CONGRATULATIONS TO LYNN BRAGELMAN!

On January 19, 2008 at the Book Launch Celebration for Joan C. Webb’s new book, The Relief of Imperfection, Lynn Bragelman was the lucky winner of a “Relief” basket.

The gift basket included a copy of The Relief of Imperfection, a lovely journal, pen, yummy chocolate, fragrant candle, popcorn, and gourmet hot chocolate.

Relax and enjoy, Lynn!

The Relief of Imperfection Book Launch on Saturday, January 19 was a “Relief-filled” CELEBRATION! Lots of friends, family, colleagues! Surprises! Hugs! Congratulations! Balloons! Food! Gratitude! Love! Sharing! Surprise birthday greetings!


Here’s a photo of my husband Richard and me, Joan C. Webb, at the Relief of Imperfection Book Launch. More later.

Today I read my friend, Author Mary Pierce’s BLOG at http://www.laughlady.com/. I always LOL on Tuesdays because that’s the day Mary (When Did My Life Become a Game of Twister?) writes her Blah! Blah! Blah! BLOG. This morning her entry was titled “The 1% Solution.”

“Last January, I set three major goals for 2007. . .” writes Mary. “I missed each goal by–you guessed it–100%. HA! . . . [So] I’m changing my approach; I call it The 1%Solution. Here’s how it works:
Today, I’ll exercise 1% more than I did yesterday. Yesterday my only exercise was beating around the bush and jumping to conclusions. Today I’ll take a five-minute walk. . . . Then I’ll throw myself a little party. . . Woo-hoo!”

And I decided to respond to her blog, even though I’ve never done it before. I typed, “Fun stuff and reasonable idea—that Laugh Lady’s 1% plan! I just typed in a witty reply to your blog, but made a mistake and lost it all. Bummer. Oh, well, sounds like a little ‘Relief of Imperfeciton‘ for me today.” Comment by joancwebb — January 8, 2008 @ 11:02 pm

THEN I SAW IT! YIKES! So I wrote another entry to the blog. “Oops! I re-read the comments I just posted and I realize I’m having trouble spelling the title of my new book. (Hey, give me a break–typing comments on blogs is NEW to me!) Anyway, the word ‘Imperfection’ is not spelled ‘Imperfeciton.’ The title of the book is–The Relief of Imperfection: For Women Who Try Too Hard to Make It Just Right. And well, the truth is, I’vemade several ‘imperfectionistic‘ blunders today and I’m still standing and smiling.

“Just for the record, in addition to the two I’ve mentioned above, I forgot to get my husband’s boarding pass online as I promised I would. Now he’ll probably have to sit at the “back of the bus” on his flight from Phoenix to Little Rock! Double bummer. It reminds of the Laugh Lady’s 1%. Mary writes that she can’t do everything [just right], so she is going to make a 1% shift in the right direction.

And I did, too. I said, “I’m really sorry, Richard.” And since I’m not down on myself tonight, it is reason enough to join Mary, the Laugh Lady, in a “Woo-Hoo!”

The 1% Solution works! And by the way, so does The Relief of Imperfection! Try it! I think you might like it! Go to http://www.amazon.com/ and type The Relief of Imperfection in the “search.” Also, go tohttp://www.reliefofimperfection.com/ and write me an email under the CONTACT US menu. I’ll enter your email into my January FREE BOOK DRAWING. Maybe you’ll be a winner like Linda Christ. (See the recent posting.)

Relief blessings to you this January 2008!

2008 is here! Wish I could sit and chat with you and listen to your plans and dreams for the coming year. (For me, listening toanother’s honest thoughts and aspirations is like gazing at an inspiring landscape such as Niagara Falls. My husband just snapped this photo when he visited there recently.)



A few weeks ago when I heard the following true story, I thought of you (you I haven’t met yet and all you I already know–and love.) I hope you take these words into 2008 with you, to inspire and encourage you.



“I have the results of your stress test,” said Dr. Page.* “You have major blockage in several arteries and need immediate intervention.”



“Whoa. That’s not the kind of news I wanted to hear,” replied Michael*, a middle-aged family man with a challenging career. “Can you fix my heart?”



“Sure,” answered Dr. Page. “Talk to my nurse and let’s schedule your surgery for as soon as possible.” After the doctor explained about the surgery and follow-up care, Michael drove home to share the news with his wife and family.
Later the doctor visited Michael in the hospital room where he was recuperating. “Are my arteries open now and the blood pumping through again?” Michael asked the doctor.



“Open and pumping the blood, all you’ll ever need,” assured Dr. Page.



Michael’s wife, Sarah*, leaned toward the doctor and asked, “But what will his quality of life be like now?”



“I fixed his heart, but the quality of his life is up to him,” remarked the doctor.



This story really touches my heart (and I don’t have clogged arteries!) Once again it confirms to me that I am personally responsible for my own decisions, beliefs, actions, and growth. It’s an awesome and do-able privilege, since I’m the only one I can change. (I know I can’t change other people, and often I can’t change my imperfect circumstances, either. But I can change my thinking and behavior–and make choices that may alter my situation.)



That’s why I thought of you. You, too, have the privilege of making personal decisions and following through with determined action. It takes courage, commitment and faith. And you have all three. Grab them and go.  What decision calls for your courageous action? What choice seems impossible to make? What next step is God urging you to take? Perhaps 2008 is your year for change.



Remember this good news: God has fixed your spiritual heart, the quality of your life is up to you. In 2008, may you find rest, joy, gratitude and peace as you continue to make wise and healthy choices to ensure the quality of your life.



Trading exhausting expectations for imperfect joy,
Joan