Editorial Review:
This Is Not the Life I Ordered is for anyone who has ever felt overworked, overwhelmed, or just plain unlucky (and, who hasn't?!). Through this collection of stories, wisdom, and practical advice, readers will meet four ordinary women who have faced extraordinary life challenges. Together, they have a history of six marriages, ten children, four stepchildren, six dogs, two miscarriages, two cats, a failed adoption, and foster parenthood. Two have lived through the death of their spouses and one was shot and left for dead on a tarmac in Guyana -- which is documented in "Jonestown" airing on PBS' American Experience This book started simply with four friends getting together for "kitchen-table coaching sessions" to talk about their lives. Week by week and story by story, they realized their great advice to each other could help other women struggling with life's myriad issues of work, family, and love, as well as the big questions of life and death. For over a decade, the power and strength of their collective friendship enabled these women not only to survive but to thrive. They invite readers to join them to learn how they, too, can turn "misfortunate" events into joy-filled opportunities. Readers will want to share this book with every woman in their lives! * Authors are best-selling business-book author, Deborah Collins Stephens; Emmy winner Jan Yanehiro; State Senator Jackie Speier; and entrepreneur Michealene Cristini Risley whose Flashcards was screened at last year's Cannes Film Festival. * Authors' support circle includes Debbi Fields, Kristi Yamaguchi, Danielle Steele, Gerry Laybourne, and other power women. * Features practical "Wit (Women in Transition) Kit" tips at the end of each chapter to help readers to be their own life coaches.
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Customer Reviews
Average Customer Rating: 
Practical Inspiration to Help Women Get the Best Out of Life in Even the Hardest Times  2008-08-21
One of the most remarkable things about THIS IS NOT THE LIFE I ORDERED is how it absolutely validates women who have noticed that it is just about impossible to achieve perfect balance in their lives. No matter how we may strive to "have it all", we discover time and time again that such a lofty goal seldom happens in real life... but all manner of unexpected problems occur instead. THIS IS NOT THE LIFE I ORDERED suggests how we can savor what we have when we have it, noting that most peoples lives go through passages of romantic, financial, career, and family happiness... and how we can find ways to navigate the times of tremendous challenge that can rock us to our very core. I especially love the way the four authors have truly experienced some of life"s biggest ups and downs, and how open and honest they are at sharing what it felt like to be shot and left for dead in a foreign land... or being the star of a highly popular TV show, which was abruptly cancelled. The advice these women share is truly food for the soul, as it comes across just as warmly as if it were being told to us across the kitchen table from one of our dearest friends. Indeed, one of the top tips this book provides is that rather than holing up alone in a cave when things get tough, women are most resilient when we make time and space for a group of other women friends in our lives who are also in transition. The notion that difficult times present us with opportunities is an old one, but it is presented in delicious clarity in this excellent guide to successfully navigating the unexpected eddies, currents, rapids and waterfalls in the river of life. I highly recommend this book to all women everywhere... as no matter how well we might plan how things are going to go, we can be fairly certain that some things will surprise us along the way, and we could use a little help from women who have made it through all the turbulence a little wiser by reinventing themselves along the way.
"Courage doesn't always roar" 2008-08-05
Everybody has challenges at some time or another in life. What's hard is that a lot of people who seem so successful don't usually talk about the hard times and how to get through them. This is a book that does just that.
It's a comforting blend of stories and ideas. It's a kind of "workshop-in-a-book". You could bring this book to some friends and start a support group. Or you could snuggle up in your favorite reading spot for some nurturing words by a team of women who have been through it and not only survived, but thrived. It's a book of comfort, and inspiration. It's "girlfriend time" on paper that goes to the heart and soul of the matter. The only critical thing I can say is that there were more quotes than I wanted...they interrupted the flow of the authors who say so much so well. (And this from someone who loves good quotes myself!) Reading this book is a great gift to give yourself or a friend to help you through challenging times.
To Deborah, Jackie, Michealene, and Jan: Thank you! <3
Laya Saul, author of the self-help book for teens "You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way"
Not quite the book I ordered  2008-06-04
Although this was not quite the book I ordered, it does have some inspiring stories, perspectives, and quotes on doing that thing called life. The trick is trying not to get too distracted with the all of the quotes, cartoons, and name-dropping sprinkled within each of the fifty short narratives. With a take-what-fits-and-leave-the-rest-behind attitude, this book is worth the read.
Must have book 2008-04-07
This book is truly inspirational.... I discovered that I haven't put this book away after I read it. When I get overwhelmed, I pick it up and read random pages and there is always something there that helps put my life back in perspective. I have had this book for a year and I ordered it for my sister.
Great Book 2008-02-08
This book is excellent.....better than I anticipated. I only wish it had been written 20 years earlier.
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