Things I Want My Daughters to Know

Book excerpt: From Alexandra Stoddard - beloved lifestyle philosopher, mother, and author of Choosing Happiness, a small book of wisdom about the big questions of life, perfect for new graduates, new mothers, and as a treasured gift from woman to woman. Alexandra Stoddard, a mother, grandmother, and author of more than 25 books on personal fulfilment, shares a series of succinctly–stated principles worth living by. Each statement is fleshed out in a few brief, useful paragraphs. By turns wise ("Pain is inevitable; suffering is a choice"), controversial ("Don't feel guilty about your feelings toward your parents, stepparents, or in–laws"), affirming ("You don't have to prove anything to anyone"), and humorous ("When you discover something you love, stock up"), these short pieces cut to the essence of what's important and are oases of clarity amid life's chaos.