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Everyone seek the key to happiness outwardly
but only the wise know it lies within.!
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I recently received an email story, author unknown, titled, Your Parachute. It was about a U.S. Navy jet pilot, Charles Plumb, who was shot down after 76 combat missions and spent 6 years in a Vietnamese prison. He had to overcome numerous obstacles but he survived his ordeal.

One day Plumb ran into a man who recognized him saying he was the sailor who had packed Plumb's parachute that fateful day. The man told Plumb that he was delighted to know that the parachute he had packed had worked and was glad it had saved him when he had been shot down.

Plumb couldn't sleep that night, thinking about this man, wondering how many times he may have seen him and ignored him. Never bothering to say hello simply because Plumb was a "fighter pilot" and this man "just a sailor." This man had spent many hours below deck, carefully and laboriously packing parachutes, holding the lives of many men - including Plumb's - in his hands.

Why am I sharing this story with you? Each day we need to spend time packing our own parachutes so that we are prepared when unseen obstacles come our way.

What does this mean? We need to take time to nurture our bodies and souls to ensure that we are always in peak working condition both physically and mentally. We need to take time to nurture others that are facing their own obstacles, however large or small, as we move along our own journey. And, we need to take time to nurture and build relationships with those people who we can trust to provide the support we need along the way.

What we most need to do is pack small parachutes everyday. You do this by acknowledging and recognizing those people around you by taking time to say hello, how are you, please, thank you, have a nice day, congratulations, sorry, feel better, and whatever other words or actions that a person may require from you to get through the day.

Next time things get tough and you are facing challenges you feel you can't overcome, take out your parachute, pull the cord and watch your parachute unfold. If you've done your part, you shouldn't have to ask, "Who packed my parachute?"

Regina Barr is a business consultant and speaker with a special passion for helping women achieve leadership success. Regina helps companies develop strategies to attract, develop and retain women leaders. Subscribe to Regina's monthly Ezine for women in business at http://www.RedLadder.com.

Leather Spinsters Newsletter I've enjoyed reading through your archives this past week. Gloria

Regina and Beabee,
I can see people being offended by the definition of a leather spinster but I wouldn't worry about it. Like you said it's their problem.Joy

Yesterday I did a Google search on rape and found on your site Party Girl Rape articles. I was floored when I read those scenarios and the responses of some of your readers, both male and female. Although I don't disagree with many of those surveyed I was struck by their sheer honesty. In this day and time people seldom speak their minds much less have it printed for all to read. I'm so glad you wrote those articles. In homeroom this week I'll be sharing the articles with my high school students. These young women need to read how ridiculous it is being a "party girl". I totally agree with your ending quotes of,"these women are playing with fire and they need other women to say as much." I'm hopeful the article will discourage would be participants in this type of activity. Before I end this email I must say it appears there are some men in this world who refuse to be pawns or "jailbait" judging by some of the comments printed. girls school teacher, Ruth

It's a sad but true fact that so many women over forty feel invisible. Changing this has become my passion.

One of the things that inspired me to do what I now do, after having had an executive position with a telecom giant, was an experience I had one day following one of my seminars.

An attractive, well dressed woman came up to me and told me that the thing she hated most about becoming older was that she felt invisible. She explained how, everywhere you look, you see woman in their twenties and thirties being presented as role models for beauty and style. Rarely do you see mature women in TV and print ads and some of the fashion magazines feature teenagers as models. There's only one magazine devoted entirely to the mature woman - More Magazine.

Just because we're getting older doesn't mean we have to become an invisible part of society. It doesn't mean we we have to let ourselves go, gain weight and start looking frumpy. My late aunt Josie, while in her eighties, looked like she just stepped off the cover of Vogue whenever she went out.

A woman can still look great as she ages if . . . she learns how to do it.

Many of the makeup techniques that work on a twenty or thirty year old, are a disaster on the face of a forty five year old woman. Unfortunately, many older women have not yet learned this. As we age, one of the makeup secrets we need to know is that "Less is better."

Mistakes in wardrobe are even more apparent. Recently, I was asked by a national magazine to comment on some celebrity women. Here's what I had to say about an outfit that Kim Catrall, who I happen to adore, was wearing:

"Belly bearing cutoffs and lace up top are not for the over forty woman. Longer, boy cut shorts and a fuller cut tank with a built-in bra would give her the same bare look."

Below are some fashion anchors every woman over forty should have in her wardrobe: - A “Little Black Dress” - Black/Navy Pencil or A-Line Skirt - Black/Navy Slacks/Trousers - Black Cashmere Sweater - White Shirt - Comfortable yet Chic Black 2” heels - Classic Trench Coat

Fashion tips: Pants with clean lines, no pockets, no pleats look best on almost every woman because they are slimming.

Black or navy will make you look thinner, but add some color with accessories to give your look some flair. Elastic waist pants or skirts are to be avoided at all costs because they flatter no one.

Develop a signature. Wear a favorite ring or special bracelet all the time. Something people will always identify and remember about you.

The scarf should be a wardrobe staple. Learn how to use it and wear it many ways, such as, looped through your pants as a belt, or tied on the handle of your handbag.

If you want to learn all my insider techniques for looking fabulous after forty, fifty, sixty and beyond, visit: http://www.LookingFabulousAfter40.com

Until next time, keep looking your best and claim your power.

About The Author: Georgia Donovan, The Clothes Doctor, is a fashion stylist and image consultant, whose mission is to help women reach their fashion potential and raise their fashion consciousness. To subscribe to her free newsletter for mature women, visit http://www.lookingfabulousafter40.com or http://www.theclothesdoctor.com.