Welcome to my stop on the book blast for Lady and the Tribe: How to Create Empowering Friendship Circles by Brenda Billings Ridgley. This book blast was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an excerpt from the book. There's also the blast wide giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. Be sure to visit the other stops on the book blast for more content. Enjoy!
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Title: Lady and the Tribe: How to Create Empowering Friendship CirclesAuthor: Brenda Billings Ridgley
Publisher: Whole You Media
Publication Date: September 22nd 2021
Print Length: 234 pages
Genre: Self-Help
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Wives, mothers, and career women—we have all fallen victim to the silent epidemic that is, literally . . . letting ourselves go. Not the makeup free, yoga pants, weight gain routine. Little by little, we have allowed our preferences, interests, and individuality to slip away until we no longer recognize ourselves outside of our role as wives, mothers, or professionals. Who we are has become what we do.
In the process, our friendships have become the casualty of a “busy life” and lack consistency and depth. We have a gaping hole inside us that longs to be filled. How do we reclaim who we really are and fill this empty space that seemed to appear from nowhere? The answer lies in our Tribe. Our best friends see us more clearly than we see ourselves and are representations and extensions of our individuality. They are our companions, cheerleaders, and counselors—always in our corner. They are the branches of our tree of life that lift and support us, so we can flourish. Our Tribe is the family with whom we choose to live our life . . . with no strings attached.
Lady and the Tribe is a blueprint for building deep connections. As you read, you’ll be swept away on a journey of friendship as the author shares her own personal stories and those of other women. In the process, you’ll discover how to find, nurture, and deepen friendships and create a Tribe culture that is unique to you.
We can become whole again through the power of connection.
When three or more gather, we are Tribe.
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EXCERPT:
Loneliness Can Be Lethal
Since we live in this global, socially connected world, how is it possible for anyone to be lonely? Psychologically speaking, loneliness does not necessitate social isolation. Being lonely means feeling detached from others yet having the desire for a connection or a relationship.
Why is loneliness so lethal? As human beings, one of our greatest needs is to be seen, acknowledged, and cared for. We want to belong and be a part of something larger than ourselves. More so than men, women need to maintain close connections. Relationships increase serotonin and oxytocin, the bonding hormone. In times of stress, women don’t just experience the drive toward fight or flight—they also release oxytocin. This hormone surge can compel women to “tend and befriend.”
Research is clear. Close friendships are necessary for optimal health and well-being. A longitudinal study of aging found that strong social networks lengthen survival among older people. Dr. Amir Leving suggests that social connections are the most powerful way for us to regulate our emotional distress and that proximity to someone you are securely attached to is the most effective way to calm yourself.
An article in the New York Times reported that close relationships create positive mental and physical reactions in our body, mind, and heart. We are less likely to experience high levels of loneliness when we feel supported by intimate and close relationships. Strong relationships with close friends or family benefit us greatly and fulfil our social needs.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
BRENDA RIDGLEY is an author, speaker, and girlfriend guru who loves helping women connect, find success, and discover joy through friendship. Her mission is to start a movement: women coming together to build thousands of new Lady Tribes around the globe. Through her workshops, vlogs, blogs, and book clubs, Brenda helps women connect and communicate with respect, love, and trust. She holds an MA in human resources and has spent decades cultivating her own Tribe.
A Colorado girl at heart, Brenda lives in the Carbon Valley area with her husband, Parker, two kids, Parker Jr. and Gillian, and pooch, Perry. She enjoys hiking and has conquered Longs Peak and several other 14’ers.
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GIVEAWAY:
Brenda Billings Ridgley will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Good luck!
(All the Ups and Downs is not responsible for this giveaway, its entries, or the prize. Goddess Fish Promotions assumes all responsibility for this giveaway.)
I love the cover and think the book sounds great.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sherry! I also love how the cover turned out and if I may say so, it looks and feels even better in person! ;’)
DeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteAgreed! Thank you!
DeleteHow long was the writing process?
ReplyDeleteHi Deborah, thanks for the question! Once hit with the book’s inspiration, the material and stories came to fruition in just under 10 weeks. It was a joyful process and I am grateful!
DeleteLady and the Tribe: How to Create Empowering Friendship Circles by
ReplyDeleteauthor Brenda Billings Ridgley sounds like an informative and interesting book.
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Thank you Nancy! I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteThank you for featuring Lady and the Tribe on All the Ups and Downs! I am happy to answer any questions!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book.
ReplyDeleteThank you Peg!
DeleteThis cover is so vibrant! I absolutely love it!
ReplyDeleteAmy thank you! I wanted the tree to blossom as a reflection of the full, flourishing life we achieve through connection. ❤️
DeleteThank you Laura! You are not alone in feeling this way. We are disconnected as a society, but we can fix it! My goal is to help create 1000 Lady Tribes in 2022. From there we can exponentially make a difference!
DeleteI truly NEED to read this book!
DeleteAmy I hope you do and please follow up with me to let me know your thoughts!
DeleteOh this is so true, and something I really need to work on in my life!
ReplyDelete
DeleteThank you Laura! You are not alone in feeling this way. We are disconnected as a society, but we can fix it! My goal is to help create 1000 Lady Tribes in 2022. From there we can exponentially make a difference!
I have a question for your readers. How have you connected with your friendships since social distancing was introduced in 2020?
ReplyDeleteSounds quite helpful. I enjoyed the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThank you Katie! I hope my readers will enjoy a nice balance of information and friendship stories as well as a blueprint for finding and building friendships.
Deletethis sounds like a wonderful book, congrats on the release
ReplyDeleteWendy, thank you so much! It has been so exciting!
DeleteThis looks like an important book that is very relevant to me. Good work.
ReplyDeleteThank you Paige, I really hope you love it! Thanks for the well wishes.
DeleteWhat a lovely premise for this book - a must read for me...
ReplyDeleteMichele, thank you. I appreciate that! I would love to hear back what you think of it!
DeleteI enjoyed the excerpt. Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteYou bet Debbi! Thank you for participating!
DeleteSounds like a great book!!!
ReplyDeleteZelda, thank you so very much!
Deletedo you have others read your work before you submit it to your editor/publisher? thanks
ReplyDeleteHi Le P! Yes I did have several rounds of family and friends reading the entire manuscript before I sent it to my editor. That's what friends are for right? :')
DeleteThis looks really cool, best wishes to your blitz.
ReplyDeleteThank you Calvin, I appreciate your kindness!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like an interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDiana thank you! It's my pleasure.
DeleteI love the book cover ,so colorful. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Deb!
DeleteSounds like a great book. I like the cover and excerpt.
ReplyDeleteSusan thank you so much!
DeleteThis sounds like an interesting book and I also like the cover.
ReplyDeleteabfantom at yahoo dot com
I hope everyone enjoys the balance of stories, facts and action plan. Thank you Ann!
DeleteThe cover is so pretty and the topic sounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lisa! I love the way the cover turned out too!
DeleteThe book sounds really great.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dale❣️
DeleteThe book sounds very interesting. I've definitely lost connection since covid began.
ReplyDeleteYou aren’t alone Pippirose! We all need to be more intentional to keep our connections growing. Thank you!
DeleteThis sounds like a good read!
ReplyDeleteDebbie thank you! I hope it makes a positive impact for women.❤️
DeleteDebbie thank you! I hope it makes a positive impact for women.❤️
ReplyDeleteLooks like an interesting book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest.
My pleasure Slehan! Thank you for the feedback!❤️
DeleteI like the idea of the book. It sounds really intriguing.
ReplyDeleteDavid thank you! It would make a great stocking stuffer for the women in your life! Even men have enjoyed it as a way to understand us better... lol!
DeleteThe colorful leaves on your book cover make it very eye catching!
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Thank you Nancy! We played around with a bunch of colors and I am so happy with the way it turned out!
DeleteThis is a great self help book.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing it with us.
Barbara I really hope it is helpful to a bunch of women in reconnecting to find joy! It is my pleasure to share this with you!
DeleteCover looks great! Excerpt sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteHi Thomas! Thank you so much, I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteThe cover is great.
ReplyDeleteThank you Debbi!
DeleteSounds interesting. Would really like to read.
ReplyDeletePlease let me know what you think of the book! I would love your feedback Dianne! Thank you!
DeleteWhat an interesting premise for a book. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Christina!! Thank you for the feedback!
DeleteSounds like one that will keep me interested and reading.
ReplyDeleteheather
hgtempaddy
Heather I hope it does!! Thank you for the note!
DeleteDo you have any advice for new writers?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Jamie! My advice is to find something you are passionate about, dive in and learn as much as you can! When you are excited about your subject the words will come to you with ease and the writing process is creative and fun. Also, give yourself a small "do-able" daily or weekly goal. My goal was 500 words a day and some days that didn't happen and that's ok. I did meet my weekly goal most weeks. Thank you for the question!
DeleteDo you always like being an author?
ReplyDeleteHi David! To be honest this is all pretty new to me so, YES, it is very exciting! I have found there is so much more to it than just writing a book! The real work starts once it is out of your hands as a writer and trying to get it out into the world for everyone to see. It is challenging and a little overwhelming at times but when you believe in your message its important to keep putting it out there! Thank you for the question David!
DeleteWhat's your favorite book to re-read?
ReplyDeleteThank you Slehan for the question! You know I rarely re-read a book. I have read many great books but there are sooo many books to read and so little time! I have read a book and then listened to it on audio. Books like Conversations with God, Think and Grow Rich and the Stand by Stephen King are some examples. What are your favorite books to re-read?
DeleteThe cover is really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jodi! Do you see the woman in the tree trunk?
DeleteThank you Jodi! Do you see the woman in the tree trunk?
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of dog is your pooch Perry?
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Oh Nancy he is the sweetest old guy. He is a 13 year old Shih-poo. Still ornery and adorable like a pup. Thanks for asking!
Deletesounds like a fun one
ReplyDeleteDaniel I think readers will have some fun with the stories and even may shed a few tears. Thank you for the comment!
DeleteSounds great, I like the cover.
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan! I appreciate your feedback!
DeleteWhat's your favorite book genre?
ReplyDeleteHi David! I would say I most often purchase and read personal growth books, however if I were to read for entertainment only I would choose a thriller of some sort. Thank you for your question!
DeleteExcellent work!
ReplyDeleteThank you Thomas!
DeleteI love the cover art of the book.
ReplyDeletelildevilgirl22 thank you so much! I am so proud of the way it turned out!
DeleteSo true. Too often we become know for what we can do for others as women and not who we truly are. Look forward to reading.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you for this insight Reecan0811! We are givers, that is our nature but we need to remember to "fill our own tank" with our own interests, activities and meaningful friendships! Thanks for your comment!
DeleteI think that the cover of your book has an interesting design.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Thank you Nancy! Do you see the woman in the tree trunk?
DeleteSounds like an informative book. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank You Susan!
DeleteThank you for such an interesting excerpt - well done!
ReplyDeleteBarbara thank you so much!❤️
DeleteI am glad you found it interesting Barbara! Thanks so much for the encouragement!
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for being such a great interacting group! I appreciate your kind words and support and hope we can stay connected! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you watch on Youtube?
ReplyDeleteI love to listen to the Alex Rainbird channel as well as Eckhart Tolle and Abraham Hicks. Thanks for the question Jamie!
DeleteThere is nothing but truth in your excerpt
ReplyDeleteThank you for the affirmation and support! ❤️
DeleteLAST DAY
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest.
Thank you for participating❣️
DeleteSounds awesome!
ReplyDeleteI hope you will consider taking a closer look Drea! Thank you! ❤️
ReplyDelete