Joan’s Personal Retreat: How I looked forward to my personal retreat at a cabin in the woods. I planned to take walks among the tall pines, read on the patio, answer to no other person, journal, relax, nap, rest and pray.

After unloading the car and putting away my food for the next few days, I stared at my stack of books. What to read first? The book titled Go Back and Be Happy by Julie Papievis (http://www.gobackandbehappy.com) seemed to call my name. I had never met Julie prior to the day at the Christian Book Expo when she autographed her book and gave it to me.

Julie Papievis: I read the first few chapters and learned how Julie experienced a devastating brain injury that took her to the gates of heaven. As she was about to enter she heard an unusual message, “Go back home and be happy.”

Her story captivated me and I couldn’t stop reading. I jotted notes to myself in the margins as tears threatened to spill from my eyes. (And this from a woman who rarely cries!?) After arriving back in my office, I sent Julie an email expressing how much I appreciated the inspiring message in the book she wrote with writer Margaret McSweeney.

The 700 Club: So it is a delightful privilege to invite you to hear Julie Papievis share her story on The 700 Club (http://www.cbn.com/700club) this Tuesday, September 1, 2009. If you don’t have the opportunity to watch the television interview on Tuesday, visit Julie’s website (http://www.gobackandbehappy.com) after Tuesday afternoon to watch the video.

Julie says, “I think the Lord wants me to keep telling His story of hope!” I strongly recommend that you read Go Back and Be Happy (http://amazon.com) and then share it with your family members and friends. Let’s pass around the hope!

What keeps you from doing blog entries, Joan? I wrote out-of-seemingly-nowhere this morning while journaling.

Logical question really, since it’s been 5 weeks and 3 days since I’ve blogged–on either blog: http://www.reliefofimperfection.blogspot.com or http://joancwebb.blogspot.com. Yikes! What is that about??

Well, probably it has to do with several things. But. . . in my journal earlier today, I spontaneously wrote: Hmmm. I’m afraid it will be ‘lame’–not good enough. Well, that’s a kick, huh? Good enough is okay, JC.

That is a hoot, since I’m the one who writes, speaks, coaches and lives to encourage others–and myself–to embrace the “relief of imperfection”, thus reducing procrastination. . . and so on and so on. You know how it is. Well, do you?

Anyway here goes. Even before I get all this social networking, blogging, internet marketing, online communication figured out (which I am working on and one of the other reasons I’ve not blogged!) I’ll go ahead and blog–imperfectly.

First, I’ll start with a little follow-up on my last blog (on March 10, 2009!). I had a great time at the Christian Book Expo in Dallas on March 20-22, even though the attendance was lower than expected. It was incredibly well-done. Professional. Great workshops. Absolutely superb nightly worship services. Good interaction with all that were there. Wonderful Christian Book Awards dinner. Here’s a few pix that help me remember the good times:
I autographed copies of my book, The Relief of Imperfection: For Women Who Try Too Hard to Make It Just Right, and 99% of the women who stopped by said, “Oh, that’s me. Honestly.” And then they shared some of their stories with me. I loved it! One woman I met wore a sweater that “perfectly” matched the book cover. We had our photo taken together. As she walked away, I said, “Watch my blog. Your picture will probably show up on it.” And then it took me weeks to upload her lovely photo. I wished I remembered her name.

Chris Simms from Regal Books managed the booth and it was great to get to know him a little. Saw pix of his lovely family, heard stories about life on the road introducing and selling “books” and learned from his wise suggestions.

Loved spending time with author Vicki Kuyper. She’s a friend and colleague who is full of fun and authenticity–and a really good writer! And she happens to be from Arizona, too. I attended her workshop where she shared about her philosophy that “God is a Slippery Fish.” Vicki has written over 40 books. Her latest two are from New Hope Publishers: Breaking the Surface and Wonderlust.

I also attended a workshop by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn, authors of the incredibly popular books, For Men Only and For Women Only. Fun to listen to their stories and fascinating research about the differences between males and females.

Well, that wasn’t so bad for my first “good enough” blog in 5 1/2 weeks! If I were chatting with a life coaching client I’d say, “Congrats! Now keep going. You can do it!”