Play & Book Excerpts
We Choose Joy
(Aurora Corialis Publishing)
© Linda Laird Staszewski
Introduction
I am an aging advocate, creativity coach, and curator and author of two bestselling books.
I continually strive to inspire others to live their best lives. Ironically, I met my childhood goals of becoming an artist (sculpting and creating) and a teacher, with my workshops and mentoring, later in life. God is so good!
I married the love of my life, Tom, at the age of 25. We moved to Reading, Pa., where we lived for two years. We quit our jobs and moved to Pittsburgh, Pa., to be closer to our families, who both resided in our hometown of Erie, Pa. My beloved dad had been ill with cancer, and we wanted to be closer to home.
After working all day as an industrial engineer technician, I drove down to the city and attended night classes while living in Pittsburgh. It took me nine years to earn up through my master’s degree in professional leadership/organizational development. It wasn’t easy, and it was a huge sacrifice, but it was worth it. I was given this opportunity and did my best to grow with it. I have always believed in life-long-learning … and I still do.
The company I was working for routinely paid for employees to attend school for job-related curriculums. This allowed me to move into the position of industrial engineer, then the plant engineer. Daily duties included time/method analysis, productivity, efficiency, working with engineering to build a detox room, and conveying the company’s sewage treatment plant over to the township. Sometime later, I managed plant maintenance employees, who diligently kept the plant working with machinery, office air conditioning/heat, electrical issues, and so forth. Did I know mechanical engineering? No, but I told the team that although I did not have their talents and skills, working together, we could progress ... and we did! It was challenging, as back then, there weren’t many women working in traditionally male positions. Many of the shop employees resented me, and it was painful, but I grew through the experiences. Although there were numerous obstacles, the Lord smoothed the path before me. My empathy and respect increased for women who work in typical men’s positions and what they had to endure.
At one point in my life, I became unemployed and slowly recovered from the devastating job loss. I went through depression and anxiety. What would I do now? It seemed my life was over. I had lost my purpose. But soon, I heard, Trust in the Lord! It was time to reinvent myself, to let go and let God. I prayed, and I brainstormed. I trusted in God. Creativity played a major role, as I figured things out and created my own success.
Escape to Create Workshops was born, which included making vision boards to help attendees clarify, set action plans, visualize, focus on, and achieve goals. Then came DIY Crafts Kit subscriptions, followed by Queens Comfort Boxes, a personalized gift box service. I created the Facebook page, Unwavering Women 60+: Live Your Best Life, a place where women could connect, learn, and share. I understood the glass ceiling and the inequities that women were up against, and I wanted to offer support and connection. My goal was to let women know that they can still become who they want to be: they are never too old and it is never too late!
I had always wanted to write a book, but like so many others, I started, life got in the way, and it never materialized. When I learned of the anthology concept, I wanted in! I knew that was the answer! When I was unable to find one to contribute to, I turned to prayer. I felt the Lord tap me on the shoulder and say, Why not you? I remember feeling such fear and terror. How could I do this? I had no idea how or where to even begin. Would other woman want to invest and share in my dream? I trusted the Lord. I listened and committed to the book, as it was my passion. I was 71 years old at the time.
So, I set out on a journey to create the first anthology, 20 Lives Ignited: How 20 Women Over 60 are Creating Success on Their Own Terms. This anthology includes 20 strong, amazing women who have overcome obstacles in their lives to become their own success stories. Our mission is to be an inspiration and to motivate girls, women of all ages, and especially women over the age of 60. We want everyone to know you’re never too old, and it is never too late. We’ve only just begun at age 60!
At the age of 72, it was time for the second anthology. Several women contacted me, inquiring if I would be curating another book. They wanted in, and we easily got 22 women! This book encompasses how strong women refused to allow life’s difficulties to pull them down or steal their JOY. Difficult times did not define them. They learned from their situations, transcended through the difficult times, grew stronger, and created their own JOY.
What do we mean by “joy”? What are the differences between happiness and joy? Happiness is an outward expression. Joy endures difficult times, struggles, and challenges, and connects with meaning, turning them into purpose. We pursue happiness, but we choose joy.
In April 2023, with five of the authors from 20 Lives Ignited returning and 17 new women committed to this book, we have 22 strong, amazing women with stories to share and legacies to leave! Our mission with this book is to inspire women to make wise decisions, to empower themselves, to grow through difficult times, to not let anything stop them, and to choose JOY! Thus, We Choose Joy: How 22 Women Went Beyond Healing to Create Joyful Lives was born.
So, we encourage you to read these stories with an open heart and mind, as you learn how these 22 amazing women turned their pain into joy. I believe you will be inspired by these motivating, inspirational, and captivating stories.
If we could do it, so can you!
All Glory to God,
Linda Laird Staszewski
I am an aging advocate, creativity coach, and curator and author of two bestselling books.
I continually strive to inspire others to live their best lives. Ironically, I met my childhood goals of becoming an artist (sculpting and creating) and a teacher, with my workshops and mentoring, later in life. God is so good!
I married the love of my life, Tom, at the age of 25. We moved to Reading, Pa., where we lived for two years. We quit our jobs and moved to Pittsburgh, Pa., to be closer to our families, who both resided in our hometown of Erie, Pa. My beloved dad had been ill with cancer, and we wanted to be closer to home.
After working all day as an industrial engineer technician, I drove down to the city and attended night classes while living in Pittsburgh. It took me nine years to earn up through my master’s degree in professional leadership/organizational development. It wasn’t easy, and it was a huge sacrifice, but it was worth it. I was given this opportunity and did my best to grow with it. I have always believed in life-long-learning … and I still do.
The company I was working for routinely paid for employees to attend school for job-related curriculums. This allowed me to move into the position of industrial engineer, then the plant engineer. Daily duties included time/method analysis, productivity, efficiency, working with engineering to build a detox room, and conveying the company’s sewage treatment plant over to the township. Sometime later, I managed plant maintenance employees, who diligently kept the plant working with machinery, office air conditioning/heat, electrical issues, and so forth. Did I know mechanical engineering? No, but I told the team that although I did not have their talents and skills, working together, we could progress ... and we did! It was challenging, as back then, there weren’t many women working in traditionally male positions. Many of the shop employees resented me, and it was painful, but I grew through the experiences. Although there were numerous obstacles, the Lord smoothed the path before me. My empathy and respect increased for women who work in typical men’s positions and what they had to endure.
At one point in my life, I became unemployed and slowly recovered from the devastating job loss. I went through depression and anxiety. What would I do now? It seemed my life was over. I had lost my purpose. But soon, I heard, Trust in the Lord! It was time to reinvent myself, to let go and let God. I prayed, and I brainstormed. I trusted in God. Creativity played a major role, as I figured things out and created my own success.
Escape to Create Workshops was born, which included making vision boards to help attendees clarify, set action plans, visualize, focus on, and achieve goals. Then came DIY Crafts Kit subscriptions, followed by Queens Comfort Boxes, a personalized gift box service. I created the Facebook page, Unwavering Women 60+: Live Your Best Life, a place where women could connect, learn, and share. I understood the glass ceiling and the inequities that women were up against, and I wanted to offer support and connection. My goal was to let women know that they can still become who they want to be: they are never too old and it is never too late!
I had always wanted to write a book, but like so many others, I started, life got in the way, and it never materialized. When I learned of the anthology concept, I wanted in! I knew that was the answer! When I was unable to find one to contribute to, I turned to prayer. I felt the Lord tap me on the shoulder and say, Why not you? I remember feeling such fear and terror. How could I do this? I had no idea how or where to even begin. Would other woman want to invest and share in my dream? I trusted the Lord. I listened and committed to the book, as it was my passion. I was 71 years old at the time.
So, I set out on a journey to create the first anthology, 20 Lives Ignited: How 20 Women Over 60 are Creating Success on Their Own Terms. This anthology includes 20 strong, amazing women who have overcome obstacles in their lives to become their own success stories. Our mission is to be an inspiration and to motivate girls, women of all ages, and especially women over the age of 60. We want everyone to know you’re never too old, and it is never too late. We’ve only just begun at age 60!
At the age of 72, it was time for the second anthology. Several women contacted me, inquiring if I would be curating another book. They wanted in, and we easily got 22 women! This book encompasses how strong women refused to allow life’s difficulties to pull them down or steal their JOY. Difficult times did not define them. They learned from their situations, transcended through the difficult times, grew stronger, and created their own JOY.
What do we mean by “joy”? What are the differences between happiness and joy? Happiness is an outward expression. Joy endures difficult times, struggles, and challenges, and connects with meaning, turning them into purpose. We pursue happiness, but we choose joy.
In April 2023, with five of the authors from 20 Lives Ignited returning and 17 new women committed to this book, we have 22 strong, amazing women with stories to share and legacies to leave! Our mission with this book is to inspire women to make wise decisions, to empower themselves, to grow through difficult times, to not let anything stop them, and to choose JOY! Thus, We Choose Joy: How 22 Women Went Beyond Healing to Create Joyful Lives was born.
So, we encourage you to read these stories with an open heart and mind, as you learn how these 22 amazing women turned their pain into joy. I believe you will be inspired by these motivating, inspirational, and captivating stories.
If we could do it, so can you!
All Glory to God,
Linda Laird Staszewski
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Linda Laird Staszewski is a retired industrial engineer, vision board guru, multi-business owner, curator, author, creativity coach, and aging advocate. She attended evening classes for over nine years to earn up through her master’s degree in professional leadership/organizational development. She is results-oriented and mentors women, providing support and direction in clarifying goals and living their best lives!
She is the curator and author of two collaborative anthologies: 20 Lives Ignited: How 20 Women Over 60 are Creating Success on Their Own Terms and We Choose Joy: How 22 Women Went Beyond Healing to Create Joyful Lives. She belongs to numerous women’s groups, clubs, and organizations where women support and empower one another. She strives to help people of all ages grow and live their best lives. |
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