September 2007

Happy September! I always feel a special delight as we enter the crisp, clear, sparkling days of fall, carrying the summer’s magic in our hearts. I’m inspired to begin a new season, a new life chapter and look forward to an exciting schedule ahead. I feel deeply refreshed having been at our beloved cottage since July 4th when we arrived from New York City. Being in this natural beauty, walking about in this enchanted village, eating the most delicious meals with local fruits and vegetables and fish from the ocean, have given me a renewed vigor I hope will last throughout the year and beyond…

The first six months of 2007 were exceedingly productive and fun but there were deadlines – I was on an extensive book tour and I was writing Happiness For Two at the same time. Our move out of our New York City apartment and finishing my new book converged. I couldn’t be happier with our decision to leave the apartment where we raised all of our children. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have a fresh start somewhere else. I’m thrilled with my new book being in production and ready to go to bookstores in December!

The end of August I reviewed the typeset pages of Happiness For Two and feel enthusiastic about this important book. Because Peter was asked to write the forward by my publisher gives an added sweetness and blessing to the message of “love & live happy.” Everyone thinks the cover of this new book is great. I’m one to judge a book by its cover. I feel great positive energy about everything about this book. My beloved copy editor told me in a note that this book means the most to her of all my books. Ginger feels it will help all of us get along better in our relationships with others and believes it to be a social manual. I’m excited to have it widely read and embrace the opportunity for Peter and I to go on book tour in January.

Because Peter and I are both writing new books this summer, we have established a wonderful rhythm of sitting at our desks in our adjoining writing rooms in our sweet cottage for the daily sessions – mornings, afternoons, and after an early supper, evenings. We have carefully guarded our time in order to adhere to our self-imposed discipline of our writing and reading. With the privacy and quiet we so genuinely seek, we have been able to contemplate, deliberate and study in silence. We are making great progress in our own work and feel the exhilaration of clarity and focus. Peter is writing a book of wisdom and has asked me to write the forward! How exciting is that! I believe we inspire each other and I’m honored to be able to be part of his wise, witty book by adding a few words at the beginning.

September will be enlightening. We are going to Texas twice, and to Denver, Colorado, to give talks. The end of the month we go to New York City to a one-day University program where we will study from the most popular class at Harvard University on Happiness. I continue to study about Happiness from every possible angle. I’m especially interested in Aristotle’s teachings about happiness being the aim and purpose of life and how we come to understand that the ethical life is the way to achieve genuine human happiness. I’m fascinated by the mind-soul connection, the effects of happiness and health, and how we go about the continuous efforts required to achieve lasting happiness through acquiring wisdom and how to avoid suffering.

In October we will return to His Holiness the Dali Lama’s teaching for 2 ½ days in New York City. I am studying in preparation for these stimulating teachings. I took a picture of his holiness several years ago. I have it before me on my desk. He believes we want to have everything easy, quick and cheap. There is some truth to this, and he believes we must be mindful all the time, not just when meditating or doing our own way of spiritual practice.

Peter is president of the Riot Relief Fund and has been for thirty six years. This organization gives money to firefighters and police in New York City and has for 144 years. His trustees and their families voted for me to be Keynote Forum Speaker this October at their annual luncheon. My talk will be, “What Aristotle Taught Us About Living the Good Life in the 21st Century.” I’m enormously stimulated by this opportunity and challenged to do my best to represent the great intellectual achievements of the wise philosopher who is known for his uncommon common sense.

More good news! Italy is now going to publish You Are Your Choices. I love the thought that my books are being read around the world. But I’m especially touched when I receive letters from young readers. I’m going to share two I received:

“Dear Alexandra,
I have never written to an author before, but I feel so strongly that I must make the effort to thank you for your inspiring words. I have read your book You Are Your Choices more than once and was truly impacted by the advice. The thoughtful suggestions truly touched my heart and brighten my perspective. After reading your book, I feel I have made some positive changes in my life. I can really relate to your passions, love of color, and beautiful things, and appreciation of simple pleasures, as I too, am quite artistic. Please know that your literary work continues to touch people’s spirit! I am at a new chapter in my life- heading off to college, which I am both nervous and excited for. I will be studying marketing and visual journalism -- following my passions! Your books will come with me to help me face and overcome the challenges, as well as continue to remind me of what is really important… making the right choices. Thank you for influencing me through your words now and in the future! I admire and respect you. Hopefully, I will be as successful as you are someday ...living a beautiful life! Wishing you the best now and always.
Love , Jenna, age 18.
P.S., I gave a copy of You Are Your Choices to my mother because she loves your work too! When I’m up at college we can both read the book, continue to be inspired and think of one another!”

“Mrs. Alexandra Stoddard,
I am 21 years old and currently reside in southern California. My mother gave me Things I Want My Daughters to Know when I moved out; she had been saving it for me for a long time. I brought it with me on a flight to Colorado-where the other half of my heart lies- but I never anticipated I wouldn’t be able to put it down. Your words continue to inspire me and the way I life my life. I find happiness in planting flowers, stationary, books, journals, music, china, seeing little kids, the smell of the green grass. I too share your passion for ribbons- I have since I was a child! These things have always been there to keep a smile on my face, but I still briskly walked past them in a hurry that to this day I do not understand what was for. I keep myself surrounded by good energy, and good people, and let go of the others as graciously as possible. Your words and selected quotes were a huge part of what motivated me to do so, and to believe in myself and in my instincts; to trust who I am and what I’m worth. I’ve wanted greatly to let you know. Thank you! And as an aspiring writer, you are an inspiration on that level as well. Best wishes with life, love and happiness.
Sincerely, Angela”

I received a letter from someone in Washington State who came to a Happiness Weekend at the Inn at Stonington who reported to me that she just opened her own gift store and sells my books. I am the only author she has in her store! She started an Alexandra Book Club in August. It is so beautiful for me to think of the happiness I receive from making these genuine connections with my readers. Who knows, maybe I’ll end up giving a talk and having a book event in one of Paula’s stores!

As many of you know, I don’t have all the books to sell I once had because they were donated to Africa and China, but I do have many here at the cottage, and if you are interested in The Postcard As Art, I have copies in lilac (no more spring green) that we found when we moved. This book is a treasure because it had been sold out for months.

*Please try to come to the Happiness Weekend November 2, 3 and 4th, ’07. Peter and I are looking forward to this event with eager anticipation and delight. Have a joyful September. Let your time spent in the beauty and wonder of nature inspire you to better understand your human nature. Let the light and sparkle remain within you as you make the effort to achieve greater happiness. Thank you for all your support, kindness and affection as we go on our journey together, seeking the truth that we’ve come to know as good and beautiful.

Love & Live Happy

Alexandra's favorite hydrangea!

Alexandra's writing table with favorite blue hydrangea. Simply heaven!

November 2nd, 3rd, and 4th 2007: 9th Happiness Weekend at the Inn at Stonington. Enjoy a full and fulfilling weekend with Alexandra: Welcome reception, seminar, dinner with Alexandra and Peter at a wonderful local restaurant. A fabulous weekend getaway.