Sue Kipperman - Bootstraps: A Womans Guide to Personal Power – The Story of Nine Powerful Survivors

Bootstraps

Bootstraps: A Womans Guide to Personal Power The Story of Nine Powerful Survivors

Copyright 2008 by Sue Kipperman

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ISBN: 9780595446018 (pbk)

ISBN: 9780595695140 (cloth)

ISBN: 9780595889280 (ebk)

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Charts, Illustrations, and Photos

Photo by Dee Janelle

Section Notes

A Rabbis Message

Bootstraps: A Womans Guide to Personal Power in a Victim-Driven World, the powerful account by Sue Kipperman, does just what its name implies. It empowers women (and men, too, for that matter) to reach down, grab on, and pull themselves up and out of the rut of sadness and self-pity that has played havoc with their lives.

For those of us, myself included, who have looked back on life events with resentment and blame, and for those of us who have worn the crown of Victim Queen proudlyand for far too longKippermans book challenges us to work with Universal Laws, Sacred Insights, and Core Actions necessary for making change.

Or, in the words of the recovery community, to walk the talk. And Kipperman walks with us. From simple activities such as a Passion Board, a collage-like activity that marries visualization with positive universal energy, to a more complex analysis of lifes lessons and the part each of us plays in our own misery, Kipperman makes skillful use of personal stories to emphasize that willingness coupled with action are the keys to a new, productive, and happy life.

As I read page after page I was struck by how deeply ones victim status is shaped by the negative messages we give ourselves and the negative perceptions about ourselves we develop, foster, and feed.

As the daughter of an Italian immigrant, whom I now understand did the best he could do at parenting, I see myself and my own struggles in Kippermans words. Sue reminds me that unloading the baggage is an important first step but not enough. Ultimately more action is needed to open, examine, and toss out the rubbish that weve dragged with us for years. Who knows why our parents, siblings, spouses, children, bosses, or co-workers did what they did? And Sue tells us that it doesnt matter.

Instead, this insightful book gets to the heart of emotional recovery. Kippermans words give us just what we need to get thejob done. Bootstraps is a fascinating and remarkablebut more importanta motivating read.

Rabbi Barbara Aiello

Serrastretta (Calabria), Italy

Dedicated to women, of all races and beliefs everywhere: Your lives of courage and conviction continue to help every one of us pull ourselves up by our bootstraps.

In Gratitude

To my many brave clients and dear friends: Your stories are deeply touching and I am honored to share your courage. Thank you all.

To Karen Perrella, the artist with the magic touch, who so beautifully portrayed our front-cover heroine in her boots, our connected ladder ladies, and the victim-to-personal-power graphic. Your artistic talents know no bounds.

To Sandy Chase, my tireless editor, who truly co-authored this book and encouraged me to keep tweaking the manuscript when I thought I was really done. You are the best!

To Frank Murphy, my dear friend and President of TotalMedia Communications, Inc., whose company manages careers in television and radio; develops programming; and conducts strategic planning for companies looking to extend their brands to other media. Thank you for believing in me.

To Marianne Williamson: Im indebted to you for allowing me to cite your dynamic quote, Our Deepest Fear. This excerpt from A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles summarizes why I wrote this book.

To Dr. Robert Lang, one of the finest physicians I have been fortunate to have worked with in the last 20 years: Thank you for writing your eloquent foreword to this book and for dedicating yourself to helping women heal. Your guidance has encouraged thousands of women to realize their personal power in the quest for self-healing.

To the love of my life, Bob, who continues to be my Rock of Gibraltargiving me the freedom to find my writing voice and my spiritual space.

To my mother, who at 86 epitomizes the image of pioneer woman. You are always willing and ready to take on a new challenge, regardless of your age. You are a wonderful example, Mom.

To my daughter, Cathy: You have not only literally dreamt the cover, content, and title of this book, but you have also lovingly pushed me to connect with my highest dreams. Thank you for sharing your personal power.

To my son, Chris, who has always connected with his greatest potential: You inspire me every day to be more than I thought possible. Thank you for your loving encouragement to keep following my dreams of personal passion.

To my stepchildren, Lynne, Wendy, and Todd, and to all my daughters-in-law and sons-in-law: Amy, Koleen, Mike, Greg, and Chris; and beautiful grandchildren: Thank you for being unique, wonderful people, who exemplify richly-lived lives.

I dearly love you all and am so blessed to have you in my life.

Sue Kipperman

May 2008

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people wont feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Marianne Williamson

Foreword

It is an honor to be asked to write a foreword for a book, and even a greater honor to be asked to write a foreword for a great book. Bootstraps: A Womans Guide to Personal Power in a Victim Driven World has distilled the essence of many millennia of wisdom into an eminently useful guide for todays world.

The wisdom in the phrase the power to heal is within is no less valid today than when it was first realized before the dawn of recorded history. Change, as Sue Kipperman so deftly reveals, is one of the keys that opens the door to healing. We have the ability to create our future to receive our birthright: a magnificent life.