Table of Contents
Foreword Priscilla Shirer 13
Acknowledgments 17
An Open Letter to My Reader 19
Part 1 Fight for Your Life
1 Break a Leg…or Two: You Area Masterpiece 23
2 Full-Blown Ugly Cry: You Are Okay 32
3 Gee out of the Middle of the Road: Own Your Story 41
4 Good Girl… His Girl: A Chapter from My Story 51
5 Hershey and the Highway: The Anatomy of a Drift 60
Part 2 Look at Your Life
6 An Episode from Adolescence: You Are a Soul 71
7 Double Blue Lines: Chronicle of a Collision 80
8 Precious Cargo: Carry Your Contents Carefully 89
9 GAIN Perspective: Look and Listen 96
10 Wake Up and Drive: Participate in the Process 104
11 Follow the Yellow Crumb Road: You Don't Have to Know It All 114
Part 3 Embrace Your Life
12 Sleeping by the Window: Nurturing Your Soul 127
13 A Labor of Love: Finding Purpose in Your Pain 139
14 Rockin' Hot Chocolate: Do What You Can with What You Have 149
15 An Answer, Not the Answer: The Process of Your Progress 158
Part 4 Develop Your Life
16 Dig Deep: Focus on the Finish 169
17 Analysis Paralysis: Make a Decision 177
18 Forty and Fat: Maintain Your Direction by Paying Attention 186
19 People, Places, and Things: Use Discernment 195
20 A Gift You Give Yourself: Exercise Discipline 207
21 Five to Seven Yellow Lines: Just Keep Going 218
Part 5 Encourage Your Life
22 Be Your Own Best Friend: Coach Yourself 229
23 The Monster in Your Mind: Coach Your Head 237
24 Swim against the Current: Coach Your Heart 246
25 Put a Little Sugar on It: Coach Your Hands 256
Part 6 Choose Your Life
26 Practice an Attitude of Gratitude: Choose Celebration 267
27 Run Your Race: Choose Freedom 278
28 The Great Cover-Up: Choose Honesty 285
29 The Sister Circle: Choose Community 292
30 The Butterfly Effect: Dare to Believe Change Is Possible 297
Closing Thoughts for My Reader 305
Gain a New Perspective: Personal Assessment 307
Notes 317