Margery's Note
This is a month for re-balancing!
A great time to do a review of how we’re spending our time and energy….
To prepare ourselves for the busy November/December holiday months….
Making sure we are living from the inside out, not reacting to others, not letting others decide for us….
Being proactive about what we want and when we want it….
The topic in my coaching lately has been getting really good at setting boundaries
learning how to say no in a pleasant, compatible way
giving ourselves time to rest, to take care of ourselves
along with doing the things we want to do for others
family life can be really enjoyable when we communicate and live authentically
which is hard to do if we don’t feel comfortable being honest
being honest doesn’t have to be brutal, we can do it in a loving way
we can show others we care for them but we also care for ourselves
all of this is to say we don’t have to be love slaves to our families
We can give our time and energy to our families and also create a balance where we include ourselves in the equation
And ask ourselves, is this what I really want to do?
Let’s find the joy in living a more balanced life!
Member Notes
GGN Member Ann Ranson shares another thoughtful article:
Reframing what I thought I Knew
Life, Reframed: When Things Aren’t What They Seem
Things are rarely as they seem at first glance. A challenge can become a gift, a loss can open a new path, and even the things we fear can turn out to hold unexpected value. That’s the power of reframing—choosing to see through a different lens. Here are three times I’ve been reminded of this truth:
The rat who sniffs bombs.
Many years ago, I had an experience with a rat in my house. I won’t go into the details, but let me tell you, I was completely rattled. Ever since, whenever someone mentions these nasty rodents I relive that encounter.
Yet today I read about a special variety in Asia trained to sniff out bombs. Imagine that—an animal I’ve long associated with filth and fear is literally saving lives. A creature I once saw only as a menace has become a quiet hero.
ADHD isn’t a disability.
I’ve heard many people complain about “my ADHD or ADD.” An elementary school teacher was convinced my son was ‘afflicted’ because he had a hard time sitting still and liked to tap his pencil. She wanted him put on medication, when all he (and many others) really needed was more room to move.
Then I heard Trevor Noah say, “They made it seem like you can’t pay attention when in fact it’s more that you can’t choose what to pay your attention to.”
That reframe made sense. ADHD isn’t an absence of attention—it’s an abundance. The mind races with possibilities, and when that energy is channeled, it can spark creativity, focus, and innovation. What some call a disorder may actually be a superpower.
Releasing makes room.
Over the years, I have faced the hard decision to let go of something I had poured time and energy into. It’s never easy. Sometimes it felt like giving up or like walking away too soon. Yet almost immediately, an unexpected opportunity would appear—one that turned out to be a far better fit. These experiences have taught me that release isn’t failure. Sometimes letting go is exactly what makes room for what’s meant to come. Now I can much more easily release things that no longer serve me.
The bigger picture.
Whether it’s a rat becoming a hero, ADHD becoming a superpower, or loss becoming a doorway—life is always inviting us to look again. Reframing doesn’t erase reality, but it nudges us to stay curious, to wonder what else might be true. That curiosity opens doors to possibility, meaning, and even hope. And that shift in perspective can change everything.
“Reframing invites us to trade certainty for possibility—
and that’s where hope live.”
It’s amazing what can happen when one thing changes—suddenly, other pieces in life start shifting into place.
Ann Ranson
Heart-Centered Strategies for Spiritual Alignment
www.AnnRanson.com
ann@annranson.com
GGN Member Jane Baldwin shares some helpful ideas:
Does taking time for yourself ever feel indulgent?
Like you should be doing something more valuable with your time. It’s heavy. And it keeps you from restoring the energy you need most.
You likely identify as:
The Reliable One
The Giver
The Caretaker
Living in a constant state of being “ON”
Hyper-Productive
Hyper-Vigilant
Your nervous system reads stress as foreign or unsafe.
This gets interpreted as guilt.
That’s why I teach small, grounded practices of self-nurturing. Not indulgence—just steady, science-backed ways to restore energy and show up with more presence.
Here’s the cost of waiting: when guilt runs the show, energy drains. Resentment builds. And the cycle repeats.
But even a few minutes of intentional self-care can make a significant impact. Breath steadies. Focus clears. You feel lighter—and you create the fuel for deeper connection, clearer boundaries, and more intentional impact.
This is small. It’s doable. And it’s yours to begin right where you are.
Watch this short video where I’ll walk you through how to make this shift step by step. You’ll see how to release guilt and start restoring your energy in a way that actually lasts.
Love, Jane
unwindingcompass@gmail.com
Reminder! 3 of our members have new books!!!!!
GGN Member Glenna Hecht shares How Old Are You Today?
This book shares a game she created to communicate with her mother who had dementia. A must read!
This book isn’t a manual.
It’s a love story.
And it might just change the way others navigate dementia—with someone they love, and with themselves.
AND we’re having a book signing on Thursday, Oct. 9 at Toni Portmann’s house!
Click HERE to attend!
Plus you can order the book from Amazon
GGN Member Jaime Goff shares
Her new book: The Secure Leader
Lead with Confidence in a Changing World: Discover The Secure Leader
Is your leadership style ready for the post-2020 world? Today’s workforce craves meaning, purpose, and connection – demanding more from their leaders than ever before. The Secure Leader by Dr. Jaime Goff offers a transformative approach to leadership development, moving beyond outdated methods to focus on the core of effective leadership: understanding who you are and why you lead.
This book provides actionable strategies to:
Deconstruct Your Story: Uncover the impact of early experiences on your leadership style and identify hidden anxieties.
Identify Key Themes: Recognize constructive and destructive patterns in your interactions and decision-making.
Reauthor Your Narrative: Craft a new, empowering leadership story for a meaningful future.
The Secure Leader empowers you to lead with authenticity, purpose, and resilience in a world that has fundamentally changed. Unlock your leadership potential and become the leader you were meant to be.
Order through Amazon
GGN Member Laura Kopec shares
What the F is Wrong with Me?: A perspective on histamine intolerance, mast cell, autoimmune and other chronic imbalances.*
“Learning how histamine overload impacts the body and shifting to
fresh, low-histamine meals has transformed the way I live. Laura’s
knowledge, patience, and practical approach are unmatched, I’m
grateful beyond words.” ~Iulia T
“I’m feeling better than I ever have. I have developed such a good
routine and understanding of histamines and their role in my life.
Because of Laura’s knowledge and support, I can thrive and not be
burdened by my histamine intolerance.” ~Eva K
“Stress, long Covid and more had broken my body and brain. Laura
suggested an overload of histamine and to “drain the bathtub. ” She
explained how to accomplish this, together. My plan—including a low
histamine diet has been crucial. I’m living life again.” ~Vanessa V
This book will give you new insight to the underlying cause to
some or many of your symptoms whether you consider those
symptoms part of a histamine issue or not. If you are struggling with
understanding the chronic issues of your own body, consider a new
perspective on your health.
Order from Amazon
Thank you to Toni Portmann for sharing these inspiring messages….
Track Meetings
We still ask for $5 to cover costs. And yes, you can register at the last minute…. but it would be GREAT if you let us know a couple of days before so we can plan our refreshments!!!
Our Track meetings are designed to give us a sacred space to have meaningful, purposeful conversations without fear of being judged or competed with. Only Members can attend. They are amazing experiences, unlike any ‘networking meeting’ you have ever attended!
GGN members MUST REGISTER to attend these meetings, so just follow the links below! And if you want to learn about us, go ahead and join GGN~~if you decide it isn’t for you, we will refund your membership fee!
Currently we meet the 2nd Monday morning and 3rd Wednesday evening of each month (see below).
Each one is an event or happening in itself. Some members come frequently, some come only once in a while. Whenever you attend one, you will find out things you didn’t know, connect with women who will challenge and inspire you, and you will leave with some new perspectives.
Monday Morning Magic Track
- October 13, 2025
- 10 am to 12 noon
- How well is your life balancing? Let’s talk about it!
Click here to join us for Monday Morning Magic!
Growth & Transitions
- Wedmesday, October 22, 2025
- 7 to 9 pm
- How well do you set boundaries? Tell us!
Become a Member!
Great Girls Network is our way of being the opposite of the Good Ol’ Boys Network (which is still very much alive and well!). Even if you don’t participate in Track meetings, your membership gives you a way to support our existence and be a part of a growing group of women who really appreciate each other. And the Trii-Annual Gatherings are unlike any other “networking” event! We know women don’t network like men. We want to build relationships, we want deeper, more meaningful connections. That is exactly what GGN provides.
Our membership fee of $50 per year gives you access to our Track Meetings and also contributions to our Newsletter. The fee helps sustain our website, but it also ensures that when you participate in a Track meeting, you will honor the sacredness of the conversations because you are a member.
We created a digital card that helps people understand what they can get from joining GGN so click here to see the card.
Your membership helps give us that foundation, the strength to grow and have an impact on the lives of so many more women.
