can't be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it." I was trying to apply that principle here. Many times, family members, friends and co-workers stand in our way of change and doing the "impossible." We must not let them stand in our way when we are pursuing changes to improve our life and thus the lives of those around us.

While I addressed her email personally, I wanted to take a moment to address this Challenger's email for anyone else that read this Good Morning and felt the same way. First, I have never thought I am better than anyone else. I feel honored and privileged to help women and am thankful for every opportunity I get to do so. While I do have a business to run, the "business" side of the CYLC Program has never been the priority. The priority has always been helping others. Most of my time is spent on writing materials that are free. Even the original program was free in the beginning! As the program has grown to reach thousands, the costs of running the program, and the additional help needed to do so rise.--so our saleable products cover the costs to keep us going and help us to keep developing more offerings based on your feedback.

So in any event, I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU to all of you and to apologize to anyone who interpreted the email in a way I did not intend. I never claim my ideas are the only way to empowerment--in fact I would claim the contrary - it takes knowledge from many -- peers, mentors, kids, adults, pets -- to find a brighter day. We are all in this together. I am happy that you have chosen one of my resources, whether a paid component or a free newsletter to be a part of your journey. I know that for me personally, developing myself to where I am now was a lot like grocery shopping! I walked through the aisles and added different items to my "cart" from all parts of the store--I didn't "shop" in just one aisle. I encourage everyone to learn and experience as many new things as possible on the journey.

As always, thanks for reading, and keep on Challenging Life!
Brook Noel

"Cynicism is not realistic and tough. It's unrealistic and kind of cowardly because it means you don't have to try."
Submitted by Good Morning reader Peggy Noonan

Good morning!
I LOVE THIS QUOTE! All of my friends can attest that I have an incredibly low tolerance for those who are cynical, pessimistic, or buried beneath excuses. We all have challenges and obstacles, and we all have the power to overcome them.

I was having a conversation with a new friend the other day. She is a very sweet young lady who is bouncy, fun, energetic and optimistic. I actually thought she must have had a "pretty typical" upbringing because at age 20 she was vibrant and ready to tackle the world. We began sharing about our past ... My parents were divorced shortly after my birth; her parents had never been married. Neither of us had a real relationship with our fathers nor saw them often. We both grew up in what would be considered "poverty" level. She had lost her cousin, who was like a sister, to suicide. I had lost my brother through a fatal reaction to a bee sting. Our "non-typical" sharing continued.

I expressed my surprise at the life she had lived thus far in 20 short years (just as I remember so many expressing that same sentiment to me when I was 20). She shared how many friends felt "sorry" for her and how she couldn't stand that. She is happy and confident with who she is and realized that each experience, although painful, made her into the young woman she is today. I have said that exact statement many times. We can't filter life and just take the "good." We are a sum of our experiences - but it is up to us whether that sum will be positive or negative.

Your Turn:
No matter where you have been, what you are facing or what lies in your future, you can overcome it if you want to do so. Empower yourself. If you need some help or motivation, take an online class. If you do not choose to empower yourself, that is okay - just don't stand in the way of those of us who are on the way to our dreams!

Affirmation:
I overcome any challenge in my way.

Challenge life! ... Brook Noel