Think about it.

From the women in our families, to friends and ‘girlfriends,’ to women we work with and buy from or serve us in some capacity, by this stage in our lives, we could write books on feminine mystique.

We have many fantastic women in our lives.  Some stay and some pass through, but I call all of them ‘keepers.’ These women, in some manner, enhance our lives. Through unique advice from girlfriends they leave their footprints. They have earned our stamps of approval or disapproval.

Amazing advice from girlfriends

After you read my musings on a few of my special ‘keepers,’ perhaps take the time to call special women in your life and tell them how appreciative and grateful you are for their friendship, their teachings, their positivity and optimism, their warmth and kindness of heart. Your call will brighten their day, I guarantee it.

I will share the stories of some very special women who have each left their footprint on my life. Their stories are important. And though they are strangers to you, their wisdom may enrich you, as it has done for me.

Now onto these awesome women. Each has a story, and none knew they were mentoring me.

Advice from my girlfriend about expectations

“Don’t expect anything from anyone, and you will never be disappointed,” was the advice from my girlfriend. My loving and kind hearted friend gifted this advice to me on a day I was having doubts.

The sentence, which I had never heard, rocked me into reality. I remember, I literally felt my body go into a state of what I can only describe as ‘luxurious tranquility.’ The phrase was harsh but her words hit me and I immediately got her matter-of-fact message.

An unfortunate truth is that family, friends, and others are going to disappoint you. Put everything into perspective before you have a meltdown. Weigh their situation and your expectations. Reality will kick in and you will know exactly how to handle the situation.

Advice from my girlfriend to “Delete”

“I am sick and tired of dealing with women who bore me or upset me so I added a new word to my vocabulary… DELETE.”  These words were said to me by a dear friend during a phone call.

All I could envision was the delete key on my laptop as my finger hit DELETE.

“Why, that would take less than one second!” I thought to myself. I started laughing so hard. It was one of the best mentoring lessons.

Fashion advice from a French girlfriend

My girlfriend from France, Florence, and I were walking arm and arm down a street in Paris. She was wearing a pinstripe light grey suit and carrying a pink Kelly bag and wore pink high heels shoes. I was also dressed in grey, including my handbag and shoes! That is only one of the differences between American and French women.

She said to me nonchalantly as we walked: “American women always wear black shoes and a black bag with a black suit or grey shoes with a grey suit or white shoes with a white suit. Don’t do that anymore, Suzi. Treat your shoes and handbag as colorful additions.” A great lesson in French style, dear readers.

Silence from a girlfriend’s perspective

“I love the silence of the night,” wrote a friend, in the middle of the night, as we emailed back and forth. I was jetlagged from a flight from Europe; she obviously just enjoyed the night. To this day, I have never forgotten her profound words. Silence is an art. We live in the age of speed and nothing is more revitalizing than slowing your body and mind down; grounding yourself into silence. Truthfully, “I love the silence of the day, too.” It is a tonic. I learned to love the silence even more on my visit to the Serengeti. 

The advice from a girlfriend about Gratitude

“Keep a journal and pencil next to your bed and each morning before starting your day, write down one, two or more reasons you are grateful,” said a saleswoman in the shoe department when she fitted me with new shoes. What a wonderful idea and what a wonderful way to  start all of my days. Grateful people are happy people. Ungrateful people will never be happy.  I spend time every day with my journal and a healthy dose of gratitude.

Three girlfriends from the South

After I saw Gone with the Wind,  I wished I was a southern woman! Truth be told, I would love the name Scarlet. Too late. But, I am fortunate to have three Southern girlfriends, Emily, Norma Jean, and Janice. Two are from Virginia and one from South Carolina. All are old friendships.

Sometimes a listening ear is better than advice from girlfriends

I met Emily in Honolulu over 30 years ago, and we became fast girlfriends and are to this day. We spoke on the phone a few weeks ago. Emily and I are in sync. We are kindred spirits. When my late husband died, she is the girlfriend who tapped my shoulder at the funeral and whispered in my ear: “I am here to listen to you.” She is still here to listen to me, and I am here to listen to her. We are sisters. Dear reader, having a sincere friendship happens but seldom, so hang on to your nearest and dearest.

Gems of wisdom from a Southern Belle

I owe a great deal of  my lifestyle to my ultimate concierge, my husband, who opened the doors to the world… and to my most important mentor, my Mom!

My mother did everything with gusto. My mother had great values. She took great effort to achieve or obtain what she wanted with a fierce desire and the best part…she did it with glee. I am my mother’s daughter.

Women of the world are my mentors

Darlings, I am not embellishing this personal statement: I know women all over the world. I am so fortunate because they have enriched my life ten-fold.

Three stand out as sisters. They are long lasting friendships. My girlfriend Susan from Manhattan, my girlfriend, Cheryl originally from New Orleans but we became friends in Honolulu. She was my first girlfriend in the Islands- over forty years ago. And, my first best friend, Gail. We were six and seven when we met, and we are still best friends.  These women are mentors, I am taken with everything about them. Not one characteristic stands out. All of their characteristics do. I am fortunate to have them in my life and I am, grateful.

Not a day goes by that I do not hear from a woman from somewhere in the world. How have I been so fortunate? I myself marvel at the expanse of my lifestyle. How did a small town girl from Kankakee by the Sea go on to lead this amazing life with women friends?

Embrace the gift of advice from girlfriends

Don’t be afraid to open yourself up to different types of women. Go out of your way to introduce yourself. Remember, women need women. And, women are looking for friendships especially after they retire, move, or become empty nesters. Just be selective before putting them into the ‘sister’ category.

So if you haven’t yet, take advice from your girlfriends and apply it to your life, like I have.

I “Delete” what does not make my heart sing. Have learned to love the silence of the day and the night.  I think ‘French’ when I dress, and I don’t expect anything from anyone so I will never be disappointed. And, on and on.

As your friend I will leave you with one of my ‘daily do’s’:

Live your life with gusto.

Thank you to my friends and my mother who hears me in heaven: “You have been marvelous role models. I am so grateful. I am smiling.

What have you learned from the wise women in your life?  I would so love to hear from you in the comments below!

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